2018 HyCam amateur review and ongoing blog

Discussion in 'Toyota Hybrids and EVs' started by CamryDriver, Jan 22, 2018.

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  1. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Nice!! At least you got a tail wind in one direction. Last time we took a long trip, we had 20 mph headwinds in both directions. And it rained most of the time.
     
    #301 jerrymildred, Jul 4, 2018
  2. CamryDriver

    CamryDriver Active Member

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    Sure enough the mileage on the return trip was not as good. Going South it was displaying around 51 MPG and going West at 75 to 80 MPH the mileage dropped down to perhaps 47 MPG displayed in 90 degree heat with the AC on the whole time. I suppose we averaged 52 MPG displayed or so overall for the interstate parts of the trip and a good deal higher slower back roads.

    I'm fairly happy with that. Things were a little hectic with both my wife and I driving so good records were not kept at the pump. The calculated numbers at the pump tend to run about 5% less than displayed so the "real" numbers were most likely closer to 49 or 50 MPG on the interstate.

    By comparison my Wife's car gets perhaps 38 MPG on the road which isn't too bad. Her car is a bit smaller and noisier so it is somewhat amazing that the Camry manages to be more powerful, quieter, a bit bigger, and gets noticeably better mileage as well.

    Dubuque Iowa is an interesting looking city.
     
    #302 CamryDriver, Jul 11, 2018
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  3. CamryDriver

    CamryDriver Active Member

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    That sucks!
     
    #303 CamryDriver, Jul 11, 2018
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  4. LasVegasaurusRex

    LasVegasaurusRex Active Member

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    Really wish this car was available as a Lexus badged PHEV hatchback / crossover. Like the Venza, but done well. Or an updated, larger CT 200h.
     
    #304 LasVegasaurusRex, Jul 15, 2018
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    agree!
     
    #305 bisco, Jul 15, 2018
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  6. LasVegasaurusRex

    LasVegasaurusRex Active Member

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    Looked at a Lexus NX today while the IS got a TSB taken care of.


    With the horrible gas mileage of the NX it's not even on my list, but it does tick a lot of boxes.


    Have to wonder what is going on inside Toyota, Lexus executives' minds. Subaru's market share increases every year, yet I guarantee 9/10 Subaru owners would gladly move to a more reliable manufacturer (so, any other one) given the choice. Ground clearance and utility is important, but not as important as a working engine and decent fuel economy! And why do luxury makes insist on sacrificing utility so much?

    I never understood the appeal of Volvos, always felt like paying luxury price for non-luxury vehicle, but now I am beginning to understand...
     
    #306 LasVegasaurusRex, Jul 18, 2018
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    are suburu's trouble in the first 120k?
     
    #307 bisco, Jul 18, 2018
  8. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    Subaru has really stepped up their game in fuel economy in the past few years.
     
    #308 Trollbait, Jul 19, 2018
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  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    is that a backhanded compliment?:cool:
     
    #309 bisco, Jul 19, 2018
  10. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    Actually no. A synchronous AWD system is going to be less efficiency than most other drive trains out there. The Imperza's combine rating was in the low 20's. Subaru redesigned the AWD, went with a CVT, and installed a new engine, and it jumped to the low 30's in one year. A Corolla or other FWD sedan will easily do better, but they also don't have AWD available, let alone one of the best AWD systems. Their advanced driving and safety aids are also top notch.

    There overall reliability has also improved over time. I remember that they were on par with the domestic brands on CR surveys during the '90s.
     
    #310 Trollbait, Jul 20, 2018
  11. royrose

    royrose Senior Member

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    There will be a Lexus badged replacement for the CT, a Prius sized crossover shaped hybrid with eAWD: The UX due in December. No plug in version. The hybrid variant will be eAWD only and the non hybrid will be front drive only.
     
    #311 royrose, Jul 20, 2018
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  12. CamryDriver

    CamryDriver Active Member

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    So I just now noticed the HUGE price drop on the Accord Hybrid. I like my Camry but I paid more for it than the current list price of the Accord Hybrid. I swear the Accord was in the low $30k range making it out of my price range.

    I've always wanted an HSD with no belts, clutches or friction bands to wear out so I might have gone with the Camry anyhow but it seems like one should at least check out the Accord Hybrid at the current list price. My previous hybrid was a Honda and I was very happy with it. Toyota seems to do a better job with their traction batteries...

    I'd love to find more detailed technical information on both the Accord Hybrid and the Camry Hybrid.

    This lack of info was an issue with my Civic Hybrid as well. Insight Central had (has) a wealth of great information available for the Insight which was similar to the Civic Hybrid but it was not exactly the same.

    So far I'm taking Prius information and guesstimating what is going on with the Camry Hybrid.
     
    #312 CamryDriver, Jul 28, 2018
    Last edited: Jul 28, 2018
  13. CamryDriver

    CamryDriver Active Member

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    I really like my Camry. It is a bit painful for me to go back to driving our family's other vehicles and especially strange to switch back and forth. The key-less on the Camry works brilliantly but after using a key for so long one must train one's self to just leave the key thingy alone. Switching back and forth goofs me up on this and I'll end up with the Camry key FOB out of my pocket and in my hand for no reason.
     
    #313 CamryDriver, Jul 28, 2018
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  14. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    The Accord hybrid doesn't have a traditional transmission of any type It is a one speed transmission like BEVs use that has a clutch to allow the ICE to directly propel the wheels at highway speeds.

    While I had the Prius, there were a couple times when I was left wondering why the house door wasn't simply unlocking for me.
     
    #314 Trollbait, Jul 30, 2018
  15. CamryDriver

    CamryDriver Active Member

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    LOL
     
    #315 CamryDriver, Jul 30, 2018
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  16. CamryDriver

    CamryDriver Active Member

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    What do you think of the Accord Hybrid?
     
    #316 CamryDriver, Jul 30, 2018
  17. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    I haven't taken a close look at it, but would if I were in the market.
    Any issues I have would have against the car would likely stem from the dealer and Honda's pricing, but I think they have a sale going on the hybrid now.
     
    #317 Trollbait, Jul 30, 2018
  18. briank101

    briank101 Member

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    The artificial shift points maybe are for those who don't like a constant tone. Logically keeping engine at constant optimum RPM for either best economy or best power delivery without gear shifts is best from an objective point of view. In another version of history, if all cars had CVTs since the beginning and then we moved to shifting gears, everyone including the car magazine would then be annoyed by the annoying changing RPM and shifts.
     
    #318 briank101, Aug 2, 2018
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  19. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    Other CVT equipped cars have had artificial shift points to appease those that are use to them, and those that favor performance over efficiency.

    In the Camry hybrid, the manual shifting option is really just a reinvention of the B mode in the Prius and previous Toyota hybrids. It is B with selectable levels of engine braking, and allowed Toyota to share some more parts and software between the hybrid and ICE models.
     
    #319 Trollbait, Aug 3, 2018
  20. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

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    But, but but...
    <sarcasm>Toyota US considers the Camry a car, but the Hybrid is a different beast, in its own category. If they are that different how could they share drive components?</sarcasm>
     
    #320 Prodigyplace, Aug 3, 2018
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