Posted on 11/15/2023 9:39:27 PM PST by Olog-hai
The next generation of the Toyota Camry, the best-selling sedan in the U.S. market, will come with only a gas-electric hybrid powertrain, the boldest move yet by the Japanese automaker to push hybrid technology into the heart of the U.S. market.
The 2025 Camry will combine a 2.5-liter gasoline engine with an electric drive system tuned to deliver more power in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions of the car, Toyota said.
Compliance with tougher U.S. fuel economy rules was a factor in Toyota’s decision to make the new Camry an all-hybrid vehicle line, dropping four- and six-cylinder combustion models that made up about 85% of sales in the current model year, David Christ, head of the Toyota brand in North America, told Reuters. Another factor behind the decision was “the performance we were able to get out of the hybrid,” he said. …
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
Basically the same as a Hybrid Ford Fusion. My daughter had one. Driving around town the batteries never did get topped off. So the perpetual state of only being half full ruined the batteries prematurely. She had to purposely plan a longer trip needed or not just to top them off now and then and it was still not enough to save the batteries.
I love my 2000 Camry, it just won’t quit. Hybrids make sense when there is an equal amount of city versus highway driving. If you strictly do one or the other you loose the benefits to the weight of carrying around a second drive train. The hybrids main appeal is reducing charging anxiety.
I’ve got a 2014 Camry with 65,000 miles. I guess I’m good for at least 100,000 more before I have to build a 41 Willys with a 502 crate motor.
Did you see what happened to the vw golf diesel?
The engineers fudged how the fuel savings were obtained but it was much better than other vehicles on road. I was getting abou 48 to 52 mpg. Very nice.
The government had a target. The leftists in the agencies were delighted to wield their bureaucratic power.
There is the real problem.
I drive a 2023 Lexus RX350h. 2.5L Atkinson cycle Hybrid. The battery is NiMH, not Li-Ion. No worries about fires. I get 40+ mpg in the summer, but 32-35 in the colder months in mixed mode driving. Great car. Not easy to get and $$$$. But Toyota pioneered Hybrid technology and they are the wizards at it. They also are being dragging kicking and screaming towards BEVs. Toyota also is the biggest player in hydrogen cars, which I think is even better, and a simpler infrastructure with fast refueling times. This is a smart move for them. The battery boost at takeoff is sweet really, even for a heavy car like the RX. If you want something beefy with a V8 - get a GX. Those are terrific SUVs.
“Small, highly efficient engine with electric boost for acceleration and hill climbs is rational. “
I’ve owned and driven countless vehicles and never have I said, “Gosh, I wish I had an electric booster.”
Electric systems are a waste of money, natural resources, contribute to pollution, and are unnecessary.
Remove the liberal politician’s demands for MPG in a manufacturers fleet and those batteries would disappear.
Is the car truly equipped with such a tiny tank? If so, that is surely a stupid move on Toyota’s part. Oh well, I can’t afford one anyway. I suppose this was done in an effort to keep the weight down. There’s a better way & Toyota used it for years.
We have an EcoDiesel Jeep, get’s 27.5mpg every week in mixed driving. Exploring the Florida Keys it got 35.5mpg. Our EcoDiesel Ram truck gets the same mileage. I am all for diesel tech being pushed but the libs in government have been killing diesels by demanding electrics.
The wife had a Prius. I joked about her “rollerskate”, but the gas mileage (45 mpg) and the reliability were great!
Toyota has a good reputation. We’d consider a hybrid Camry.
I think some people think the engine size is the fuel capacity! LOL!
“Big mistake IMHO.”
Maybe not. The cost of manufacturing things keeps coming down. The improved fuel economy outweighs the additional complexity of the hybrid power train. That’s my guess.
>> The.Sienna minivan released last year is only hybrid and there has been no problem selling them.
I wonder if that will change when awareness increases of the cost of replacing the battery (at EOL, because of collision, etc). Also lower trade-in value and higher insurance cost hits families hard. (minivan == family wagon)
At the front of every long line of cars full of angry people is a Honda CRV (CRap Vehicle) going ten under the limit.
The govt forces them to do something but they cite “other factors “ going into the decision. Do or die is no decision.
Yep - I bet they lose their “best seller” status....
Thought the RAV4 has been outselling the Camry.
Would never own one, but if I did, it would have to be under warranty.
Mrs. Alaska has a 2011 Camry LE with 178,000 miles on it.
I've tried to get her to trade for a new one but she likes this one and maintenance is minimal {we do have a great mechanic}.
I drove nothing but Mercedes for 40 years but when I retired I switched to Toyota and I'd never go back.
Maintenance costs for Mercedes are through the roof {they go under the assumption that if you complain about the maintenance costs, you shouldn't be driving a Mercedes}.
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