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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  New car - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Kos - April 6 - 6:10 am

  Good car. Seating could be more comfortable, mileage has averaged around 35.

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  Car good, manuals/electronics operation bad. 2017 - 2017 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By LB - March 15 - 12:14 am

  Theres a lot in this car but the dealer doesnt bother to explain how most things work, at least our dealer didnt. And the manuals are terrible, especially the navigation/radio/media one. Presumably just badly translated from the Japanese. Has such neat features as to turn off a level of auto dimming, flick the brights switch 9 times while holding down something else. And good luck in a car wash where automatic door lock opener may sort of short circuit unless you disable key and get it far from door. Other things, like having key open and close window and sunroof need to be done by dealer (who doesnt bother to ask). 8-way seat adjust is nice but you cant program in you settings so must readjust everything every time you switch drivers (its been many years since I owned a car that didnt do this). So I have complaints about things that could be and should have been easily dealt with by company and dealer. But so far (2000mi) no complaints at all about the big stuff like how it runs.

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  New Hybrid Owner - 2013 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By J. Pilon - March 4 - 5:00 am

  Just bought a used 2013 Toyota Camry Hybrid - 24k miles. Love the color, the features, the ride, the gas mileage! One odd flaw: for some reason, the driver seat in my very well taken care of pre-owned car is not very comfortable at all! It feels like there is a box under the seat! The cushion just doesnt provide enough comfort - which sucks for me - because I commute about 40 miles one way to work and am stuck in traffic here in Houston more than Id like. Im average height and build, so I dont think my size is the issue. The car is a little hard to get used to - hybrids make strange noises that non-hybrids do not! But overall, it rides very smoothly and accelerates like a dream! Im averaging about 40MPG highway - awesome. I love my new Camry Hybrid - just do NOT think the comfort of the drivers seat is all that great.

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  Not Getting neare 40 mpg - 2013 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By donko - February 28 - 3:34 am

  I have about 9K miles on my 2012 XLE and I have yet to get near 40mpg. I get between 36-37 mpg in Eco mode. What gives? Should I contact my dealer on this and/or is this normal?

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  Update at 1800 miles - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Stewn - February 15 - 2:46 am

  At 1,800 miles I couldnt be happier with the Camry Hybrid. Went 502 miles on just under three quarters of a tank and averaged 39.2. The trip included steep mountain freeway driving. It handles well, has ample power and is extremely quiet except on the roughest of roads. Overall mpg is 36. Try to drive 70 mph when it is safe to do so. At a steady 65 on relatively flat road I would expect to average 40+ mph.

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  Incredible vehicle - 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By david hatchel - February 7 - 2:43 am

  I bought a new 08 camry hybrid two weeks ago - what a great car. One day on the way to work I got 40 mpg, another day 43 mpg!!! I ran almost all the way to work at 43 mph on whittier blvd, very light traffic at 5:30 a.m. on just the electric motor. Mine was made in japan, silver, jbl sound system, leather. It is so quiet. Mine seems to have a lot of power! Im very happy to have it.

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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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  Fully Loaded Camry Hybrid - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By TKCamry - January 12 - 5:23 pm

  Excellent acceleration for an economy hybrid. Less than 8 sec to 60 mph. And it gets good mileage so far - about 37 mpg. It isnt a sports car, but it handles well; is quiet on the highway; and seats are comfortable.

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  Love my Hybrid - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Leah - January 12 - 4:43 am

  Has as much or more power than any prev. vehicle Ive owned. Very quick take offs when needed! Really performs well. Hugs the curves. Has a smooth ride, almost like gliding, especially in electric mode. First couple tanks of gas, we got just over 36 MPG, but that has consistently gotten better. The stereo is out of this world!! I think it comes standard. This car has been mistaken for higher end cars, one thought it was a Lexus, another thought it was a Mercedes. People always overestimate the price of the car. Overall, I LOVE THIS CAR!!!

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  heated seats? - 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By pabrocb - January 9 - 12:43 am

  I retired early. When I worked I drove 100 miles a day. We put an additional 10K miles on this car in a year. I think everyone in the family takes it to save gas. Other car is a BMW 330 convertible, my last car was a Passat Wagon all wheel drive.