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2018 HyCam amateur review and ongoing blog

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

  1. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    or wayne gerdes.
     
  2. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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  3. CamryDriver

    CamryDriver Active Member

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    That chart from Clean looks about right.

    163 MPG is just not possible in the HyCam for more than a few miles of either downhill or mostly EV driving. The display does not go over 99. 163 must be an error of some kind.

    Fuelly shows the 2018 HyCam LE perhaps 2-4 MPG higher than the outgoing model. For 3 MPG I might have rather have had the old model with IMHO looked better (exterior) and would have been several thousand cheaper.

    It has been a struggle to get the 2018 to meet EPA, unlike my previous hybrid which pretty much always beat the EPA estimates.
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    amazing how delta between the le and xle are true to the sticker.
     
  5. CamryDriver

    CamryDriver Active Member

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    It looks like the graph from Clean has the EPA city/highway numbers reversed for the 2018 LE hybrid. Which actually would be more accurate. That darn 53 MPG number just isn't happening at speeds over 60 MPH.
     
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    how do they account for wind, weather, road conditions and topography?

    i wonder if toyota has been forced to tune to the test to compete with other manufacturers who are showing better epa numbers?
     
  7. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    The big thing about the new Camry hybrid, and other new sedan models, is that you don't lose trunk space compared to the ICE model. I thing that will help sales more than the MPG figure.
    The EPA highwya test has a max speed of 60mph. The new high speed one might go to 80. The average speed for both is in the 40's.

    The EPA can't. Gerdes lets you now what the weather, plus traffic, conditions for the route he posts that was used for the test in his longer reviews.
     
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  8. CamryDriver

    CamryDriver Active Member

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    Ahhh yes the battery under the seat and not in the trunk is a nice feature. I believe the Ioniq shares this feature although it is a hatch.
     
  9. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    So does the Prius now.
     
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    if only prime.:unsure:
     
  11. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

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    Tell that to my Gen 4.
     
  12. CamryDriver

    CamryDriver Active Member

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    Got 83.1 MPG on the way home from work today!

    83.1.jpg

    It was warm and the battery was well charged after the rather aggressive (41 MPG) trip to work, also I babied it on the way home but even all that does not explain such a high figure.
     
    #212 CamryDriver, Apr 18, 2018
    Last edited: Apr 18, 2018
  13. CamryDriver

    CamryDriver Active Member

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    The gale force tailwind was surely the cause...

    tailwind.jpg
     
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  14. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Yup. Tailwind plays a huge factor. I managed to keep 67mpg at 60mph with a tailwind until I had to climb a steep hill.
     
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  15. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    I am going to have to look at this new Camry Hybrid when we replace the 06 Prius. My wife is inclined to want that Camry, if she sees it, it'll be game over, as she is one of the few remaining sedan lovers. I'll be seeing if some v's still on the lot.
     
  16. CamryDriver

    CamryDriver Active Member

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    I both love and hate my new Camry for what it is worth.

    The Good:
    Great Mileage overall, one of the best on the road, especially for the size.
    Good power 208 HP.
    Keyless entry is awesome. The convenience of never having to take the key out of your pocket is wonderful.
    The stereo does a good job interfacing with my cell phone for calls and bluetooth audio books.
    The battery is where it should be under the seat so the trunk can be "normal".

    The Bad:
    I despise the sun's reflections from the hood and dash, terrible.
    EV mode is a joke.
    The exterior is not handsome, especially in the nose.
    The whole Scoutlink GPS thing is worthless. A stand alone Garmin GPS but it was the best short term solution.
    The grabby brakes don't bother me too much but they might bother you.
    The mileage, while good does not meet EPA estimates, especially on the highway. I'm getting perhaps 47 MPG at 70 MPH.
     
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  17. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    Thank you.
    Yes I read you find the sun glare bad.
     
  18. royrose

    royrose Senior Member

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    EPA estimate is not supposed to represent mpg at 70 mph. 47 at 70 is great. Also, since you have already lowered your fuel costs so much, the difference between 47 and 53 is more about bragging rights than actual savings.

    By the way,I've enjoyed your ongoing reports. While I see your negatives as minor, Toyota's ongoing failure to provide decent GPS is indeed annoying.
     
    #218 royrose, Apr 19, 2018
    Last edited: Apr 19, 2018
  19. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    we only get around 40-42 from southern virginia to florida at mostly 70 mph in our 2013.
     
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  20. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Yeah, I was thinking that 47 mpg at 70 mph is great for a car that size. That's only 3 less than my PiP gets at that speed on level ground.
     
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