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:
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I love this car - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
By Microe - January 11 - 2:30 pmI am really suprised how much I love this car. Blue ribbon metallic is a great color. The handling is smooth and responsive. Very comfortable and quite. Yes, the truck is small but that is the sacrifice for the hybrid. I am getting 37 mpg now and hope to improve that in the future with better driving habits.
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Great Car - Great Mileage - Happy Camper - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
By Rob - January 5 - 8:50 pmLove the car, the switch from battery to gas isnt noisy, but a little jerky at first, but as you drive you forget it. Rides well, and handles great. A little soft on power but its only a 4 banger. If driven right, the mileage will be 40 highway and 45 city. You cant beat that for the size of the vehicle. I love it.
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Update to my Aug 08 review - 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
By onebeacon - December 23 - 5:10 pmAfter more than 6 months of driving my 09 TCH I still think its one of the best cars I have ever owned. I was getting between 34-42 MPG when I first got it, but that was being easy on the gas peddle, now, with much more aggressive driving, Im getting 28-34 MPG. Still impressive for a large car. I just found out my car ins. for the hybrid is HALF the cost of the Highlander I traded in!
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Great Buy!!! - 2013 Toyota Camry Hybrid
By Bill Kibble - December 11 - 10:55 pmTheyre getting a great car!
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At 75,000 miles and Running Great - 2010 Toyota Camry Hybrid
By chris_s_2010 - December 8 - 11:15 pmI bought my 2010 Camry Hybrid (used) a bit more than a year ago. Its running well and hasnt given me any problems. I put on about 15,000 miles in that time including a drive from Toronto to Florida and back. One of the key things that attracted me to it originally was the interior room. I am 64" and my son is 66". We tried a lot of mid-size cars and this was the best for space (except for the trunk!). The electric drivers seat is a big bonus for tall drivers. We got over 40 mpg on the Florida trip without too much effort. It has a lot of technology in it but it all seems to work well. It isnt intended to be sporty but as a comfortable car it works well.
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As expected - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
By Brant - December 2 - 10:56 amAfter my wife driving an Explorer for 4 years she was ready for a change. Wanted a Hybrid due to her job going back and forth to patients homes in the city. Went to drive a Prius but saw the white 50th anniversary edition Camry on the dealership floor. She is very happy with the car and I am happy to drive it as well though I consider myself a car enthusiast. Mileage has ranged from 28 in the city on 95 degree days with the A/C cranking to almost 40 on the highway without the A/C. The ride is a little bouncy due to the extra battery weight and the brakes are a little touchy but nothing annoying. The CVT is a little droning when accelerating. Overall we really like the car.
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Wow what a car! - 2010 Toyota Camry Hybrid
By Gary - November 18 - 5:43 amJust got 2010 TCH in April. Already know this is the finest vehicle I have ever owned. Traded 2007 Honda Civic Hybrid. Liked that car also but it is a truck compared to this one. Super ride and it is extremely quiet. Acceleration will put you back into your seat. Averaging 36 mpg. Civic only got 30.Leather seats are extremely comfortable. Put you music on a USB memory stick and throw away your MP3 player. Bluetooth works great on the phone. Look at the rear fender wells. They are felt lined to keep noise down.
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Is this the future - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
By Silvermagnet - November 16 - 8:33 pmWhat I miss about this car is the tossable effect that my BMW gives. I gave that up to get 38 miles/gal. Maybe in the future, a little more hustle with the same milage will be available. Larger battery, plug ins, larger electric motors, higher level of no ice. Toyota is way ahead of the pack, but for me to drive my wifes car and smile, well I just need a little more muscle.
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I recommend it - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
By Bob - November 10 - 4:40 amA little over a month and 3,000 miles and I have nothing but good things to say. You have to work a little at the mileage - learn how to coast into the most fuel efficient levels. I make several trips a month on the turnpike and get 38 MPG going 70 MPH. I get combined mileage of about 550 miles out of a tank of gas.
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Electrical UNSAFE - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
By nikkifit1 - November 10 - 3:25 amI bought my car new from IRA in Tewksbury. It has had electrical issues since the first week that have progressed into safety issues (brakes lock up and cannot stop). It has been in service uncountable times and even corporate engineers cant figure out the problem. I have been lied to in order to be appeased and I was too trusting. Now, they wont buy me out of my car or trade me into something safe. I cannot put my 8 month old son in this car. I picked up my car after the second time they tried to fix after losing brakes and after an hour, i lost them again. IRA nor corporate office are doing whats right. they admit there are other cars but do not recall. Toyota downhill!
