Toyota 2020 Camry hybrid drive axle (XLE) is fashionable and impressive in fuel economy

Is Toyota Camry the best medium and medium-sized car on the market? That's what we thought a few years ago - before the advent of Nissan Altima, Kia optima, Mazda 6 and Hyundai Sonata. Judging from the sales data, Camry is now in its eighth generation. Although the popularity of traditional cars has declined, it still maintains a fairly good sales volume.

Especially in one category, Camry has no peers: fuel economy. We have been driving a 2020 Camry hybrid, patiently waiting for the oil level indicator to shake. Last week, after driving 50 to 60 miles on urban streets and rural roads in Fairfield and Lichfield counties, it did not change. Maybe 44 miles a day will make our life better.

The hybrid XLE comes with NiMH batteries and conventional tires, so it's not as fuel-efficient as the hybrid Le, with narrower, lighter tires, and lithium-ion batteries. But the fuel economy of the test car, all in all, is amazing: 44 miles per gallon of the city, 47 miles of the highway, and we let it drive 50 miles per gallon with the light feet we're used to. The car will cruise comfortably on the highway for about 600 miles twice. Driving cautiously in ecological mode, rather than in normal or sport, this Camry can reach Columbus, Ohio, from Western Connecticut, a tank.

However, the fuel economy of the hybrid Le is indeed surprising. It's rated at 51 miles per gallon, 53 miles on the highway. Remember, this is a medium-sized car, not a compact or subminiature car. Acceleration is leisurely, especially in eco mode, but the hybrid system provides acceptable power, with a smooth transition between electric motors and gasoline engines.

In general, Camry's design is excellent. The back seat is suitable for two or three full-size adults, with plenty of space in the front, and even the trunk is large for a medium-sized car, only 15.1 cubic feet. The interior is fashionable - we can compare it with the 2013 Camry of the family members. Although the color scheme is similar, the dashboard lines and curves of 2020 model are more attractive.

The Camry drives very smoothly, but we think it should be more soundproof. The handling is competent at best and not very good compared with the sports characteristics of Mazda 6.

Toyota has provided several incarnations of Camry. The traditional Camry L, without a hybrid system, starts at $24425. It's well-equipped, and it doesn't slack off on fuel economy, reaching a rating of 29 miles per gallon City, 41 highways.

Fuel economy champion, hybrid electric, with a base price of $28,430. The bottom price for our test car is $32,550, and if you have a choice, it will go up to $39,619.

Several Camry cars that were rated top five in road safety tests. Camry is the market leader in medium-sized cars, with 336,978 units sold in the United States last year. Camry had the highest sales of 473,108 vehicles in 2007 and only dropped below 400,000 in 2016.