Toyota’s Camry Hybrid XLE belongs on the top of your list
Beach Wheels
It’s comforting to know that in an era where compromises in materials and manufacturing often lead to disappointed consumers, someone out there still wants to get it right.
One such company is Toyota with its 2020 Camry Hybrid XLE.
I recently spent a week with this rolling gem and can say right off the bat that you will like it and you will come to trust it as a valuable vehicular member of your family. There really isn’t any mystery as to why Camry has been the best selling car in America for almost 20 years.
To be sure, this mid-sized sedan isn’t a street demon. It’s really, after all, not built for that.
From the outside of my tester, which came in a beautiful “Blue Streak Metallic” paint, was pleasing to the eye. It has a pleasant and contemporary look.
The Camry, which was last refreshed in 2018, offers a comfortable cabin and it’s overall fit and finish is top flight.
My Camry featured the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 package which features, among other things, adaptive headlights and a 10-inch head-up display. The XLE also featured a great JBL audio system and a 7-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
My tester sat on 18-inch steel alloy wheels and came with projector headlights, a chrome-tipped exhaust port and heated power outside mirrors.
Under the hood you’ll find a peppy 2.5-liter four-banger that’s mated to a nickel-hydride electric engine that provides good solid performance and, yes, great gas mileage numbers.
Combined, both power plants produce about 200 horsepower combined.
Toyota has, of course, installed regenerative brakes on the vehicle which helps recharge the batteries.
In terms of mileage, this Camry really shows off its stripes. I got 46 miles per gallon in combined city/highway driving.
The manufacturer’s suggested retail price for the XLE Hybrid is about $39,000.
Final thoughts: If you’re looking for a nice looking, high-tech, rock-solid daily driver with great gas mileage, the Camry Hybrid is your choice. Buy with confidence.
Jeff Mitchell is a Los Angeles based automotive writer and reviewer. Reach him at j.edward.mitchell@gmail.com