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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  No disappointments - 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Chuck - September 27 - 9:46 pm

  My wife and I took a road trip so the first week was more highway than city driving but we averaged 40.2 MPG. We have owned Lexus and Mercedes cars and SUVs and the Toyota is almost as quiet, the fit and finish is good, not a big fan of all the plastic but hey the car was under $30k with navigation, leather heated seats, upgraded stereo, sunroof, etc. Would definitely buy again. As I said no disappointments.

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  Hoping for many happy years! - 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Hybrid lover - September 21 - 12:23 am

  I purchased this car just over a week ago. Ive been extremely happy with the smooth (and silent) ride. Ive changed my driving habits and know that Im getting better gas mileage as a result. Bluetooth works if you speak slowly and at a normal level... took me 2-3 times to nail that down and now "dial by number" is a breeze.

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  Great ride! - 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By daveyboy - September 15 - 11:10 pm

  Im a Toyota man. This Camry is another high quality vehicle. Im getting 39 mpg most of the time. Im thinking about trading my wifes Honda Pilot (15 mpg) for a Highlander Hybrid.

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  I will never buy another Toyota AGAIN!!! - 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By joshuacoombs - September 11 - 5:00 am

  This car stinks!!! Had to replace the tires at 20k miles. Toyota said the tires are not them but bridgestone. Bridgestone said the tires have no warranty but tried to sell me new ones for $650. The car has been in the shop twice in less then two years. The brakes had to be fixed at 15k miles, the radio at 17k miles. I will never buy anther Toyota again! And I suggest you dont make the same mistake I did.

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  Great Car - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Mark - September 9 - 12:03 pm

  I have never owned a Toyota, so this is my first experience. The quality of this car is very impressive more than any other car I have owned. You can feel the paint on the car and can tell it has many layers of paint. The quality inside is very good. The air conditioning cools quickly and the sound system is robust. The tire pressure gauge system really works. One of my tires lost four pounds and the light on the dash came on, checked the tires and sure enought one tire was leaking so it was caught before it went flat. The keyless entry system is great, just push a button. Has controllable rear air for the back seat passengers. Car is the most quiet car I have ever owned.

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  OH, WHAT A FEELING!! - 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By sparkland - August 27 - 2:23 am

  This is our first hybrid but our fourth Camry. We changed our allegiance from Toyota to Honda when the Camry appearance became a little too boring. We traded in our 2008 Accord for this new and improved 2012 Camry Hybrid XLE. My wife loves the superior mileage while driving back and forth to work in town. The car is spacious and has one of the largest cabins of any car in its class. The interior is quiet and comfortable. The Camry seems like the "cone of silence" compared with our Accord on the highway. The CVT transmission makes the auto shifting nearly impossible to detect--a very nice feature. I know hybrids are not for everyone, but please at least take a test drive--impressive.

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  2007 hybrid camry - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By steve - August 16 - 4:30 am

  In the heat of phoenix averaging between 31 to 36 mpg in town. On the highway getting 40. car is one month old & is by far the funnest to drive Ive ever had.

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  50th Anniversary Edition Camry Hybrid - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Nancy C - August 12 - 7:30 am

  If having second thoughts about buying, go buy it now! Wont regret it. Love the acceleration, has as much kick as my previous Mercedes C-320. Currently doing about 35 mpg in the city, have done as much as 38; on the highway you can get 38+ if cruising, all depends how you drive. I have a heavy foot. Word of advice, had to get the 50th Anniversary Edition to get the elegant interior I wanted. Regular model looks cheap inside, too much plastic trim, shame on you Toyota! Navigation system, bluetooth, audio, voice recognition, smart key, etc., are fabulous. I love my car! If considering a Lexus ES as I was, this Camry edition has it all + gas savings.

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  Liking the 2009 Camry Red Hybrid - 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Ronbo - August 12 - 12:33 am

  I looked at this website before ordering a Camry Hybrid. I only have a little over 400 miles on it but am averaging 41.5 mpg so far, mostly mixed country and city driving. In the city I learned to bring it up to speed after stopping for lights, then back off on the gas and it stays in electric mode much of the time up to about about 43 mph. I have a stretch of flat county road 55 mph that I take to town and back and it stays at 50 mpg or just under on that stretch. Fun to drive and sure wont have to worry about speeding trying to get the best mileage out of it.

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  Highway Mileage 43.5 - 2011 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Slipshod - August 9 - 9:33 pm

  I drive 50 miles each way on 495 from MA into NH. Up and down highway. Im getting 43.5+ mpg so far.