Overview & Reviews

Until recently, driving a hybrid car required some sort of sacrifice, whether in terms of space, performance or anonymity. However, in the case of the Camry Hybrid, one could argue that Toyota has given the buying public a hybrid that demands few or no sacrifices.

If judged only on its merits as a competent midsize sedan, the Toyota Camry Hybrid would score well. We've found that it shares all the attributes that make the conventional Camry one of the best-selling family sedans out there: a comfortable and quiet ride, more than adequate power, lots of amenities and plenty of room for five. That its fuel economy beats that of most compact cars and its price is well within the normal range for an average midsize car are just icing on the hybrid cake.

Current Toyota Camry Hybrid
The current Toyota Camry Hybrid features a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor. Combined output comes to 200 horsepower and it's routed to the front wheels through a specialized continuously variable transmission (CVT). The EPA estimates combined fuel economy at an excellent 40 or 41 mpg, depending on the trim level.

The Toyota Camry Hybrid is offered in LE, XLE and (late introduction) SE Limited Edition trim levels. Standard feature highlights for the LE include keyless entry and ignition, dual-zone automatic climate control, full power accessories, Bluetooth, a touchscreen display and a six-speaker sound system with a USB port. The XLE adds a power driver seat and an upgraded sound system. The SE Limited Edition is essentially an XLE with sporty styling cues and the sport front seats of the non-hybrid Camry SE. Main options include a sunroof, leather upholstery, heated front seats, a premium audio system, a navigation system and a smartphone integration system.

It should be noted that halfway into the 2014 model year, the Camry Hybrid saw a few minor changes. These include the aforementioned new trim level, the rearview camera becoming standard across the board and a renaming of the car's infotainment systems.

Inside, the Camry's new interior benefits from roomy seats, admirable outward visibility and well-placed controls. What the cabin design lacks in cohesiveness, it makes up for with generally good materials quality, especially the handsome stitching on the dash and door panels of upper trims. Toyota's Entune system is also praiseworthy in the way it easily adds enhanced audio, information and navigation features, although the touchscreen's virtual buttons can be a little frustrating to use at times.

While fuel economy gets top billing here, the Toyota Camry Hybrid is still pleasant to drive. Its hybrid powertrain is quite smooth in its operation and provides quick acceleration. Handling is unremarkable and the steering is quite light and uncommunicative, but for most buyers this will likely be a non-issue.

Used Toyota Camry Hybrid Models
This latest Toyota Camry Hybrid was redesigned for 2012, as was the conventional Camry. As such, it benefited from the same generational upgrades, such as a much nicer interior and new electronics features. Fuel economy and power are also considerably better than they were with the previous-generation hybrid. Note that these Camry Hybrids lack a few minor updates of the current version, including the addition of the SE Limited Edition trim level, the rearview camera becoming standard across the board and a renaming of the car's infotainment systems.

That previous, first-generation Toyota Camry Hybrid was produced for the 2007-'11 model years. While it shared much of the same advantages of the current car, it suffered from a rather small trunk, disappointing interior materials and inconsistent fit and finish issues. Additionally, its fuel economy, while high, was not as good as the current model's.

This Camry Hybrid was powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder gas engine working in concert with an electric motor. Power was sent to the front wheels through a specialized CVT. The gas engine produced 147 hp and 138 lb-ft of torque, and the electric motor added another 40 hp, yielding 187 maximum hp. Fuel economy was quite good for the time, checking in at an EPA-estimated 33 mpg city/34 mpg highway and 34 mpg combined.

For most of the first generation's production run, standard features included 16-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless ignition and entry, a power driver seat, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a trip computer and a six-speaker sound system. Main options were a sunroof, leather upholstery, heated front seats, a power passenger seat, a navigation system and a premium sound system.

Changes were slight over the years, with revised front-end styling, a new instrument cluster and unique upholstery made of silk protein and synthetic fiber being introduced for 2010. In 2011, the alloy wheels were downgraded to steel wheels with plastic covers.

On the whole, the Camry Hybrid presented a complete package. It was roomy, comfortable and kept up to date with the latest features. And thanks to the Prius, Toyota has shown that its hybrid powertrains are able to meet consumers' expectations of durability and reliability. Our only suggestion would be to also check out the Ford Fusion Hybrid, which eclipsed the Camry Hybrid in terms of economy and interior design for the final two years.

User Reviews:

• 

  Another Great Camry - 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By CNJ #4 - March 22 - 7:16 pm

  This is my 5th Camry!!! 87,90,94,98,2009 I have put over 200k miles on each, kept at least for 9-10 years and still sold them for over $3k after that. Just replaced the 98 w 245k miles. This is unbelievable, great smooth ride, great mileage, ave 36-38. Lots of toys! I have had it 2 months and had no issues. This is a loaded w Nav, roof, leather etc... got a great deal $33k list paid $27,700! - darn right they are hurting bad to sell these cars below invoice. The kids love the Ipod plug, and video.. the Push button start is the coolest! Anyway just to be safe I took the 100k 6 yr no deductible warranty... the salesman said these ware made 100% in Japan...anyone know that to be true?

• 

  Awesome family sedan... saves $$$$ - 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By H-Hybrid-G - March 22 - 3:46 pm

  Hi All, We just bought a new 09 Camry hybrid. The car speaks for itself... best hybrid system in the world... so quiet n smooth, the ppl crossing road in front could not imagine I was trailing them for good 40-50 seconds (*until I honked and woke them!!)... the gas average is awesome, love the animation to show circulation in the car (*wheels-- >motor and vice versa)... the comfort, space, steering and cushion in ride are best for the buck. REALLY a good choice for a middle class family guy/starters who wants to save big bucks! Thanks a ton to Toyota dealership.

• 

  A joy, but city MPG not always roses - 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Steve - March 7 - 10:36 am

  I love this car, but I have used it mainly for city driving, with a long shallow upwards grade when I go north and a lot of stops, and it is a struggle to keep mileage above 30 MPG. I have read and written to innumerable folks who have a similar experience. The problem is the combo of a cold engine, short trips, complete stops, and moderate hills. I am learning better how to coast more, and this improved things, and I recently got almost 50 MPG in my commute when I went south (down). But in the city, particularly in the cold, it is certainly not a given that the mileage will be in the 35 MPG range. I have only 800 miles on it, so maybe things will improve. But I second all other raves here.

• 

  I got it right this time. - 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Happy in Omaha - March 1 - 9:30 pm

  I bought my Camry Hybrid after reading its reviews in Edmonds. I was worried if I made the right choice until my first gas purchase. I averaged 34.9 mpg on my first tank, and then over 38 on my next two tanks. I am convinced that I can average 40 mpg as I learn how to drive this car. This car is both fun to drive and very comfortable. I would like to have a job selling only Camry Hybrids. It would be as easy as being the weatherman in San Diego. The only person that would not like this car is someone that has to be the quickest driver in traffic. The rest of the adult driving world should be very happy with this vehichle.

• 

  Buy one now - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Jaybird - March 1 - 7:26 pm

  I really cant say enough about how much I enjoy driving this car. The ride is smoother and quieter than my Lexus. I cant speak more highly of any car that I have ever had or rode in. I started out not caring if we got a hybrid or a 6 cylinder but we found just what we wanted in the hybrid so we bought it. After having driven it almost 800 miles I just love it.

• 

  What a car! - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Hybrid07 - February 25 - 12:20 pm

  This car is amazing! I vow to buy Toyota hybrids for the rest of my life! Its pretty powerful, very safe, and beautiful, and of course GREAT on gas! There is plenty of rear space, and front space as well, and lots of cubby holes to stash your stuff. The stereo is pretty good. I can go on and on, but I wont because everything I have to say is positive! GO BUY THIS CAR! And today the Brake Assist System prevented me from getting into an accident! Was blinded by the sun, and almost went through an red light, but the brakes just clamped and the car stopped on a dime, honestly! I never stopped in such a short distance with any other car! YAA!

• 

  Almost bought a Sonata - 2011 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By tobyone - February 11 - 9:01 pm

  I almost bought a 2011 Sonata after comparing to Accord and Fusion, but the Limited Sonata gas mileage on the car i ordered only got 28MPG highway on the test drive. the computer said 36 mpg. so decided to test drive Camry- and then the hybrid. so very quiet and the idea of higher gas mileage interested both me and my wife. Dealer made me an offer i could not refuse on a 2011 loaded except for Nav. $28,000 before tax and license. included leather, sunroof, spoiler, tinted windows, backup sensors, upgraded sound system and wheels, fog lights love the car so far - first tank was 37MPG- using the calculator method - just filled up 41.2 mpg wife is doing 1/2 driving and she is not a hyper miler

• 

  7000 Mile Report - 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By DJS - February 3 - 11:10 am

  Since early October have put 7000 miles, including 4500 miles on a trip from CA to TX, on the car. Comfortable drive after 8 plus hours going across West TX at 80-85 MPH. Gas mileage for the trip was 34 MPG, many of these miles at fairly high speed. I waited 3 months for the car in part to buy one that met our needs, that is, no sunroof, no leather, and the middle up-grade package. Acceleration is pretty darn good, handling very nice until you get into mountainous roads as we did in southern NM. Then you know you are not driving a BMW. But overall a technological marvel-usual Toyota quality build.

• 

  Loving the TCH - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By mjw71772 - January 15 - 3:00 pm

  I hear mixed reviews about this car, but I will say I love it without question. Some features could use minor work but all in all this is the best car I have ever driven. I think it beats out my wifes Lexus IS 250. I get great gas mileage plus a good handling, nice looking ride - it is like the best of both worlds. I just cant wait to get back to some flat terrain to get my MPG higher than the 38-40 I am getting now.

• 

  Loved the car at first, but beware! - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By grako - January 13 - 2:50 pm

  I have 6000 miles on the car, which has developed many rattles and annoying clicks. I have been back to the dealer three times, and if one click or rattle is fixed, others appear. Very disappointing for Toyota. I have owned Toyotas my last six cars and was excited by the hybrid. The engine is smooth, but the car is a crate as far as body construction. Nearly everyone has a rattle in the console, the drink holder make noise if you have a drink in it. The big problem is everything is plastic and all connected by clips that dont really hold things in place. With no cloth or barriers to all the plastic on plastic, these annoying sounds appear everywhere. Wait for the next model