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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  MPG Not Even Close! Rip Off - 2015 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By wintersjaw - August 3 - 9:49 pm

  Me and my wife dont even come close to getting the advertised MPG of 38hwy/ 43city. We get a range of MPG from as low as 28 to as high as 34.5. We dont drive fast and have even tried to drive as slow as possible to get the maximum MPG. The computer says we do great, 38, 36, 39 but when we fill up it is apparent the computer is wrong. Toyota corporate tells us there is nothing wrong with the car because the computer says we are close to the proper MPG. The proof is in how much you fill up at the pump, not what the computer says. We spent thousands extra for the hybrid model and we feel like we were duped. We will never buy another Toyota or Lexus again. Would not recommend!

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  Expected a lot better - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By hybrid826 - July 18 - 4:23 pm

  I had great expectations of this car and as far as mileage goes, I am very happy. However, the build quality is definitely lacking. This is my first Toyota and I have always heard about there great quality. So far, the satellite radio and bluetooth have been replaced, the heater/ac controls are getting replaced, the drivers sun visor has fallen off, the remote start only has worked once, the center console pulled apart removing a phone charger, the passenger map light died and all this in only 4000 miles. I purchased an extended warranty and I think I will be glad I did. Mileage has been excellent, although dropping off for the winter. Averaging city/highway of 38+.

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  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.

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  Dont kick the bumper - it will break ! - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Cheap Plastic - October 18 - 10:16 pm

  Rides nice, smooth CVT, mileage is good. Many structural problems. INside dash squeaks, entire front bumper is cheap plastic (I replaced the whole bumper once: dealer said warranty doesnt cover design flaw.) The genuine Toyota replacement bumper is all falling apart again. It only takes the slightest accidental bump to crack it and then the entire bumper deteriorates. Really bad design flaw! Would never buy a Toyota again! Bluetooth hands free car phone is inferior! Tires were meticulously maintained (every 5K miles) and they only lasted 20K miles. Toyota quality?? Where?

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  Poor front bumper and light structure - 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By sunny12 - February 22 - 4:02 am

  Poor front bumper and light structure. Just made scratch the garage door, the bumper and absorber falled down, both left and right lights have to be replaced.

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  Wait A Year - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Wayne - February 2 - 9:26 am

  Nice car. Everyone should have a Hybrid! But dont be shafted by the dealer. Camry disappointing in interior quality of components and trim that doesnt match in color and alignment. SHAME on you TOYOTA! And the damn beeper they have beeps at everything you do. GET RID OF IT. Center console too bright at night time. But quality in trim is seriously lacking. Stone Mountain Toyota, GA ripped me off, so beware and dont go near that place. The are "under new management" every other month. As a Hybrid the vehicle is fine and economical to drive for sure. Economy button for the A/C is UNDER the dashboard! WHAT were they thinking??? Brand new car needs an interior redesign already.

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  Electrical UNSAFE - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By nikkifit1 - November 10 - 3:25 am

  I 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!

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  Very poor reliability - 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By GBouscal - November 8 - 2:40 am

  3050 miles to date and Ive had to return for service every 1000 miles due to the check engine light. There are fuel system problems. Ive spent 8 hours at the service center so far, with my next appointment next week, which will be my 5th visit.

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  Disappointing - 2010 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Lynn - February 5 - 8:20 am

  I just purchased my first hybrid, and I thought I would be happier with my decision than I am. The ride is not nearly as comfortable as my previous Camry SE, and the car hesitates every time I start up again after a stop, making me wonder if its going to die on me. I am happy so far with the mileage, but for the price and all the hoopla, I thought Id be getting something Id at least be as happy with as I was with my 2005.

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  Poor mileage for me - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By michigandriver - August 16 - 3:36 am

  I traded in a 2000 Lexus for a 07 Camry Hybrid. I dont like it. It does not even compare to the Lexus in quality or comfort. The ONLY time I have gotten close to 40 mpg is on the highway with the cruise set at 60. Otherwise I average between 32-35 mpg, tops. I drive very conservatively and have tried different driving styles to try to improve the mileage, but no luck. Handling (especially cornering) is a bit sloppy with this car (no comparison to the Lexus). The heat/air is also noticeably less efficient with this car than with the Lexus, and also with the previous 3 Toyotas I have owned. Im going back to Lexus!