2011 Toyota Camry Hybrid - Reigning Supreme

The 2011 Toyota Camry Hybrid has climbed to prominence, especially after it reigned supreme in the midsize hybrid market as the 2010 Toyota Camry Hybrid. Despite the loss in title, the 2011 Toyota Camry Hybrid carries over largely unchanged from the 2010 model year. The Camry Hybrid got a new frontal styling to distinguish it from the gasoline powered Camry's, but more importantly it has a version of the Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive System fitted.

The Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive System is essentially the same system as found in the latest Prius, but the gasoline engine is a larger 2.4-liter four cylinder engine. Like the Prius, the Hybrid runs on a Atkinson cycle which is a very fuel efficient system, but one that does not provide much power for any given displacement. This is where the 140 horsepower electric motor comes in, supplying power to make up for the shortfall. The electric motor assists more often than it does in the Prius, and the Hybrid is intended to make the car feel like a V6, but with lower emissions and fuel consumption.