Specifications of Toyota Camry Hybrid VIII (XV70) 2.5 (218 HP) Hybrid CVT
General characteristics of Toyota Camry Hybrid VIII (XV70) 2.5 (218 HP) Hybrid CVT
The Camry is a similar size to both the Honda Accord and the Mazda 6 in terms of dimensions. It has a total length of between 192.1 to 194.6 inches depending on the trim, and all models have a wheelbase of 111.2 inches. All models except for the TRD have 72.4-inch width, the exception being 73.1 inches. The same concept applies to height, and all models except for the TRD stand 56.9 inches from the ground (57.1 for AWD models). The TRD's sport suspension drops it to 56.3 inches. Curb weights range from between 3,310 pounds and 3,595 lbs, the former belonging to the LE and the latter to the XLE V6.
The available color palette for the new Toyota Camry is quite broad, but is confusingly dictated by both trims levels and interior fabric choices. The palette has been cut from ten to nine colors; Galactic Aqua Mica is no longer on this year's palette. At the base level, the LE model comes in six of the nine shades; these are Midnight Black Metallic, Super White, Celestial Silver Metallic, Predawn Gray Mica, or Blueprint at no cost, with Ruby Flare Pearl costing $425. Supersonic Red and Wind Chill Pearl are not offered on the LE. SE cars lose out on Ruby Flare, but get Supersonic Red for the same price, instead. SE Nightshade Edition models are only available in three colors, namely Celestial Silver, Super White, or Midnight Black. For XLE models, a $425 Wind Chill Pearl scheme is available, too, but no Supersonic Red. The XSE mostly follows the SE's choices, but Super White is replaced by Ice Edge and Wind Chill Pearl becomes available. Last year's option of two-tone exteriors on the XSE falls away. The TRD models can only be had in three exterior options - either solid Midnight Black, or two two-tone combinations: Midnight Black roof with either Wind Chill Pearl at $925 or Cavalry Blue at $500 - the latter option replacing last year's Midnight Black / Ice Edge combination. The two V6 models can be had in a sampling of the overall spectrum, too. When you're choosing your Camry, you have the choice between two powertrains. LE, SE and XLE models all get a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, though horsepower and torque figures vary slightly according to drivetrain choice. LE and SE models produce 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque when FWD-equipped, and 202 hp and 182 lb-ft when AWD-equipped. The same concept applies to the XSE, but figures vary slightly. In FWD guise, the XSE makes 206 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque. In AWD guise, it produces 205 hp and 185 lb-ft. These figures are better than the Accord's base engine that manages 192 hp and 192 lb-ft of torque and the Mazda 6's least powerful offering that delivers 187 hp and 186 lb-ft. The larger 3.5-liter V6 affords the Camry significantly more power and torque, delivering outputs of 301 horsepower and 267 lb-ft.
Both the base engine and the more powerful V6 are coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission that delivers intuitive and smooth shifts, though we have found the V6 to be better suited to the transmission's ratios.
The fuel economy of your Camry depends on whether you opt for the base engine or the V6. There's plenty of variation in terms of gas mileage throughout the Camry range, but the most frugal choice would be the LE trim with the 2.5-liter engine that returns EPA estimates of 28/39/32 mpg city/highway/combined. The Honda Accord's 1.5-liter turbo only just beats these figures with EPA estimates of 30/38/33 mpg and the Mazda 6 returns 26/35/29 mpg. Returning the heaviest EPA estimates of the lot is the TRD, with figures of 22/31/25 mpg, which are still impressive for such a potent engine. When the tank is full on lower trims with FWD, the Camry has just over 500 miles of range on the combined cycle, and the V6 allows for around 395 miles. The fuel tank on FWD models holds 15.8 gallons and 14.4 gallons on AWD models.
The Camry does well as a five-seater but doesn't offer as much space in the front as the Accord or the Mazda 6. Still, six-footers won't struggle to find a comfortable position. The Camry improves things in the rear and offers more space for passengers in the back than the Mazda 6, but still falls behind the Accord when we consider seating space as a whole. Front seats are comfortable but lack sufficient bolstering, and the driver's seat is eight-way power adjustable, even on lower trims, gaining the same adjustment on higher trims' passenger seats. Seats in the front and the back are supportive enough to be comfortable on longer journeys.
When you're up against a Honda of any kind, it's quite difficult to come out on top in terms of trunk space. This is true for the Camry's 15.1 cubic feet of trunk space that pales in comparison to the Honda Accord's class-leading 16.7 cubes. The Camry does manage to best the Mazda 6's offering of 14.7 cubic feet, and allows for a luggage set and the typical debris associated with taking two kids to school and back on a daily basis. As a consequence of the TRD's rear structure brace, you lose the ability to fold the rear seats into the cabin.
In-cabin storage is impressive, thanks to a large storage bin in the center console and a cavernous glovebox, but the Camry is let down slightly by the small door pockets that will manage a water bottle at a push, but not much else.
