The Hybrid has been in the Camry lineup since model year 2007. It's one of the three top-level models in that line, along with the luxury-oriented XLE and sporty SE. Base Camry and mid-level LE grades fill out the lineup, with the base, no-name Camry a new addition this year, replacing the previous CE.

First Impression

A 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower and commendable fuel economy is the standard engine in all except the 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid, which has a modified version of that unit allied with an electric motor in Toyota's full-hybrid Hybrid Synergy Drive system. The 187 maximum system horsepower slots between the standard four and the 3.5-liter, 268-horsepower V6 optional for the LE, SE, and XLE.

The  2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid is equipped to the same level as the XLE, with the addition of the keyless "Smart Entry and Smart Start" system, as used in upscale cousins over at Lexus. It's not quite that luxurious, but it is a pleasant upper-middle class sedan with all of the virtues of a current-generation Camry and better fuel economy and cruising range. It does have some drawbacks - the battery pack under the trunk floor means a small loss of trunk space - which shouldn't be a major problem as that trunk is still more than adequate. And the battery pack also precludes a real trunk pass-though. But I suspect that anyone who really needs a huge trunk and cargo capacity is not looking at a sedan. Hello Toyota Highlander (also available in hybrid form) or RAV4.

 Driving a  2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid differs little from driving a regular Camry. As in all Toyota-system hybrids, it may be powered by the gasoline engine only, the electric motor only, or both to varying degrees. What drives the front wheels depends on a combination of vehicle speed, drivetrain load, and throttle position. Transitions between power modes are not completely seamless, but usually no more noticeable than the shifting of an automatic transmission. When in electric mode, with the gasoline engine shut off, the Camry Hybrid is uncannily quiet. Under absolute full-throttle acceleration, it's quick enough to deal with any need I came across, including the ever-exciting merge from a 20 mph on-ramp into 70+ mph traffic. Placing the shift lever in B -- for maximum regenerative braking -- mode for extra braking power   when slowing, especially down long grades.

But the real difference between a  2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid and one of the others is in the time and distance it takes for the fuel gauge to drop. And even though gasoline prices have fallen in recent weeks, spending less on fuel, and going farther between fill-ups, is still attractive. Other than that, the most remarkable thing about the Camry Hybrid is that it's unremarkable in daily use, and requires little in the way of adaptation by its driver.