Toyota has been making the Camry since 1983. It’s an affordable and fuel-efficient four-door sedan that’s great for families or individuals living in suburban or metropolitan areas. So long as cars have needed gas, people have wanted ways to save money on gas, and the Camry––starting with its earliest models all the way up to the 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid––has always helped drivers do just that.
While the Camry has traditionally had a reputation for being safe, practical, and modest in appearance, Toyota has been releasing new trims in recent years to help this fuel-efficient vehicle appeal to a wider audience. And they certainly did that when they introduced the 2022 Toyota Camry XSE Hybrid. This sporty vehicle will appeal to those looking for a thrill behind the wheel who still want to save on gas, do something nice for the environment, and have a car offering passenger comfort. Toyota really introduced the best of many worlds in the Camry XSE, and today we’ll discuss just what’s so great about it.
A Gorgeous Redesign
The 2022 Toyota Camry XSE Hybrid has stunning 19-inch gloss-black wheels for a cool and sporty aesthetic. Those wheels pair perfectly with the available two-tone Midnight Black Metallic roof and rear spoiler, along with the single exhaust with dual chrome tips. It has beautiful lines on the outside and a gorgeous leather-trimmed steering wheel on the inside. Its contouring paired with a low roofline and sleek profile make this car look, put simply, really fast.
You can also opt for the SE Nightshade Edition with black-out features for a truly dramatic effect or go for a dark gray front grille with chrome accents or an available gloss-black front grille with a sport mesh insert to make an impression. Let’s not overlook the LED daytime running lights that make all the other details shine. This trim does not look like your regular old sedan. It would be right at place on a race track and is sure to turn heads. Don’t be shocked if people don’t believe you at first when you say it’s a Toyota Camry.
Built for Comfort
Just like you might find in a true race car to keep drivers cool under pressure, the XSE has available multi-stage ventilated front seats. These seats contain small fans throughout the cushion and backrest that direct air onto the occupant, creating a really pleasant full-body cooling sensation that an air conditioning system alone cannot do. These come particularly in handy during long drives when climate control is critical. This comfort isn’t limited to the driver. The Camry XSE is equipped with dual-zone automatic climate control so that everyone can have their ideal climate.
The Cold Weather Package is also available for those wanting heated seats along with a heated steering wheel. Anyone who lives somewhere with a four-season climate and has experienced putting their hands on a freezing cold steering wheel knows what a blessing this feature is. The package also has heated side mirrors to keep frost from blocking your view.
Fuel Efficiency You Have to See to Believe
Though you won’t have to use gas all of the time in the 2022 Toyota Camry XSE Hybrid, when you do, you can enjoy an estimated 46 MPG combined. That’s some serious fuel efficiency that means less time pulling over to fill up and less money spent at the pump. With the 13.2-gallon gas tank, that equals a range of over 600 miles, so you might be able to go the better part of a month without filling up.
It’s worth noting that on the XSE, you’ll also enjoy a sport-tuned suspension for better handling, particularly when taking sharp turns and driving at high speeds. While many hybrid vehicles have a reputation of going slow, being non-responsive, or just not being fun to drive, the 2022 Toyota Camry XSE Hybrid proves that you can have a car that’s fuel-efficient and a thrill to drive.
Four Modes to Choose From
In the Camry Hybrid, you can choose between EV, Eco, Normal, and Sport modes. With EV mode, you can operate your car in a fully electric mode, which is a huge benefit when you won’t be encountering a gas pump for miles. It’s worth noting that the car will need to stay at low speeds in this mode and will generally have a low range, but it’s nice to have the option when fuel is at a premium. Then you have Eco mode. While the point of the XSE is to enjoy some fun performance features, when you need to save fuel, Eco mode tells the car’s engine to prioritize fuel efficiency over performance so that you can go a bit further before having to fill up.
Of course, when you are ready to have some fun, you can go into Sport mode. When you do this in the XSE, you’ll notice some instant changes in performance. One notable change will be that the engine will take on a more sensitive throttle setting, making it far more responsive and allowing for quicker acceleration. This is, of course, where the XSE shines and where this car stands out from your standard hybrid options. Your normal mode is best for everyday driving. It provides a nice balancing of features––not skewing entirely towards performance or fuel economy––to allow for comfortable driving under regular conditions.
Technology That Gets You
Don’t let this affordable sedan fool you. It’s full of technology that makes long drives fun and even addresses some of the modern inconveniences of driving. It’s equipped with Apple CarPlay, so you can get access to all of your favorite iPhone apps, from music to podcasts to navigation, all on the car’s large touchscreen. And if you’re an Android person, it’s got you covered with Android Auto, too. You can even access your Google Assistant with this feature from your vehicle.
An available 10-inch head-up display puts important information within your natural line of sight, so you don’t have to look down to see this data, taking your eyes off of the road. Here you’ll find info like directions, your speed, and more. Plus, the standard 7-inch multi-information color display shows things like real-time alerts and turn-by-turn directions, helping you know where you’re going next and what’s happening around your car at all times.
Should you ever let someone else take the car––like a teen driver, a valet, or a friend––you can get peace of mind from the remote connect feature. This lets you monitor the vehicle, even when you aren’t in it, so you can supervise guest drivers and know where your car is at all times.
A Lot of Fun Packed Into a Midsize Sedan
The Toyota Camry might not typically be considered a car that is high-tech or sporty, but the 2022 Camry XSE Hybrid shows that there are no limits to what a fuel-efficient sedan can do. This vehicle shows that hybrids don’t have to be awkward in appearance or boring to drive and that affordable sedans can be attractive, sleek vehicles that turn heads and are great for everyday driving.
If you want the behind-the-wheel experience of a sports car, the fuel efficiency of a hybrid, and the tech associated with SUVs and luxury vehicles, this car has you covered. Now the only two questions are: what color are you going to get, and why aren’t you already at the dealership?
