Record sales for Toyota's hybrids

I just bought a Camry Hybrid. To me it is a “main stream” car and I believe a new Prius is around the corner (2009? in early 08?)and would not want to buy a car that will be “old” too soon.
The Prius has a bigger trunk than the Camry, but I definitely prefer the Camry, as the trunk is not a critical point for me.
Our old car was making 20 mpg so we are getting a 50% improvement!!!

How about none of the above? I really want TDI like they have in Europe. They get as good or better mileage than Hybrids and frankly I do very little stop and go driving so they are a better fit for my location. I am thinking about a TDI Nissan when they come. A TDI versa would get millage in the 50-60 mpg range. I would love for Ford to make a TDI TaurusX/Freestyle but I don’t think they are that bold.

Aaron,

Did you ever review the Ford Escape Hybrid? If so, what did you think?

I’ve seen a few Camry’s around our neighborhood and they’re definitely an attractive car. I’m sure they handle well and all but I have to question anyone’s decision to purchase a vehicle that costs about an average of about $7K more than the non-hybrid Camry.

It would take about 12 years to recoup the extra cost of this vehicle if one were to drive an average of 300 miles per week? Am I missing something? Someone mentioned on another comment board that there’s some kind of tax write-off? I also have to question the low mileage figures given to the regular Camry? My old ES300 Lexus routinely turned in MPG avg of about 26.

I guess if it minimizes someone’s guilt by using less fuel it may be worth it. But, you have to admit that these hybrid’s are built for the upper middle income earners and mid to low income folks just don’t have the expendible income to mitigate their guilt.

I’m sure in time that these prices may come down or they’ll drag the others up? I only put about 7k miles on my car a year so a hybrid is just not for me.

c

Putting aside all the reasons for NOT buying a hybrid (like trading my 30 mpg Chevy for a 45 mpg Toyota would only save me $750/year on gas but cost several thousand in added cost – not to mention a car payment I don’t have!), I think I’d go with the Camry just because I prefer a larger car. Too often I’ve found I had to go home and get a larger vehicle for something I was doing and had the 30 mpg car with me. Not to mention the room for riders. However, I can see why people would go for the Prius over the Camry. Most folks looking for that type of car are primarily interested in miles per gallon, not size. In many cases, the are probably just using it as a commute car to augment something larger already in the garage. At least that is what I do. I have a 30 mpg car I use daily but have a 14 mpg car in the garage (NOT an 18 mpg SUV for those who like to knock SUVs).

Why not a Jetta TDI, 40-45 mpg?

That camry nose and trunk remind me of a Chrysler 300. Yeech!

A hybrid’s simply not worth it. My Saab 9-3 gets 29-34 MPG average, so there’s no reason to pay such a premium for this.

Aaron, how do the Civic Hybrid sales compare to the Prius and Camry hybrids?

My big problem with the 2006 hybid Honda Accord was that it only came as a fully loaded car…leather seats,wheels,etc…@$30,000+…I don’t know if that’s the case with the Camry …but if it is, than that relegates these cars to “status sumbol” or “statement” cars for wealthy country club types who are your “liberal/environmentally pseudo-democrat” talking folks, who live like republicans in their mansions with the carbon footprint of Sesquatch!!!

It depends . . . . for straight commuting the Prius would be better, for all around use (especially with a family) then the Camry would be better.

I don’t understand the mpg numbers being tossed around on the Camry hybrid. I have a new one and averaged 41 mpg on a 200 mile trip. This weekend it got 38 mpg on a 600 mile trip. Around town it gets 37. This is considerably better than Aaron’s experience.

For city driving Prius is definitely the logical choice, with 45 mpg average vs. the Camry at 30 mpg. In addition the Prius has a more versatile hatchback design that has similar interior room that maneuvers better in traffic and is easier to park. If my driving consisted of non-urban highways I would consider a Camry hybrid.

lwatcdr and DocVB: I agree, bring on the diesels. I tested a Mercedes E320 BLUETEC (not on my usual route, however) and averaged in the low 30s — very impressive for a car so big and very quick. Can’t wait for the ‘08 VW TDIs.

Carol: I test drove the Mercury version, the Mariner Hybrid, for our SUVs site (read the review here) and thought it was stellar. Jason should have a review of the new-for-’08 version soon.

Rob: Honda sold 4520 Civic Hybrids in May ‘07. Less even than the Camry Hybrid. I have an idea that the Civic’s lack of a “run silent” mode is a problem. It can run all-electric, but it does so by manipulating the valves and basically sealing off the engine. The electric motor still spins the engine and it still vibrates as if its running, even though its using no fuel. I always figured this would lead to a perception problem…

Aaron

No doubt about it, I think Toyota can make a really good hybrid; but, take a look at what Honda has to offer, for example the Civic Hybrid gets 49 mpg city and 51 mpg highway.

I agree with the TDI move, if you don’t drive in the City 80% of your time the hybrids don’t measure up.

I filled my xB this morning and averaged 40mpg. Pretty good for a $15K box.

I drive roughly 80miles round trip per day and most of that is hiway driving. I only drive a few miles in city conditions, so a hybrid would not benefit me.

I have a 2006 Prius. I traded my Lexus IS300 for it and I am super satisfied. I get 45 – 47 mpg, it’s got a comfortable ride, has plenty of pep, although not a race car and has great inside space for passengers and stuff! Can’t say enough about it. One detail they don’t talk about however, is the difficulty in changing from all season tires to winter tires each year (in snowy New England) It’s very expensive to do this because each tire has a pressure sensor in it that must be in each wheel before putting the tire on. It costs big bucks when putting 4 snows on!

I have a 2006 Prius. I traded my Lexus IS300 for it and I am super satisfied. I get 45 – 47 mpg, it’s got a comfortable ride, has plenty of pep, although not a race car and has great inside space for passengers and stuff! Got IRS hybrid tax credit also and no CT sales tax.One detail they don’t talk about however, is the difficulty in changing from all season tires to winter tires each year (in snowy New England) It’s very expensive to do this because each tire has a pressure sensor in it that must be in each wheel before putting the tire on. It costs big bucks when putting 4 snows on!

My wife and I have gone from a Land Rover Discovery diesel as our main car to a Prius, with the Land Rover as the second (and now not much used) car. We have reduced our vehicle greenhouse gas emissionsby 35% and our family emissions by 20%. We are now looking at how to reduce our household energy expediture, and hence emissions. We’re targeting an overall reduction (travel and household) of 40%.

We like the Prius for its low fuel consumption and ultra-low emisions (ie things other than CO2). Yes, we paid a premium, but with fuel costs rising rapidly here in Australia the premium doesn’t look too bad.

I have had a Camry Hybird since late 2006, and it has exceeded my expectations. I have about 7k on the clock and the mileage is 40+. On a trip last week it was 43. The Hybird comes with most of the features of the Camry XLE, so the price spread is more on the order of 2k. Got that back on the tax credit.

Rented 2 prius(ae?) on trips and while it is a great car, it felt tight to me.

Would definetly buy the Camry Hybird again!

Like other Camry Hybrid owners we’re thrilled with the comfort and superb mileage. It’s been a consistent 40-43 mpg in the city and mountains of Colorado. It’s no Prius in mpg but really quite acceptable.

and Toyota is not selling more Camrys because the plant is at capacity!!!

Hybrids are great but a bit pricey. Our ‘05 Civic with proper maintenance and careful driving easily yields 40mpg hwy. You’ve got a lot of driving to do on that 45 mpg Prius to make up the cost differential on my $15k Civic. Besides, I won’t be worrying about replacing that costly battery at 100k in the Prius, since anyone who’s owned a Civic knows that it’s a “shoe-in” to make 200k.

Dear H. Don,
With careful driving the Prius can do 50, not 45 and it is a much bigger car than the 2005 Civic. You can seat 3 adults comfortably in the back seat with plenty of luggage space in the trunk…
The same argument can be used with the Corolla which is also a Toyota product, but Toyota is selling around 25K Prius a month, almost as many as Honda sells Civics….

I would get the prius if the milege they cry about is true! I prefer the Jetta TDI 52 mpg freeway or city out beat any hybrid car in the intire market! people wake up! read! get some knowlege inyour life…

I would get the prius if the milege they cry about is true! I prefer the Jetta TDI 52 mpg freeway or city out beat any hybrid car in the intire market! people wake up! read! get some knowlege in your life…

I’m waiting forever to buy an Electric Car from Toyota. Or at least a Plug-In hybrid vehicle with solar panels on the roof of it. this is just obvious, whats the delay Toyota?