TOYOTA CAMRY Gl 2009 Automatic

Fuel efficiency is the big selling point on the 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid, with EPA fuel economy estimates of 33 mpg city, 34 mpg highway. Like the Prius, the 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid has a so-called full-hybrid system, meaning that it can move at low speeds on electric power alone; at higher speeds and when more power is needed, the vehicle uses varying combinations of electric and gas-engine power (from a 2.4-liter four-cylinder) and charges the battery system, especially when coasting or braking. Altogether, the hybrid system and engine achieve 192 horsepower. The Hybrid's additional components fit well into the existing package, and the battery system is packaged masterfully and does not seriously affect trunk space.

The Camry Hybrid does quite well in safety, including five-star results in the federal government's crash tests; a nonhybrid Camry got "good" results in the insurance industry tests, except for a "marginal" result in the rear-impact test. Toyota's more sophisticated form of electronic stability control, called Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM), is standard on the Hybrid to assure that power delivery is smooth and that the system is stable on slippery surfaces. The 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid comes with a knee airbag for the driver as well as full-length curtain and front seat side-impact airbags, for seven airbags in total, plus the VDIM stability control system.