The new lower priced 08 Toyota Camry Hybrid is an excellent fuel saver and more.
Wayne Gerdes -
CleanMPG.com - Oct. 5, 2007
The 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid (TCH) is a better value than ever given its price has been lowered by a significant amount, making the TCH with its Hybrid Synergy Drive technology available to more people than ever before. The TCH is equipped with an array of standard features including a Smart Key system, dual-zone automatic climate control, Plasmacluster™ ionizer and AM/FM/single CD audio system with six speakers.
For 2008, the Camry XLE’s price increased by $100 yet the TCH, which begins at $25,200, was decreased by $1,000 or 3.8 percent. Remember however that the Federal tax credit of $2,600 available through Sept. 30, 2006 has completely disappeared. For those in AMT space, this savings option was unavailable. The $1,000 MSRP decrease was not without a few amenities being omitted vs. the 2007 TCH however.
With regards to engine performance, the TCH has 187 HP available vs. the Camry XLE’s 158 HP. Even though the TCH weighs ~ 300 #’s more then the XLE, its superior low end torque available via HSD allows the TCH to accelerate to 60 faster than the XLE with its 4 cyl. Auto.
Here is yet another opportunity to see the differences between a 2008 Toyota Camry XLE and the Toyota Camry Hybrid in terms of amenities, performance, option pricing and total costs all in one place.
2008 Toyota Camry XLE vs. 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid
| 2008 Toyota Camry XLE | 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid |
 |  |
| 2008 Toyota Camry XLE | 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid |
| | |
| Exterior Feature differences | |
| | |
| Integrated front fog lamps | Not Available |
| 16-in. 8-spoke alloys | Upgrade Option Package |
| Heated outside mirrors | Leather Option Package |
| Not Available | Acoustic noise-reducing front windshield |
| Power tilt/slide moonroof with sliding sunshade | Option |
| | |
| Interior Feature differences | |
| | |
| Multi-information display with outside temperature, average fuel economy, driving range, average-speed and travel distance since start | Multi-information display with outside temperature, average fuel economy, driving range, average-speed and travel distance since start plus ECO Drive Level and hybrid system energy flow |
| Not Available | Smart Key System with Push Button Start and remote illuminated entry |
| 4-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel and wood-grain-style shift lever | Upgrade Option Package |
| Multi-adjustable power passenger seat | Leather Option Package |
| 40/20/40 split manually reclining rear seats with separate headrests, center armrest with cup holders and locking trunk pass-through | 60/40 split fold-down rear seat with security locks, adjustable headrests and seatbelt positioning clips |
| Defroster-linked CFC-free dual zone auto climate control with dust and pollen filter, Plasmacluster™ ionizer, steering wheel-mounted controls and rear-seat vents | Defroster-linked CFC-free dual zone auto climate control with dust and pollen filter, Plasmacluster™ ionizer, steering wheel-mounted controls and rear-seat vents minus steering wheel controls |
| 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 | Upgrade Option Package |
| Auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass | Upgrade Option Package |
| Optitron meters with speedometer, tachometer, coolant temperature and fuel level gauges; digital odometer and twin tripmeters with outside temperature display | Optitron meters with speedometer, tachometer, coolant temperature and fuel level gauges; digital odometer and twin tripmeters with outside temperature display plus iFCD |
| Rear personal reading lights | Not Available |
| Dual illuminated visor vanity mirrors | Not Available |
| Sliding center armrest | Not Available |
| Trunk luggage box | Not Available |
| | |
| Safety Feature differences | |
| | |
| Option | Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) with Traction Control (TRAC) |
| Not Available | Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) |
| Engine immobilizer with alarm | Engine immobilizer |
| | |
| Pricing (MSRP/Invoice) differences | |
| | |
| 2008 Camry XLE: $25,000/$22,250 | 2008 TCH: $25,200/$22,680 |
| VSC and TRAC Option - $650/$520 | Upgrade Package - $1,150/$989 |
| | Sunroof - $940/$752 |
| | Convenience Package - $470/$376 |
| | |
| 16” Alloy wheels - std. | Included with Upgrade Option Package |
| JBL 8 speaker radio - std. | Included with Upgrade Option Package |
| VSC and TRAC - Option | VSC and TRAC - std. |
| EC Mirror w/Compass and Homelink - std. | Leather Option Package |
| Trunk Luggage Box | Not Available |
| | |
| MSRP/Invoice incl. dest. of $660: $26,310/$23,430 | MSRP/Invoice incl. dest. of $660: $28,420/$25,457 |
Note: Some options listed above are not available for purchase with a Toyota Camry XLE or vice versa, the TCH depending on your location within the US.
A few odds and ends: As shown, the Camry XLE is missing a few standard features found on the Toyota Camry Hybrid. The TCH's feature additions over and above the Camry XLE include the following:
- Acoustic noise-reducing front windshield.
- Micro MFD w/ ECO Drive Level, hybrid system energy flow display.
- Smart Key System with Push Button Start and remote illuminated entry.
- Plasmacluster™ A/C ionizer.
- VDIM (Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management).
- Hybrid Component warranty of 8 yr./100,000 mi.
The Camry XLE includes heated mirrors and power passenger seats that are only available with the much more expensive leather package on the TCH, rear personal reading lights, dual illuminated visor vanity mirrors, sliding center armrest and a trunk luggage box.
Size and Performance: In terms of size, the TCH loses almost 3.9 Cu. Ft. of trunk space and has no rear center armrest vs. the slightly less expensive Camry XLE. The TCH’s trunk is similar in size to that of a Honda Civic vs. the XLE’s much larger trunk. Considering performance, the TCH’s 0 - 60 times are as much as 2 seconds quicker than that of an I4 equipped Camry XLE. The TCH has a 1.3-gallon smaller fuel tank than its non-hybrid counterpart but with its higher FE, the total range is far superior.
Pricing: The current 2007 TCH as outfitted directly from Toyota costs $2,027 more then a similarly equipped Toyota Camry XLE per the Invoice pricing.
Conclusion: With the XLE and TCH’s included luxury amenities matched relatively evenly, the TCH’s higher performance and higher FE in both the real world and per the EPA (the TCH is EPA rated at 33/34 whereas the Toyota Camry XLE w/ the I4 is rated at 21/31), the hybrid premium is low enough to pay off in under 5 years at $3.00 per gallon and 15,000 miles per year traveled.
Counterpoint: Just like the
07 Camry LE vs. Camry Hybrid cost and features analysis article, I am still disappointed with the fact that Toyota includes such a long list of std. high-end amenities w/ a relatively high price on the TCH to begin with. The std. 08 Camry LE is a lot fewer $’s when not optioned up.
Good Luck
Wayne
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