Camry vs Prius as a family car

I find the Camry Hybrid gets 20 mpg less combined than the Prius. I have to work hard to get the Camry Hybrid to 38 mpg combined driving around Sacramento city & country roads. The Camry is nice & cushy but the Prius is so much easier to get 56 mpg in the same driving conditions that I am driving the Camry Hybrid in. 33-36 mpg is a more typical Camry Hybrid mileage driving careful.

Mike

 

Yeah, but you're basing on that on a pre-MY12 HyCam. '11 HyCam is EPA rated at 33 mpg combined vs. 50 for '11 Prius.

'12 HyCam is rated at 41 mpg combined.

 

Cool how they got the MY12 Camry Hybrid mpg figure up so high from the previous gen I hope to rent one some day. Last Tuesday when I arrived in San Francisco, Hertz could only offer me a MY10 Camry Hybrid
Oh well... Still a nice car when I can't find a Prius to rent

Mike

 

I would definitely recommend driving the 2 cars.

My 2010 Prius replaced a 2002 Mercury Sable last year, Sable was a much larger car then either the Prius and or Camry. The hatchback wins out hands down. Forget about external size but cargo space. you might consider the extra space offered in the Prius V.
I would think that the V would be a better alternative.

However, it is preference and would definitely test drive both cars (I love buying new cars) consider the prius as better car because of flexibility.

You can't carry something like this in a Camry....

http://priuschat.com/forums/members...-prius-utility-vehichle-picked-up-dresser.jpg

http://priuschat.com/forums/members...y-current-outings-picture6397-here-in-car.jpg

 

2012 camry hybrid is easy to get the same mpg or close to the V I can get 41 mpg easy

 

I've been looking at the Prius liftback, Prius v, and Camry hybrid.

Engine: Camry hybrid (by a long, long shot. quiet, smooth, powerful, efficient)
Chassis: Camry hybrid (again, quiet, better damping, more passenger space)
Passenger area: Camry hybrid (best legroom in the back, more conventional layout)
Cargo area: Prius v (by a long, long shot. way more space, seats lay down, slide, and recline.)
Exterior: Prius (I like the spaceship looks)

Give the v and the Camry hybrid a test drive and you'll know, I think. The Prius, IMO, is a better car when your kids are older, but I think it is a little on the small side when the kids are young.

 

The prius hatchback will get 25%+ better mileage then the V or Camry

Every cent counts

 

We are considering both the Prius 4 and Camry XLE. (and the '12 Honda Civic)

I like the "spaceship look" and the increased mpg of the Prius. DW likes the more conventional cabin/dash of the Camry.

The driving position seems somewhat better in the Camry. we have driven the Prius overnight. Camry test to follow.

btw: we own a '97 Camry and have love it and its reliability.

 

My wife and son and I went to Mount Everest base camp from Lhasa in a Toyota Land Cruiser. It had an altimeter and we reached 17,500 feet. The oxygen cylinders came in handy. By the way, you see Land Cruisers everywhere in Tibet but we never saw a Land Rover. Just saying.

 

My previous car was a 2004 Camry. Last time I was in a new Camry, I noticed the cabin design hasn't changed that much. If you're looking at a hybrid car, then I'd stress going with the Prius. The hybrid Camry isn't as good of a family car since its trunk space is limited and you can't fold all of the backseat down. The Prius I think is well designed for optimal interior room. The physical dimensions of my Prius are smaller then the Camry, but leg and headroom for both front and rearseat passangers still seems pretty good. Then, I like the fact that I can fit a lot of luggage/supplies with the hatchback design.

As for a conventional Camry, then it becomes a matter of preference. The MPGs aren't as good obviously, but you get conventional driving controls. I remember when I first drove my Prius, I felt that the orientation and size of the steering wheel was something I had to get used to. The main detriment of the Prius is it doesn't have as much get up and go as a Camry. Even the 4 cylinder version. With differences between the 4 vs V6, it again is a matter of preference. Is the extra expense in fuel economy worth the extra pick up? Perhaps if you're doing a lot of highway driving for those family trips, then it is. When I've test driven a V6 vs 4, the only main difference I found with the V6 is having more pickup for entry on the highway.

 

I test drove both the Camry Hybrid and the Prius V. Both are excellent cars and the choice is somewhat a matter of taste. I chose the Prius V and consider it the ideals family car with its combination of mileage, passenger room, and cargo space. You really need to drive them both to make your decision.

 

Test drive both the car which driving is more smooth buy it . but both of the car are really prefect as a family car ..!! but test drive for your satisfaction ..!!

 

the 2012 hycam has a much larger trunk than the gen I. i don't like what they did to the center console tho, for some reason, the 3rd cupholder/tray (square opening) got a lot smaller and is almost useless. toyota has some of the worst storage and keeps getting worse instead of better.

 

Well, it is a Smart.
Isn't it some German car company's philosophy that cars are for driving, tables for drinking, so no cup holders for you.

The Matrix had some little cubbies stashed around. The gen2 had the 'hidden' tray. Wouldn't either had less or more storage than an American brand I've seen. I thought it odd the old Yaris hatch had more dash storage than the sedan. Sedans too pretencious to have stuff?

 

i much prefer the gen II storage to the III. love or hate the flying bridge, other than bringing the radio/gps closer, it is totally useless and made the cupholders much more difficult to access. you're right tho tide, my old mercedes had no cupholders at all. i like the tray ford put on the fusion dashboard and we have had a number of chrysler products with great storage ideas.