Is getting a Toyota Camry hybrid a good option? Should you consider over German sedans?
The moment we think of sedans in excess of INR 30 lakhs, it it majorly the German luxury options. There are some other players too, like the Japanese but they arent been considered as they wont offer a diesel option. But after the NCR ban, things have changed. Car buyers are now looking at buying either petrol or something that has lesser affect to the nature. This is to either continue using the same on both odd and even days, or maybe if the diesel ban occurs in their town, they will have to look at another option.
[caption id="attachment_18173" class="text-align- ]
That is the only way government can look at imposing heavy fines or inconvenience for vehicles that could affect the environment. Let us be honest, none of us will opt to buy a car that is helpful to the environment and pay an extra cost for it, unless you are a Bollywood actor or a politician who wants to send out a message that he/she cares for the mother care. However, when the cost of both are similar that is when we pick an hybrid over a diesel. Some of the state governments are already offering good amount of subsidy for hybrid and electric vehicles and this is increasing the sale of hybrid cars in India.
Now, if we look at hybrid, the only option that exists is the Toyota Camry. This is a proper hybrid car that has electric batteries and motor. We have driven the Camry hybrid when it was first launched in India, but we never used it in our day to day life. To understand how it performs when you drive it to work and what is it like for the weekend shopping or outings. That is what we have exactly we done with the Camry hybrid for this week.
Used it to drive it to work in the week and weekends was we took it for a drive around. First thing, the Camry hybrid is extremely refined and the technology that the screen shows, of the power going to the battery and tyres from the engine. This will make any nincompoop go bonkers. So, the high tech is good and informative. It translates into something very simple for anyone to understand.
To begin with, the refinement is top notch. And if you are seated at the back, then then there an option to even recline your seat, put on the blinders at the back and side and even control the music system. This all is great. If you are driving, then you will be hunting for the engine noise which exists in the other luxury diesel sedans. The Camry hybrid is quiet and as on most occasions it starts with the electric motor, in the initial days you might be wondering if it has started. The Camry hybrid feels very premium, something in the range of the E-Class. Either you sit ahead or at the back. The feel of the materials is premium and we loved the leather bolstered seats. One downside is the fact that the music system screen doesnt seem to work that well in bright sunlight. And the touchscreen infotainment system is a bit complicated to use. The Bluetooth streaming works, but one needs to go back to his phone to skip a track. That was the last thing expected from a car that can tell the completely astrology of the car and seems to know all the technology in the world but seems to not be your smartphones best friend.
In terms of space, this is adequate. At the front or the rear, we enjoyed seating in both the rows. The front seats even gets ventilated pores to cool down your body if you have been out in the sun. This is a great feature to have for Indian summers. The three main reasons why people buy German sedans are comfort, insulation from the world and power. Comfort on the Camry is one of the best you could ever experience in a German sedan at this price. The insulation feels much better on the Camry, as there is not even the engine noise on the inside. This gives it an advantage over the Germans.
Now, with regards to power: the Camry hybrid has decent power with regards to the petrol engine. When the electric motor kicks in, what you get is a constant peak of torque. This gives you an adrenaline rush. This is brilliant for those quick overtaking moves in the city. The torque of electric motor states constant and this is what makes it just brilliant.
Driving it on a weekend to a restaurant, and many German sedan owners asked me in detail about it. When I spoke to many, the only reason they didnt buy a Japanese sedan was that they wanted a more premium badge. Some of them didnt even consider looking at this option. After stepping into the Camry hybrid, their minds changed. The Camry is a lot more spacious at the back than the German luxury sedans at that price and this means their next upgrade will be the Camry Hybrid. Or at least it will be considered.
Now, there are two things that we dont appreciate in the Camry Hybrid. One is the super low ground clearance, and the other is the drive not being very sporty. Apparently, you cannot open the boot of the Camry when the car is running and stopped and the engine is still running. Either switch off the engine or have the key in your pocket. But these are small things that hardly matter. What is important is how the Camry makes you feel, and this is when it gets full points over the German rivals.
The moment we think of sedans in excess of INR 30 lakhs, it it majorly the German luxury options. There are some other players too, like the Japanese but they arent been considered as they wont offer a diesel option. But after the NCR ban, things have changed. Car buyers are now looking at buying either petrol or something that has lesser affect to the nature. This is to either continue using the same on both odd and even days, or maybe if the diesel ban occurs in their town, they will have to look at another option.
[caption id="attachment_18173" class="text-align- ]
That is the only way government can look at imposing heavy fines or inconvenience for vehicles that could affect the environment. Let us be honest, none of us will opt to buy a car that is helpful to the environment and pay an extra cost for it, unless you are a Bollywood actor or a politician who wants to send out a message that he/she cares for the mother care. However, when the cost of both are similar that is when we pick an hybrid over a diesel. Some of the state governments are already offering good amount of subsidy for hybrid and electric vehicles and this is increasing the sale of hybrid cars in India.
Now, if we look at hybrid, the only option that exists is the Toyota Camry. This is a proper hybrid car that has electric batteries and motor. We have driven the Camry hybrid when it was first launched in India, but we never used it in our day to day life. To understand how it performs when you drive it to work and what is it like for the weekend shopping or outings. That is what we have exactly we done with the Camry hybrid for this week.
Used it to drive it to work in the week and weekends was we took it for a drive around. First thing, the Camry hybrid is extremely refined and the technology that the screen shows, of the power going to the battery and tyres from the engine. This will make any nincompoop go bonkers. So, the high tech is good and informative. It translates into something very simple for anyone to understand.
To begin with, the refinement is top notch. And if you are seated at the back, then then there an option to even recline your seat, put on the blinders at the back and side and even control the music system. This all is great. If you are driving, then you will be hunting for the engine noise which exists in the other luxury diesel sedans. The Camry hybrid is quiet and as on most occasions it starts with the electric motor, in the initial days you might be wondering if it has started. The Camry hybrid feels very premium, something in the range of the E-Class. Either you sit ahead or at the back. The feel of the materials is premium and we loved the leather bolstered seats. One downside is the fact that the music system screen doesnt seem to work that well in bright sunlight. And the touchscreen infotainment system is a bit complicated to use. The Bluetooth streaming works, but one needs to go back to his phone to skip a track. That was the last thing expected from a car that can tell the completely astrology of the car and seems to know all the technology in the world but seems to not be your smartphones best friend.
In terms of space, this is adequate. At the front or the rear, we enjoyed seating in both the rows. The front seats even gets ventilated pores to cool down your body if you have been out in the sun. This is a great feature to have for Indian summers. The three main reasons why people buy German sedans are comfort, insulation from the world and power. Comfort on the Camry is one of the best you could ever experience in a German sedan at this price. The insulation feels much better on the Camry, as there is not even the engine noise on the inside. This gives it an advantage over the Germans.
Now, with regards to power: the Camry hybrid has decent power with regards to the petrol engine. When the electric motor kicks in, what you get is a constant peak of torque. This gives you an adrenaline rush. This is brilliant for those quick overtaking moves in the city. The torque of electric motor states constant and this is what makes it just brilliant.
Driving it on a weekend to a restaurant, and many German sedan owners asked me in detail about it. When I spoke to many, the only reason they didnt buy a Japanese sedan was that they wanted a more premium badge. Some of them didnt even consider looking at this option. After stepping into the Camry hybrid, their minds changed. The Camry is a lot more spacious at the back than the German luxury sedans at that price and this means their next upgrade will be the Camry Hybrid. Or at least it will be considered.
Now, there are two things that we dont appreciate in the Camry Hybrid. One is the super low ground clearance, and the other is the drive not being very sporty. Apparently, you cannot open the boot of the Camry when the car is running and stopped and the engine is still running. Either switch off the engine or have the key in your pocket. But these are small things that hardly matter. What is important is how the Camry makes you feel, and this is when it gets full points over the German rivals.
Source : MotorOctane