Toyota has been very active in producing top quality vehicles for decades. With the emergence of hybrid technology, Toyota goes steps further by developing the Prius which has been warmly embraced internationally. The Camry also took the market by storm being one of the most marketed hybrid vehicles to date. Here is a quick review of the two cars.
Toyota Prius: The Good And The Bad
The Toyota Prius is a hybrid electric vehicle which was first released in Japan in 1997 before being made available to the world market in 2001. It is the pioneering mass-produced hybrid vehicle. The Prius is one of the most fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly cars available today.
The car uses a series parallel system that can run on both gasoline and electric power. It incorporates technologies like regenerative braking and idle-off capability. The Toyota Prius has a real-world gas mileage of around 44 to 46 mph.
The Toyota Prius has a very distinct style unlike other hybrid vehicles. People do not have to sacrifice fashion over function when investing in the car. The vehicle is also very quiet and smooth making it very convenient and comfortable to drive. According to advertisements, the Prius emits carbon dioxide up to 1 ton less than gas and diesel-powered cars.
Price is also a good thing about the vehicle since it comes at a very affordable $22,000. Other pros include excellent gas mileage, generous interior space, quality structure and materials used as well as easy maneuverability. The Toyota Prius is truly a fuel-efficient hybrid vehicle.
Some agencies claim that the advertisements claiming the 1 ton less of carbon dioxide emitted by the Toyota Prius may be faulty and misleading since the average distance used in the United States and United Kingdom were not included. The Prius is also less agile and needs more power to match gas-powered counterparts. Although the interior is quiet roomy, it lacks headroom in the rear. There can also be some road noises heard from the backseat and rear visibility is not too good.
Toyota Camry: The Good And The Bad
The Toyota Camry is the hybrid counterpart of the gas-powered sedan. The vehicle was first released in 2006 and continues to generate sales of around 60,000 units every year. The Camry uses a four-cylinder gas engine, 650V electric motors with 140 horsepower and 270 Nm and a NiMH 245V traction battery having a high output of 40 horsepower.
Overall it can peak at 192 horsepower. The Toyota Camry has a gas mileage of 40 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway. Some highlight features include VDIM or vehicle dynamics integrated management, climate control (HVAC) system with ECO button that limits energy consumption of the system.
The Toyota Camry is very comfortable for passengers and has several safety features like antilock brakes, side-impact and side curtain-type airbags and a vehicle stability control system. The vehicle also has very generous interior space. The car is also very reliable having an efficient hybrid power train and stronger acceleration compared to other four-cylinder sedans. The Toyota Camry is very complete and fuel efficient.
The Camry does come at a rather hefty price of over $30,000 which is more expensive compared to other sedans but resale value is high which compensates well. The trunk needs more room and the style overall is nothing to brag about. The side airbags are also not standard which is another weak point for the hybrid vehicle.
Prius Vs. Camry
The Prius is considerably more affordable than the Camry by as much as $8,000. The Toyota Prius beats the Camry in fuel economy as well. City fuel economy for the Prius is 60 mpg while the Camry is at 40 mpg. Highway fuel economy is 51 mpg for the Prius and 38 mpg for the Camry. Acceleration is better for the Camry though going from 0-60 mph in 7.3 seconds compared to the Prius' 9.8 seconds.
Traction battery power is 28 hp and 40 hp for the Prius and Camry respectively. Both do not require premium fuel and have a maximum seating capacity of 5 persons. As for smog-forming emissions, both vehicles have 80% less emission compared to non-hybrid cars. The Prius design is also more inspiring compared to the more expensive Camry.
It seems that the Prius is in the lead as far as cost-efficiency and style is concerned. There are other advantages that the Camry has as well like better maneuverability and power. In the end, it is still a very tight match that only buyers will get to decide the true winner.
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