The 2024 Toyota Camry Hybrid review: The reliable, roomy midsize sedan gets 52 mpg

By Colin Ryan

Pricing starts at $28,855.

Pros

Roomy and comfortableGreat fuel economyDecent power

Cons

Showing its age

What's new?

No major changes

The 2024 Toyota Camry Hybrid puts many Toyota (TM) attributes -- reliability and fuel economy, for example -- into one excellent midsize sedan. Pricing starts at $28,855.

Not everyone who would like a hybrid will be happy with the compact dimensions of the Prius. The Camry Hybrid is the next logical step. It's a roomy midsize sedan with an excellent track record for safety, resale values, and reliability. Yet this variant can still get close to the Prius in terms of fuel economy. Choose an upper trim of the Prius and that can run to 52 combined mpg, the same figure as the Camry Hybrid's LE trim.

Why buy a hybrid sedan over a hybrid SUV? That could depend on where you live and/or where your life takes you. The RAV4 Hybrid achieves 40 mpg combined. The Camry Hybrid is more aerodynamically efficient, and we think it's a greater pleasure to drive. Ultimately, buyers win because they have the choice. That's why Toyota makes several hybrid vehicles, applying technology and expertise it has developed over many years.

The regular Camry sedan is reviewed separately.

Be sure to read: The electric car vs. plug-in hybrid debate: Which should you buy?

2024 Toyota Camry Hybrid pricing

The 2024 Toyota Camry Hybrid starts at $28,855. That's for the LE trim, which still comes with plenty of safety and convenience features.

   Camry LE Hybrid             $28,855 
   Camry SE Hybrid             $30,390 
   Camry SE Hybrid Nightshade  $31,390 
   Camry XLE Hybrid            $33,745 
   Camry XSE Hybrid            $34,295 

These are manufacturer's suggested retail prices and do not include the $1,095 factory-to-dealer delivery fee (destination charge).

Not every midsize sedan lineup includes a hybrid variant. The Honda (HMC) Accord does, even though it's not technically called an Accord Hybrid. It's just that the top four trims of the Accord range (all-new last year) have a hybrid drivetrain -- the most affordable being the Sport starting in the low $30K range. The revamped-for-2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is priced in the high $20K range. In case anyone is interested, the combustion-only Camry starts at $26,420. And Toyota's cool new compact Prius begins in the high $20K range.

Read more: It's faster, more powerful, sleek and sculpted: It's the 2023 Toyota Prius, transformed

Before buying a new Camry Hybrid sedan, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. Regarding resale values, there isn't much difference between this Camry and its Honda counterpart. Both fare better than the Hyundai (KR:005380) Sonata Hybrid.

What's new for 2024

The Camry Hybrid enters this model year virtually the same as it exited 2023. There's talk of a major refresh for the entire Camry lineup happening for 2025, with an on-sale date likely to happen in 2024.

Power, ride and handling

The combination of gasoline engine and electric motor propels the 2024 Camry Hybrid with 208 horsepower. That's four more than the gas-electric version of the Accord and 16 more than the Sonata Hybrid. People who buy hybrids tend to prioritize fuel economy over acceleration times, but the electric motor in this car helps to ensure sufficient zip off the line. Indeed, we actually find the Camry Hybrid more satisfying to drive than the regular, 4-cylinder Camry.

The battery doesn't need any recharging from an outside source, so the Camry Hybrid is as easy to live with on a day-to-day basis as a regular Camry -- which is really, really easy. There are no special requirements, just the usual maintenance and the occasional visit to the gas station.

The driver can click through the modes, perhaps choosing the Eco setting for commutes and suburban errands. Maybe selecting Sport when sharper throttle responses are desired.

The ride quality is tuned for comfort, even in the supposedly sportier setups of the SE and XSE. We've also found the steering to be effortless. Long journeys or city trips, the Camry Hybrid is well suited to both.

If there's a gripe, it's that the brakes take some getting used to. Because of the regeneration system that captures brake energy (and stores it in the battery), the initial bite is quite strong. That's not always the case in hybrids. Other companies have managed to make the action smoother.

Read: The pros and cons of plug-in hybrids and your guide to buying one

We've spent hundreds of hours driving and researching the current collection of best hybrid cars, including the Camry Hybrid.

Fuel economy

The base LE trim of the 2024 Camry Hybrid delivers the best fuel economy: 52 combined mpg (51 city, 53 highway). The rest of the lineup achieves 46 combined mpg (44 city, 47 highway).

The highest combined figure achieved by the hybrid Accord is 44 mpg, while the Sonata Hybrid in Blue trim can match this Camry.

Comfy interior

Most contemporary car interiors are going for simplification, but the 2024 Camry Hybrid still has a lot of detail, which has a kind of aging effect by comparison. There's the curvy and asymmetrical center console, the protruding infotainment touchscreen, and a mix of textured plastics. XLE emphasizes the luxury side with wood trim pieces, while the XSE stakes a sportier claim with metal highlights.

Large and well-cushioned front seats provide comfort even over longer drives, and outward vision is generally good. Rear passengers enjoy a generous 38 inches of legroom, not as much as the class-leading Honda Accord (with 40.8 inches), but roomy enough.

There's the same generous 15.1 cubic feet trunk space as the non-hybrid Camry sedan -- no compromise required, despite the extra battery pack. For comparison, the Honda Accord's trunk measures 16.7 cubic feet. We also like the Camry's wide aperture and low lift-over height.

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Stealthy exterior

To a casual observer, the Camry Hybrid looks no different than its regular stablemate. There are no special designs distinguishing it as the fuel-sipping variant. And only a Camry aficionado (we know they're out there) could tell the various trim levels apart. The LE has a dark gray grille, the SE goes for black, the XLE opts for shiny, and the XSE sports a gloss-black grille. The XSE is the only trim eligible for a metallic black contrasting roof. The SE Nightshade version offers bronze-finished alloy wheels.

Perhaps we've just seen so many Camry sedans during the course of our travels that we're now a bit underwhelmed by the overall look. Some people might even like the stealthy look. It's OK, but it's time for something new.

Our favorite features and tech

Infotainment systemThe version with the biggest touchscreen (9-inch) is preferable, which is optional in the two lower trims and standard in the two highest. Either way, though, this system is user-friendly, compatible with Amazon's Alexa digital assistant, and getting Apple CarPlay/Android Auto working is accomplished in moments.

Hybrid drivetrainThe Camry Hybrid would only be a Camry without it. Toyota pioneered hybrid tech and has this stuff down to a fine art these days. It turns a spacious and dependable midsize sedan into a fuel-sipper.

Hybrid energy monitorThis is one of the pages shown on the infotainment display, showing how energy flows between the engine, electric motor, battery, and wheels. It's not only interesting, but it can also help drivers optimize fuel economy.

Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+This standard array includes forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and intersection assistance (keeping a virtual eye out for oncoming vehicles when turning left).

JBL audioThe XLE and XSE offer this upgrade and it's worth checking out. JBL makes great sound equipment. The same parent company includes Mark Levinson systems, which are such a big part of the Lexus experience.

Driver Assist packageThe downside to this bundle is that it's only available with the XLE and XSE trims, and even then it's part of a larger navigation package. With the advent of Waze and Google Maps, how many of us still use a car's navigation system? The upside is that it contains a head-up display, 360-degree camera system, and front/rear parking sensors with automatic braking.

Engine and transmission

A naturally aspirated 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine provides the combustion component of the Camry Hybrid sedan's drivetrain, developing a relaxed 176 horsepower and 163 lb-ft of torque. The electric side is handled by a motor and a lithium-ion battery. This setup generates 118 horsepower and 149 lb-ft of torque.

Calculating total output is not as straightforward as just adding up the various numbers. The engine and the motor achieve their peaks at different times. Toyota quotes combined horsepower at 208. The company doesn't supply a combined torque figure for its hybrids.

An automatic transmission directs energy solely to the front wheels.

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3-year/36,000-mile warranty

Toyota's new-vehicle warranty of three years or 36,000 miles, whichever happens first, and its powertrain warranty of five years or 60,000 miles are both typical for this class, although Hyundai and Kia do better. Toyota also includes free maintenance and roadside assistance for the first two years or 25,000 miles.

Safety ratings

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10-27-23 0500ET

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