NOTE: Pricing based on data collected November 2010. Costs of hybridization and forced features are UCS estimates based on information available on manufacturer websites.
See full Hybrid Scorecard methodology
Vehicle Summary
Toyota introduced the Camry Hybrid in model year 2007, and it was the first hybrid built in the United States. The midsize sedan seats five people and gets a combined EPA estimated fuel economy of 33 miles per gallon (mpg). The Camry Hybrid is a full hybrid, offering electric-only operation under certain conditions, idle stop/start, power assist, and regenerative braking.
Environmental Improvement Score
Simply put, the Camry Hybrid seems to be falling behind in the hybrid sedan market. In 2009, the Camry Hybrid achieved a 27 percent reduction in global warming emissions (compared with the conventional Camry); in 2011, the reduction dropped to 21 percent. While still ahead of the Nissan Altima Hybrid’s 18 percent reduction, the Camry Hybrid trails both the Ford Fusion Hybrid (33 percent) and Hyundai Sonata Hybrid (30 percent) by an increasingly significant margin. This is in part because Toyota applied the Camry’s hybrid technology to achieve greater acceleration and horsepower compared with the conventional Camry. Toyota could get greater global warming emissions reductions with the Camry Hybrid if it used a more efficient gasoline engine and maintained the performance of the conventional Camry. Given the increased emphasis on efficiency and emissions in its other hybrids such as the Lexus CT 200h and HS 250h, Toyota should replicate this approach with the Camry Hybrid to ensure it can compete with other models the non-luxury hybrid sedan class. The smog-forming emissions performance of the Camry Hybrid is very good, earning it an EPA air pollution score of 9 out of 10. This score, combined with the global warming emissions reduction, give the Camry Hybrid an Environmental Improvement Score of 6.1.
Scorecard Environmental Improvement Score methodology
Hybrid Value
Toyota is charging $4,350 for the hybrid system in the Camry Hybrid, almost $700 more than it charges for the hybrid system in the Prius and more than $2,000 above what it charges for the hybrid system in the Lexus HS 250h. With a 21 percent reduction in global warming emissions, the Camry Hybrid earns a Hybrid Value rating in the “Good” range. Toyota needs to reduce the price it charges for the Camry Hybrid’s drivetrain, and/or increase the focus of the technology on emissions reductions, in order to bring this model more in line with the Prius and HS 250h as class leaders in hybrid value.
Scorecard Hybrid Value methodology
Forced Features
The Camry Hybrid comes with $1,455 worth of extra or upgraded features compared with the base-model conventional Camry, and gets a Forced Features rating of “$.” This is a drop from the $2,156 in Forced Features on the 2009 model. However, the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid currently offers no Forced Features and a lower base retail price. Sample forced features include a remote keyless entry system, smart key system with push-button start, and chrome-tipped exhaust. Click to see full list of forced features.
Scorecard Forced Features methodology
Hybrid Scorecard Home
Additional Info
Visit the Who’s Got Hybrids section to read comments and stories from actual hybrid owners.
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