[Taboleo] The Proven Fundamentals Through Performance... Toyota New Camry Hybrid

After Actual Driving... Proven Economy of 21.9 km/L Exceeding Official Fuel Efficiency Without Worry

[Asia Economy Reporter Yu Je-hoon] "For carbon neutrality, the adoption of electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) is important. However, how to further enhance the eco-friendliness of internal combustion engine vehicles, which still make up the majority of vehicles on the road, is also an essential point to watch."

As carbon neutrality has become a global hot topic, various types of electric vehicles are now seen all over the roads. It can be said that the era of the 'popularization of electric vehicles' has truly begun. However, there are still clear limitations. High prices and insufficient charging infrastructure cause prospective buyers to hesitate when considering electric vehicles. Therefore, the appeal of hybrid cars, which combine the features of internal combustion engines and electric powertrains, remains strong.

The Toyota New Camry Hybrid has established a unique position among mid-size sedans. In the North American market, it has held the number one spot in the mid-size sedan segment for 20 years. Behind this success are the Camry Hybrid’s solid fundamentals, such as excellent fuel efficiency and commendable driving performance. On the 26th, I personally drove the car for about 50 km from The-K Hotel in Seocho-gu, Seoul to the Suwon area in Gyeonggi Province.

How are the interior and exterior designs?

▲ The 2022 New Camry, a facelift model of the 8th generation Camry, delivers a strong impression based on Toyota’s design concept called ‘KEEN LOOK.’ The XLE model I drove featured a wide lower grille and chrome trims on the sides of the grille, which added a sense of luxury. Additionally, the bumper design is integrated, giving a clean and simple impression without unnecessary elements.

Inside, the model felt straightforward and faithful to the basics. It is equipped with a 7-inch wide color TFT multi-information display, which compares well with the latest models from competitors, and the black-toned interior design gives a neat yet dignified impression. Above all, the strength was the surprisingly spacious feeling. Usually, I prefer SUVs and often feel uncomfortable with the low height of sedans, but the Camry Hybrid minimizes this issue with a low engine hood and a compact instrument panel, according to the company.

However, the 9-inch floating-type center display inside felt somewhat lacking. Although it supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, providing solid basic functionality, the exterior satisfaction was relatively lower compared to recent mass-market and premium brands that feature sleek large integrated displays.

How was the driving experience?

Driving about 50 km on highways and national roads, my impression was that the fundamentals are indeed solid. The acceleration was neither heavy nor light, and the ride felt stable without shaking. This is thanks to the TNGA platform, which reduces air resistance and lowers the center of gravity.

What I especially liked was the quietness unique to hybrid models. Even when starting the engine, there was almost no driving noise, giving a quietness comparable to premium brand models. This strength was even more pronounced in EV mode, where the engine is not used.

How did the hybrid car’s biggest strength, ‘fuel efficiency,’ perform in real driving?

The Camry’s greatest strength can be said to be its economic efficiency based on excellent fuel economy. This strong economy was evident during actual driving as well. Over about 50 km, except for briefly activating Eco and Sport modes, I did not make any special settings or drive with fuel efficiency in mind, yet the final fuel efficiency recorded was 21.9 km/l. This exceeds the standard combined fuel efficiency of 17.1 km/l stated in the specifications. This is a clear advantage in the current high fuel price era, where gasoline prices have surged to 1,700?1,800 KRW per liter.

Behind this is Toyota’s outstanding hybrid technology. The 2.5-liter Dynamic Force engine and the compact, high-efficiency hybrid system applied to the Camry deliver a total system output of 211 horsepower and high efficiency. Especially in Eco mode, the ‘Auto Glide Control (AGC)’ function is applied, which slows the vehicle’s deceleration after releasing the accelerator during driving, allowing the driver to achieve the desired power with minimal accelerator input during re-acceleration, maximizing fuel efficiency.

How was the advanced driver assistance system?

The Camry Hybrid is equipped with ‘Toyota Safety Sense (TSS).’ TSS includes Lane Tracing Assist (LTA) to help maintain lane stability during driving, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) with preceding vehicle following and curve deceleration functions, Automatic High Beam (AHB) for improved visibility during night driving, and Pre-Collision System (PCS) that partially assists braking power in emergencies. Additionally, safety features such as Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) are also included. The DRCC I tested during driving operated smoothly even on curves, showing solid fundamentals.

What about the price?

The 2022 New Camry Hybrid is priced at 43.57 million KRW for the XSE, 42.97 million KRW for the XLE, and 37.62 million KRW for the LE, applying a 3.5% individual consumption tax. As a side note, the Camry gasoline model (XLE) is priced at 36.69 million KRW. Considering the high fuel efficiency of the hybrid model, the pricing seems reasonable.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.