Prius v. Camry Hybrid

Okay, you lucked out, sort of. I own both. Loaded, both. But no sunroof in my HyCam. I'll try to answer for you.


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(roshr @ Nov 14 2006, 05:34 AM) [snapback]348626[/snapback]</div>

1. 
   
   All true. And the Prius is lighter. And has more space, that is for sure. You may find (as others have), that the A/C controls are a pain in the display. I find having the set up with the Camry far better. And, I also like that I can control both sides of the car's temperature with the Camry. The passenger does not have to freeze. And there is a A/C vent for the back as well.
   

Not sure about the rear seats reclining. Mine do not, but I have a Japanese HyCam; they are soon, (or may already be), being made in the USA.
I like the digital speedo more in the Prius then the analog one in the Camry. And the MPG 'tach' is a cool feature that the Camry has that the Prius does not.
The sound system is FAR better in the Camry then the Prius. I don't need heated seats, but I do have powered drivers. And leather. The DRL's can be turned off, which is nice feature for me.

The '06 Prius and '07 Camry GPS are the same. My mother in law has a '06 Prius (I have a '05). The override feature, famous around here, does work in my early model '07 Camry; however, I have read it no longer does, in later models. More to the pity.

The MPG may be better in the 'stock' Prius VS. the 'stock' Camry; HOWEVER, the Camry, when you add after market rims, like I did, does NOT lose the MPG as bad as the Prius. And the Camry has disc brakes all around, and thus, recovers the energy faster. I get to a 'green' batter faster with the Camry then the Prius, and also sty there longer. I can do 'stealth' in either car, but the Camry lasts longer. The Camry is also far more comfortable in the ride. Quieter as well. I do like that the Prius, on the drivers side window, has 'auto'' both up and down. In the Camry, only down is auto. Not up, which is odd, IMHO.

IF it was me, and all things being equal, I would get the Camry over the Prius. But really, that is due to the ride being more comfortable, and the car being a lot more quiet inside. The extra power, on the highway, is also very welcome. Overall, the HyCam is a better car.

If you need higher MPG, and more storage, the Prius is the far better car.

Let me know if that helps. and if you need any more info.

 

One very important thing the prius has over the camry is HOV access !
which is VERY important to me.

I agree the camry is better riding and more comfortable, but I would rather have the hatchback and higher MPG.

 

For me the fact that the Prius is clearly a hybrid was a big plus. I also personally like hatchbacks for their functionality.

That said the camry should be a more upscale car, but will not be noticed nearly as much (is that a good or bad thing?)

 

One thing that wasn't mentioned yet is the trunk space - if i remember right, the Camry loses quite a bit of space for the batteries, where as the Prius doesn't.

For me, the deciding factor would definitely be the hatchback... it's really nice being able to stuff big huge things in the car.

 

your observation that the HyCam stays in EV mode longer is a bit strange. isnt the battery pack smaller than the Prius?

how do they compare in size, battery pack wise and in cost. i assumed the HyCam was significantly more expensive.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TJandGENESIS @ Nov 14 2006, 05:57 AM) [snapback]348627[/snapback]</div>

While 4 wheel disc brakes are a very good thing, they don't impact regenerative energy recovery at all.

 

I think that sounds about right... but you have to remember, they aren't equal, even if the frills are

The Camry is more focus on performance (better acceleration, speed, etc), while the Prius is more geared towards conservation (so sacrifice acceleration for MPG). And of course the Prius has more hauling potential with the hatch back, something you definitely don't have with the Camry.

It probably just comes down to test driving both, and deciding on how you feel about the performance versus MPG, and the extra frills you can get on the Camry. FWIW, i wish the Prius had a sunroof... it would be pretty sweet.

 

The Camry doesn't have folding side mirrors?

Never again for me. 2 busted mirrors on my Outback make that a dealbreaker for me.

 

Reading these posts I got interested enough to consider trading in my 2004 Prius for one of these. I saw one at the post office yesterday. Looks great.

But .. As I went through the various internet reviews, I didn't hear the high level of entheusiasm that invariably shows up when these reviewers talk about the Prius. This was especially noticable when it came to follow-ups. I got the feeling that once the new car excitement dies away people seem less impressed. Drive train comments, for instance, seemed more prevailant than expected.

These reviews made me better understand the importance of the wonderful spaciousness of my Prius, noticed routinely when hauling 'stuff' around (new TV, patio set, yardwork stuff, etc.). I heard somewhat the opposite on the Camry. People start noticing the lost space that comes as a result of the batteries. Disappointment sets in.

To make a long story short, I've decided to wait 'til next year and trade my 2004 in for a 2008 Prius.

And oh by the way, the speedometer just below the windshield is, in my opinion, something I'd like to see on every car. Around here, for instance, there are lots of strictly enforced 15 mph school zones. It's nice to be able to watch for children and watch your speed virtually simultaneously with ease.

 

I'd say, considering how equally-balanced the two cars are for you, that the biggest differences would be the body style: Do you want the liftback for flexible cargo space? (Back seats fold down, providing enormous space.) Or do you prefer the conventional sedan shape. I drove a conventional Camry once. I was not impressed, though it did put out a lot more heat (because it was burning a lot more gas.)

For me it would be a no-brainer: Extra cargo space and less pollution makes the Prius the clear choice. I've always thought the sedan body style is wasteful: all the space above the trunk and in back of the cabin is outside the car. For no additional money, that space can be inside the car.

Minor notes:

The fog lights on the Prius are useless, if they are still the same as on my 2004.

The rumored major model revision is for the 2009 model year, not the 2008. It is likely to go on sale towards the end of 2008.

 

If I were buying a vehicle for me to drive daily (I don't drive the Prius daily, I drive the Lexus) it would be the Camry Hybrid no question. The better ride and the more mainstream driving and seating position would sell it to me in an instant. I like the Prius, but it is very tiring to drive.

Now, since I don't drive the Prius everyday its another story. I benefit from having the space when we need it, and I get to drive my car around every day...

As for the Camry Hybrid, it absolutely has LED tailights (the standard Camry does not) and I believe it has HID headlights.

Styling is subjective, the Prius is weird but the Camry's no beauty queen either...

I think the Accord is a better looking car, but I know it isn't as efficient as the Toyota system.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SW03ES @ Nov 14 2006, 01:29 PM) [snapback]348774[/snapback]</div>

No, the headlights are not HID. At least not in my '07. The taillights are as you say.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(daniel @ Nov 14 2006, 01:21 PM) [snapback]348768[/snapback]</div>

Depends. For some, the conventional look is preferred. Less pollution is also subjective. I mean, I find myself in EV mode far more in the HyCam then in the Prius. Might be the difference between the '05 Prius and the '07 HyCam.


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jonnycat26 @ Nov 14 2006, 11:43 AM) [snapback]348703[/snapback]</div>

Are you sure about this? I can testify that my HyCam gets to green FAR sooner then my Prius. I even did a side by side test: Started both cars from the same length of cold start, and drove them (my wife in the Prius; We talked on the phone all along), and we kept the same speed, and braked at the same time. The Camry got to green about seven minutes before the Prius. Now, this again, may be due to a more updated system. I am not sure. But I can say without a doubt, that the HyCam also keeps the green longer, and in general, stays in EV mode longer.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SW03ES @ Nov 14 2006, 10:29 AM) [snapback]348774[/snapback]</div>

I completely disagree. I drove an 05 Prius and found that to be the case. But my 06 is VERY comfortable. Shortly after buying the car I drove from Phoenix, Arizona to Boise, Idaho and back. A little over 2000 miles, and both my wife and I were comfortable the whole trip.

I also like the auto climate control on the Prius. Set it and forget it. Say, 72 degrees, and it'll use AC or heat as required to keep the cabin that temperature. The temp up and down controll on the steering wheel is nice too.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DaveinOlyWA @ Nov 14 2006, 11:25 AM) [snapback]348686[/snapback]</div>

May be a smaller package, but the battery is more efficient. I have read here, that will be the case with the next generation Prius.

And when I bought the '05 Prius, it was expensive. When my mother in law, got her '06, same package, it was significantly cheaper then my '05. And my HyCam was a tad more expensive then the Prius. However, in the long run, I don't really notice. I just pay the dang monthly payment, and wait till I can trade the Prius in on the Toyota Hybrid Highlander.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(sl7vk @ Nov 14 2006, 12:07 PM) [snapback]348758[/snapback]</div>

My driver side mirror on my Prius got shattered somehow even though it folded back. Only the glass was broken though. (Haven't a clue how it happened.)

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(LuvMy06Prius @ Nov 14 2006, 01:53 PM) [snapback]348799[/snapback]</div>

You have that feature in the '05 Prius, and the '07 HyCam. Neither does not have the auto A/C feature. Both have, however, this stupid feature: When the inside temperature gets to, say, 72, the recirc turns off. You have to turn that back on. WHY Toyota did that, I am not sure.

 

Howdy roshr

Quoted: "I'll definitely be getting navigation. Do they use the same navigation system, or are they different? "

The NAV systems are identical with the minor exception of the position of the dash buttons. I am into my second Prius with NAV and in most ways quite pleased with its performance. Here's a link to an online demonstration of the NAV system which applies to all Toyota NAV systems. This will give you a good idea of how it works.

http://www.toyota-eshowroom.com/consumer/T...toyota_nav.html

 

It depends on what you want.
If you are looking for
SPACE
Bigger trunk space
More mileage
Access to HOV lanes
then prius is the way to go.


If you are lloking for comfort,
Camry is the one.
But wait,
If you want to spend 30+K on a camry ?
Why dont buy Lexux ES330 instead. It is built on the same platform as camry. (and hopefully more ocmfortable) But gives a bit less MPG. (But I guess guy considering camry cares less about MPG.)


Other choice for prius will be Honda civic hybrid. I am saying this because I have a prius end also have owned civic. I found the workmanship and materials used on prius to be very cheap. The dash cover looks especially flimsy. I have seen color chipping near the bottom door joints just under 4 months.

So go figure.