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Toyota Camry Hybrid HL 2012 review


There are two big surprises in the new locally made Camry Hybrid. The petrol-electric car is not only more economical than the conventionally petrol-powered Camry, but also sportier with more power and better handling.

VALUE

The other big surprise is that the price premium over the standard Camry has come crashing down about $6500 (compared with the Altise $30,490) to $4500. 

Toyota sales and marketing director Matthew Callachor said Camry Hybrid sales had dropped last year from 6400 to 5300 because of supply disruptions but he is confident that in a full year they could sell as many as 10,000. "Price is no longer a barrier to the success of Camry Hybrid," says Callachor.

The H model is down $2000 or 5.4 per cent and has $2000 worth of features above the Altise, including smart entry and start, dual-zone air-conditioning and a large-screen display audio with reverse camera, plus metallic paint (currently $400) is now free. 

The HL is now $41,490, down $3000 or 6.7 per cent, yet has about $3000 worth of extra features than the current model including larger touch-screen display, satellite navigation with live traffic updates, digital radio, front fog lamps, a rear lip spoiler, leather trim, power front passenger seat, rear sunshade, blind spot monitor and automatic high beam.

Adding to the value of the Camry Hybrid is the extended $130 capped price servicing deal which has been extended from four to five service, from three to four years and from 60,000km to 75,000km. The servicing price is also the same as the Camry petrol model.

Toyota product planning corporate manager Greg Gardner says they will also offer special commercial discounts and expects fleet sales to account for half of all their Camry Hybrid business.

Compared with the current model, Camry HL adds a 10-speaker JBL audio system with a seven-inch touch-screen display, satellite navigation with live traffic updates, digital radio, 17-inch alloy wheels, an electric rear sunshade, exterior mirrors that dip when reversing and memory settings for the electric driver's seat. Options include a moon roof, rear spoiler and tow bar. 

TECHNOLOGY

At the heart of the Camry is the same 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine as in the new seventh-generation Camry, but purpose-built for the Hybrid. Significant changes include reducing the weight and friction and increasing the compression rate from 10.1:1 to 12.5:1. There is also new software in the hybrid synergy drive system. 

What all this means is more total power (151kW from 140kW), improved fuel economy (5.2L/100km from 6L/100km) and lower emissions (121g/km from 142g/km). 

It now sprints to 100km/h in 8 seconds neat, which is down by almost a second. Importantly, it gets five stars in the government's Green Guide with a city cycle economy of 5.7L/1090km which is down 17 per cent and better than most diesels, even on the highway (4.9L/100km).

Drivers can choose from three driving modes: Normal, Eco and EV. Normal provides full power, Eco softens throttle response and reduces power losses through airconditioning and EV mode drives for a short distance on the silent-running electric motor.

Gardner says it's good for about 1km. If needed, the petrol engine will cut back in. For the first time, Camry Hybrid is rated to tow. Although it's only 300kg (braked and unbraked), it will at least pull most small trailers. 

DESIGN 

The Hybrid has all the delicious design upgrades of the new Camry that convert it from standard bowls club transport to dynamic sedan. Blue around the Toyota badge is the telltale sign that this is no ordinary Camry.

The differences are subtle, rather than blurting out the hybrid badge. Instead there is a bit more chrome here and there and some small hybrid badges. Inside, there is brushed aluminium, overlapping soft trim and stylish controls and instruments. It no longer looks like a hire car in here. 

Build quality has also been improved with more precise engineering drawings, leading to a higher degree of product and jig accuracy. What that means is the panel gaps have gone from 5mm to 3.5mm. It's now so tight they even have to worry about the thickness of the paint to ensure doors open and close properly.

The result is not only a great-looking finished product, but also one that is quieter. To further improve the cabin hush, there is an acoustic glass windscreen and extra sound absorbing material. 

It has 46mm of extra legroom in the back, while the boot has more space thanks to the relocation of the DC converter to the front and the battery being moved forward 100mm.

SAFETY

Gardner expects the Camry Hybrid to retain its full five-star ANCAP crash safety rating with its raft of improved active and passive features. 

There are now seven airbags, adding a knee bag for the driver, seat belt warning indicators for all five seat belts, a reversing camera, reverse parking sensors, hill start control and a bake override that gives priority to the brakes if the driver hits both pedals at the same time. 

The HL adds rain-sensing wipers, auto high beam dipper and a blind spot monitor from the petrol Camry. Gardner said the dippers required special testing in Australia because the reflectors on our roadside posts triggered the headlight dipping function. It had to be adjusted to only pick up car headlights. Meanwhile the blind spot monitor was adjusted for Aussie lane widths. 

DRIVING

While the new petrol Camry is more powerful and dynamic, the Hybrid is even more so. The Camry Hybrid used to be the puny young sibling. Now it's the sporty elder brother. Gone is the lifeless steering and lumbering handling, thanks to a team of Aussie techs who tuned the suspension for our atrocious roads. 

Suspension nerd and motorcycle fanatic Stuart Morse led the team who did such a good job accounting for the extra 105kg and different weight distribution characteristics of the hybrid that the US has taken the suspension specs for the sports version of their petrol Camry.

"We targeted the damping particularly for high speed impacts and I think we got the handling closer to the SX," he says. "The balance is also better. Not better grip but better balance." Camry Hybrid also features a quicker steering ratio and new electric power-steering map which gives it better turn-in and better feel. 

However, the extra power from the updated engine and motor combination still provokes some mild torque steer on acceleration. Throttle response is crisp in normal mode, even chirping the tyres if you are on white paint or turning a corner. ECO modes smooths that out without making it feel doughy. 

Despite extra power and more solid suspension, the cabin is remarkably quiet at all times except under heavy acceleration and the final stages of braking when the regenerative brakes make a slight whirring sound.

Although it's not strictly a continuously variable transmission it behaves like one, but much better than most. It doesn't scream when you accelerate and seems to react quickly when braking or accelerating.

VERDICT

The sums finally add up. You can pat yourself on the back for saving fuel and reducing emissions, while at the same time pat your back pocket where your wallet has been saved from a hefty slug for going hybrid. Passengers will enjoy the extra comfort, quiet and room while the driver will be surprised by the dynamics.

SIDEBAR

It's hybrid season at Toyota. The Camry Hybrid will be closely followed on to the showroom floors this month (MARCH) by a facelifted Prius and a Yaris-sized Prius c. 

In the second half of this year, Toyota will add a Prius v wagon.  Toyota sales and marketing director Matthew Callachor says they are expanding their range of hybrids. 

"By the middle of this year, we will be offering hybrids priced from around the mid-$20,000s all the way to the mid-$50,000s," he says. "Greater affordability, familiarity and sales will help us achieve real market acceptance. 

"At the moment, hybrids are bought mainly by innovators and early adopters. They are turned on by technology, fuel and the environment." He says most of these innovators and early adopters are aged under 35 as they have a better understanding of hybrid technology. 

"They are more likely to believe it is worth paying a premium for hybrid," he says. "They are more likely to trust hybrid technology and they certainly understand that hybrids are better for the environment than diesel cars." 

Callachor says the novelty of hybrids had worn off now that the company had sold more than 3.5m hybrids worldwide.  "And many of the world's major manufacturers, including Holden, are promising hybrids," he says. 

"We welcome that development. "From the earliest days, Toyota has actively encouraged all carmakers to embrace hybrid technology - and we have licensed our technology to several other companies." 

Callachor says Toyota is also introducing its hybrids to motorsport with a return to Le Mans this year with a pair of new hybrid race cars and the first hybrid vehicles to enter the FIA World Endurance Championship. "Motorsport improves the breed and our target this year is to demonstrate the performance level of these cars, and particularly the hybrid powertrain."

$7,999 - $22,999

Based on 101 car listings in the last 6 months

VIEW PRICING & SPECS

Score

4/5
Price Guide

$7,999 - $22,999

Based on 101 car listings in the last 6 months

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