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I am planning to get the new Camry Hybrid and am wondering what the long term maintenance and running cost will be like. The Camry's dealer suggests that it is no different compared to a petrol version of the Camry. I am attracted by the low fuel consumption and the Toyota reliability.

I current own a European diesel vehicle. Any help and advise is appreciated.

The Camry Hybrid has only been around for a couple of years, so we really have no long term infortmation. However, the Camry itself and Prius have both been fairly good in the long term, so the Camry Hybrid should be a fairly safe bet.
Perhaps it might be an idea to walk by a taxi rank and ask a taxi driver, as there are quite a few Camry Hybrids in the taxi fleet these days, and their average annual mileage seems to be about 5 or 6 times the average motorist.
The torque of the Camry Hybrid will be much less than your current diesel though.

Thanks for that. I have one other question. The brochure for the Camry Hybrid 2013 says the vehicle can tow up to 300kg. I have read in my online forums that hybrid vehicles cannot tow. So I guess technology has improved since. My question is - would a domestic trailer carrying garden clippings to the tip be within the 300kg? Would going up a hill significantly impact on the vehicle?

Thanks.

Most vehicles this size are rated at around 1,200 to 1,500kg, so a 300kg rating would be a very light laden trailer indeed. An average unladen trailer would weigh between 200-300kg, but to be sure with your specific trailer, you'd need to weigh your trailer (tipping or dump stations have scales).
You need to be very careful towing with any vehicle with a CVT transmission, as over-stressing the transmission can cause damage, and if there's any hint that towing excessive weight has caused damage, obviously your warranty would be void.

Given what you just said, installing a tow bar to a hybrid seems pointless if an unladen trailer would take up the bulk of the weight that the vehicle can tow.

Is this typical of a hybrid or typical of most CVT transmission vehicles?

If I wanted more space, would fitting a roof rack and box cause the same strain to the transmission and engine?

If you have e very small lightweight trailer, there could be some possible benefits in installing a towbar. Likewise, people wishing to carry bikes on a bike rack would also need a towbar.
Most cars with CVT transmissions have fairly low tow ratings and hybrids use CVT transmissions, so the two things go hand in hand really.
While it's the added weight that you really want to avoid, a roof box wouldn't weigh much, so could be of use to you. It's not much good for taking junk to the tip though!