Toyota may not have been the first automaker to market a midsized family sedan with a hybrid powertrain, but it was the first to get the formula right. Unlike the 2005-07 Honda Accord Hybrid, which matched an already powerful V-6 engine with partial-hybrid battery-powered electric assist that was incapable of whirring the car along at low speeds on electrical power alone, the Toyota Camry Hybrid pairs a modified version of its standard four-cylinder engine with a full-hybrid battery pack and electric motor that allowed the car to travel up to 25 mph without engaging the engine. The result is a car with more power than the standard Camry, and better fuel economy. Because the Camry Hybrid is third only to the Nissan Altima Hybrid and Toyota Prius in terms of midsize car fuel economy, and because the Camry is one of a handful of models that receives 5 out 5 JDPower.com Power Circle Ratings for predicted reliability, we borrowed one to review.

Toyota made no changes to the 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid in advance of a significant freshening that debuts for 2010. The Camry Hybrid is sold in a single specification of trim that is roughly equivalent to the standard Camry LE model. That means it has power windows, power door locks with remote keyless entry, power side mirrors, cruise control, a tilt and telescopic steering wheel, an 8-way power driver’s seat, fabric upholstery, a CD player, and an auxiliary input jack as standard equipment. It even has heavy steel wheels with plastic wheel covers, unusual since most hybrids are equipped with lightweight alloys to help squeeze every ounce of efficiency out of the vehicle.

Special standard features for the Camry Hybrid include a Smart Key locking and ignition with push-button start, dual-zone automatic climate control with a Plasmacluster ionizer, Optitron gauges, a multi-informational display with unique hybrid powertrain information, a regenerative braking system, and few tricks designed to improve exterior aerodynamics. Otherwise, the least expensive Camry Hybrid is basically identical to the Camry LE.

Our review vehicle came equipped with just about every option. Power moonroof with illuminated vanity mirrors? Check. Leather seats? Check. Mats for the carpet and trunk? Check. Heated outside mirrors? Check. V.I.P. RS3200 Plus security system? Check. It also had the Upgrade Package with Navigation, which included a voice-activated touchscreen navigation system, a 440-watt JBL premium audio system, Bluetooth, Homelink, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with a compass, and 16-inch alloy wheels. The total tab came to $31,188.

The 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid is equipped with a gasoline/electric hybrid propulsion system. The gasoline engine is a 2.4-liter, Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder making 147 horsepower. It is assisted by a 650-volt nickel-metal hydride rechargeable battery pack connected to a permanent magnet synchronous motor with regeneration during braking. Together, this system is rated for 187 net horsepower, drives the front wheels through a continuously variable transmission, and is estimated by the EPA to achieve 33 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. For comparison, a Camry LE automatic with a four-cylinder engine gets 21 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway.

Our review vehicle averaged 33.5 mpg in mixed driving with a highway emphasis. Combined with the Camry Hybrid’s standard 17.2-gallon fuel tank, this actual fuel economy figure results in an approximate 575-mile range between fill-ups of regular unleaded. It should be noted that we didn’t try particularly hard to maximize fuel economy, preferring instead to drive normally and generate a real-world average number.

Standard safety equipment on every 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid includes dual front airbags, side-impact airbags for the front seat occupants, side curtain airbags for both rows of seats, and a driver’s knee airbag. Additionally, the Camry Hybrid comes with four-wheel-disc ABS with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist, a stability control system, and traction control. Notably, the Camry Hybrid is also equipped with Toyota’s Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management system, which means the electronics can even make minor steering corrections for the driver, if circumstances require.

JDPower.com says the 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid competes against other midsize hybrid vehicles such as the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid, Nissan Altima Hybrid, Saturn Aura Hybrid, and Toyota Prius.