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:

• 

  Camry Hybrid - 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Brukat - November 15 - 11:36 am

  3rd Camry, 1st hybrid. We LOVE this car. It teaches you how to get more MPG. Passed on big nav/stereo. Leather was well worth the $. I can keep up with all traffic and stay at 40 mpg. Quiet, roomy, comfortable. Driver classes should consider this car. Power when needed. Consider trunk size when testing, it works for us. CD player has trouble with home made cd/mp3s. Patch in an iPod and go. Watch traffic and red-lights, you CAN beat the stated MPG. We save money at every red-light, the car is off. I have traveled over a mile on electric in town. This car gives all the data you need to make the most of your fuel. Toyotas are like spouses, you may be tired of them before you wear them out.

• 

  Like driving the Batmobile! - 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Dr. M - November 6 - 4:23 pm

  The wonderful way I get to drive past the gas station way more often than I could in my 2005 Mustang GT is an enormous plus with this beautiful car, but the total package is a bigger plus. The interior is outstanding. The fit and finish is near-Lexus quality, and the ride is firm when it should be and soft when it should be. This is the car I have been waiting for! Handsome and frugal. I love this car!

• 

  The best hybrid out there? - 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By AlbertaTCH - November 5 - 10:16 am

  Amazing fuel economy & about 1/2 the greenhouse gases emitted! Over the last 6 tanks we have averaged between 42-50 mpg (4.9-5.7L/100km). The TCH is extremely quiet, comfortable, and luxurious. At this time, I would highly recommend the TCH to anyone who would like a safe, secure, and, ultimately, fuel efficient ride. The Toyota reliability alone, should sway most who are sitting on the fence with this exceptional hybrid vehicle. You wont be disappointed!

• 

  Variability in Quality - 2011 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By garyn - October 19 - 5:50 am

  Had a dealership bring in a particular color combination for a test drive and probable purchase. Car drove well but form and fit of the dash components I thought was substandard. The leather seating was already wrinkled with only 150 miles on the car. I checked out other Camrys at the dealership and found similar variability. The dealer representative told me that this is the way most were! I went to a second dealership and found an identical car in the lot. This car had perfect fit. Proceeded to buy this one. Very happy with it so far. Bought an extended warranty because I have no experience with Toyota or a hybrid for that matter.

• 

  Worth the Wait - 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Mvince - October 18 - 2:56 pm

  Car is extremely quiet and offers a good ride, and has enough juice when you need it. Averaging low 30s on mileage, as expected. Nice to move to regular gas from premium on my old car as well. Trunk is small, as others have noted, but generally enough for what I haul around. Am sure Ill be just as happy with this purchase a few years down the road as I am now.

• 

  Great Car - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Pleased Owner - October 18 - 6:06 am

  This is an incredibly comfortable, quiet, and well thought-out car. Am averaging a little over 40 mpg, driving 60 - 80 mph on the highway about 70% of the time, with 20 to 40 mph city driving about 15% of the time, and stop and go big city traffic the remainder of the time. I find myself becoming increasingly obsessed with watching my driving habits, but still drive this like a normal car - I havent become a complete hybrid geek... yet. With the tax credit (currently being phased out), the cost compares very well to similarly equipped gas Camry. Handling is good for this type of car, and exceeds expectations for a Camry (earlier Camry handling too soft for my liking). Try it!

• 

  Great Gas Saver! - 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By luvhybrid1122 - September 29 - 9:20 pm

  Get my 2009 Camry hybrid from web dealer, they delivered to my house to sign paper work. Mine has all available options from Toyota. MSRP over $31500, but the interior still has lot of cheap plastic, wonder that XLE may have better interior. The other car in my house is 2002-3 MB E320. I definitely love the hybrid better for outstanding mileage, its Bluetooth, navigation. The gas warning light on when about 13 gallons burned. So I fill gas around every 13 gallons with around 500 miles. Average 38.46 MPG. The car only delivers 300 miles with same amount premium gas. Not bad!

• 

  2007 Camry Hybrid - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By gr - September 16 - 8:43 am

  A fun car to drive. Unlike the sticker information, it gets better mileage on the highway than in the city. Using cruise control seems to boost the mileage a bit.

• 

  Nice car - 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Waleed almekhlafi - September 14 - 11:58 pm

  Its an airplane riding the ground. So dont worry ride and enjoy.

• 

  My third Camry - 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By ricus - September 9 - 8:30 pm

  I have been a Camry owner now since 1992. I just bought the Hybrid about a month ago. I really love this car and I am getting right at 38MPG with only 500 miles on the car. I expect to get a bit more once it is fully broken in. The ride is a bit softer than my earlier Camrys but since I am getting older, I do not mind that the car ride a bit softer. I am still learning all that this car can do but I am continually impress on just how quiet the car is and how much better this JBL sound system is. This 2009 feels bigger than my previous models and I have to take more time to get it out of the garage. In 8 to 10 years, I will most likely buy another Camry. These are great cars for the money.