One Week Test Drive: The 2010 Toyota Camry Hybrid

There is something innately soothing about driving the 2010 Toyota Camry Hybrid. The ride is smooth and supple over long freeway jaunts and the interior is serenely styled and innately quiet. Every control is exactly where you would expect it to be and there is plenty of room for five adults.

The Toyota Camry Hybrid is also incredibly fuel efficient as it averaged 32 miles per gallon over a week of testing (EPA numbers are 33 city/34 highway). It is the perfect car for the person who wants stellar fuel economy but doesn't necessarily want to shout from the rooftops that they are driving a hybrid. In a sense, it is the anti-Prius.

But does all of this make it a great car? Well, as it is a Camry you can pretty much count on the fact that it isn't a sport sedan that will quicken your pulse every time you slide behind the wheel. But to be frank, it isn't really meant to be. Will all this be enough, however, for me to recommend one? Let's see.

Exterior Styling

Well, if you don't know what the 2010 Toyota Camry looks like either you never leave your house, have never driven on a road, have never walked across a mall parking lot or you were born without eyeballs. This family sedan is everywhere. To be honest, it is quite easy to lose your Camry in any crowded parking lot no matter where you live in the continental United States.

The Camry Hybrid does differentiate itself, however, with a more upscale chrome grille that is sort of "Lexus-lite." Otherwise, the Camry Hybrid is a pleasingly attractive family sedan but it is by no means the most extroverted or stylish. In other words, if you want to be noticed on the road this isn't the car to buy.

Interior Design and Quality

The interior of the Camry Hybrid is incredibly user friendly with all of the gauges, controls and buttons sharing one common trait-they are all very easy to read and understand. No one will ever get into your Camry Hybrid and ask you how the climate control or radio works. Build quality was impeccable as one would expect from the interior of any Toyota.

The Camry Hybrid's dashboard design may lack the whiz-bang wow factor of the command center in the Toyota Prius but it is classy and understated. The Camry's high quality interior feel makes you wonder why anyone would need to upgrade to the more expensive Lexus ES sedan. It just doesn't seem necessary.

Trunk space in the Hybrid Camry is compromised by the nickel-hydride battery pack, however, as it is only 10.6 cubic feet. The trunk is well shaped, however, and it should be able to carry all your groceries or a baby stroller. The passenger compartment is unaffected by the batteries as there is still plenty of room for five adults with ample head and legroom front and rear.

Pricing and Features

The 2010 Camry Hybrid starts at $26,150 and comes standard with dual zone climate control, power windows, power door locks, push button start with a Smart Key System, an AM/FM/CD/Aux-input jack audio system with 6-speakers, 7-airbags, power driver's seat, 16-inch tires with plastic wheel covers (that really cheapen the looks of the car) and a tilt/telescoping steering wheel.

I really recommend you order the "Upgrade Package" which adds a little over $1,000 to the MSRP but gives you USB/iPod connectivity (Aux-in ports are useless with iPods), hands free Bluetooth, 10-spoke alloy wheels, an AM/FM/6-disc 8-speaker audio system, XM satellite radio, auto dimming rear view mirror, home link and leather covering for the steering wheel and shift knob. You can also option up your Camry Hybrid further with other packages that give you leather, a moonroof and even in-dash navigation.

Driving Experience

This car is perfect for the frazzled daily commuter who has to drive long distances to work and wants a quiet, easy to drive automobile that gets good fuel economy. The ride is smooth and supple over rough roads and the 2.4 liter 4 cylinder/gas electric powertrain is very quiet in its operation. It also puts out a healthy 187 net horsepower reading when the two power sources are combined. So passing power is never an issue.

Take the 2010 Camry Hybrid on a twisty back road, however, and the driving experience falls apart. The steering lacks feel to such a degree as to be almost comical and the suspension wallows and floats as you try to hold a line around tight turns. Simply put, the 2010 Toyota Camry Hybrid does not like to have fun.

This is a shame because I know for a fact that Toyota can do better with its hybrid and family models. I had a blast driving the 2010 Toyota Prius and the 2011 Toyota Sienna SE (yes, a minivan can be fun). Both of these cars are directed at families and the economy minded but have taut and precise steering feel with the added benefit of expertly buttoned down suspension tuning. So what's up with old fuddy-duddy nature of the Camry Hybrid?

How Dog and Kid Friendly is It?

Given the Toyota Camry Hybrid's excellent build quality and terrific crash test ratings, this is a very kid friendly family sedan. The robust nature of the interior materials also makes it a great car for the family dog. The only issue is the compromised trunk space which limits how much baby gear/dog kibble that you can haul around.

Final Thoughts

Although I usually hate to use marketing speak, I am not part of the Toyota Camry Hybrid's target demographic. If it were my money, I would buy a Toyota Prius because it gets better fuel economy, looks cooler and is more fun to drive. I enjoyed driving the 2010 Prius when I tested it earlier this year and it has a certain hipster cachet with people my age. Culturally, I think the Prius is a modern day VW "Love Bug," to be quite honest.

The 2010 Camry Hybrid, on the other hand, is too bland and appliance-like for my taste. It is something you use to transport you from point A to point B with the least amount of strain to your senses. And I just enjoy driving too much for that to appeal to me. But if you are looking for a traditional family sedan that is fuel efficient, inconspicuous, spacious and won't stress you out in any way then perhaps the 2010 Toyota Camry Hybrid is for you.

Vehicle Tested: 2010 Toyota Camry Hybrid

Base Price: $26,150

Price as Tested: $27,758 (including Destination)

Options on Tester: Floormats and trunkmat set ($200), Alarm System ($395), Interface kit for iPod ($299)

Engine: 2.4 liter 4 cylinder gas/electric

Power: 187 net horsepower (gas/electric motor combined)

Transmission: CVT Automatic (Continuously Variable Transmission)

0-60: 8.9 seconds (estimated)

EPA Economy: 33 city/34 highway

Economy as Tested: 32 miles per gallon

Trunk Space: 10.6 cubic feet

Fuel Tank: 17.2 cubic feet

Runs on: Regular Unleaded

Safety Ratings (NHTSA): Front Impact-(Five Stars: Driver, Five Stars: Passenger)

Side Impact-(Five Stars: Front and Rear Seats)

Rollover-(Four Stars)

Warranty: 3 years/36,000 mile bumper to bumper

5 years/60,000 mile powertrain

8 year/100,000 mile hybrid battery pack

Assembled in: Georgetown, Kentucky