Quote:
Originally Posted by Frodo65
If you can swing the extra $$$, the Hybrid is IMHO a superior choice in the era of $4/gal gas. Power level is about equal to your V6, gas mileage is mid 30's to low 40's around town if you take 'er easy, and you get to avoid the G6 problem child: the 6 speed auto you get with the V6. With gas < $2/gal, the new V6 is a nice unit, but with the prices twice as high and likely to head higher after election, it's a choice likely to be an ever bigger pain in the gas. 
The big issue with the Hybrid is availability and dealer greed - price and equipment levels are roughly comparable with the XLE V6, but the short supplies and high demand make the "street level" spread much higher, as discounts will be tough to get. |
The hybrid is a completely different animal from the LE and SE. Anyone considering an SE Camry (or "touring" package) wouldn't like the hybrid model at all. Its body motions are very... um... Queen Mary 2. The extra weight of the hybrid components, its suspension, and steering take most of the joy out of spirited driving. In addition, its continuously variable transmission does not exactly promote excitement. Even if its relatively quick for a hybrid (7.7 seconds to 60), it feels much slower because of the CVT.
Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love my hybrid... but a sporty Camry it is not. I agree with you that its comparable to the XLE (probably the 4 cylinder rather than the 6), but I highly doubt the hybrid model would satisfy the original poster.
