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:
Showing 491 through 500 of 552.00-
My Camie - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
By freeagn - February 18 - 7:03 pmThe Camry Hybrid is still amazing me. Today I was able to pin the trip computer at 40 mpg on a 5 mile trip. I was able to coast and pulse for about 4 minutes. Still on my first tank with 400 miles and a 1/4 tank left. The computer says I have 105 miles to empty. The JBL stereo is great. It can hold my hold music library of 1200 mp3s on 6 cds. Im good for 60 hour road trip. I like the high drivers seating position. Its so quiet its freaky. I had to make a quick T entrance on to a 2 lane country road and was surprise with the acceleration. All-in all I couldnt be more pleased.
-
Overjoyed - 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
By David - February 13 - 7:23 pmWow, what a car. The 09 is slightly bigger then the 08 which enlarged the trunk somewhat. It is one good looking auto. Electric motor battery is relatively small and is attached under the rear window shelf. Love the keyless system--when you carry the fob it knows its you and unlocks the door as you approach. Push button start is very futuristic and fun. Gas mileage is great. My first tank in town averaged 33 mpg. On level road at 65 mph the fuel consumption stayed steady at 45 mpg. Continuous mpg display replaces the tachometer. The ride is solid and smooth and the car handles great. Good power as the electric motor supplements the gas engine when needed.
-
Love My New Car! - 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
By lschaaf - February 9 - 10:50 amI was really excited to get this car, it was getting tough to find one on a dealer lot. Ive been averaging 42 MPG if I hit the highway and 33-35 mpg running errands around town. Plenty of power, we also have a 4 cyl Camry and it has a lot more get up and go than the 4 cyl.
-
Love my Camry - 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid
By striner23 - January 24 - 4:20 amIv had my Camry since Feb 1012. I have 11,000 miles on it. I traded in my 2010 Prius for this car. I like my Prius but my Camry is so much more car. My wife has back pain and has a hard time riding in any car as she feels every bump. She has really notice the ride in the Camry to be more comfortable then any other car she has rode in. I was getting 42 mpg mixed driving all summer. Now that winter grade gas is out my mpg is 38 mixed driving. I warm the car for 15 mins before driving. This is the same consistency I was getting with my Prius. Winter grade gas has a higher vapor pressure to help your car start in cold climates. This also will cause you to get 2 to 4 mpg less.
-
Owned for 20 months - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
By jeff - January 15 - 1:36 amI wanted to write this review for two reasons. First, to indicate my impressions on the car. Second about Edmunds ratings. The car itself has been great and all that was advertised. I have averaged about 36 MPG, 42 on highway trips. The trunk is smaller than a normal Camry, but it has enough height to make it very usable. I have it loaded with leather and Nav, most people dont really see the difference between this and another loaded Camry. Very please thus far and have had no problems. Edmunds seems to rate this vehicle low, but i dont think they rate almost any hybrid high unless it is like the high end Lexus LS ($100K). Edmunds tends to rate on pure power and not usability
-
Big Mistake: traded 03 Avalon for Camry Hybrid - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
By bing - January 11 - 3:16 amThe poor mileage is biggest problem (34). Not significantly better than gas camry V6. Lack of trunk space is very close second biggest problem. No, on second thought, its a tie for first. NO TRUNK SPACE. Minor problem: very poor AM Radio reception. Much worse than other Toyotas Ive owned. Mileage:the improvement over the gas Camrys is not worth the money and hassles of the Camry Hybrid.
-
Great car - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
By rmelling - January 9 - 4:30 amNo problems at all after 4 months. It has performed above expectations. 43 mpg doing 65 most of 325 mile trip.
-
One of the first TCH sold in the country - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
By SJ - January 7 - 1:23 pmBTW.. Love the car. Feels heavy car to drive. Kind of like a cadillac. Kids love it. Averaged 42 MPG on the 45 mile trip back from the dealership. It is really cool that the engine shuts off.
-
50K and still going strong - 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
By dkgoren - January 4 - 3:46 pmMy 09 Camry Hybrid is approaching 3 years old and just hit 50K miles. The car has been extremely reiliable, with no mechanical failures and just doing basic maintance (oil changes every 5-7K, tire rotations, etc). I live in Maine, so in the winter, the mileage does drop to around 32, but in the summer, it can be as high as about 38 - thats not to say that I cant get above that for shorter amounts of time, but Ive yet to have a full tank average more than about 39MPG......Im still very happy with the mileage, especially with current gas prices.
-
Best Hybrid or sedan right now - 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid
By stevenh2 - December 16 - 5:27 amTHIS 2012 CAMRY is amazing, got a xle fully equipped in white beige interior. the ride is excellent,the inside space is very good,the mileage ,ist fill 40.4 mpg 2nd 38.6 mpg 3rd.42.4 mpg.. city 60%40% hwy.amazing.it has a spare tire,the car can move0-60 in 7.2 sec.. better than a four cyl,almost as good as a six cyl.no hessitation like the sonota hybrid.bigger trunk,.bigger than ther fusion,the sun roof on the fusion hits my head. negatives- the car is going back to repair the stching on the leather which is crimped &looks cheap,electronic steering to loose. also cheap plastic inside otherwise a great car.consumers rated it 93 thats the highest no right now.
