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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  Camry Hybrid - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By GOALLDA - July 20 - 3:10 am

  Toyota has paid attention to comfort - Quiet ride - Surprising power for a hybrid - plenty of legroom in front and back - good sound system - Interior seems to be too "plasticy" (hows that for a word?) - I feel safe driving this car - trunk space small, but one learns to live with it - I would recommend this vehicle to anyone who wants fuel economy with comfort.

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  Great Car - 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By camrydc - July 14 - 4:03 am

  Turned in my 5 series bmw for this car. No more premium fuel and Im almost doubling my mileage! This is one high technology vehicle. I got all the bells and whistles. Very comfortable and after half a tank am averaging 37.1 mpg commuting into Washington DC.

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  The best! - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Wow! - July 9 - 5:10 pm

  What a fantastic car! WeÂ’ve had it for about 2 months now and are really impressed with the quality and the technology built into this vehicle. It drives soooooooo smooth and is so quiet. Is it because of the CVT? Possibly. It makes you want to drive more. Terrific mpg which is competitive to that of the smallest conventional engine Toyota cars (I think only Yaris has a comparable mpg with the Camry Hybrid). True, mpg not as good as the PriusÂ’s but the Camry is a much heavier and better car, IMO. We bought for it safety (7 airbags plus all the other safety features you can find) and comfort but we also end up saving gas and helping the environment!

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  Toyota is slipping. - 2014 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By lovetodrive123 - June 26 - 9:42 pm

  This is my fourth Toyota Camry and my second XLE hybrid. My 2011 hybrid vibrated when it was at rest. The 2014 is much improved in this respect. The 2014 also has quicker acceleration and better handling. In other respects, Toyota has really made the car less desirable. Most notably, the drivers seat doesnt have enough padding. It is rock hard and uncomfortable right in the middle. Cant imagine why they would save a little money and make such a big mistake in comfort. Also, I can no longer fit my umbrella in the side pockets on the doors. Everything falls out of the glove compartment on the passenger side. Glove compartment in the center no longer has the basket that held my pen.

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  Oh what a feeling - 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By 2 many suvs - June 16 - 10:30 am

  Bought this vehicle exactly 3 days ago and have put 300 miles on it. It is a wonderful car. Good acceleration, very comfortable ride and I love the gas mileage. My wife and I drive over 2600 miles a month with kids, commuting and misc. activities. This will drop our fuel consumption in half in no time. We are averaging 37.5 mpg on the first tank. It can only get better as we get used to it.

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  Just outstanding - 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Craig - June 16 - 7:00 am

  We have the fully loaded Camry Hybrid and it is incredible. At 37+ mpg, and with the large Colorado State tax credit this will actually save us a lot of money relative to a regular Camry (the federal alternative fuels website has a link to the state hybrid incentives -- be sure to check it out). The driving experience is amazing, once you get used to the pleasures of driving a Hybrid. Push button start, extreme quietness, and a full information displays regarding how the engine is operating (must be seen to be believed). And of course Toyota has packed this full of well designed features.

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  Quiet ride with great MPG - 2011 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Philken - May 25 - 9:10 am

  This car has a great and quiet ride. I am averaging about 38 MPG city/highway driving. I got 43.8 MPG on one recent interstate trip! Interior is roomy. Only complaint is poor acceleration from take-off.

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  I never thought Id buy a hybrid until - 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By nu2grn - May 8 - 6:43 am

  I saw her, a black/bisque leather TCH beauty amidst a sea of new dealership arrivals. I was considering the Prius, but just couldnt hang with the "egg with suspenders" look. After one look and drive of the TCH, I was totally enthralled. The technology is just mind-boggling! I have much to learn about the science (and art) of the hypermile, but so far I am grinning ear to ear each time I get behind the wheel of this gem. Comfortable, smooth and quiet ride, geek-numbing techno gadgets (Bluetooth, nav, way-cool energy monitoring capability, audiophile JBL system,etc.), legendary Toyota reliability and fit/finish. I have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending this outstanding vehicle!

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  2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid - 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Jerry G - May 4 - 1:36 pm

  I had a 2002 Avalon and was thinking of buying a new 2008 when I looked at the Camry Hybrid. The trunk is the only really comedown, after owning one for 3 months now, its the best car I have ever had. Quiet, roomy & comfortable, stylist, 37-40 mpg, and a lot of creature comforts. You wont be disappointed.

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  Not To happy - 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Lanenn - April 21 - 9:30 am

  I did heavy research before I traded my 2004 Chevy Maxx. Read every report, drove some other cars,and this Camry Hybrid seemed to be the very best I could buy. Safe, good trade value, good mileage..maybe at 71 years old my last car. Now after almost 8 mos. I have been very sorry I purchased this car. Gas mileage not so great, better in summer then winter. Interior very plan,fun to drive, answer: no.Now with all the bad coming about Toyota, even if this Camry Hybrid is not on any recall..YET the value is sure to fall off. I should have stayed with Ford or Chevy. There all some other things about this Camry that are becoming more of a disappointment to me and my wife. The AC/heat control are poor.