Comfortable, Efficient, Affordable Midsize Sedan
The 2020 Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE delivers exactly what is promised: a five-passenger midsize sedan, a spacious interior, a smooth comfortable ride, high fuel economy and advanced driver safety technologies. With more and more consumers looking to crossover SUVs, a sedan has to have something noteworthy to get consumer’s attention. The Camry Hybrid should grab yours.
Hybrid Efficiency
The Camry Hybrid is powered by Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive system of a 2.5-liter, 16-valve double overhead cam gasoline-powered four-cylinder engine. When combined with the 88-kilowatt electric motor, there is a total 208 system horsepower running through a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), which had paddle shifters. There are four driver-selectable drive modes of Eco, Normal, Sport and EV.
Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive automatically switches between the electric drive mode, combined electric motor and gasoline engine, and gasoline-only engine power. The undetectable transitions can be monitored by viewing the dash gauges. Fuel economy for the 2020 Camry Hybrid is rated at 44 mpg city/47 highway/46 combined. Running on regular unleaded, we spent a week cruising Southern California, covering 574 miles. With the majority on freeways and traveling no faster than 75 mph, Clean Fleet Report averaged 47.8 mpg. But when battling stop and go rush hour traffic, or in a city, we averaged as much as 52.5 mpg.
The nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) battery, which comes with the LE and XLE trims, is charged when applying the brakes or coasting. The regenerative charging system converts kinetic energy into electric energy and stores it in the battery. This process is also viewed on a dash gauge where you can watch the power flow into and out of the battery and engine.
Hitting the Open Road
The Camry Hybrid is a comfortable midsize sedan with its smooth ride unaffected by passing semi trucks or road imperfections. The cushy suspension is designed for cruising; it is not considered sporty. The electric power steering connected the front wheels to the road with a positive and direct feel. Acceleration for 0-to-60 of 7.5 seconds was perfectly adequate for all the driving situations we encountered; we opted for Sport mode to get the most performance of the hybrid system.
The Camry Hybrid XLE came with 18-inch silver-machine finished alloy wheels. The 235/45R Hankook Kinergy GT all-season tires provided good traction with limited tire slippage when under hard cornering stress. The handling was also aided by the placement of the hybrid batteries under the seats, which lowered the center of gravity, making for flat, low-lean cornering and limited understeer.
The CVT did not produce the sometimes common droning when launching or under hard acceleration. When placed in Sports mode, there were convincing gear-like upshifts to satisfy those that don’t like a CVT because they are too smooth. I never understood this complaint.
Stopping comes from the electronically controlled brake system that incorporates regenerative control and power-assisted, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and electronic brake force distribution. The stops were straight and consistent, producing a satisfying regenerative whirring when stopping.
When the battery is completely charged, selecting the EV mode can be used for driving around town, in parking lots or structures. The Camry Hybrid has a limited driving range of one mile and up to 25 miles per hour, so using the EV mode becomes strategic for those times where you want to run silently.
Sleek Exterior
The 2020 Toyota Camry Hybrid has a contemporary design with a low center of gravity and a wide stance in what may be the best-looking Camry yet. Our Camry Hybrid was painted in Blue Streak Metallic and had black B pillars and front grille with body color-keyed bumpers, door handles, shark fin antenna and exterior mirrors, making for a sleek design and profile.
The Camry Hybrid features smooth surfaces and a near absence of chrome, and zero unnecessary body cladding. The LED head lights extend into the fenders, leading to a lightly sculpted hood and accent line running the length of the car from fender to fender. The roofline, which is near-flat and had a panoramic power moonroof, ends with the gentlest of spoilers. Toyota has subtle reminders that this car has been electrified with blue emblems on the front and rear and the word “hybrid” on the fenders and lower right trunk lid.
Welcoming Interior
Clean Fleet Report was driving a 2020 Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE that was nicely equipped with standard equipment. When a few packages were added, it was as fully featured as any car can be. The importance of ordering a car exactly as you like it cannot be over stressed, so get your Camry exactly how you want it.
The cockpit design is driver-friendly with the gauges, including the hybrid management system, all in easy sight and the controls in easy reach. The visibility was excellent with large windows and a low belt line. A much appreciated feature was the 10-inch color head-up display, HUD, which has customizable settings showing the speedometer, navigation, shift position, compass, audio, phone, outside temperature and the hybrid system indicators. The HUD is all about eyes on the road and safety first.
Additional interior convenience features included the dual zone automatic climate control, power windows with front auto up and down, an integrated backup camera with dynamic gridlines, sun visors with sliding extensions, map and reading lights, a wireless phone charger and an auto-dimming Homelink equipped rearview mirror.
There was another very handy feature that was activated by a dash-mounted button: the Bird’s Eye View camera with Perimeter Scan. By pushing the button, the scan gives a downward 360º look at anything that may be in the Camry’s surrounding area. You will come to rely on this nifty feature.
Safety
The Camry Hybrid is well-equipped with active and passive safety features including 10 air bags, a tire pressure monitoring system, collapsible steering column, anti-theft alarm and engine immobilizer and a blind spot monitor with rear cross traffic alert with sonar clearance. The rear cross traffic emergency braking is very helpful. When backing from a blind parking spot, and cars or pedestrians suddenly appear behind the car, brakes are instantly applied. The first time it happens, it can be quite a surprise, but you will appreciate it.
In testing by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) the 2020 Camry Hybrid received five stars, its highest rating, while the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the 2020 Camry its top safety pick, for overall crash protection.
Pricing and Warranties
The 2020 Toyota Camry Hybrid comes in three trim levels with these base prices, which include the $995 delivery processing and handling fee.
LE $29,425
SE $31,125
XLE $33,725
Clean Fleet Report’s 2020 Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE had a total price, including $6,490 in options and the $995 delivery processing and handling fee, of $39,995.
The 2020 Camry Hybrid comes with these warranties.
- Hybrid Components – Eight years/100,000 miles
- Powertrain – Five years/60,000 miles
- Basic – Three years/36,000 miles
- Maintenance Plan – Two years/25,000 miles
- Anti-perforation – Five years/Unlimited miles
- Roadside Assistance – Two years/25,000 miles
Observations: 2020 Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE
The 2020 Toyota Camry Hybrid is up against some tough midsize hybrid sedan competition, so it had better be on its game to get its share of this market.
The chart lists the base model MSRP (lowest to highest), the destination charge, the combined EPA fuel economy rating and the driving range. While this isn’t a completely apples-to-apples comparison as standard features will vary for each car, it does give a general overview of the models in this category. Links to our tests of these models are at the end of this article.
| Honda Insight Hybrid | $22,930 + $995 | 52 mpg | 567 mi. range |
| Honda Accord Hybrid | $25,870 + $955 | 48 mpg | 614 mi. range |
| Hyundai Sonata Hybrid | $27,750 + $975 | 52 mpg | 686 mi. range |
| Kia Optima Hybrid | $29,310 + $925 | 42 mpg | 666 mi. range |
| Toyota Camry Hybrid | $29,425 + $995 | 46 mpg | 607 mi. range |
| Toyota Avalon Hybrid | $37,000 + $995 | 44 mpg | 581 mi. range |
The 2020 Toyota Camry Hybrid is a very comfortable car to drive; its price is a little higher than many of its direct competitors and efficiency is a little less. So what to do? Go drive the Camry Hybrid and see for yourself.
Built in Georgetown, Kentucky, the Camry Hybrid is an economical five-passenger, midsize sedan that should cover all your driving needs, including commuting, in-town errands or long road trips.
The redesign that took place in 2018 and carries over to 2020 brought the Camry Hybrid more in-line with the fierce midsize sedan competition. The interior is very comfortable, especially for long trips and outings, and the trunk is massive so carrying capacity for luggage on those long trips is never a concern.
This comfortable car is quiet inside, has a firm and stable ride, and is a place you want to spend time in. Treat yourself to a long test drive at your Toyota dealership, and see for yourself.
Whatever you end up buying, Happy Driving!
Story by John Faulkner; photos by John Faulkner and Toyota
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Related Stories You Might Enjoy—Hybrid Sedan Choices Tested
Road Test: 2020 Honda Insight Hybrid
Road Test: 2017 Honda Accord Hybrid
Road Test: 2018 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
Road Test: 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid
Road Test: 2019 Toyota Camry Hybrid (last year’s model)
Road Test: 2020 Toyota Avalon Hybrid
Disclosure:
Clean Fleet Report is loaned free test vehicles from automakers to evaluate, typically for a week at a time. Our road tests are based on this one-week drive of a new vehicle. Because of this we don’t address issues such as long-term reliability or total cost of ownership. In addition, we are often invited to manufacturer events highlighting new vehicles or technology. As part of these events we may be offered free transportation, lodging or meals. We do our best to present our unvarnished evaluations of vehicles and news irrespective of these inducements.
Our focus is on vehicles that offer the best fuel economy in their class, which leads us to emphasize electric cars, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and diesels. We also feature those efficient gas-powered vehicles that are among the top mpg vehicles in their class. In addition, we aim to offer reviews and news on advanced technology and the alternative fuel vehicle market. We welcome any feedback from vehicle owners and are dedicated to providing a forum for alternative viewpoints. Please let us know your views at publisher@cleanfleetreport.com.
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