2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid Consumer Reviews

Great Car

Written by: Jeff in PA on 04/19/2009

Vehicle

2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

For people who want a full-sized car but also want to be environmentally responsible, this is for you. This is my first Toyota, and after owning it for a year and a half, I understand what others have been raving about. Driving around Pittsburgh where mountains abound, I can still get better than 40 mpg while having plenty of room for three passengers (three adults in the back is a little tight). Because the hills are steeper in town, I actually get slightly lower in-town mileage (low- to mid-30s; hybrids typically shine in town), but it's still better than other vehicles I've owned by 10+ mpg. I haven't had a single mechanical issue and have only done standard preventative maintenance.

Favorite Features

With the leather package (which includes heated seats), automatic lights, 400W JBL stereo (which sounds great), Bluetooth phone hookup, and other bells and whistles, I feel very spoiled in the car. It's not Mercedes luxury, but then again, it's half the price of my parents' Mercedes.

Suggested Improvements

Electric mode is only for *very* gentle driving; some drivers might have a tough time adjusting to this. A plug-in version would be nice. Built-in headrest DVD would allow the family to take this on long trips. Lithium battery might improve trunk space which is adequate but not stellar.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Car Saved My Life

Written by: MK in NS on 03/31/2009

Vehicle

2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

After an accident where an oncoming car spun out and into me I was thrilled and disappointed that it was our TCH that I was driving-we have two other Toyotas. The car did everything that it was designed to do. Only the airbags necessary deployed and the front end, including hood, crumpled as it was supposed to. I walked away with minor injuries. LOVE this car so much that when it was written off we bought a 2009. It had more than 100,000kms on it with no problems at all. Can't imagine a better vehicle.

Favorite Features

Aside from the bells and whistles, comfortable drive and great fuel economy I'd have to say the safety features!

Suggested Improvements

None

1 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Great MPG in relation to comfort/style

Written by: MO in NY on 02/28/2009

Vehicle

2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

I love this car! I'm averaging 37-49 mpg in spring/fall, 35-37 in summer (using A/C) and 30-33 mpg in winter (when using heating elements and going faster than I should to keep mpg higher). It's true mpg is much lower in winter, but it's the same as with my '99 Subaru Outback, which averaged only 18-22 mpg AT BEST in winter. It seems engines work harder in winter to warm up the engine & keep it warm (also gasohol in winter doesn't help matters). I love the constant consumption, energy, etc. read-outs. This car helps you to learn how to save gas and operate it most efficiently. I was too uncomfortable in the Prius (it was like driving a tin can), but I bought the Camry instead.

Favorite Features

Very comfortable interior and excellent mpg. This car easily seats five people with room to spare (mpg does go down as you add more people & luggage--but it would do the same in any other loaded- down van or car). GPS/Nav system is OK; a Garmin may be better, but I like mine built-in to the dashboard

Suggested Improvements

GPS/Nav system c/b better; sometimes it cannot find an actual address (incl. my own house). I love the styling of the new Venza better than Camry, but Venza doesn't come as a hybrid. The sedan looks "boat-ish" to me-exterior is not that appealing. After 1.5 years, no problems yet with this car!

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Love the car (or wife that is)

Written by: Earl on 02/05/2009

Vehicle

2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

No problems with this car what so ever. They need to fix the door trim problem asap, this car has more dings in the door then my 14 year old Camry.

Favorite Features

It just has more room in the back then most car's we looked at.

Suggested Improvements

"No trim on doors means door dings" This is no lie, it is going to have many dings in just one week.

2 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Camry Hybrid

Written by: Brukat on 01/27/2009

Vehicle

2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

3rd Camry, 1st hybrid. We LOVE this car. It teaches you how to get more MPG. Passed on big nav/stereo. Leather was well worth the $. I can keep up with all traffic and stay at 40 mpg. Quiet, roomy, comfortable. Driver classes should consider this car. Power when needed. Consider trunk size when testing, it works for us. CD player has trouble with home made cd/mp3s. Patch in an iPod and go. Watch traffic and red-lights, you CAN beat the stated MPG. We save money at every red-light, the car is off. I have traveled over a mile on electric in town. This car gives all the data you need to make the most of your fuel. Toyotas are like spouses, you may be tired of them before you wear them out.

Favorite Features

Fuel economy in a big, safe, full featured car. Famous Toyota reliability.

Suggested Improvements

No trim on doors means door dings. Move "passenger airbag on" light lower on dash, as it's always on. Lower the price, I'm American, I had to say it.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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MPG Drops a lot in Winter

Written by: AB01002 on 01/22/2009

Vehicle

2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

This is a great car, but I live in New England. We were getting 35-38 MPG before winter. Now we are getting around 25 mpg. (Our Suburban gets 16 mpg!) I love our Camry but wonder if I would have bought it knowing the winter mileage is so much lower. We have a long winter and I wish I had known about the drop in MPG in the cold weather. By the way, I researched this and it is a normal characteristic of all hybrids.

Favorite Features

reliable and roomy

Suggested Improvements

Heated seats - so i could turn off the heater sooner

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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heated seats?

Written by: pabrocb on 01/09/2009

Vehicle

2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

I retired early. When I worked I drove 100 miles a day. We put an additional 10K miles on this car in a year. I think everyone in the family takes it to save gas. Other car is a BMW 330 convertible, my last car was a Passat Wagon all wheel drive.

Favorite Features

I do love the car. It's fast enough, comfortable, quiet, and handles well for a non-European car. I don't like the GPS as well as my husband's Garmin and didn't want one, but I wanted a Japan made car.

Suggested Improvements

I'm very unhappy about the heated seats. They seem to come on and go off for no reason. The VW and BMW seats were better. The trunk is difficult, but we knew that going in. We rent a larger vehicle when needed, or get stuff delivered. It's cheaper!

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Good Car, but Not Great

Written by: Steve in Houston on 11/16/2008

Vehicle

2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

Overall, my 2008 Camry Hybrid is a good car, but it has been in the shop three times for minor issues. First, it was a defective gas cap, then it was a defective seat belt latch, next it was a defective power window button. The dealer needed to keep the car over night once and I was expected to rent a car! I was not happy.

Favorite Features

Gas mileage is my favorite feature. I like the styling of the car inside and out. The brakes are impressive!

Suggested Improvements

Offer the reclining back seats as on the Camry XLE model. A chrome wheel package would be nice. The trunk space is quite small due to the extra batteries needed to power the hybrid, but I am not sure there is anything that can be done about that.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Great Car

Written by: Kenny on 10/26/2008

Vehicle

2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

I've had my Hybrid since Feb 08. I love it the gas mileage it is great. Around town I get around 36 mpg. We have went on 3 family trips the average trip was about 6 hour driving time. We got up to 44 mpg. The only thing I am disappointed with is the navigation system it is not user friendly at all. We had a Nissan before it was a lot easier to use.

Favorite Features

Gas mileage, the exterior design.

Suggested Improvements

Navigation system. The door panels having cloth on them. Rear wiper would help greatly.

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Solid Vehicle - Great Mileage

Written by: MukMan on 10/25/2008

Vehicle

2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

Bought this a year ago. Already owned Escape hybrid. Mileage is much better than advertised in mixed driving. Car has full package with leather, heated seats, sunroof, Bluetooth, nav, etc. Nav not as user friendly to program as the 2002 Acura TL it replaced. Drives a little more bloated around curves like my 93 Taurus SHO, but a very quiet, solid ride. In the summer months, 50-50 driving will net 39-40 mpg; cooler fall and winter 36 mpg; minor flaws are that the tire pressure maintenance sensor went goofy and some brake noise that Toyota will take care of. However, for a $30K car, loaded package, it's well worth it over Prius. This is the best eco friendly sedan.

Favorite Features

Bluetooth, heated seats, nav, leather pkg, sound system, quiet ride, fuel efficiency, hybrid

Suggested Improvements

Better exterior paint integrity, better looking design, larger trunk space, upgrade package for interior that offers better quality vinyl. The wide posts for doors and windows reduce visibility too much for me.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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