2007 Toyota Camry Review

Specifications

Pain-Free Green

Im driving late at night in the 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid listening to Radioheads brilliant 1997 album, OK Computer. Even though OK Computer theorizes about alienation due to technology, alienated is certainly not how I felt in the Camry Hybrid. Although it may be the epitome of high-tech sedans it doesnt feel overly so and behaves much like a normal Camry. Every note of the CD sounds fantastic since Hybrid and XLE trim Camrys come standard with a JBL premium sound system. It includes an MP3/WMA compatible in-dash six-disc CD changer with 8-speakers, Bluetooth and steering wheel controls. Its very crisp, clear and well balanced. And being that the Camry offers a lot of interior storage space theres plenty of room to store your favorite CDs. The covered cubby below the HVAC controls can swallow 8 discs alone. The aforementioned HVAC system is of the dual zone automatic variety that features an ECO button for the A/C unit to help conserve energy, as well as a Plasmacluster air filtration system.

I also liked Toyotas smart key feature, enabling me to keep the key in my pocket while the door automatically recognizes the key and unlocks the car as I approached. Once in the drivers seat with my foot on the brake I could just push the power button that reminded me of the one on my Macbook Pro. My test car was even the same color, although I secretly was hoping for one in Jasper Green instead of accountant… uh… I mean Titanium Silver. But while my Macbook is gorgeous, thin and very stylish, here the Camry falls a bit short… at least I felt so initially. It isnt an offensive design, I just wasnt quite sure of what to make of its “romanesque” nose at first. I have to say though, with repeated exposure its grown on me and now I actually kind of like how it looks. The SE model with its sportier front fascia and body kit even borders on attractive. A chrome grille, LED taillights as well as large Hybrid badges on the front fenders differentiate the Camry Hybrid from the non-Hybrid models.

Toyota sells a lot of Camrys, so the decision made to bring out a Hybrid version makes perfect sense. Utilizing the companys Hybrid Synergy Drive, a system than needs no introduction to those familiar with the Prius, its an internal combustion engine “boosted” by an electric motor-inverter and rechargeable battery pack. The engine part is slightly different from the regular 2.4-liter four found in other Camrys, in that its an Atkinson cycle engine, delaying the closing of the intake valves to improve fuel economy at the expense of horsepower. The motor part of the equation is rated at 45 horsepower and will not only assist with acceleration but can function as the sole power source of the car up to 30 mph or so. For the first day or two that I had the car, I noticed a lot of subtle clunks and noises while driving, a quick check of the manual revealed that this is normal and after a week I didnt really notice them at all. I took it over to my friend Brads house, a computer engineer, who is always interested in technology, and he immediately wanted to see the engine. He commented on the lack of a heat shield or a do not touch warning covering the exhaust manifold.

I have to say that it felt very 21st century to push the power button and not hear an engine fire up. We went for drive and were both impressed by how quiet the Camry was, eerily so when the car ran solely under electric power. It was neat cruising from stoplight to stoplight in downtown Toronto without the internal combustion engine running. Its so quiet, in fact, that the owners manual cautions against startling pedestrians who cant hear the car coming. We got more than a few looks when gliding stealthily by in parking lots.

We also easily paired Brads Bluetooth enabled phone with the Camrys hands free phone feature, included with the JBL stereo. You can pair the system to work with multiple phones and once enabled, just push the dial button on the left of the steering wheel and speak the number. The voice recognition feature even let me say 7 “oh” 5 instead of 7 “zero” 5 when I called my wife and spoke to her for a few minutes, my hands never leaving the steering wheel.

Im still not 100 percent sold on CVT transmissions, mind you. While the one in the Camry is smooth under normal acceleration, it behaves oddly at times, especially under heavy acceleration when it takes quite a bit of time to build up some steam, growling and droning while doing so. I felt guilty accelerating too quickly as I watched the display inform me  that I was using too much fuel. Then I noticed a best average of 36 mpg; I think that in order to meet the EPA 40 mpg rating that you have to be very light on the throttle when pulling away from a stop. Im certain thats what hurt my fuel economy.

The steering is light and a bit over assisted at low speeds, but seems to have the right amount of assist for highway speeds. The ride is comfortable, compliant and the car always feels stable. The Camry Hybrid does come standard with Toyotas Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) as well as a traction control system (TCS). There is no off switch, and I doubt anyone who would drive a Camry Hybrid would do so hard enough to need the VSC on a regular basis, but for accident avoidance its nice to know its there if you do need it. I didnt activate either system in my time with the car, even when it was raining.

Body roll is kept to a minimum as the suspension is comprised of MacPherson struts in front with dual-link independent MacPherson struts in the rear, and rides on 16-inch alloy wheels. Not as good were the electric brakes that I found very sensitive and hard to modulate. I found myself gently applying them when coming up on traffic only to realize that
I wasnt applying enough pressure after all and then I would have to hit them hard at the last minute.

All in all, though, its pleasant to drive. Whats more, its whisper quiet and everything has a very high quality feel to it. Also a bonus is that the Camry is quite spacious inside. To demonstrate just how large midsize sedans have become, consider how the 2007 Toyota Camry compares to the 1990 Lexus LS 400. While the LS 400 was slightly longer overall and has a longer wheelbase, they are identical in width and the Camry is taller. Inside it exceeds the LS 400 in front and rear headroom as well as rear legroom. Thanks to the space required for the Hybrid batteries, trunk space is a bit smaller that other Camry models. The seats dont really fold down in the traditional sense either, but theres a pass-through to accommodate longer items.

The Camry Hybrid is priced than the Prius, which starts at an MSRP of $22,175 while the Camry Hybrid MSRP starts at $26,200. If you option a Prius out with every option, mind you, many of which are standard on the Camry Hybrid the MSRP is an eye watering $28,795! This price does include a DVD based navigation system with backup camera, also optional on the Camry Hybrid. My test car was a base model, and compared to a fully loaded Option Combination #D car it doesnt feature a power passenger seat, heated leather seats, a power moonroof, dual illuminated vanity mirrors and rear reading lamps, and more. Opting for this top-line package brings the sticker of the Hybrid to $30,110. Not bad for a fully loaded midsize sedan.

One area where the Prius bests the Camry Hybrid is in fuel consumption, offering an EPA highway rating of 40 mpg. But there are less trade offs in the Camry Hybrid, whereas the Prius is a hybrid economy car with compromises (and a high price), the Camry Hybrid is a Camry that just happens to be a Hybrid. Its very reasonably priced, very well equipped and well worth a look if youre in the market for a 2007 Toyota Camry or any mainstream midsize sedan.