Impressive fuel economy?
The manufacturer's literature accompanying my tester cited a fuel consumption rating 5.7 litres per 100K for both city and highway driving. During my mixed city/highway jaunts, the best I managed according to the vehicle's onboard brain was 7.5 litres. Whether the discrepancy should be blamed on dyslexia, my driving style or a boastful rating is unclear.

The gas consumption gage has the effect of keeping your right foot relatively light.

Despite the noted disparity, my Camry Hybrid achieved gratifying fuel economy given its comfortable size and my real world, heavy right foot driving habits. With a little behaviour modification, I'm sure that figure could be improved upon. An instantaneous gas consumption gauge sits next to the speedometer, where one might expect to find a tachometer.

Learning to keep this gauge at the lowest point possible when dipping into the throttle would over time modify one's driving technique in favour of economy. Along with avoiding unnecessary acceleration, gentle applications of the throttle keep the needle low while returning the most economical results.

On flat roads, scaling back on the throttle will shutdown the gas engine, enabling electrically-powered propulsion to maintain the vehicle's speed until the battery depletes to a predetermined threshold or the need for increased power arises.

Regenerative braking contributes to touchiness
When the vehicle is coasting or braking, electricity flows in the opposite direction to recharge the hybrid battery pack. As the Camry Hybrid nears cessation, rolling resistance imparted by the regenerative process tends to gang-up on the wheels, resulting in sharper stops than perhaps intended by the driver.

Time behind the wheel would likely result in driving pattern adjustments smoothing-out the process of halting the Camry Hybrid. Engine braking can be engaged to slow the vehicle or hold its speed on descents by bumping the shift lever into the "B" position. This engages the engine for braking purposes (compression braking) while increasing the rate of electrical flow back to the battery pack.

Overall driving impressions
The 2008 Camry Hybrid is an extremely pleasant vehicle to drive. First of all, it delivers the same smooth, composed ride as that of non-hybrid Camrys; it's also a very quiet vehicle. Little road or wind noise penetrates the solid cabin while the "little engine that could," operates in near silence unless pushed hard, at which point a heavily censored growl can be detected.

Of all the four-cylinder hybrid vehicles I have driven, the Camry is by far the most refined and seamless in its operation. It's also very pleasing to the eye. The latest Camry incarnation met us in 2007, so it continues to look fresh.

With an entry price of $32,000 for a nicely equipped Camry Hybrid and $35,680 for a loaded version, the cost of hybrid ownership is beginning to make sense. There is plenty of value, both financially and environmentally, in Camry Hybrid ownership.


Highly refined, sophisticated "full hybrid" powertrain
All the comfort and security of a Camry
Polished, economical performer
Well-priced


Fuel economy is less than cited by Toyota
Touchy brake response



None


Photo Credit : Rob Rothwell