Prius vs. Camry Hybrid

The Camry will be slightly bigger, heavier, get less gas milage, and I assume a bit costlier. The only reason to get one is if you expect to frequently have three people in the back seat and luggage for them. The Camry may be a bit safer only because it is bigger and heavier. The Prius is the better choice in my opinion and I believe that the Prius will continue in the future to be Toyota's flagship of hybrid economy perfomance and be the only car model that is hybrid only. If you want to be part of the revolution go with the real thing.

 

I would guess none. All the airbags and VSC are already options on a Camry

Not sure, if they go the way of Honda with the Accord Hybrid, putting almost everything in the base model, including things like leather and XM radio, Yes. Otherwise, I GUESS they will be similar.

No, it will use basically the same systems Toyota has been refining for many years. I wouldn't touch the first model year hybrid from any manufacturer that just started developing them.

There is VERY LITTLE size difference. Camry has 0.6 cu ft more luggage space. Prius has MORE leg room, front and rear. Camry is a little wider in the hip/shoulder room dimensions and has 1 inch more rear head room. Prius is a foot shorter - easier to park!

For me or you?

• I REALLY hope Toyota follows the Prius design with a small 4 cyl boosted by electric rather than the Honda Accord model of V6 with electric boost. Does anyone REALLY need a 7.0 second 0-60 MPH instead of 7.1 seconds? The hybrid system in the Accord is mostly a waste. 10% MPG savings by not idling at stops, the rest from cutting out 3 cylinders when not needed. Same engine available on non hybrid Odysseys. The fact that they can run the car on 3 cyls suggests their design is backwards. The electric boost is NEVER really needed for anything. We all do just fine with 10.3 seconds and I'll bet most have never had a need or desire to test it. The worst tank mileage I ever got was in the depths of 2 weeks of -20F to +9F last January and was still better than the HAH will EVER get.
• Will the rear seats in the Camry fold into the cabin (and fold FLAT)? The original Prius (sedan) did not fold, the HAH and HCH's seats still do not fold AT ALL. Loses WAY too much functionality.
• Will the Camry's shotgun seat fold flat back like it does on the Prius? MAJOR useful design point. 8' lumber easily fits inside my Prius with room to spare and the hatch closed.
• Will it have the touch screen and backup camera?
• Will they have SKS? I'm SO used to it, I left the keys in the igition of my wife's car when I had to borrow it Monday. I also tried to start it by pushing on the dash. Didn't work.

 

Based on what the car would be used for, I'd definitely recommend the Prius. There is nothing wrong with the interior roominess if you decide to take a trip with four people and some luggage. The Prius will get better gas mileage too.

Ken

 

This Camry vs. Prius will be interesting long term. They are both midsize cars. Over time it would be logical for one model to disappear, any predictions?

 

Something I wonder about sometimes. If Toyota offers HSD on all it's cars, they might not offer the Prius anymore...I hope not anyway.

 

Open the hood of both cars and you'll see why the Camry can be quite a bit larger outside but only slightly larger inside.

 

Yea! I haven't been keeping up, sorry. With a 2.4 it won't get Prius mileage but it should beat the heck out of a HAH.

 

Toyota has repeatedly stated that they want to increase marketshare. So eliminating the only hatchback they offer would be counterproductive, especially since it is such a popular vehicle.

The unique size, shape, and efficiency of Prius will keep it around for awhile. The fact that it has been accepted as a vehicle to debut new high-tech goodies with is another strong endorsement for keeping it.

 

No, both cars are very safe.

Yes, the base Camry Hybrid will be $5000 or $6000 more than the base Prius. But it has some things standard like SKS and side curtain airbags that are options on the Prius so it's more fair to say it's $4000-5000 more.

Not at all, it's proven technology.

Well the seats are fully adjustable electric, which effectively increases room for the driver, but otherwise they should be similar, though perhaps with more headroom in the Camry. The car does weigh 500 pounds more though.

The Camry Hybrid gets about 72% the gas mileage of the Prius, so if you get 50 in the Prius, you might get 36 in the Camry Hybrid. But its more powerful engine usually means it's more tolerant of acceleration or fast driving speeds. Still, I'd expect 35-38 for most people, with the spread being as wide as 30-40. Not nearly Prius-like, though the 17.1-gallon tank, which is not a bladder, will make the car's range longer than that of a Prius.

 

My wife and I had originally planned for our next car to be a Camry Hybrid since it would have more room than the Prius. After setting in some 05 and 06 Camry's, I am not just if there is that much of a difference in room. The trunk in the Camry is huge, but you get the hatchback versatility with the Prius. From the two cars, the main difference in size seems to be there is more legroom in the front of the Camry, but more legroom in the backseat in the Prius.

I for one would expect the Camry Hybrid to be several thousand more than the Prius, but I could be wrong.