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:

• 

  35+ MPG in comfort - 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By russell - May 30 - 12:06 am

  After 1500 city miles, we have averaged 34.8 miles per gallon in comfort. Love this car

• 

  Toyota is #1 - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By studio69 - May 25 - 12:40 am

  Over the years I have owned and driven over 35 cars, the first of which was a 1950 Packard, five of which were Toyotas. Now I own a Camry Hybrid. This vehicle is very exciting to drive and anyone that has ridden in it with me cannot belive the technology that goes into these vehicles. I have never been let down by any Toyota that I have owned. I am confident that this TCH will give me many years of inexpensive happy motoring.

• 

  Safest Vehicle on the Road - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By mbarry999z - May 20 - 9:20 am

  I was broadsided Saturday on a country road here in MA. I was wearing my seatbelt and the air bags deployed. Other than some soreness and bruising, I walked away from the accident. I will replace the car with a 2009 Camry Hybrid even though it may not qualify for the Obama tax credit for hybrids.

• 

  1500 mile road tewst. - 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By cowboy32 - May 18 - 7:33 pm

  An odd turn of events found me picking up my sons new TCH and delivering it to him in Miami Fl. I left OKC and drove out of Oklahom across Arkansas Clipped the corner of Tennessee and drove the whole North side of Mississippi. Finally after 651.2 miles I stopped in Alabama and filled up. It took 16.005 gallons which yielded a MPG of 40.6+ MPG. aT 1053 MILES i filled it again and still had 40.6+ mpg for the trip. All of this was at approx 72MPH. Once I entered Florida the traffic dictated that I should drive 75 or 75+ so I did. That run got 37.5 or so. Yes we did get 55 and 57 on a couple of controlled runs at low speed but as far as the real world of interstate driving is concerned 40 is OK.

• 

  The thrill is back! - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Bill - May 16 - 1:20 pm

  I havent been this excited about a car in years. My driving is different: smoother starts, more consistent speed (I use the excellent cruise control whenever possible). Great attention to detail in design and construction. I love the smart key and the quiet, comfortable ride. Were getting only 35 mpg on this tank, but we go up a mile-long hill to get home (wonderful going down, though). Miracles happen: we took delivery of the exact car we wanted (sunroof, leather) on the same day we first talked to the dealer!

• 

  Review by B. Smith - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Bruce Smith - May 15 - 10:40 am

  I commute 60-70 miles/day. Never a problem. Fun to try to max out mpg using the display system. Very smooth ride. Feels like a more expensive car.

• 

  Better than expected - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Toyo Camry Hybrid - May 13 - 12:33 pm

  I have never been a toyota fan, but this car is very impressive. The hybrid drivetrain is amazing, and this car is pretty much loaded with everything except wood trim. The mileage is superb (~37mpg overall). The new body style is cool.

• 

  Your mileage may vary - 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By hybrid34 - May 12 - 10:00 am

  We paid the premium for the hybrid because we keep our cars a long time and if we were going to get mileage close to the EPA estimate we would make up the difference in about 5 years. Now that we have driven it about a year we are getting on average 34 MPG Nowhere near where we expected. Our diving has mostly been city driving and when we do get it on the highway we get above 40 MPG. We took it back a couple of times to the dealer, they said there is noting wrong and when I called Toyota they said that 34 MPG was within what we could expect and does not indicate a problem.

• 

  Oh What A Feeling..... Toyota! - 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Diane - April 26 - 5:36 am

  By slightly changing my driving habits I constantly achieve 40+ MPG. The ride is excellent and the car is responsive and fun to drive. Quality of workmanship, trim and paint finish is outstanding. The car is quiet and absent of any road noise. Seating is comfortable and both the front and rear passenger areas have plenty of leg room. Driving this hi-tech Hybrid is one of the best driving experiences I have ever had. The car is well refined, classy and sleek. Toyota has delivered everything I expected in a Camry Hybrid, and more.

• 

  A near perfect balance - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Hybridguy - April 23 - 12:53 am

  So far this car is way more than we expected. We traded in our 99 Audi A6 gas guzzler for what we expected would be a a more frugal but inferior ride. We were surprised to find that our Camry Hybrid is both fuel efficient and a pleasure to drive.