What Are Differences Between the Regular & Hybrid Camry?

Gas prices have been on the rise in the United States. As the dollar value at the pump climbs, more consumers are beginning to consider vehicles with higher fuel efficiency. But fuel efficiency is only one aspect to consider when car shopping. A comparison of a 2011 Toyota Camry and a 2011 Toyota Camry Hybrid offers insight into key features, costs and benefits to weigh during your search for the perfect vehicle.

Sticker Shock

The purchase of a new vehicle requires consideration and cost comparison.

Purchasing a new or used Toyota Camry is bound to put a solid dent in your wallet. A 2011 Camry Hybrid costs about $6,000 more than a regular Camry. according to Toyota. While many people consider buying a hybrid vehicle because of savings at the gas pump, the additional outright expenses must be factored in. Not only does the Camry hybrid cost more, but state taxes and registration fees will also be higher than a standard Camry. The IRS offers tax credits for consumers who purchase qualified hybrid vehicles, but these tax credits have not been available for the Camry since 2008.

Fuel Efficiency

Gas is refined and transported around the world to fuel the transportation of your vehicle.

The primary reason most consumers purchase a Camry Hybrid is to gain higher fuel efficiency. The 2011 Camry Hybrid gets an average of 33 miles per gallon while the standard Camry only gets an average of 26 miles per gallon. This difference in miles per gallon is significant, but every consumer will need to calculate whether gaining an extra seven miles per gallon will save enough money to make the additional vehicle expenses worthwhile. While fuel efficiency will pay off in the long run, the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from the Camry Hybrid will benefit the environment every time it's driven.

Features

The interior of a standard Camry is almost identical to the Camry Hybrid.

Most features for the 2011 standard Camry and the Camry Hybrid are similar. The primary differences are in size and horsepower. The standard Camry has the capacity to store up to 15 cubic feet of your gym clothes, beach gear and kiddie toys, but the hybrid can only squeeze in 10.6 cubic feet of goods. In addition to having a fractional amount of additional leg and shoulder room in the standard Camry, it is also able to tow up to 1,000 pounds while the Camry Hybrid is not recommended for towing.

Performance

Engines are the heart of a car.

The standard Camry actually has less horsepower than the Camry Hybrid, but its torque is much higher. This means that the standard Camry engine with higher torque will accelerate faster and feel more powerful even though the Camry Hybrid has more horsepower. The standard Camry, which has less horsepower, must work harder to reach the same speed as the hybrid and this will, over time, cause higher wear and tear on the engine.