2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid Sedan Features & Specs

What's New for 2012

The 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid is fully redesigned.

Introduction

Can the most popular family sedan in America afford to take a risk? Not likely. The 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid doesn't aim to find out, either. Sure, the seventh generation of Toyota's bread-and-butter sedan shows a sharper look, including a more aggressive front grille and side profile. Tougher, more angular lines ring the exterior. There's even lip service paid to sporty handling, an effort to woo buyers who've already written off Toyota as the New Old Buick.
No, the new Camry isn't too different from the last one. And that's not a bad thing. For one thing, the 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid offers an improved version of last year's engine: a respectably powerful 2.5-liter four-cylinder that, combined with the electric drive motor produces a total of 200 horsepower. An improved regenerative braking system that converts more braking energy into electricity also helps the new Camry Hybrid achieve an EPA-estimated 41 mpg in combined driving, and a substantial 10 mpg gain in city driving.
Suspension improvements have also enlivened the Camry Hybrid's handling dynamics. That's not to say the new hybrid is particularly sporty, but it does infuse slightly more enthusiasm into a rock-solid legacy of cushy, comfortable ride quality.
The 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid offers a more refined hybrid system than the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid and essentially matches the Ford Fusion Hybrid for best-in-class fuel economy. Overall, the Hybrid should be a solid, blue-chip choice for a family car.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid is offered in LE and XLE trim levels.
The LE features 16-inch steel wheels, auto headlights, keyless entry/ignition, dual-zone automatic climate control, power accessories, cruise control, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, Bluetooth, six-speaker CD sound system with auxiliary input and USB jacks.
The XLE adds 17-inch alloy wheels, heated exterior mirrors, chrome garnishments, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, an eight-way power driver seat and the six-speaker Display Audio system featuring a 6.1-inch touchscreen and Bluetooth audio streaming.
Option packages -- available only on the XLE -- offer features including a sunroof; a rearview camera; heated driver and passenger seats; four-way power passenger seat; the Display Audio system integrated with a navigation system, HD Radio, satellite radio, voice recognition, Entune integration of smartphone and Web functions; and a premium 10-speaker JBL audio system with all of the Display Audio features integrated with a 7-inch touchscreen hard-drive-based navigation system.

Powertrains and Performance

The 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid offers a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 156 hp and 156 pound-feet of torque. An electric motor brings the gas engine to life when it shuts down at stoplights in order to save fuel and also provides some low-speed propulsion. Combined, the two power units are good for 200 hp. A continuously variable transmission delivers power to the front wheels. Toyota says the Camry Hybrid will return an estimated 43 city mpg/39 highway mpg and 41 mpg combined.

Safety

The 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid comes with a battery of standard safety features, including antilock brakes with brake assist, stability control, front- and rear-seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, and knee airbags for both driver and passenger, the latter new for 2012. A blind-spot monitoring system is also available.

Interior Design and Special Features

Inside the cabin, the revised interior for the 2012 Camry feels slightly roomier. Thinner front pillars increase visibility and narrower door panels open up elbow room. Door panel controls also move higher, allowing knees to move more freely. But the most notable improvement has been in interior materials. The previous wave of hard plastic has been replaced with textures, trim and subtle decorative stitching.
Moving hybrid components from the trunk to under the hood shrinks the battery housing, which in turn frees up additional space in back. The trunk now offers a truly useful 13.1 cubic feet.
The Camry's new upgraded audio system also includes Entune, a suite of smartphone-connected services that includes features like the Bing search engine, Pandora streaming radio, real-time traffic, sports and stock information, and the ability to reserve movie tickets or a table at a restaurant on the go.

Driving Impressions

We've only briefly driven the 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid. But from our initial impressions, it feels notably quicker and more responsive than its predecessor. Thanks to revised suspension tuning, it also feels more planted on the road and less disturbed by bumps. The electric steering is also improved, although there's a slight numbness that we attribute to the Camry's low-rolling-resistance tires.

Colors

Exterior

Interior

Exterior

Tires and Wheels

• Steel wheels
• 16 x 6.5 in. wheels
• Steel spare wheel
• P205/65R16 tires
• All season tires
• Inside mounted spare tire
• Full wheel covers
• Temporary spare tire

Roof and Glass

• Variable intermittent wipers
• Rear defogger

Measurements

• Width: 71.7 in.
• Height: 57.9 in.
• Length: 189.2 in.
• Ground clearance: 6.1 in.
• Front track: 62.4 in.
• Rear track: 62.0 in.
• Wheel base: 109.3 in.
• Cargo capacity, all seats in place: 13.1 cu.ft.

• EPA interior volume: 115.8 cu.ft.
• Drag Coefficient: 0.27 Cd
• Curb weight: 3435 lbs.

Mechanical

Engine & Performance

• Base engine size: 2.5 L
• Cam type: Double overhead cam (DOHC)
• Cylinders: inline 4
• Valves: 16
• Valve timing: Variable
• Horsepower: 200 hp @ 5700 rpm
• Turning circle: 36.7 ft.

• Base engine type: hybrid

DriveTrain

• Drive type: front wheel drive
• Transmission: continuously variable-speed automatic

Suspension

• MacPherson strut front suspension
• MacPherson strut rear suspension
• Four-wheel independent suspension
• Front and rear stabilizer bar

Fuel

• Fuel type: hybrid
• Fuel type: regular unleaded
• Fuel tank capacity: 17.0 gal.
• Range in miles (cty/hwy): 731.0/663.0 mi.
• EPA mileage est. (cty/hwy): 43/39 mpg

Safety

Safety & Security

• 4-wheel ABS
• Front and rear head airbags
• Dual front and dual rear side-mounted airbags
• Child seat anchors
• Emergency braking assist
• Ventilated front disc / solid rear disc brakes
• Rear door child safety locks
• Daytime running lights
• Engine immobilizer
• Auto delay off headlamps
• Dusk sensing headlamps
• 2 front headrests
• 3 rear headrests
• Passenger airbag occupant sensing deactivation
• Rear center 3-point belt
• Front and rear seatbelt pretensioners
• Stability control
• Traction control
• Electronic brakeforce distribution
• Emergency interior trunk release
• Front height adjustable headrests
• Rear height adjustable headrests
• Passenger head restraint whiplash protection system
• Driver head restraint whiplash protection system
• Tire pressure monitoring

Warranty

• Basic: 3 yr./ 36000 mi.
• Drivetrain: 5 yr./ 60000 mi.
• Hybrid Component: 8 yr./ 100000 mi.
• Free Maintenance: 2 yr./ 25000 mi.
• Roadside: 2 yr./ 25000 mi.

Interior

Front Seats

• Front head room: 38.8 in.
• Front hip room: 54.5 in.
• Front leg room: 41.6 in.
• Front shoulder room: 58.0 in.
• Height adjustable driver seat
• Cloth
• Bucket front seats

Rear Seats

• Rear hip Room: 54.5 in.
• Rear head room: 38.1 in.
• Rear leg room: 38.9 in.
• Rear shoulder room: 56.6 in.
• Split-folding rear seatback
• Folding with storage center armrest

Power Features

• Remote power door locks
• Power mirrors
• 1 one-touch power windows

Convenience

• Cruise control
• Front console with storage
• Front and rear cupholders
• Front and rear door pockets
• Overhead console with storage
• Retained accessory power
• Front seatback storage
• Electric speed-proportional power steering
• 12V front power outlet(s)
• Tilt and telescopic steering wheel
• Audio and cruise controls on steering wheel

Comfort

• Interior air filtration
• Dual zone climate controls - driver and passenger
• Cargo area light
• Simulated alloy trim on center console
• Simulated alloy trim on dash
• Simulated alloy trim on doors
• Front reading lights
• Simulated alloy steering wheel

Instrumentation

• Clock
• Trip computer
• External temperature display
• Low fuel level warning

In Car Entertainment

• 6 total speakers
• AM/FM in-dash single CD player with CD MP3 Playback stereo
• Speed sensitive volume control
• Auxiliary audio input and iPod integration
• USB connection

Telematics

• Pre-wired for phone
• Bluetooth wireless data link for hands-free phone