The 07 Toyota Camry Hybrid – A true mid-size automobile allowing nice performance, great FE and more.
Wayne Gerdes -
CleanMPG.com - Dec. 17, 2006
The all-new, sixth-generation 2007 Camry carries on the Toyota tradition of quality, dependability, and reliability that has made Camry America's best-selling car four years running and eight of the past nine years. Launched in spring 2006, the new Camry is completely redesigned for the 2007 model year. Besides an I4 or V6 equipped Camry, an all-new Camry Hybrid equipped with Toyota's industry leading Hybrid Synergy Drive is now available.
The 2007 Camry not only delivers more room, comfort and safety technology but incorporates even better driving dynamics. Performance has been enhanced across the line, with the Camry Hybrid setting a new standard for increased performance and excellent fuel efficiency.
Here is an opportunity for you to view the differences between the 2007 Toyota Camry LE and 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid in terms of amenities, performance, option pricing and total costs.
2007 Toyota Camry LE vs. 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
| 2007 Toyota Camry LE w/ Options | 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid |
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| 2007 Toyota Camry LE | 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid |
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| Exterior Feature differences | |
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| 16-in. 7-spoke alloys - Option | 16-in. 8-spoke alloys - Standard |
| Not Available | Acoustic noise-reducing front windshield |
| | |
| Interior Feature differences | |
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| Not Available | Multi-information display with ECO Drive Level, hybrid system energy flow, outside temperature, average fuel economy, driving range, average speed and travel distance since start |
| Not Available | Smart Key System with Push Button Start and remote illuminated entry |
| Not Available | Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob |
| 60/40 split fold-down rear seat with security locks, adjustable headrests and center armrest with cup holders | Not Available |
| Not Available | 60/40 split fold-down rear seat with security locks, adjustable headrests and seatbelt positioning clips |
| Defroster-linked CFC-free air conditioning with dust and pollen filter | Not Available |
| Not Available | Defroster-linked CFC-free dual zone auto climate control with dust and pollen filter, Plasmacluster™ ionizer, steering wheel-mounted controls and rear-seat vents |
| AM/FM CD player with MP3/WMA playback capability, auxiliary audio jack, six speakers and in-glass antenna | Not Available |
| Option | JBL® AM/FM 6-disc in-dash CD changer with satellite radio capability, MP3/WMA playback capability, auxiliary audio jack, hands-free phone capability via Bluetooth® wireless technology, eight speakers in six locations and FM diversity reception |
| Option | Auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass |
| Not Available | HomeLink® universal transceiver |
| Optitron meters with speedometer, tachometer, coolant temperature and fuel level gauges; digital odometer and twin tripmeters with outside temperature display | Not Available |
| Not Available | Optitron meters with speedometer, instant mpg, coolant temperature and fuel level gauges; digital odometer and twin tripmeters |
| Trunk luggage box | Not Available |
| Not Available | Trunk-mounted cargo net |
| | |
| Safety Feature differences | |
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| Option | Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) with Traction Control (TRAC) |
| Not Available | Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) |
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| Pricing (MSRP/Invoice) differences | |
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| Base: $20,775/$18,592 | Base: $26,200/$23,580 |
| 16” Alloy wheels - $795/$595 | $0 - included |
| JBL 8 speaker radio - $1,000/$750 | $0 - included |
| VSC - $650/$520 | $0 - included |
| XM Radio - $449/$359 | $0 - included |
| EC Mirror w/Compass - $150/$120 | $0 - included |
| Cargo Net - $49/$34 | $0 - included |
| Trunk Luggage Box | Not Available |
| | |
| MSRP/Invoice incl. dest. of $620: $24,488/$21,590 | MSRP/Invoice incl. dest. Of $620: $26,820/$24,200 |
| $400 rebate cash to Recent College Graduate | $400 rebate cash to Recent College Graduate |
| Not Available | Federal Tax Credit of $1,300 available until 03/31/2007 when it will be reduced to just $650 |
Note: Some options listed above are not available for purchase with a Toyota Camry LE depending on your location within the US.
A few odds and ends: As shown, the Camry LE is still missing a long list of standard features found on the Toyota Camry Hybrid. The TCH's feature additions over and above the Camry LE are included in the following condensed list:
- Acoustic noise-reducing front windshield.
- Micro MFD w/ ECO Drive Level, hybrid system energy flow, average fuel economy, driving range, average speed and travel distance since start.
- Smart Key System with Push Button Start and remote illuminated entry.
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob.
- Plasmacluster™ A/C ionizer.
- Steering wheel-mounted Cruise and Radio controls.
- Rear-seat vents.
- Hands-free phone capability via Bluetooth® wireless technology.
- VDIM (Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management).
- HomeLink® universal transceiver.
The Camry LE does include a Trunk Luggage box although that may have about the same worth as that of the Camry Hybrid’s Cargo Net? Trying to option up a Camry LE to match that of the TCH’s standard feature is all but impossible at this point in time.
Size and Performance: In terms of size, the TCH loses almost 4.4 Cu. Ft. of trunk space and has no rear center armrest vs. the slightly less expensive Camry LE. This may or may not be a deal breaker for most but you are working with a trunk similar in size to that of a Honda Civic w/ the TCH vs. the more standard mid-sized sedan trunk in the Camry LE. Considering performance, the TCH’s 0 - 60 times are as much as 2 seconds quicker than that of an I4 equipped Camry LE. I should mention here that the TCH has a 1.3-gallon smaller fuel tank than its non-hybrid counterpart but with its far superior FE, I do not think that will be a problem for most
Pricing: The current 2007 TCH as outfitted directly from Toyota costs $2,332 more than a similar equipped Toyota Camry LE. Remember however that the Camry LE still falls short in a number of features and amenities. The price delta between the Camry LE and the Camry Hybrid falls to just $1,032 when the current Federal tax credit of $1,300 is applied. This difference is calculated off of dealership invoice pricing. Purchasing a TCH for close to invoice is all but impossible today but within 6 months, we should see TCH’s available for much closer to invoice similar to the regular Camry LE which can be purchased for a few hundred $'s over today. That is if gasoline prices remain relatively stable over the next 6 to 9 months looking forward? And of course the TCH’s Federal Tax credit will be halved yet again by the end of March 2007.
Conclusion: With the TCH’s included luxury amenities not available on the standard Camry LE even as options or inside of option packages, its livelier performance and much higher FE in both the real world and per the EPA (the TCH is EPA rated at 40/38 whereas the Toyota Camry LE w/ the I4 is rated at 24/33), the whole idea of this particular hybrid not being worth the price premium can be firmly set aside. It is and if you have even a small idea of purchasing a relatively loaded up 2007 Camry LE, don't!
Counterpoint: I am still somewhat troubled with the fact that the Toyota Camry Hybrid includes such a long list of std. high-end features w/ a relatively high price to begin with. Sure you can option up a Camry LE to almost the level of the TCH and “save” a touch over $1,000 (a Camry LE optioned up like this is not a smart purchase by comparison to a base TCH imho.) but if you are the type of consumer who would consider a straight up-standard I4 equipped Camry LE with its relatively long list of std. features and relatively low price, the price differential between it and the TCH becomes quite substantial. Toyota has stated that HSD costs approximately $2,000 all-in over and above the non-hybrid counterpart but when the hybrid’s VSC and the JBL 8-speaker radio system w/ XM or Sirius inclusion costs the manufacturer maybe $250 - $350 in total yet they charge upwards of $1,500 for them on a Camry LE at invoice. Who is kidding who?
Good Luck
Wayne
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