Toyota Camry Hybrid review, test drive

We test drive the new Toyota Camry Hybrid and provide our first impressions of the new luxury saloon.

Published on Aug 14, 2013 01:44:00 PM

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The third mode, Normal, essentially deactivates Eco mode. The car is a lot more fun to drive in this mode as performance improves dramatically. Toyota’s petrol motor has always been torquey and quick to get off the mark. Here, with the electric motor assisting it, it’s even better. Hit the gas pedal, or in this case a combination of throttle butterfly and an electric switch, and you are instantly greeted with a lot of enthusiasm. You get an instant shove in the back, that keeps getting stronger for a few seconds and the Camry moves forward with plenty of energy and enthusiasm. Remember, we are talking about a car that is being pushed forward by a combined drive power of 200 plus bhp. In fact, the Camry gathers pace so fast, you can easily touch 180kph without the motor breaking into a sweat.

Also impressive is the ride quality on the Camry Hybrid, and that’s despite the extra weight it is carrying. It is comfortable and pliant, soaking up road undulations reasonably well and because the heavy batteries sit behind the rear passenger seat, there isn’t too much bobbing or pitching either. The impact of deeper bumps is felt though and the suspension does thud over larger obstacles.

Unlike the Prius, this car also enjoys being driven in a spirited manner. The steering is impressively direct and the Camry Hybrid holds on gamely in corners, even as you pile on the power. Brake feel isn’t the best, though. Under hard braking, you can sense the regenerative brakes working away and the brakes feel a bit spongy. But the brake feel has been improved over the years in hybrid Toyotas, and in the Camry, it’s definitely a step up over the Prius.

That said, the long wheelbase and ground clearance (identical to the normal Camry at 160mm) could be an issue on bigger bumps if the car is full, since the suspension setup is on the soft side.

In terms of efficiency, Toyota claims that the Camry Hybrid’s ARAI-certified rating is somewhere in the region of 19kpl, which is quite impressive for a car of this size. We expect real-world efficiency to be in the region of 12-13kpl.

So, does the new Camry Hybrid deserve a closer look? Absolutely. While hybrids haven’t done well in India so far, this new Toyota has the potential to change all that. The Toyota Camry Hybrid costs Rs 29.75 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), and is a luxurious hybrid saloon that’s comfortable, well equipped, and really nice to drive. The new Camry Hybrid could actually be the start of something big.