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:

• 

  Love my new Camry Hybrid - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Babs - June 27 - 6:20 am

  I traded an Avalon and find that I am exceptionally pleased with the Camry. I love the various displays related to measuring fuel economy. Handles great, nice ride!

• 

  Disapointed - 2013 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By droycraft - April 10 - 2:12 am

  Having driven a 97 Camry for 16 years and loved the smooth ride, Ive been very disappointed with the much stiffer suspension in my new 2013 Camry XLE. Why did Toyota think Camry buyers would want to feel every single tiny imperfection in the road? Doesnt make any sense to me. Additionally, the front seat backs curve forward near the top of the seatback, pushing my shoulder blades forward. This has resulted in it being very difficult to find a comfortable driving position. (Im tall). I love the hybrid drive system. It works wonderfully. Im routinely getting in the mid to high 40s MPG. It also handles well and has plenty of power.

• 

  Going green - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By survey guy - February 17 - 4:33 pm

  Getting better mileage than expected: 32 city/39-41 highway; very comfortable. Also have a G35 Sedan, which has a much more intuitive voice command system for making calls, etc. This car performs better than expected. Easy to keep battery charge full by using B to slow car on decelleration.

• 

  A mpg giant - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By what fun! - January 30 - 7:56 pm

  I have had my camry hybrid for better then one month. Previously owned a Prius. The camry is a fun car to drive for 2 reasons and perhaps others. #1 it is a comfortable car and #2. the mpg can easily top 40 mpg. I have learned that coasting is real helpful to achieve that mpg number and being careful with the accelerator pedal as well. My goal is to see if I can get better than 40 mpg and will do it.

• 

  Just an average car - 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By ebisayako - December 12 - 10:30 pm

  Upon buying this car I was so impressed with the quality of the material, the fit and finish especially the quietness of the ride. Until this last few months when the doors start to rattle and the mpg is not great enough as a hybrid, average 30 mpg.

• 

  Very uncomfortable - 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Megan - October 6 - 5:53 pm

  Have had the car for a week and it is extremely uncomfortable. Wish I never bought it. My back and neck hurt badly.

• 

  Ours is a 2009 - 2014 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By pleroma02 - October 4 - 12:30 am

  Weve loved this vehicle until today when the engine light came on and we discovered that the hybridizing engine battery replacement is almost $5,000. Also, the electrically run wheels will drive your tires off at half life. If you are buying a Toyota Camry Hybrid to save money, rethink that. The dollars you save on fuel economy is way offset by the cost of tires and that trunk battery.

• 

  Having your cake and eating it - 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By ijennings1 - May 25 - 3:40 pm

  This is my first Camry. Recently I owned a 2010 Mazda 6 3.7 and a 2012 Kia Optima 2.4. The Camry simply is a class above these two. I hadnt even driven a Camry or a Hybrid before June this year. I believe cars should go around bends when asked to, which is why I never owned one. However, Toyota have re-worked the suspension and it handles better than my Mazda, although not quite as good as the Optima. The hard ride is new to Camry owners, but it is there, believe me. However, it holds the road well, the Bridgestone Turanza tires appear to help.

• 

  So far so good - 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By wise_consumer - April 23 - 8:20 pm

  We only pick the car up less then a week ago.

• 

  Underwhelming - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By B Walker - March 31 - 6:53 am

  After 10,000 miles, this car is a disappointment. Unless you drive in a way to aggravate those behind you, we average mid to high 20s when strictly in the city and 33 to 34 on the highway with cruise set between 70 and 75. The best we have done is 39 mpg on a downhill trip from the Vermont mountains to Connecticut. Go with the 4 cylinder and save $10,000. The ride is somewhat bouncy.