A Week With: 2023 Toyota Camry XSE Hybrid - The Detroit Bureau

A Week With: 2023 Toyota Camry XSE Hybrid – The Detroit Bureau

Time Stamp: September 12, 2023 6:32 PM
Source Node: 2267484

Once upon a time, midsized cars represented the standard by which car companies were judged. The automotive world has moved on, but the midsized, family sedan still occupies a unique place in both automotive lore and the automotive business.

2022 Toyota Camry XSE Hybrid
The 2023 Camry comes with distinctive exterior lines, and a clean, low-slung appearance, which sets the vehicle apart from the utility vehicles.

The Camry is one of the cars, having served as the foundation for Toyotas reputation for quality, reliability and dependability, which carries on year after year as continues to please an exceedingly loyal customer base.

Overview

The 2023 Toyota Camry XSE is one of the vehicles the Japanese auto titan has outfitted with a hybrid powertrain, boosting its fuel economy. The hybrid Camry, however, also serves as a platform for the latest technology, up-to-date safety equipment and motoring comfort, while carrying on Toyota’s reputation for dependability.

Exterior

Toyota has never been considered a styling leader, but the 2023 Camry comes with distinctive exterior lines, and a clean, low-slung appearance, which sets the vehicle apart from the utility vehicles that have become so popular in recent years. 

The Camry also has a clean face, with a sport-mesh grille, which carries the readily identifiable insignia of the Toyota brand, while the roof line sweeps back to the Camry’s rear deck. The LED headlights fit nicely in the overall design of the front fascia and at the neatly shaped rear of Camry XSE, which also is equipped with distinctive 19-inch wheels. The overall impression of the exterior design is surprisingly impressive and pleasing, I thought.

The LED headlights fit nicely in the overall design of the front fascia and at the neatly shaped rear of Camry XSE, which also is equipped with distinctive 19-inch wheels.

Interior

The cabin of the Toyota Camry XSE is quite comfortable, and it seems as if it’s designed for a long freeway drive. The materials used to furnish the interior is of good quality, but the cabin isn’t ostentatious, although the seat stitching helps spice up the interior. 

The driver is given ample information from the changeable screen under the top of the steering wheel and the 9-inch screen in the center stack for entertainment and navigation. Both the safety technology and connectivity is cleanly integrated into the cockpit, and the JBL Sound System deliver a great sound inside the well-insulated cabin. The visibility from the driver’s seat is excellent and the Camry is equipped with a head-up display.

Powertrain

The 2023 Camry XSE hybrid powertrain is built around a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and a 24-volt electric motor-generator and a continuous variable transmission with paddle shifters. The combined system produces 208 horsepower. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has given the 2023 Camry XSE hybrid a combined fuel economy rating of 46 mpg, including 44 mpg in the city and 47 mpg on the highway.

Safety and Technology

Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 with pre-collision alert and pedestrian detection is standard on the 2023 Camry XSE. It also is equipped with dynamic cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist and lane tracing, automatic high beam, and road sign recognition. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are joined by a JBL sound system with 14 speakers and a satellite radio connection. It is equipped with Bluetooth, blind-spot alert, and back-up camera. It also has heated and ventilated seats, UBS ports for charging and media as well as a head-up display.

Driving Impressions

The Camry XSE Hybrid is equipped with a sport suspension, which allows the car to deliver a smooth, comfortable ride over all kinds of surfaces and out on the highway when it gets up to speed. However, while the power-to-weight ratio is relatively modest, the Camry hybrid has just enough power to perform its everyday tasks on any suburban or urban route. Plus, the overall fuel economy is very impressive at forty-six miles per gallon is very good and the Camry will go a very long way on a relatively modest amount of fuel.

2023 Toyota Camry XSE Hybrid Specifications

Dimension Dimensions: L: 192.7 inches/W: 72.4 inches/H: 56.9 inches/Wheelbase: 111.2 inches
Weight 4,623 pounds
Powertrain 2.5-liter 4-cylinder gas-electric hybrid, CVT and front-wheel drive
Fuel Economy 44 mpg city/47 mpg highway/46 mpg combined
Performance Specs 208 horsepower and 163 pound-feet of torque
Price Base price: $30,615; As tested: $40,312, including $1,095 destination charge
On-Sale Date Available now

Wrap Up

The impressive fuel economy numbers of the 2023 Camry XSE Hybrid ought to put the car high on the list of Toyota loyalists, who might be looking for another vehicle. It’s not an EV but the overall fuel economy numbers are impressive and will no doubt appeal to fans of the Camry, which has been one of the more fuel-efficient midsized sedans on the market. 

Over the years, the Camry franchise has developed a reputation for dependability and reliability, which ought to be a comfort to buyers, who are spending more than $41,000 for midsized sedan. 

2023 Toyota Camry XSE Hybrid ­— Frequently Asked Questions

How long will the battery last in the 2023 Camry Hybrid?

The hybrid battery will usually last between 3 to 5 years, but that can change massively depending on type of battery, battery size, weather conditions and driving habits.

How much does it cost to replace a Toyota Camry Hybrid battery?

Ideally, it would cost you $3,000 to $5,000 to replace your Camry Hybrid battery. So, if you’re considering a replacement, pay attention to factors like the make, the capacity, the compatibility with your vehicle, and a few more parameters.

How far will Camry Hybrid go on electric only?

However, the Camry is capable of travelling short distances — no more than two miles — under electric power alone, which should make it very efficient in towns and cities.

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