Experienced by Adrian McQueen
Photography by Adrenaline Lifestyles
What perfect timing for a review in the 2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE being that this week was set to be full of a lot more driving than I typically do. The Toyota Camry has kept a great reputation as being one of the most reliable cars on the market, so I was excited to get the chance to experience it.
I have seen the Camry change so much over years, since it was known as the Celica Camry, but for 2023 this is most sporty design to date. The Toyota Camry has been sold internationally by Toyota since 1982. Upon first look I was impressed by Toyota’s midsize sedan. Built on Toyota’s New Global Architecture (TNGA), the Camry features a fully independent suspension design with control arm rear suspension at the rear. TNGA has also placed the Camry Hybrid’s batteries under the rear seats, which gives it the same 15.1-cubic-foot trunk as the gas-only versions and it can be expanded 60/40 split-folding rear seats.
The Camry is not as spacious on the inside, losing rear legroom and shoulder room. It was still a comfortable ride and fit for me. The driving position is roomy and I had plenty of headroom. The Camry Hybrid XLE comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, leatherette upholstery, a rear spoiler and a Sport mode for the drive mode selector.
The Hybrid employs the 259-volt Sealed Lithium-ion (Li-ion) traction battery and comes in at 44/47 mpg city/highway. My daily trips barely moved the needle. Driving mostly in Eco mode, I sacrificed the throttle response. Coasting saves energy as well as light accelerating. Camry’s redesigned seats are distinctively shaped with available leather trim and contrast stitching. Camry’s available steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters give you the power to shift gears manually for a more controlled experience.
Getting out in the Camry, I ventured to the rural areas to get picturesque views and winding roads. These were the perfect elements for me to enjoy the seat time with the Camry. The 2024 Camry Hybrid comes equipped with a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and an electric motor with a combined 208 horsepower and 149 pound-feet of torque. Front-wheel drive and an electronic continuously variable automatic transmission (eCVT). This surely attributed to the sharp steering and crisp cornering of the Camry on the route. Going in and out of the corners, I felt the balance was good and the ride was comfortable. Toyota has improved the steering and the braking to the ride and handling of the Camry.
Our XLE hybrid was further enhanced with a sunroof and adaptive headlights. I was impressed by the standard 9-inch touch screen and infotainment system. There is built-in navigation as well as the ability to tap into the users’ phone thru Toyota’s app suite. The Camry also has a 7-inch digital gauge cluster, wireless device charging, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a universal garage door opener, ambient LED interior lighting and Remote Connect. The controls were user friendly with great touch response. The Camry has Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, a Wi-Fi hot spot, voice recognition, satellite radio, Bluetooth and multiple USB ports. The XLE model Camry came with the JBL 800-watt, nine-speaker JBL sound system that I fell in love with. Road and wind noise seemed quiet inside the Camry cabin.
The Camry comes equipped with ten airbags and the Toyota Safety Sense P system, that is standard on all models. This includes forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure assist, hill-start assist, auto high-beams, and dynamic radar cruise control. Blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning come standard on the top XSE and XLE trims but are optional on all other models, except the base L. Drive Start Control prevents the car from jumping forward or backward if the shifter is moved while the accelerator is accidentally depressed. I am confident in stating that Toyota has covered all bases in the safety department.
In the Camry there is also the Bird’s Eye View Camera with Perimeter Scan. The Intelligent Clearance Sonar (ICS) helps you navigate around hidden obstacles. Remote Connect allows you to stay connected with your Camry even if you are not around it. It also has innovative features such as locating your vehicle in a crowded lot or monitoring guest drivers.
Toyota covers the 2023 Camry Hybrid with a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. Hybrid parts are backed by an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty, and the hybrid battery is covered by a 10-year/150,000-mile warranty.
The key competitors of the Camry are the Honda Accord Hybrid and the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. Overall, I enjoyed the Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE. The interior feels upscale, I enjoyed the heated and cooled seats and it proved to be great family hauler. Please enjoy the photo gallery.
