Visual differences:
• New grille loses the abundant chrome slats, but continues with a thick chrome lip bearing the Toyota logo highlighted in blue- a visual token portraying its tree-hugging Hybrid power-train.
• The new front bumper looks more energetic, with a larger air dam and a couple of chrome lacquered, triangular elements on the sides housing the fog lamps.
• The rear continues mostly unchanged, apart from a few chrome trimmings here and there.
• The sides don’t have any major defining character lines, and give away the sheer bulk of the car.
• The Hybrid gets bigger, 17 inch 10 spoke alloy wheels which look the part.
• Hybrid logo on the flanks and at the rear complete the whole picture.
• The standard Camry head-lamp nacelle is now crowded with attractive LED illumination, which give the front some much needed character, apart from saving a few dollops of energy.
- LED tail-lamps carried over from the regular Camry
Interiors
The insides of the Toyota Camry Hybrid are a good place to be in, and have that rich, corporate air about them, with generous lashings of leather and genuine wood. The dashboard design is also carried over from the regular Camry and is a matured and well-built affair, with neatly laid out elements finished in quality trim and materials.
Feature laden:
• The Hybrid offers nice goods for the slightly spoiled. Something called the High Density Dash Silencer, combined with the Acoustic Windshield Glass account for an eerily quiet` car- NVH levels are remarkably good, with just whispers of the outside world seeping their way inside.
• Wood-trimmed steering with integrated controls for audio and phone feels nice to hold.
• There’s a three zone climate control system, which allows individual temperature regulation for the driver, front passenger and rear passengers- and it works.
• The instrumentation gets some Hybrid-specific alterations and now features a Combimeter and Hybrid System Indicator- which keeps you aware of the hybrid system’s rigmarole.
• The full leather seats are encompassing and inviting, and have a few tricks lined up their sleeve. While the front seats have motorized reclining and sliding options, along with memory functions, the individual rear thrones also get a Power Reclining function which lets the fat cat in you adjust the recline angle the way you desire it to be- pretty Maybach-ish, but it does the job, and makes you feel like a small King.
• More kingly measures come in the form of the rear arm rest which has integrated controls for the Power Recline Seats, Power Sunshade for Rear Windshield- yeah, there’s one, Audio System and air conditioning. It also includes a small storage space with a 12V power socket.
• The front seats have an in-built ventilation system to warm/cool your precious backs- it’s subtle, but makes it presence felt when outside temperatures soar. The front passenger seat also get a Collapsible Headrest, while both front seats get Assist Grips, which aid in easy ingress and egress.
- Switch-gear and general build quality is top-notch all around- no complaints here!
- Right from the accommodating glove-box to the cavernous boot, there’s enough room in the Camry Hybrid to you store your nick-knacks, cups, bottles and luggage. Also, the spare wheel is a alloy rim.
>>Next page for How does it drive, ride and handle?>>