2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid Consumer Reviews Page 5

Why Doesn't Everyone Own One?

Written by: Bill/Connecticut on 12/14/2008

Vehicle

2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

My TCH (09) has 2K miles on it so it is somewhat broken in. It is an amazing car and I am very pleased with my choice. It was this or a Volvo S80, and the MPG won the day. Having now driven it for awhile I am amazed that the added weight helps with the smoothness of the ride. It reminds me of riding in a friend's Lexus ES350. The CVT took me a little time to get used to, but I am figuring it out that there is not upshift like a regular automatic transmission. Test drive one and see for yourself, this is the car of the future.

Favorite Features

MPG, ride, comfort of leather seats, roominess front and back.

Suggested Improvements

Offer wood dash from factory

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Technological Marvel

Written by: Houston on 11/22/2008

Vehicle

2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

The Camry Hybrid is a technological marvel enabling more efficient, but safe and comfortable, transportation (reminds me of when CDs replaced records; the hybrid is an ingenious automotive development). The vehicle accelerates well with the combined electric and gas engine. The electric engine works to conserve fuel in all phases of driving (converts kinetic energy to electric). Trunk holds my golf clubs and more. The hybrid is the perfect urban car, thriving on stop-and-go traffic. It is quiet. Relaxed drive. Maintenance on the first 100K miles should be nothing but routine. Drives and looks like a Lexus ES 300, but costs much less. I got a lot of value.

Favorite Features

Hybrid system an industry changer! No longer as dependent on the pump. Emissions of the gas engine alone cleaner than Houston air. Relaxing to drive; benefit from stop-and-go traffic. Good acceleration, even from 70mph. JBL stereo & bluetooth (UP upgrade) are great for the $. Leather seats great

Suggested Improvements

The interior is plastic and suede-like on doors & roof; but not a big deal as these are not high wear areas and don't really notice. Little soft in suspension like a Lexus, compared to German sedan, but fine. Can't complain when so much value, reliability and 8 year 100K hybrid component warranty.

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Five Months In - Pretty Impressive

Written by: Worcester County on 11/14/2008

Vehicle

2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

Got the base Hybrid in late July. Consistently 41-42 mpg in 40% hwy/60% local roads commuting in Central MA (lots of rolling hills). Now temperatures closer to freezing getting 39-40 mpg. Still beating the pants off the EPA estimate! Highly recommend this. Why get a Prius and be cramped (unless you want 50 mpg)? Car does three things: gives gas engine little holidays including stopped time and initial take-offs (the most inefficient for the gas), doesn't waste momentum- recovers the energy from braking to power the hybrid motor, and gives you all sorts of feedback on how to drive it most efficiently- kind of like playing a video game (though you can ignore it and just enjoy driving)

Favorite Features

Hybrid system, great color, VDIM- this car handles well. Previously drove 03 Camry LE- they are quite different (old LE was a little bigger interior and trunk). But this is better engineered car- love it.

Suggested Improvements

The main limitation is the trunk which is almost exactly 2/3s the normal 08/09 Camry trunk.

9 out 9 people found this review helpful

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Yes, we are pleased

Written by: SE TN TCH on 11/03/2008

Vehicle

2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

We were forced to purchase a vehicle after our Honda Ody van was rear-ended @ 60 MPH. With gas nearing $5/gal, we seriously began looking @ hybrids. No other mfr has developed the time and resources into hybrids. We found one owner who was nearing 200K on a Prius with no hybrid system related issues. Being involved in such an accident took the Prius out of consideration (no rear end/overhang). We found our "base" TCH. The first tank home was 41 MPG highway. But that is NOT where the TCH excels-we jumped from 17 MPG in mixed cycle driving in the van to 38 MPG!

Favorite Features

Build quality, safety, green without appearing so.

Suggested Improvements

Would be hard, but the trunk space loss due to the batteries. We drove a Camry SE and it handles great (less body roll and pitch). Offer a sport suspension option for TCH buyers!

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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TCH decision confirmed -again

Written by: SE TN TCH on 10/31/2008

Vehicle

2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

We were not going to purchase a replacement for our '02 Honda Odyssey van for another 3 years, but it was totaled in a severe accident. We were on a 4 month wait list for a mid-optioned Prius. Due to size & crash-worthiness concerns with the Prius, we purchased a base '09 TCH. The first tank back home at 65 MPH was 41 MPG. In first 3K miles, we average 38 MPG in mixed cycle driving. This is an increase of 21 MPG over the van (17 MPG in same cycle).

Favorite Features

It's like a new $25K Lexus! Good price on base TCH, great build quality, drive train technology, fuel economy, comfort, quietness.

Suggested Improvements

Less body roll in turns, additional seat lateral support. Increase trunk space. Home link was not standard on our base car.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Efficency with Utilitarian Style

Written by: john on 10/29/2008

Vehicle

2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

The 2009 Camry hybrid is my first Toyota. It drives like my old BMW 528i, and has decent acceleration but not mind blowing speed. The economics of having a hybrid are the selling point. If you think gas will hit 5 $/gallon and you drive a lot, then this is a car for you. The looks are those of a non snobby Camry, so you won't feel guilty like in a new Mercedes. It seems to me the workmanship is the same as a German car. I tried the Matrix and found that it was more flimsy, and not worth the price.

Favorite Features

Navigation system, and voice activation are nice. however the blue tooth antenna is very weak, and that make it difficult to use at times.

Suggested Improvements

Have a more potent blue tooth antenna in the car. Have better blue tooth link with the phone. Have easier access for MP3 player. And add the 120 volt plug to plug in standard home electric equipment. If the matrix can have a 120 volt plug, then a Camry should also.

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A good change from the E320

Written by: BrainInDC on 10/18/2008

Vehicle

2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

The Camry hybrid is fun to drive in crowded DC metro area. Very practical. Nice change to regular gas filling up 13 gallons every 500 miles. I love it. Every now and then I miss the stability feeling of the E320, but I also enjoy the "sportiness" driving feeling of the Camry. I also enjoy the quietness and how smart this car is. It is full of gadgets and will be paying off over the years. Also I see from the maintenance manual that it's an almost maintenance free car.

Favorite Features

The navigator is so smart, although I haven't figured out how to work it out through voice commands. But it is MUCH better than what I have on the Mercedes ML500. The AC is also great, although it is electric. But that's probably why its performance is independent from engine speed.

Suggested Improvements

JBL audio is not that good. Not anywhere near the Mercedes Bose. Sound is flat. Also suspension gives me the feel of a very small light car. So, bottom line: audio and suspension are cheap.

6 out 6 people found this review helpful

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I heart my TCH even tho I didnt want to

Written by: cocogirl on 10/16/2008

Vehicle

2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

I was determined to hate this car but felt its necessity. I've debated hybrids 4 years but was disappointed in lack of creature comforts (sunroof) & styling. I thought I wanted another luxury car (I had a Infiniti G35) but live in Hawaii where gas got 2 be $5/g premium & I couldn't justify working to drive a symbol. The first day I hated it (it seemed like a mom car & I am so the opposite) & gas mileage was awful (<20 mpg). I cried & thought I made an expensive mistake. I gave it a week & actually fell hard for it. It's smooth, spacious, luxurious, zippy & a convo starter. I avg 37.2 - 99.9/tank (yup 99, downhill).

Favorite Features

I love JBL, cant believe it's better than Bose. Engine braking took a sec to master & use it more than the G's triptronic shifting. I love the quiet & I thought I would miss a deep v6 growl. Blown away at amount of power when needing to go fast. Tank lasts over 2 weeks. Doesn't seem mom-like after all.

Suggested Improvements

Placement of eco a/c button is really odd (inadvertently open gas cap a lot). Cruise control lever is also strangely placed. Wish front seats hugged a bit more (I'm really small & slide around them). Steering could be a bit tighter. Gentle wind gusts really knock the car. Aux outlet area's too deep.

6 out 6 people found this review helpful

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Double Miles & Savings at Pump!

Written by: VanSteve on 10/03/2008

Vehicle

2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

After waiting nearly 3 months (back ordered) for my new Camry Hybrid, I'm now a proud owner of a 2009 TCH. I traded in my 2002 Mercedes Benz S430 which was only averaging 21-23 MPG with a 20.5 gallon tank running on premium gas. Thus far my first week of owning this vehicle, I'm averaging 43 MPG with a mix of city/highway driving during rush hour traffic with normal driving. Hands down, the Camry Hybrid has a very attractive design, good quality, pick-up and excellent consumer ratings. I can't wait to go on some long road-trips and really break the vehicle in; who knows, maybe I can top 50 MPG... lol GOOD JOB Toyota!

Favorite Features

Excellent mileage (40-44 MPG), exterior body design with rear spoiler.

Suggested Improvements

Increase trunk space, insert storage compartments in rear (side) doors, and provide a full spare tire.

6 out 6 people found this review helpful

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Liking the 2009 Camry Red Hybrid

Written by: Ronbo on 10/02/2008

Vehicle

2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Review

I looked at this website before ordering a Camry Hybrid. I only have a little over 400 miles on it but am averaging 41.5 mpg so far, mostly mixed country and city driving. In the city I learned to bring it up to speed after stopping for lights, then back off on the gas and it stays in electric mode much of the time up to about about 43 mph. I have a stretch of flat county road 55 mph that I take to town and back and it stays at 50 mpg or just under on that stretch. Fun to drive and sure won't have to worry about speeding trying to get the best mileage out of it.

Favorite Features

Quiet smooth ride, sharp look, added a rear lip painted spoiler, installed myself, on the trunk. Fuel economy, keyless starting and stop. Change from gas engine on and off and electric is seamless.

Suggested Improvements

The headrests in the front seat push too far forward on your head. It helps some to recline the seat a little.

6 out 6 people found this review helpful

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