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| Ratings |
( Maximum score is 100 ) |
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| Overall: |
 ( 100 )
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| Comfort: |
( 100 )
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| Performance: |
 ( 80 )
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| Quality: |
( 100 )
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| Appearance: |
( 100 )
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| Comments |
Favorite feature: |
Gadget Factor, Fuel Efficiency |
Least favorite feature: |
Trunk Space |
Advice to buyer: |
A great car for a couple or one child. Not enough space for a full family |
Detailed review: |
I picked up my new hybrid Camry on July 2nd, and have driven in for my work commute several times, plus a trip from Iowa City, to Madison, Wisconsin and back (~173 miles each way)
I am going to keep this review pretty empty of quantitative numbers like horsepower, and volts, etc. These numbers are available all over the web, and I won’t provide any value by repeating them here. This review focuses on my experience and thoughts while driving the Toyota Camry Hybrid.
Just to let you know where I am coming from, I upgraded from a 2002 Volkswagen Passat V6 GLX. The Passat is big, nicely appointed, and has lots of power, so I was a bit worried about the transition to the hybrid Camry. Also, I am an aggressive driver, I tend to drive ~80MPH on the freeway, and 40’s on the streets. I notice that I am being less aggressive in the Camry, which might have two reasons. 1) I’m trying to maximize my fuel efficiency, since its very easy to notice in the car, and its one of the reasons for buying the Hybrid Camry, and 2) the Camry does have less power than the Passat, and I am feeling my “push” more. As I said I averaged around 80MPH in the Passat, but would often find my self daydreaming along in the 90s. I doubt that will happen in the Toyota Camry, because I definitely feel the engine earlier.
I had been looking at the hybrids for a while, in particular the Prius, but I needed more size and more luxury than the Prius provided. I put down my deposit for the Camry as soon as they were announced, and have been waiting (not so patiently) ever since.
After several delays (including repairing some cosmetic damage to the car while it was shipped from Japan :( ), I got my car on the 2nd. The hybrid Camry comes with quite a bit standard, that is optional on the non-hybrid Camry, plus quite a few options. However, in reality, there are only two hybrid builds available: the base model, and the loaded model. The loaded model comes with leather, DVD navigation, and a sun/moon roof. I got the loaded model, in Barcelona Red, with tan leather interior.
See my full review at http://geekswithblogs.net/gaijin42/archive/2006/07/06/toyota_camry_hybrid_review_navigation_bluetooth_in_depth_prius.aspx |
Also considered: |
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Vehicle purchased: |
2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
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| About This Reviewer... |
Name: |
Jason Coyne |
Email address: |
autobytel-gaijin42@sneakemail.com |
Location: |
Iowa City, Iowa |
Other vehicles owned: |
None
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Review submitted: |
July 07, 2006 |
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