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:

• 

  Solid Vehicle - Great Mileage - 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By MukMan - June 29 - 8:40 am

  Bought this a year ago. Already owned Escape hybrid. Mileage is much better than advertised in mixed driving. Car has full package with leather, heated seats, sunroof, Bluetooth, nav, etc. Nav not as user friendly to program as the 2002 Acura TL it replaced. Drives a little more bloated around curves like my 93 Taurus SHO, but a very quiet, solid ride. In the summer months, 50-50 driving will net 39-40 mpg; cooler fall and winter 36 mpg; minor flaws are that the tire pressure maintenance sensor went goofy and some brake noise that Toyota will take care of. However, for a $30K car, loaded package, its well worth it over Prius. This is the best eco friendly sedan.

• 

  Smooth running... - 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By hybrid09 - June 4 - 10:20 pm

  Very smooth operation and extremely quiet. Exceeds my expectations, although the ride is a bit soft, as expected for a Toyota. Well-satisfied to this point. Heve the GPS which is a useful and enjoyable option. Car has plenty of power and is well-built.

• 

  Great car for the ecomony and planet - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By craig opper - May 15 - 2:03 am

  I own the car for 6+ months and think the car is great. Good looking, very reliable and get great fuel milage. Averaging about 33.5 mpg and get over 45 on the highway at stead speed. Best highway milage at about 65 mph. No issues or idiosyncracies. Slightly louder than I would prefer on hard acceleration. Clearly fast enough if you are not a lead foot. Some writers for the major auto publications criticize the acceleration but they are generally younger people who arent concerned with the planet or their wallets right now. That will change as they age and even they will appreciate the technology in this vehicle. I look forward to the next generation of hybrids.

• 

  Great Family Vehicle - 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Starburst - April 23 - 2:36 am

  Weve put 5,000 miles on this vehicle in the last two months that weve owned it. Weve averaged 38.3 mpg overall, and as high as 40.4 mpg. This is a fabulous family car. It handles well and is very, very quiet - it is almost disconcerting at stop lights as the gas engine shuts down. This particular vehicle is well optioned; the on-board nav system is easy to use, the leather seats are supportive and the build quality is typical Toyota. Having said that, I could have done with a bit less plastic in a car that is this close to the top of the Camry price range.

• 

  Love this car - 2016 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Ellen Bader - December 16 - 11:18 am

  Ive only had this car for three weeks, but love it so far. Great gas mileage, smooth ride, no complaints!

• 

  Evaluation - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Chritian Bowles - December 4 - 7:36 am

  Except for pickup and power which I am accustomed this car is great for local driving. It leaves a lot to be desired when driving in the mountains.

• 

  MPG - Gas Milleage and Horse Power - 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Kevin Bui - October 11 - 5:16 am

  I am really disappointed by the gas mileage that I go for nearly a year, about 12,000 miles so far. I got about 28-30 miles/gal. Not sure because I live near a lot of mountain area; up and down hill; or short distance drive that caused the mileage couldnt be close to 34 or more. I took the car to the dealer and complaint about it but they ran diagnostic test and showed nothing wrong. Also, dont see a lot of horse power. Basically, me and my wife were driving like old lady style in order to see any improvement in gas mileage but it stay around 30 mile/gal or less. Not really happy at all.

• 

  Long term update - 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By ACDII - July 22 - 9:23 am

  After 25000 miles, the car has been flawless, getting 39MPG mixed driving, 50 on the highway @60MPH. A few things turn me off though, and make me want a Fusion Hybrid. First being the dash center console, cool at first, but when driving in bad weather where you need 100% visibility, the lighting is a distraction, and no way to turn it off without turning off the entire dash. Material quality is sub-par, my Hyundai has better quality. Seats OK, material a bit thin, I can feel parts of the springs in the seat. I expected a bit better quality from Toyota, but with that aside, it has been a good car, reliable, and safe, and thats what is most important, 39 MPG overall isnt too bad either.

• 

  New age of riding - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By p-town - July 14 - 4:13 pm

  I bought this camry to replace my gas drainer (Chevy Tahoe). The difference in gas usage is great, you can tell a big difference in the savings. HWY mpg is about 36 and City mpg is about 38. I believe that Im ready to go anywhere.

• 

  Transition from performance to economy - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By DB1947 - June 30 - 3:16 pm

  Replaced a 2002 Acura TL Type S, went from fast driving to a more relaxed pace. Hybrid has made this transition easy. While responsiveness and acceleration is less, overall performance is on par. I drive a little slower, dont take the passing lane as often, but end up arriving in the same amount of time, but feeling more relaxed and having used way less gas. I still routinely hit 80 MPH, but try to keep it lower, while averaging about 38-39 MPG. Interior is comfortable and very quiet. Handling is a little soft, but adequate. No major complaints: steering wheel is too narrow and hard to grip for long periods, rear visibility is difficult, brake pedal angle is to high.