I'm Sold On Hybrids!

[AzScorpion]

So I rented a 2025 Toyota Camry (which are all hybrid now) for our most recent trip. I’ve always loved the Camry and have been thinking about buying one for a while and wanted to see if I’d like it and honestly I’ve never driven a hybrid before. Our trip is 1,280 miles each way and a lot of stop and go small city driving now that we’re here. I last filled up back on August 28th just outside of Benson, AZ (about 60 miles from our destination) and have been driving on the same tankful since. We’re going on just under 3 weeks now and have driven 1,520 miles so far and I’ve used $65.00 in gas (the tank is only 13 gallons ) for the whole trip and still have 1/2 a tank left. The picture below was just before my last fill up averaging just under 56 mpg and after driving around town the last 2 1/2 weeks I’m still averaging 53.5 mpg.

The car drives super smooth and has a really comfortable seating position. Great field of vision through the cabin and loaded with standard features for a base model LE. The ACC with lane assist works really good, much better than the Ranger system. This one feels (not sure if it is) semi autonomous because it will stay straight between the lines if you get distracted like I was talking with Chris @Chris M most of the trip. One thing I don’t like is while using the ACC the braking is very hard, almost to the point it will force you forward at times. Maybe they will do an update to make it more gradual and not so forceful. I love the Brake Hold button too. When you push it, it will hold the e-brake at every stop so you can take your foot off the brake to stretch or reach for something behind you. Just step on the gas and you’re off but you do have to reactivate it every time you shut the vehicle off but I’m sure they have a tool like Forscan to make this permanent.

I could never see myself owning a full EV but definitely a hybrid is in our future. I’m not sure whether we’ll get one as an addition or to replace the Ranger. Since retiring (I needed a truck for work) I’m finding myself needing a truck less and less and I’ve been driving a pickup for a good part of 42 years with my only car being my Vette but that was over 20 years ago. The Ranger is comfortable but this takes comfort to another level and let’s face it, I’m not getting any younger!

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[DukeCanBuildit]

So I rented a 2025 Toyota Camry (which are all hybrid now) for our most recent trip. I’ve always loved the Camry and have been thinking about buying one for a while and wanted to see if I’d like it and honestly I’ve never driven a hybrid before. Our trip is 1,280 miles each way and a lot of stop and go small city driving now that we’re here. I last filled up back on August 28th just outside of Benson, AZ (about 60 miles from our destination) and have been driving on the same tankful since. We’re going on just under 3 weeks now and have driven 1,520 miles so far and I’ve used $65.00 in gas (the tank is only 13 gallons ) for the whole trip and still have 1/2 a tank left. The picture below was just before my last fill up averaging just under 56 mpg and after driving around town the last 2 1/2 weeks I’m still averaging 53.5 mpg.

The car drives super smooth and has a really comfortable seating position. Great field of vision through the cabin and loaded with standard features for a base model LE. The ACC with lane assist works really good, much better than the Ranger system. This one feels (not sure if it is) semi autonomous because it will stay straight between the lines if you get distracted like I was talking with Chris @Chris M most of the trip. One thing I don’t like is while using the ACC the braking is very hard, almost to the point it will force you forward at times. Maybe they will do an update to make it more gradual and not so forceful. I love the Brake Hold button too. When you push it, it will hold the e-brake at every stop so you can take your foot off the brake to stretch or reach for something behind you. Just step on the gas and you’re off but you do have to reactivate it every time you shut the vehicle off but I’m sure they have a tool like Forscan to make this permanent.

I could never see myself owning a full EV but definitely a hybrid is in our future. I’m not sure whether we’ll get one as an addition or to replace the Ranger. Since retiring (I needed a truck for work) I’m finding myself needing a truck less and less and I’ve been driving a pickup for a good part of 42 years with my only car being my Vette but that was over 20 years ago. The Ranger is comfortable but this takes comfort to another level and let’s face it, I’m not getting any younger!

Gotta love the Vette!

A long while back, local media in Calgary was doing a story about the new CF-18s stationed at CFB Cold Lake, AB. I think under NORAD, we both use the same hardware. The story was focused on the power and agility of the aircraft and was hyping the adrenaline junkies who fly them. It was big on the cool factor of these aircraft and the reporter was assigned to a fighter pilot, who took them up for a first-hand experience. After the flight, the pilot asked the reporter if they wanted to go for a ride in his Vette. The answer was an excited, Yes! Disappointment soon followed when they walked up to the pilot’s Chevy Chevette in the parking lot.

 

[Trustable]

You had the perfect vehicle for your first experience in a hybrid! IMO Toyota makes the best hybrids as they still feel like normal vehicles without a bunch of gimmicks. That brake hold button is the bane of my existence whenever I drive a car besides the ranger, I take my foot of the brake and just sit there like an idiot

Also, one thing I have noticed when compared to Ford; Toyota and Kia/hyundai come much better equipped as standard. I believe all modern Toyotas have lane centering, lane tracing, ACC as standard.

 

[AzScorpion]

Gotta love the Vette!

A long while back, local media in Calgary was doing a story about the new CF-18s stationed at CFB Cold Lake, AB. I think under NORAD, we both use the same hardware. The story was focused on the power and agility of the aircraft and was hyping the adrenaline junkies who fly them. It was big on the cool factor of these aircraft and the reporter was assigned to a fighter pilot, who took them up for a first-hand experience. After the flight, the pilot asked the reporter if they wanted to go for a ride in his Vette. The answer was an excited, Yes! Disappointment soon followed when they walked up to the pilot’s Chevy Chevette in the parking lot.

 

[AzScorpion]

You had the perfect vehicle for your first experience in a hybrid! IMO Toyota makes the best hybrids as they still feel like normal vehicles without a bunch of gimmicks. That brake hold button is the bane of my existence whenever I drive a car besides the ranger, I take my foot of the brake and just sit there like an idiot

Also, one thing I have noticed when compared to Ford; Toyota and Kia/hyundai come much better equipped as standard. I believe all modern Toyotas have lane centering, lane tracing, ACC as standard.

You're right Toyota has one of if not the best hybrid out there. This engine has been used for the past 8 years in several of their models so it's about as perfected as they come. The transition from gas to hybrid is pretty smooth too and you can hardly notice it.

100% this! This is a base model Camry LE and it's loaded with so many standard options that are "extras" on most of vehicles. Besides a few other creature comforts like heated seats and steering wheel and memory seats and mirrors it's just about perfect for a base model. The msrp isn't bad either starting at $28,700.

 

[Chris M]

So I rented a 2025 Toyota Camry (which are all hybrid now) for our most recent trip. I’ve always loved the Camry and have been thinking about buying one for a while and wanted to see if I’d like it and honestly I’ve never driven a hybrid before. Our trip is 1,280 miles each way and a lot of stop and go small city driving now that we’re here. I last filled up back on August 28th just outside of Benson, AZ (about 60 miles from our destination) and have been driving on the same tankful since. We’re going on just under 3 weeks now and have driven 1,520 miles so far and I’ve used $65.00 in gas (the tank is only 13 gallons ) for the whole trip and still have 1/2 a tank left. The picture below was just before my last fill up averaging just under 56 mpg and after driving around town the last 2 1/2 weeks I’m still averaging 53.5 mpg.

The car drives super smooth and has a really comfortable seating position. Great field of vision through the cabin and loaded with standard features for a base model LE. The ACC with lane assist works really good, much better than the Ranger system. This one feels (not sure if it is) semi autonomous because it will stay straight between the lines if you get distracted like I was talking with Chris @Chris M most of the trip. One thing I don’t like is while using the ACC the braking is very hard, almost to the point it will force you forward at times. Maybe they will do an update to make it more gradual and not so forceful. I love the Brake Hold button too. When you push it, it will hold the e-brake at every stop so you can take your foot off the brake to stretch or reach for something behind you. Just step on the gas and you’re off but you do have to reactivate it every time you shut the vehicle off but I’m sure they have a tool like Forscan to make this permanent.

I could never see myself owning a full EV but definitely a hybrid is in our future. I’m not sure whether we’ll get one as an addition or to replace the Ranger. Since retiring (I needed a truck for work) I’m finding myself needing a truck less and less and I’ve been driving a pickup for a good part of 42 years with my only car being my Vette but that was over 20 years ago. The Ranger is comfortable but this takes comfort to another level and let’s face it, I’m not getting any younger!

@AzScorpion isn't wrong.
I was pretty chatty during his trip. My bad

 

[AzScorpion]

@AzScorpion isn't wrong.
I was pretty chatty during his trip. My bad

Good thing because Annie was sleeping through most of it!

 

[NotBudule2]

My son has a 2025 Civic Hybrid and said its "quicker" than my Ranger and I laughed but then found out that its quicker than my Ranger ... Honda turned that battery into a turbo boost somehow, it has "sport" mode also and its DAMN fun to drive... wish it came in a SuperCab...

 

[jflogerzi]

look at the maverick in hybrid trim AWD

 

[AzScorpion]

look at the maverick in hybrid trim AWD

I thought about that but I'd really like to get a car. Comfort is getting higher on my priority list and I might just add the Camry and keep the Ranger. I'll need a truck for some upcoming things we're doing but overall my need for a truck is getting less and less.

 

[AzScorpion]

My son has a 2025 Civic Hybrid and said its "quicker" than my Ranger and I laughed but then found out that its quicker than my Ranger ... Honda turned that battery into a turbo boost somehow, it has "sport" mode also and its DAMN fun to drive... wish it came in a SuperCab...

I was pleasantly surprised how quick this is and it put a smile on my face the first time I nailed it going up the on ramp. I was expecting it to be gutless and kind of fall on its face but it was the opposite. While not Vette hp it's definitely not CheVette hp either.

 

[IdahoRanger]

Good thing because Annie was sleeping shopping through most of it!

Fixed it for you.

 

[MXGOLF]

I had a 2013 Ford Fusion hybrid and wish I had kept it but then I would not have my Ranger???????
Ford hybrid system is pretty good. I was getting 40+ mpg. I probably should have traded in the Taco instead of the Fusion for my Ranger. Too late now. That is why I was wanting the Maverick Hybrid instead of my Taco. I am retiring in a year from today and wanted a retirement vehicle. Oregon and Washington have super hi gas prices now. It totally sucks. Damned if I do damned if I don't??

 

[Chris M]

I had a 2013 Ford Fusion hybrid and wish I had kept it but then I would not have my Ranger???????
Ford hybrid system is pretty good. I was getting 40+ mpg. I probably should have traded in the Taco instead of the Fusion for my Ranger. Too late now. That is why I was wanting the Maverick Hybrid instead of my Taco. I am retiring in a year from today and wanted a retirement vehicle. Oregon and Washington have super hi gas prices now. It totally sucks. Damned if I do damned if I don't??

Congratulations on your impending retirement!

 

[SigOris]

So I rented a 2025 Toyota Camry (which are all hybrid now) for our most recent trip. I’ve always loved the Camry and have been thinking about buying one for a while and wanted to see if I’d like it and honestly I’ve never driven a hybrid before. Our trip is 1,280 miles each way and a lot of stop and go small city driving now that we’re here. I last filled up back on August 28th just outside of Benson, AZ (about 60 miles from our destination) and have been driving on the same tankful since. We’re going on just under 3 weeks now and have driven 1,520 miles so far and I’ve used $65.00 in gas (the tank is only 13 gallons ) for the whole trip and still have 1/2 a tank left. The picture below was just before my last fill up averaging just under 56 mpg and after driving around town the last 2 1/2 weeks I’m still averaging 53.5 mpg.

The car drives super smooth and has a really comfortable seating position. Great field of vision through the cabin and loaded with standard features for a base model LE. The ACC with lane assist works really good, much better than the Ranger system. This one feels (not sure if it is) semi autonomous because it will stay straight between the lines if you get distracted like I was talking with Chris @Chris M most of the trip. One thing I don’t like is while using the ACC the braking is very hard, almost to the point it will force you forward at times. Maybe they will do an update to make it more gradual and not so forceful. I love the Brake Hold button too. When you push it, it will hold the e-brake at every stop so you can take your foot off the brake to stretch or reach for something behind you. Just step on the gas and you’re off but you do have to reactivate it every time you shut the vehicle off but I’m sure they have a tool like Forscan to make this permanent.

I could never see myself owning a full EV but definitely a hybrid is in our future. I’m not sure whether we’ll get one as an addition or to replace the Ranger. Since retiring (I needed a truck for work) I’m finding myself needing a truck less and less and I’ve been driving a pickup for a good part of 42 years with my only car being my Vette but that was over 20 years ago. The Ranger is comfortable but this takes comfort to another level and let’s face it, I’m not getting any younger!

or prettier

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