The reviews are in and, subjective exterior styling aside, the consensus is that the new car is better than the old one in every way. However, the Camry Hybrid is the real star.
The old 2011 Camry Hybrid starts at $27,050 and has an EPA rating of 31 city/35 hwy mpg, this is a good nearly $6000 more expensive the 2011 6AT base model which retails for $21,245. So, for $6,000 you get 9 more MPG in the city and 2 more MPG on the highway with the Hybrid. However, according to many, the worst thing about the car might be that it drives very much like a "hybrid" if you get my meaning.
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2012 Camry Pricing (including destination) and MPG numbers:
Camry Base: $21,955 (decrease of $45 from 2011)
Camry LE: $22,500 (decrease of $200 from 2011)
Camry SE I4: $23,000 (decrease of $965 from 2011)
Camry SE V6: $26,640 (exact same as 2011)
Camry XLE I4: $24,725 (decrease of $2000!!!! from 2011)
Camry XLE V6: $29,845 (exact same as 2011)
Camry Hybrid LE: $25,900 (decrease of $1,150 from 2011)
Camry Hybrid XLE: $27,400 (decrease of $800 from 2011)
The reason for the huge price jumps between I4 and V6 models is because the V6 models come with more standard options than the I4...not just a difference in the engine.
Speaking of engines, this is 2012's lineup:
2.5 2AR-FE I4 Gas: 178 hp across the board: 25 city/35 highway/28 combined
3.5 2GR-FE V6 Gas: 268 hp: 21 city/30 highway/24 combined
2.5 2AR Hybrid: 200 hp: 43 city/39 highway/41 combined
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Compare the Camry LE to the Hybrid: The Hybrid gets a good 13mpg COMBINED more than the conventional LE and it cost a mere $3400 more, and, if the professional reviews are to be believed, the Hybrid drives and handles as well as the LE but faster! The Hybrid has been clocked to go from 0-60mph in 7.6 seconds.
Sidenote: it seems that the biggest loser is the V6 car, which is only a full second faster than the hybrid.
Conclusion: with the old Camry, it can be hard to justify spending so much more for the Hybrid. With the new car, it almost makes no sense to get the cheaper LE over the much better Hybrid.
My prediction: The Hybrid will be the volume selling Camry.
Another prediction: The Hybrid will take sales away from the "Prius v" and may even challenge the ole' Prius itself.
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The old 2011 Camry Hybrid starts at $27,050 and has an EPA rating of 31 city/35 hwy mpg, this is a good nearly $6000 more expensive the 2011 6AT base model which retails for $21,245. So, for $6,000 you get 9 more MPG in the city and 2 more MPG on the highway with the Hybrid. However, according to many, the worst thing about the car might be that it drives very much like a "hybrid" if you get my meaning.
============================================================================
2012 Camry Pricing (including destination) and MPG numbers:
Camry Base: $21,955 (decrease of $45 from 2011)
Camry LE: $22,500 (decrease of $200 from 2011)
Camry SE I4: $23,000 (decrease of $965 from 2011)
Camry SE V6: $26,640 (exact same as 2011)
Camry XLE I4: $24,725 (decrease of $2000!!!! from 2011)
Camry XLE V6: $29,845 (exact same as 2011)
Camry Hybrid LE: $25,900 (decrease of $1,150 from 2011)
Camry Hybrid XLE: $27,400 (decrease of $800 from 2011)
The reason for the huge price jumps between I4 and V6 models is because the V6 models come with more standard options than the I4...not just a difference in the engine.
Speaking of engines, this is 2012's lineup:
2.5 2AR-FE I4 Gas: 178 hp across the board: 25 city/35 highway/28 combined
3.5 2GR-FE V6 Gas: 268 hp: 21 city/30 highway/24 combined
2.5 2AR Hybrid: 200 hp: 43 city/39 highway/41 combined
==============================================================================
Compare the Camry LE to the Hybrid: The Hybrid gets a good 13mpg COMBINED more than the conventional LE and it cost a mere $3400 more, and, if the professional reviews are to be believed, the Hybrid drives and handles as well as the LE but faster! The Hybrid has been clocked to go from 0-60mph in 7.6 seconds.
Sidenote: it seems that the biggest loser is the V6 car, which is only a full second faster than the hybrid.
Conclusion: with the old Camry, it can be hard to justify spending so much more for the Hybrid. With the new car, it almost makes no sense to get the cheaper LE over the much better Hybrid.
My prediction: The Hybrid will be the volume selling Camry.
Another prediction: The Hybrid will take sales away from the "Prius v" and may even challenge the ole' Prius itself.
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.
.
.
.
.
.
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