2021 Toyota Camry Hybrid – a whole series of cars of the 9th generation of the popular Japanese sedan. The car with a hybrid engine is intended for the Japanese and European markets. Therefore, you won’t be able to buy it in Russian showrooms, but the sedan is already on sale in Ukraine. The car received good dynamics and a level of comfort quite appropriate for its class. And, thanks to the combined use of gasoline and electric engines, it also has impressive efficiency, consuming on average 80% less fuel than the regular version of the Camry.
Appearance and dimensions of Toyota Hybrid 2019
You can make sure that the car belongs to the executive class by the pronounced relief of its body, which will make the Camry Hybrid noticeable in the flow of cars. The list of exterior features of the model includes:
- stylish alloy wheels R17 or R18;
- wide radiator grille;
- slim LED headlights;
- visually reduced center of gravity of the car due to the line of the hood and roof;
- tapering inward rear part of the body.
The dimensions of the car are almost no different from the body dimensions of conventional petrol versions of a premium sedan. The length of the car is 4.885 m, width – 1.84 m, height – 1.445 m. The wheelbase is 2.825 m. The curb weight can be in the range of 1.54-1.68 tons, depending on the configuration.
Let's summarize
Is it better or worse than regular Camry versions? For me it's better. And I’m not afraid to compare it with a more powerful version with a 3.5 liter engine. Undoubtedly, the V6 will look more dignified at traffic light races, but how else can we measure its superiority?
What if it's a Prius? Try it, of course, but you are unlikely to find in it the comfort that the Camry provides, because in addition to everything described above, the “magpie” is a real business-class sedan with all that it implies.
Many, of course, are afraid of that very battery in the trunk, they say, what to do with it if it dies tomorrow? Naturally, nothing lasts forever; sooner or later the battery of a hybrid installation will go out. The only question is: when will this happen? The car that is participating in the review is already a full 5 years old, and has more than 140,000 km of mileage behind it. And for good measure, all the warranty periods have already passed. There are many examples with Priuses, which have been driving on the roads of Kazakhstan for many years.
There is, of course, a risk, but I would say that its share is no higher than with other traditional machines. And especially in the face of one of the most reliable cars of the current millennium, the concept of risk simply has no right to life.
Salon
There are not many changes in the interior compared to previous generations and petrol versions. For the driver, only one thing has changed - instead of a tachometer, there is a more modern power meter on the dashboard. But second-row passengers now have their own remote control for climate control and sun blinds. There is enough space in the back to comfortably accommodate two or three people. And even tall passengers can comfortably ride in the new Camry due to the reduced seating position.
The model comes with a 7 or 8-inch multimedia system screen. The display is touch-sensitive, but there are physical buttons around it for easy control. The climate and audio controls are also located nearby.
Multimedia
On board the Toyota Camry hybrid there is a classic multimedia system with a multifunction display and control buttons. The company's management considered it necessary to update the software to the latest version of Toyota Entune.
There are no popular systems for Apple and Android users that allow synchronizing smartphones, tablets, and navigators, but they may appear there in the future. In addition, already in the basic configuration of the hybrid there is a global GPS navigation unit from Scout, which is also capable of keeping track of fuel and plotting (tracking) a route. There is an intelligent Yelp search, and the ability to receive the popular US radio network NPR, as well as broadcasts from the alternative Internet resource Slacker, has been implemented.
The panel is enclosed in a modified triangle, with numerous buttons and keys conveniently located around it. It seems that when developing the interior design, Toyota engineers decided to use smooth, rounded contours. No sharp corners. Everything is harmonious and functional.
Therefore, the Toyota Camry hybrid technical characteristics, external and internal appearance are mutually consistent and are in amazing balance.
Technical specifications Camry hybrid 2021
One of the main parts of the car is its hybrid engine, which includes a gasoline and electric motor, which are combined by a planetary gear:
- The 2.5-liter internal combustion engine received a high efficiency rate of 41% and a power of 177 hp;
- electric motor with a capacity of 120 hp provides the car with maximum dynamics.
The total power of the hybrid power unit is 218 hp. This is not so much - but still exceeds the performance of gasoline versions. The engine performance is enough to accelerate the car to 100 km/h in just 8.3 seconds and reach a speed of 180 km/h.
In previous hybrid Camrys, the battery was installed in the luggage compartment, reducing its usable volume. The battery is now located under the front seats, so the boot can accommodate 469 liters of cargo. The ground clearance of the hybrid version of the sedan is relatively small - only 145 mm, less than that of the previous and current generation Camry with a conventional engine. On the other hand, the car was not positioned for driving on bad roads or off-road, where ground clearance is of serious importance.
According to the results of crash tests, the car was recognized as one of the safest in the world - 5 stars out of 5, and excellent performance in all 6 tests. The car also received good ratings for the efficiency of the headlights, a good set of driver assistance systems and passive safety equipment.
And how is it going? What is the real acceleration? What about fuel consumption?
In general, it drives the same as the regular version of the Toyota Camry: light, soft, pleasant tread, and at the same time, it is ready to turn and maneuver. The heavier car still obeys the steering wheel well, carries out commands adequately and without delay, stands well in a straight line, and is stable in turns. Frankly, during the test drive there were good roads everywhere, so I can’t say anything specific about the stiffness of the suspension. But I still hope that the Toyota Camry has not lost its softness: firstly, because it is a Camry, and secondly, because a couple of found joints, holes, and patches were passed quite comfortably. But besides the suspension, the Toyota Camry Hybrid turns out to be a comfortable car in terms of sound. After all, a traditional internal combustion engine sometimes does not work at all or works at low-medium speeds - as a result, when driving, the cabin is very quiet, you can only hear the distinct roar of the engine when accelerating “gas to the floor.”
By the way, acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in the “gas to the floor” style gives an average figure of 8.6 seconds – they didn’t reach the passport data quite a bit, but this is still noticeably better than the internal combustion engine version of the Toyota Camry. For the most dynamic acceleration, you need to turn on the sport mode of the automatic transmission (why this is so in the absence of an automatic transmission is unclear, but it’s a fact) and the sport mode of the driving settings. Yes, yes, the hybrid version of the Toyota Camry has a function for selecting driving settings: ECO - maximum use of electric traction and smooth acceleration, NORMAL - a very balanced mode, SPORT - maximum power and dynamics, the internal combustion engine is connected earlier than usual. Plus, there is a separate EV Mode button, which switches the hybrid into electric car mode: movement is carried out only by the electric motor.
True, you can’t drive like this for long. The battery only lasts for 1-1.3 km even with smooth “pedaling” of the accelerator - reminiscent of the situation with driving a Toyota C-HR. There is also a similar logic for controlling acceleration, which you need to get used to: when you press the accelerator pedal, you actually control not the acceleration itself, but the intensity of acceleration. The power meter needle may be in the green or white zone, it may freeze in place - and the speed will increase to a certain point: similar to driving a car with a CVT or an electric car. But you get used to it quickly: unlike the aforementioned C-HR, the hybrid version of the Camry Hybrid uses more powerful engines (both internal combustion engines and electric), while the car itself sets up a calm, measured driving style - as a result we get a soft and smooth movement . It’s the same with deceleration: when you release the accelerator pedal, there is a slight recuperation (a sort of “engine braking”), when you press the brake pedal, the brake mechanisms come into operation, plus the intensity of recuperation also increases to the maximum.
On the move, the hybrid justified itself: acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.6 seconds and, at the same time, lower fuel consumption. Thus, the mixed consumption during the test drive was 6.6 liters per 100 km; when driving around the city and subsequent measurements of dynamics, the consumption figure was about 8.5 liters per 100 km, when driving on highways at a speed of 80-130 km/h consumption constantly fluctuated around 4.3-4.6 liters per 100 km. Of course, it is advisable to drive a car for a long time in Ukraine, to monitor the consumption on familiar routes, but it is already clear: a hybrid turns out to be 1.5-2.5 times more economical than a conventional internal combustion engine version, depending on the driving style and operating conditions. By the way, sometimes the electric motor independently pulled the hybrid even at speeds under 100 km/h. The new Toyota Camry Hybrid offered buttons for selecting complex driving modes and a separate EV Mode button. But let’s face it, these are all “toys”: the most balanced driving mode is NORMAL, and the start of movement always occurs with the help of electric traction – you can stretch a small “plug” without pressing EV Mode.
Toyota Camry Hybrid 2019 Competitors
The list of competitors for the hybrid Camry 2021 includes the Honda Accord Hybrid, Toyota Prius and the regular version of the Camry. When compared with the Accord, we can conclude that this car has good dynamics and efficiency. This car also looks sportier than the Camry, has a larger trunk volume and a comfortable rear seat. But the Camry has an advantage in terms of reliability.
When choosing between a Camry with a hybrid engine and a Toyota Prius, it is worth noting such advantages of the latter as an economical engine, a spacious interior and luggage compartment. The Prius's options list includes an 11.6-inch display, automatic parking and better pricing. However, the Camry has better handling and a more comfortable interior. The reliability level of both cars is similar.
If you compare the hybrid and gasoline versions, the choice in favor of a regular car can be made because of its price. Despite the fact that most parameters, except those related to the motor, will be the same. But it should be noted that the hybrid Camry not only uses less fuel, but also is much better in line with the current European trend towards reducing air emissions.
Review of Toyota HYBRID (2008)
Hello to all users and guests of the site! I decided to share some impressions of a hybrid car.
Everything that will be written below is a description of my personal feelings and conclusions about the car and may not coincide with the conclusions and feelings of other people, so in no way do I pretend to be the ultimate truth.
For a clearer picture, I’ll write what cars I had before: VAZs, Ford Sierra, Ford Mondeo, Audi A6 (turtle), Mercedes E (210). As you can see, all the cars were made in Europe. I became infected with the hybrid when I first learned about it, because of its unusual design, I liked the idea itself. The second, so to speak, emotional charge occurred when I saw the Toyota Camry hybrid for the first time in my city of Odessa, I was very impressed. Then, in fact, I got excited about the car, but there was no way to shell out 48 thousand bucks. Then I drove an Audi 6 and a Merc E-shke.
I sold the 6 to Audi when the crisis came, it became too expensive, I left the diesel Merc E-shka, drove half a million on it and also decided to sell it, and this is where the question of choosing a car arose. Among the contenders were: Passat B6, Ford Mondeo, E-shka 211, and... at worst, a Japanese of this class. Yeshka was dissuaded by the technicians who serviced my Mercedes, and my companion’s reliability, compared to my 210 tank, is, to put it mildly, not at all impressive. In short, it disappeared. I was looking only for diesel cars with an automatic transmission, since from time to time I have to drive a lot both around the city and on the highway, and my finances in the future do not seem particularly stable, so the car had to be comfortable and economical. Somehow I didn’t come across any normal Passats from Mondeo: either the car is good, I don’t like the color, or the equipment is poor, etc. In general, this went on for six months.
And then people began to advise, and somehow I began to look more and more towards the Japanese. Of all the one-faced Japanese, I liked the Camry the most, Teana was in second place, but I liked Teana only for the interior, and not at all for the outside. Then somehow I came to the conclusion that if it’s Japanese, then only a Toyota Camry, but since it’s a Toyota, then only a hybrid! I really wanted something fresh, not only in terms of age, but also in design, and I also wanted an economical car. It took several more months to search around the country until I came across an almost new car from a poor man, it was his third and surplus, he practically never drove it. I went to another city and looked without hesitation and left a deposit, since the car was in new condition, and that’s how I got it.
Now about the Camry.
I liked the car, although after the Europeans you have to get used to both the good and the bad. The plastic on the Camry dashboard hurt my eyes right away, especially remembering the Audi interior, the suspension performance after the Merc was also annoying, the sound insulation on the Camry after the Merc was simply not good, additional measures had to be taken, it also took me a long time to choose a seat position. But I started to get used to everything and gradually adapted to the car. Now I already like the Camry, but I’ve somehow forgotten about the previous cars, BUT the plus of the Camry is that it gives some inexplicable feeling of reliability, loyalty and simplicity (those who have Toyotas will understand me), I have this on Europeans there wasn’t, there was always something there, even if it was a little thing, but it had to be done (especially the Audi), but here it was like an eternal car. Of course, it's just a feeling, but it's somehow pleasant.
I’m not driving fast on the highway now, so setting the suspension to “comfort” doesn’t bother me, but around the city it’s pleasant. The steering wheel is not sharp, but quite informative, I’ve also already gotten used to it. When fully equipped, I was a little disappointed by the lack of illumination on the door opening button and on the power windows (except for the driver's), I had already taught myself to find them by touch. A trifle, not pleasant. The console also glows too brightly, there is a radio and a monitor, in the dark the driver’s entire face glows with turquoise light. But overall the car is very good and, I think, ideal for those who have always dealt with the Japanese.
There is a high-voltage battery in the trunk, it rests against the back seat, so there is less space in the trunk than in a regular Camry, but I don’t really need it. On the right side of the rear wing there is a 12-volt gel battery to power the on-board network. Under the hood is an inverter with a separate cooling system, electric power steering, electric air conditioning, and electric pump. The automatic transmission has built-in electric motors with a power of, in my opinion, 55 hp. This, in general, is the main difference. The engine is 2.4, only slightly modified for the hybrid. Its power has been derated (reduced) by 20 hp. (from 167 to 147 hp) and adapted for 92 gasoline. The gearbox is completely stepless, you press the gas, accelerate, but there are no shifts, just like on a trolleybus. Of course, there are a lot of other things that have been changed, but I won’t describe them, there is a lot of information on the topic on the Internet.
Well, now about the most important thing: why, in fact, the hybrid was created - about fuel consumption IN PRACTICE. The units on my devices are American, I didn’t bother converting them, although we can do it here, I’m just used to recalculating them. When they tell you that my Camry has a consumption of 5 liters, as I sometimes come across online, don’t believe it, this can be achieved, but in almost ideal conditions. In the city, if you work carefully with gas, you can reach 6-6.5, this is realistic and then only for long distances in the city and only in the warm season (from +7-10 and above). There are too many factors involved that affect consumption.
In order and in more detail: if, for example, in winter in the middle zone, living in the city, you go to work at a distance of 2-3 km, then drive from work to the store +1 km, and then pick up your wife 2 km, and then home, then in this case, in winter you will save little, because the battery at such short distances simply will not have time to warm up in order to enter the mode, and the consumption will be about 11 liters (in Odessa and Kyiv in winter in this mode 9-10). But if you are driving from one end of the city to the other (5-20 km), and even through traffic jams, then the savings will be obvious; with an average driving style, your consumption will already be 8 liters, and this is in a city with traffic jams. And when spring comes and the temperature is already about 10 and above, then real joy begins, consumption will drop to 6.5-7 liters. This, in fact, is the average consumption in the warm season.
If you have a more active driving style, then the consumption will be on average 8 liters per 100 with the climate control always on. On the highway, if up to 120, then the consumption is the same as in the city - 6.5-7 liters, the battery gradually collects energy, and then uses it when overtaking and on climbs, helping the gasoline engine, and on descents it collects it again , and so on all the time. On pure electric power, I was able to drive a maximum of 4 kilometers, then the engine turned on and charged the battery, or by braking at traffic lights it charges very quickly. In the city, on average, you drive half of the time on electric power, you get stuck in traffic jams, but the engine doesn’t work, while the climate control, amplifier, and pump (to keep the car warm) continue to run on electricity. You can start and drive on electricity; the motor will connect when the speed is 58 km/h. It is impossible to control this; everything is decided by electronics. The best option for saving is quick gasoline acceleration, and then you let off the gas, the load drops from the gasoline engine, it stalls and the electric motor turns on, and you drive it until the next intersection or traffic light, slow down, returning energy to the battery, and again again.
My maximum record was on a suburban road in the evening, there were not many cars, to the satellite city of Ilyichevsk, from the center of Odessa there and back, (50 km somewhere in the combined cycle) it was 4.8 liters per 100 km. BUT! It was warm, there were few cars, there were no passengers or cargo, I moved a lot only on electric power, I worked the gas pedal very carefully, the speed was no more than 50-60, I coasted a lot and deliberately drove in such a way as to save money, irritating traffic participants behind me. single lane roads. You can drive like this, but others will suffer... in general, this is not possible :))) For example, now, in the spring, my average fuel consumption is 6.6 liters. at 100 km. The cycle is mixed, the driving style is normal, but more calm. This is already the result of the last 3 burned tanks of 92 gasoline from a Shell gas station; for lovers of active driving, it will be approximately 7.5-8 liters. at 100 km.
Everything that I wrote was based on consumption in the city, this is in Odessa and Kyiv, I did not see any difference in consumption between these cities. I assume that it will be similar in other cities. In small towns, I assume that the indicator will be even better if the battery is not allowed to cool, and “with short dashes,” as I already wrote, increased consumption will be everywhere. A cool feeling arises when everyone is standing and smoking in a dead traffic jam, and you are sitting in a car with an idle engine, warm (or cool) and gradually pushing through on electric power, without consuming an ounce of fuel :))) If during the trip you worked the gas pedal carefully and packed in less than 7l. at 100, then at the end of the trip, when the engine button is turned off, the inscription “EXELLENT!” lights up. This means that you drove, saving fuel, and invested in economy mode up to 7 liters per hundred. It’s funny sometimes to watch the faces of ignorant people when you’re driving 5 km through a quiet courtyard. per hour on electric power it is generally silent, people are perplexed as to how the car drives.
A little more about the car. I started driving it more calmly than, for example, a Merc (I just flew an Audi with a turbo engine), it is absolutely not conducive to aggressive driving. Everything in it is done so that you can drive safely, saving fuel and helping the environment, which is exactly how it was designed. However, if the pedal is pressed to the floor, then electric ones are connected to the gas engine, and you will not embarrass yourself by starting from a traffic light, for example, with a 3.5 car, the acceleration is very fast, the same thing can be done when overtaking on the highway, you can do it very confidently. I only fill it with 92 gasoline, everything works great. This is specially done so as not to burn the 95th, which contains a lot of additives, the production of which harms the environment. In general, the ideology of Toyota hybrids is the same, which cannot be said about the hybrid Lexus, which is on the 95th.
A little about the shortcomings: one of them is just a disgusting standard halogen light (low), on a wet road you can’t see anything at all. Everything is fine with the distance. I didn’t change the headlights, I changed the bulbs to xenon ones, things got better. I also installed xenon in the foglights, it became even better :))) I checked, I don’t blind people I meet. The crickets in the cabin are annoying, some were defeated with the help of silicone grease from a spray, but the strongest one remained in the dashboard, I just can’t overcome it. When I have time, I’ll probably go to a service center to disassemble the torpedo, I’m already really tired of it. You can also note the very bright backlighting of the radio and monitor. If in the evening you pay attention to a Toyota Camry standing at an intersection, you will notice that the face of the driver or passenger is glowing with turquoise light :))) I’m kind of used to it already, but if there were less, it would be better. I’ll also note one drawback - it’s poor sound insulation, especially on the rear arches; the engine and front end are well quieted. It’s also a small thing, but still unpleasant, when there is no backlight for the buttons on the doors; looking for them in the dark by touch is quite unpleasant at first, but I’ve somehow gotten used to them, having learned them by touch. Overall the car is just good, and for those who don’t like it, that is Lexus :)))
Now the scarecrows.
The biggest fear I was told was “what will you do when the battery wears out?” I’ll answer practically, we have Priuses running around Odessa from 97-98! (the sailors carried it), the mileage there already reaches half a million! And they still run on old-style batteries (the Camry already has an improved one). True, the gas engine is already turned on more often, and the consumption will be greater, but they are still running around and are not going to the landfill, and they are already 12-13 years old! If this is not convincing, go to the forums of Primorye hybrid breeders, you can easily find confirmation of my words. I hope I won't have to drive this car so much. Toyota warranty on the battery is 8 years (we don’t support it, and to hell with it), the number of charge-discharge cycles is 166,000 (!). This is a lot even for active city driving. In general, as the battery wears out, your hybrid will simply gradually turn into a regular Camry :))) But this takes a very long time to pass. I hope to write a review on electric cars by this time :)))
Another scary one: what will you do if the battery runs out? Then one more question: why should it turn up? Of course, everything happens in life, the cost of a battery is about $3,500, although a couple of years ago it was about $7,000, but you can also ask the owner of any modern diesel car with common rail or automatic transmission, they also end up in expensive repairs, if the fuel pump or automatic, DSG on an Audi or Volks fails, it’s also a problem. Nevertheless, people buy them and drive them, despite the risks, the same with a hybrid. Of course, there are always risks, but if you are afraid of them, then...
In Kiev at the central Toyota, having talked with a spare parts supplier, I was interested in breakdowns of hybrids in the country, he replied that there were practically none, there was something electronically with the inverter, but the batteries were never changed, although in our country there is no queue for Priuses , but they are already quite visible on the streets. And I think that with the rise in gasoline prices, which have already exceeded 10 UAH ($1.2) per liter, the demand for them will only grow, there are no longer risks, but there is simply nowhere to go. True, the price for a Prius in Ukraine is somehow inadequate, but now a hybrid Auris should appear, maybe the price there will be normal. In response to my question about spare parts, he answered that they don’t keep them in stock, but for hybrid systems they have everything on order, and the necessary repair manuals have been received. There are three main hybrid units in the car: a high-voltage battery, an inverter (which also contains the brains) and electric motors. All components are produced only in Japan, installed either in America or in Japan (my car is assembled in America), so for now you can be very confident in reliability. Of course, the possibility of breakdown is everywhere, but it’s up to the buyer whether to take the risk or not.
Yes, during the entire period of operation, nothing was done to the car except oil and filters. In general, due to the low mileage so far, this is not an indicator, so I will not focus your attention on this for now. The hybrid system does not require any maintenance, it works simply and that’s it. The only point that still needs to be clarified is changing the coolant in the inverter, there is even a separate radiator for it, I don’t know at what interval to change it, I’ll clarify when I’m at the service center. In appearance, this liquid looks transparent and ideal.
Sorry for the chaotic presentation, but if I haven’t completed anything, ask questions, I’ll try to answer.
Options and prices
On the American market you can find 3 versions of the hybrid Camry 2021. The basic version, called LE, received fabric upholstery, a heated first row, a driver's seat with eight adjustment positions and a passenger seat with six. And also LED optics, dual-zone climate control, a 4.2-inch on-board computer screen and a 7-inch entertainment system. The list of standard car options includes collision and lane change warning systems, headlights with automatic high beam switching and a rearview camera. Dimming mirrors, wireless charging and an 8-inch multimedia system are optionally available.
The more expensive version, Camry SE, costs $1,700 more and is distinguished by the presence of light alloy wheels, leather upholstery of seats and steering wheel. By paying $1,600 more, American buyers can get the top-of-the-line Hybrid XLE trim. Its list of options includes an 8-inch touch screen and additional USB ports. And if you pay an extra $2,670, you’ll get a 9-speaker audio system, navigation and a moonroof. Purchasing the most expensive kit will provide the owner with the opportunity to use an emergency braking system, ventilated front seats, parking cameras and adaptive headlights.
You won’t be able to buy a car at Russian car dealerships - the only way to get this version in the Russian Federation is to import it from abroad. The model has already appeared in Ukrainian car dealerships - at a price of 994 thousand hryvnia. Buyers who want a Toyota Camry hybrid fully equipped with all the necessary options will have to pay 1.053 million hryvnia.
Table 1. Options for Europe and the USA.
| Machine equipment | Engine | Box | Transmission | Prices on the world market, $ |
| LX | 2.5 l., 178 hp., gasoline + electric motor | Variable speed drive | Front wheel drive | 28250 |
| XE | 29950 | |||
| XLE | 32550 |
