GreenHybrid - Hybrid Cars - View Single Post - I test-drove a Camry Hybrid

daddywags · #48 (**permalink**) 05-04-2006, 04:39 PM

I went to my Toyota dealer today to take a look at a TCH. They had only one, fully loaded for about $30,800. The saleman almost immediately asked if I wanted to drive it and of course I said yes. I drove it off the lot in electric mode, pretty neat! Once we got on a two lane country road I put the cruise on at a little over 40 mph. I was really jazzed as I watched it easily go into all electric mode several times. A slight rise in the road and it would turn the ICE back on. It all happened very smoothly. I jumped on it a couple of times and was very impressed with the acceleration. It had more than enough power to get you going in a hurry. After about a 20 min. test drive I had averaged 38.3 mpg. I didn't do anything special except use the cruise part of the time. I never went over 60 mph. It seemed much easier to get good gas mileage in the TCH than in my HAH. The only thing I wasn't crazy about was the lack of road feel. The ride was a little too smooth and floaty for my taste. However if I was in the market for a new car and I had to pick between the HAH and the TCH, I probably would go for the TCH. For approximately $2000 less than the HAH costs, you get better mileage, more features and the ability to drive in electric mode. The car was available to buy, and I was really tempted to go for it.