Toyota Camry Hybrid Update

Six-Month Update
Toyota Camry Hybrid
Six months: Hybrid technology merges with basic transportation.The question people most often ask when they spot the hybrid badges on our gray metallic Toyota Camry is, "How good is the gas mileage?" Six months into our yearlong test, we plugged all the numbers from our fuel-entry log into Microsoft Excel, and the program calculated that we had averaged 33 mpg. So the answer to that oft-asked question is, "Pretty good, but not great." Our fuel economy is quite a bit less than the official 40 city/38 highway estimate that appears on the window sticker, but overly optimistic numbers are the norm for hybrids. In response, the EPA is changing its testing procedure for the 2008 model year, lowering the ratings to better reflect real-world driving. All in all, the Camry Hybrid has provided us with comfortable transportation, equipped as it is with heated leather seats, XM satellite radio, and a navigation system. We recently added Bridgestone Blizzak REVO winter tires, which keep the Toyota plugging away through winter's worst. Nevertheless, the Camry is the last pick when we want to partake in a little parking-lot hooliganism, because the stability control-which beeps annoyingly when slip is detected-can't be disabled and there's no handbrake. At least the hybrid sedan continues to live up to Toyota's reputation for excellent reliability.

Notes
14,253 miles Senior editor Joe Lorio: "The surging and slowing during highway driving as the powertrain switches back and forth between recharging and drawing from the battery bugs me. It's less noticeable, and therefore less irritating, in city driving. I've experienced the same thing in the Nissan Altima hybrid."

14,769 "I'm not impressed with the suspension damping," notes senior editor Joe DeMatio. "I hit a big transverse ridge on I-94 at about 80 mph, and the rear end reacted so violently it was like being in a beam-axle pickup truck. Also, the powertrain's whine made me think I was in an airplane on a runway."