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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  Great car - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Matilda - April 16 - 6:06 am

  Great midsize hybrid. I test drove the Accord and the Camry and the Camry seats much nicer and looks better too. It rides well, handles easily, comfortable inside (my father in law is 63" and sits well). It took some practice to learn to drive it optimally, but I do get an average of 41 mpg on the freeway at 70 mph. If the traffic is bad, I get up to 55 mpg in bumper-to-bumper traffic! I drive it 40 miles a day on the freeway and is definitely worth the money. If you want a comfortable midsize hybrid, this is definitely worth a test drive. I would buy it again.

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  Still loving it - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Candy Ammons - March 30 - 10:23 am

  Lived in California and drove more stop and go traffic mileage was 37 to 38 in town 40 on highway. Live in Idaho now and mileage is 40 to 41 in town and highway. Runs great, have 16000 miles on it. Have had no problems at all. Runs perfect, quiet and comfortable. Had difficult in the snow/ice in Idaho and will by studded tires for it next winter.

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  Excellent Auto - 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By jcfrench - March 26 - 9:13 pm

  I thoroughly enjoy my Camry Hybrid. Local driving I am averaging about 35 mpg. Strictly interstate, about 42 mpg. Mixed interstate and state highways, I get 40 to 41 mpg. It is the first vehicle I have ever owned that gets better than estimated mpg. The 6 disc CD player adds greatly to the pleasure of driving this Camry.

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  Worth the upgrade - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By CarDude - March 25 - 6:53 am

  This car is worth the upgrade to Hybrid. I did not buy this car for its near zero emissions, the fuel economy was attractive but not the selling point. It is the extremely quiet ride and the performance between the regular 4 cyl and 6cyl is just right. The design and comfort of the interior are incredible with the standard Hybrid upgrades. Buy this car not only for its gas mileage, but for its solid quality, great looks, comfortable interior, and overall value. You will not be disappointed.

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  Easy To Love - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Camry To Prius - March 2 - 8:20 pm

  Now nearly a whole model year old, this TCH is still our favorite. Gas mileage is almost too good - mixed city/highway driving yields high 30s to very low 40s. If you set the cruise control for 60 mph on the highway, expect to be rewarded with 42-43 mpg. (OK, you will get passed a lot.) The car has comfort, well laid out dash and controls. It fits us in all respects except for the arm rests. Our experience suggests buyers duck the GPS option. We found a good after market GPS superior as it is both more accurate and easily moved between family cars. While we appreciate the performance, it does get on to the interstate system easily, but the TCH is no "muscle car" either.

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  Love the car (or wife that is) - 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Earl - February 22 - 3:33 am

  No problems with this car what so ever. They need to fix the door trim problem asap, this car has more dings in the door then my 14 year old Camry.

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  Updated Review After 5 years and 100k Miles - 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By yungunz - February 12 - 9:17 am

  Here is the original review I wrote 5 years ago: http://www.edmunds.com/toyota/camry-hybrid/2009/consumer-reviews/the-smart-way-to-move.html?style=100975664&sub=&reviewId=103341721 What can I say, its been a great 5 year run! Ive averaged 35mpg getting about 450-500 miles per tank. Also, I NEVER had to change my brakes! It has something to do with the braking system and the promotion of safer/slower driving. I am thrilled with my purchase. All you have to do is get your oil changes every 5k miles and rotate your tires often! Free oil changes at my dealership was a bonus. I changed my tires at 35k and 85k miles. I was hoping by now Toyota would release some sort of AWD Hybrid. A+++

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  Tiny Trunk! - 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Dex - January 30 - 7:43 am

  The Camry Hybrid is a good car, its our second hybrid. Our first was the Prius. Sorry to have to make comparisons, but the trunk is the downfall on this car, everything else is very good. The Prius trunk is about 30-40% bigger and even though we bought the Camry as our family car, we find that we need to take the Prius on trips because the luggage would need to sit on our laps. Overall the car gets us 35 MPG and just marginally better than the 4 cylinder Camry that our friend owns. The trunk basically needs a one foot extention, dont understand why Toyota didnt do this? Anyway, if you are considering this car, you must factor in that it has a VERY small trunk.

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  Lots of room - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By LEN LEE - January 17 - 6:00 pm

  It is hard to find a car that fits a 6 ft 3 in male. the new Camry has tons of leg room front and rear. This car comes with the most standard equipment of any car that I have ever owned. I had the rear spolier and leather seats added. I also had the factory window tint, but the tint is way too light. And last but not least... 37.9 MPG - what more could you want. Overall love the car.

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  Further update - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Brant - January 16 - 12:00 pm

  We are now approaching 30,000 miles and the good news is that the car has had nothing but routine maintenance. Mileage is as advertised but dips into the high 20s in winter city driving. The OEM tires were shot at 22K which is not acceptable. The dashboard creaks like Noahs Ark, especially when cold and the interior plastics and fit and finish are below par. The car is a quiet and comfortable cruiser and is as non offensive as you would expect from a Camry. Power is great for a hybrid in this fuel mileage class. The cruise control in un-nerving in the hills - set it at 75 and it will vary between 72 and 78. Overall we are pleased but this is not a great car.