Toyota Camry was one of the best-selling mid-size vehicles on the U.S. market. Its reliability and comfort were its main attributes. In 2009, the Japanese carmaker introduced a hybrid version.

While the Prius was not the first hybrid vehicle globally, it was the car that started the hybrid revolution. It was the first mass-produced vehicle with gasoline-electric power and helped the Japanese carmaker to become a leader in that domain. That’s why it was normal to offer a similar powertrain for the Camry. While the 1.8-liter gasoline unit was good enough for a compact-sized vehicle, it was too weak for a mid-size sedan such as Camry.

The 2009 Camry Hybrid adopted the same front design as the rest of its family, with angled headlights and a small, leaves-looking grille. To aerodynamically enhance the front fascia, Toyota chose to install a wrap-around bumper with a narrow grille at the bottom. In the rear, a small lip on the trunk enhanced the car’s drag coefficient. The carmaker stated that it even enhanced the fuel-efficiency.

Inside, the Camry featured a mix of retro-styling with modern amenities. While the big dials for the speedometer and tachometer helped the driver read the marks, the designers installed a complex infotainment system on the center stack. On its 6.1” screen, the car displayed its hybrid system status. A 7” screen with advanced functions and a navigation system was available on the options list.

Under the hood, Toyota installed a 2.5-liter Atkinson engine helped by an electric motor. The hybrid synergy drive offered good performance and very good fuel-efficiency.