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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  Great Ride and Mileage - 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Sean - November 27 - 3:43 pm

  I test drove several hybrids before settling for the Camry, and what won me over was the handling, the ride and the smooth transition from gas to electric. I currently have about 2900 miles on my Camry and have even taken it on a road trip and my fuel average is 39.9 miles per gallon. Much better than the EPA estimate for the 2008 model. Coming from a VW suv that got 16.5 mpg this is a god send, since the prices of gas keep rising. I got the fully loaded Camry with leather and navigation. This is the best car I have ever owned. Thank you Toyota

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  Yowzah - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By scsil - November 27 - 6:10 am

  A very impressive auto. Have driven over a week, 550 miles on one tank, 36-37 MPG, mostly highway. All the fuel saving feedback really has an effect on how you drive, which is a positive for me--I was something of a leadfoot. Leather seats are quite comfortable. Plenty of room, even with sunroof, for tall driver. Quiet on freeway, and particularly at lower speeds; it starts nearly silently. Good sound system adjusts to what road noise there is. Just as much pickup as my 2000 Accord SE 4 cyl.; no problem keeping up on highway. Bluetooth is cool; so is nav, but still learning how to use it. Really a technologically impressive vehicle for $30K. At least as cool as my relatives Lexus.

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  2010 Toyota Camry - 2010 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Peggy Sanders - November 26 - 8:06 am

  I am so excited about my first hybrid. I love this car! It is so comfortable and exciting to drive. The unusual color (green mica) has people commenting constantly. The mileage is amazing. This is my first Toyota.

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  Love my Camry - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Jeff - November 19 - 4:46 pm

  Great car, with surprising power and amenities. I was hesitant to purchase a hybrid, but am very happy and pleased with my choice of brand. I would recommend this car to anyone.

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  Terrible car, do not get! - 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By ruthey - November 16 - 10:00 am

  I have had this car for a little over a year. I got this car as my first car. I am currently 18, i got this car when i was 17. I was so excited to get a car and my dad told me i had to get this one. It worked ok for the first few months but slowly gone down hill. when the recalls came out, and they replaced the recalled items. that is when the problems had started beside from the air conditioner and heater. it smells like smoke when i turn it on, so i do not use it. it is loud and it takes off from me. i hate this car and i will never buy another Toyota and Toyota doesnt do anything and refuse to. I tried to get it as a lemon but since theyll take it not do anything, it cant go through as 1

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  Awesome Car! - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By JamiEimaJ - November 8 - 4:53 pm

  Its been almost 2 months since Ive owned the Camry Hybrid. Ive been getting an average of 37 mpg after 4 fill-ups. This car has all the features and technology that you can find only in luxury cars like Lexus and Acura. Ive changed my driving style since I started driving it. I no longer put the pedal to the metal on green lights, I drive at the speed limit and I try to use electric only whenever possible. Also, I started to laugh at the big fat SUVs and how much gas theyre wasting as the speed past me. :)

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  First Hybrid, Second Camry - 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Dianne - October 29 - 2:20 pm

  I have now driven this vehicle for approximately 10,000 miles. I bought it with all the amenities. The leather interior is top notch. It comfortably seats 4 adults. Not being a techno geek, the blue tooth was easy to set up and is crystal clear. Trunk space is small by Toyota standards, but roomy by other maker standards. The ride is smooth and quiet. Gas mileage great. Sound system and GPS are fabulous. ONE ANNOYING PROBLEM: the gas cap loosens itself and causes the check engine light to engage. I do not top off and carefully make sure the gas cap is tightly closed, but it somehow loosens! When I tighten the cap, the light will eventually turn off. Seems related to air pressure in the tank.

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  The absolute BEST car Ive ever owned - 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Lauren Perreault - October 28 - 2:30 am

  This car is so much fun to drive! I came off of a big SUV and it is so nice to maneuver this baby around. Easy to park, looks like it cost much more (people usually think it is a Lexus or Mercedes) and perfect for me, a Realtor, to take clients around in as it is comfortable for them to sit in the back seat and looks expensive enough that they dont think Im not successful. Mileage is terrific -- 32 around town (LOTS of stop and go as you can imagine) and 44 hwy. I love the whine of the hybrid -- sounds so space age. The only thing to be careful of is that it is so quiet in reverse that people in parking lots dont realize your car is on and moving, so you have to watch out for them!

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  Excellent Car for the Environment - 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By nukenight - October 16 - 8:56 pm

  Bought in Jan and traded Maxima SL for Hybrid. Great mileage, excellent ride, comfortable. Only complaint, want more luxury features. Mileage is dependent on season (AC cuts it down). Got 41 mpg on long trip to CA in August. Plenty of pep for passing and rides exceptionally well. Smooth transition from electric to gas and back. Almost luxury level interior. Wish for auto seat/mirror/steering adjust from Maxima, but other than that, my wife loves it, and she hates most cars!!!

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  be carefull - 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By stevenh2 - October 14 - 2:57 pm

  I had wrote a previous review which i like to update. HERE IS A WARNING ON KEYLESS IGNITIONS.. I went to a restaurant and parked my camry. i was distract, i thought my car was off , the lights and the engine was off. 1.5 hrs later i returned to my camry to find the lights on and the engine running. if this had been in my garage i could have died from carbon monixide poising.. the engine goes on when the battery runs down. this is scary and a feature that has to be recitified. they were 4 deaths in palm beach cty from this from a gasoline engine lexus.so a hybrid could be worse. make sure you button to the ignition is off.the car recoginizes the wireless key.it doenot dissengage when leaving