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2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid Performance Review

November 3, 2008

PERFORMANCE | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Camry Hybrid leaves little to be desired
Cars.com

the Camry Hybrid offers relatively brisk acceleration
Edmunds.com

the Camry Hybrid feels a little cruder than the Prius
Popular Mechanics

Today's hybrid technology is impressive indeed
Road & Track

With a few exceptions, reviewers praise the 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid's performance not just in comparison to other hybrids, but gas-powered sedans.

Road & Track notes that the Camry Hybrid "maximizes use of the available electric propulsion and minimizes inefficient modes of the gasoline powerplant" and also gives kudos to "Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive system" for being "seamless."

The Toyota Camry Hybrid offers a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine with a continuously variable transmission. The engine provides 147 hp, but Edmunds.com notes that the "electric motor adds another 40 hp." The Camry Hybrid's electric motor can run the vehicle independently, but only at speeds below 30 mph.

Edmunds.com also states that while Toyota was not looking to create a high-performance hybrid, the 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid goes from 0-60 mph "in a very respectable 8.4 seconds." Road & Track sums it up by saying they would be "more than happy to give up a couple of seconds to 60 mph if that meant a 50-mpg Camry."

Toyota's premier hybrid car is the Prius, and Popular Mechanics wonders if people "are willing to pay about the same for the larger Camry Hybrid as they will for the slick but smaller Prius."

Conclusion

While maybe not the fastest or the flashiest, the 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid holds its own when it comes to performance among the hybrid competitors.

PERFORMANCE | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:Camry Hybrid leaves little to be desiredCars.comthe Camry Hybrid offers relatively brisk accelerationEdmunds.comthe Camry Hybrid feels a little cruder than the PriusPopular MechanicsToday's hybrid technology is impressive indeedRoad & Track With a few exceptions, reviewers praise the 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid's performance not just in comparison to other hybrids, but gas-powered sedans. Road & Track notes that the Camry Hybrid "maximizes use of the available electric propulsion and minimizes inefficient modes of the gasoline powerplant" and also gives kudos to "Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive system" for being "seamless." The Toyota Camry Hybrid offers a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine with a continuously variable transmission. The engine provides 147 hp, but Edmunds.com notes that the "electric motor adds another 40 hp." The Camry Hybrid's electric motor can run the vehicle independently, but only at speeds below 30 mph. Edmunds.com also states that while Toyota was not looking to create a high-performance hybrid, the 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid goes from 0-60 mph "in a very respectable 8.4 seconds." Road & Track sums it up by saying they would be "more than happy to give up a couple of seconds to 60 mph if that meant a 50-mpg Camry." Toyota's premier hybrid car is the Prius, and Popular Mechanics wonders if people "are willing to pay about the same for the larger Camry Hybrid as they will for the slick but smaller Prius." ConclusionWhile maybe not the fastest or the flashiest, the 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid holds its own when it comes to performance among the hybrid competitors. 2008 TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID STYLING | 7 out of 10 Cars.com: "virtually indistinguishable from most other Camrys" Edmunds.com: "offers buyers a more mainstream and traditional package [than the Prius]" Auto123: "very pleasing to the eye" Reviewers don't have much to say about ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The Altima Hybrid, which also has a full-hybrid system, has mileage and overall performance that's very similar to those of the Camry Hybrid, but the Camry's interior is a little roomier. The luxurious, diesel-powered Mercedes E320 Bluetec seems like an unlikely competitor, but it also attracts buyers who want to decrease their petroleum use, and it gets 32 mpg on the highway. To its credit, the E320 Bluetec rides, handles, and accelerates just about as well as the gasoline E350, but it's more than twice the price of the Camry Hybrid. Or if you'd like a full-hybrid powertrain in a compact SUV, there's the Ford Escape Hybrid, which is rated at 34 mpg city, 30 mpg highway. Finally, if you don't need all the space of the Camry and don't mind a hatchback, you might as well go for the much more fuel-efficient Prius, which gets 48 mpg city, 45 mpg highway.

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See the Toyota Camry Hybrid in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007

Comments (3 total)

  1. By  jack #1, Posted: 5/13/2008

    Camry is the best to enthusiast and the 'normal' guy?

    As an owner - I can't agree more with that: "...Conclusion: The 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid contains all of the options a car enthusiast might want or need."
    Very good article!

  2. By Gary #2, Posted: 5/31/2008

    2008 Camry

    After transmission problems and the engine cutting out and stalling at idle with nothing but excuses from the Dealer, I'll never buy a foreign car again.

  3. By Sandy Titleson #3, Posted: 8/22/2008

    Camtry Hybrid Bottom Line

    Conservative styling? That's accurate. Although at 34 mpg, who cares, really?

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