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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  Wonderful car - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Vanessa - December 14 - 9:06 am

  The Camry rides so smooth. On a long trip it is great! There is hardly any inside noise. I love the handsfree phone system. The seats have more support and adjust very easily. The gas mileage is great too!! I am getting over 35 mpg and that is mostly highway driving. You cant tell when the engine starts while driving. No jerks or power jumps. The gauges are easy to see and the monitoring system is wonderful. I do like my music and the Camry has an 8 speaker and 6 disc system. I would recommend for any generation to get one of these.

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  Would give it back in a second - 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By meghan - December 8 - 11:10 pm

  If I could exchange my lease, I would do it today! This Camry is so uncomfortable, my back aches. Have had it for a little over 2 weeks and it hasnt gotten any better.

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  Good Overall but Some Quirks - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By wiha - December 7 - 7:20 am

  Ive had Camry Hybrid for about 6 months (6,000 mi). Overall, I am very pleased with the performance of the car. The ride is smooth, the engine works with aplomb, and the brakes are superbly effective. The keyless system is great once you get used to it. In the minus column, my center console constantly squeaks unless riding on a perfectly smooth road. The dealer so far has been unable to fix it. My second gripe is that water collects on the exterior lower door sills (usually dirty road water). This may not seem like a big deal, but sooner or later your pants will brush up against this water (in my case sooner and often). Keep a spare pair in the trunk.

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  Dangers of Auto Dimming Rear View Mirror - 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Fred - November 24 - 12:53 pm

  In the daylight, it works like an ordinary mirror, but at nighttime it works like a strobe. In city driving each time you pass a lit sign it decides whether to darken or stay in daytime mode. Theres a lag time in its transformation, resulting in blinding light reflecting in your eyes when you pass a sign, followed by the mirror darkening, then going back to daytime mode just in time for the next lit sign, thus blinding you again. On the highway, when a car is directly behind you the mirror stays in the nighttime mode, when that car changes lanes the mirror switches to daytime mode and youre blinded by the next car until it gets close enough to activate the nighttime mode.

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  Navigation Disaster - 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By navdisappointment - November 20 - 9:13 pm

  Purchased my 08 Camry Hybrid in late 07. Previously drove a Honda Pilot with nav. Cannot live without the navigation, would not consider any car without it. The 2008 toyota camry hybrid navigation system is completely useless. There is NO ability to program or reprogram the navigation system unless fully stopped. Old models had overrides, but no more! This dirty secret will soon be well known and poof goes any value for the nav on re-sale, which by the way for me will be within two years. This is a huge problem and not how the majority of these systems work.

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  Best car I have ever had - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By Ann - November 13 - 4:06 pm

  Traded in my thirsty Nissan Pathfinder and havent regretted it for a moment. I have the blue color with bisque leather and Navigation. The car is very comfortable for both driver and passengers. I have been getting 38-39 mpg for the last few tanks of gas. The first couple months were about 37 mpg. I have learned how to drive differently to conserve gas (funny, its also safer driving!). I have no squeaking noises in the interior at all. Has enough immediate acceleration to pass on the left without fear. NO regrets at all here!!

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  Best Hybrid I have ever owned or driven! - 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By djmontierth - November 9 - 5:03 am

  I have been driving Hybrids since 2004. I owned a Prius, and Insight. I have driven the Fusion and was seriously considering the new Fusion to come ... someday... I have driven the Volt and the techno wizardry is way cool but the numbers and economy for my long commute dont make sense. I drove the Priuc C and it is cool and efficient to be sure.. Easily averaged 57mpg but it seemed small like my Honda Insight. I drove the 3rd Gen Prius and thought it a major improvement over my 2nd Gen in ride and economy. Then I drove the Camery and practiced my hyper-milage skills I learned just to see what I could do around town. I got 63 in town and 53 on the hwy. Driving normal I got 47 mpg

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  Love it! - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By gc77584 - October 31 - 8:40 am

  I bought this car almost sight-unseen and with no test drive. I havent regretted the decision even once. Traded in a 98 4cyl Camry XLE and the 2007 Camry Hybrid is quite a bit larger, rides smoother and is more powerful. Plenty of pickup when needed, such as entering freeway. I have 3200+ miles on it and have had zero problems. Yes, the trunk is smaller than a non-hybrid Camry but I knew that prior to purchase and its plenty big for me.

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  I love it! Fun to drive!!! - 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By JFLY - October 21 - 8:26 am

  I bought this car on June 7th with the following: alloy wheels, bluetooth, 6-cd changer, JBL upgraded sound sytem, heated outside mirrors, dim rearview mirror with compass and floor mats. I never imagined how much fun this car is to drive, you gotta drive it to believe it and know what everyone means when they say this. It is really quiet and rides very smooth. Best car ever!!

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  18 months later - 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
  By SR - October 16 - 10:03 pm

  In first 18 months, this car has performed well, with excellent mileage, but I have been surprised to see a dramatic decline in the design and assembly quality that I found in my prior two Toyotas. The fuel economy is as good as other posters report (40-43 summer, 35-38 winter). Quality problems include incessant front dash rattles that the dealer cannot fix, no matter how many visits; cheap front and rear bumpers that crack as soon as you are touched by another car in a parking space; interior plastics and exterior paint that scratch at the drop of a hat.