2018 Toyota Camry vs. 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid: Head to Head

Lots of people wonder if switching to a hybrid vehicle is worth it, and the question becomes more interesting when there are both hybrid and gasoline-only versions of a vehicle. The problem becomes really sticky when you’re considering one of the most popular midsize sedans from one of the pioneers of hybrid technology. That’s the dilemma for anyone considering the 2018 Toyota Camry or the 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid.

We we pitted these two very similar cars against each other to see if one was indeed better than the other. In several categories, they were identical, as you’d expect. But there were differences, and one did come out on top. Of course, the Camry that’s better for you is the one that works best for your lifestyle, so we included information on both models in every category.

Keep in mind that the scores on our site are updated constantly as new expert reviews and data become available. Therefore, the scores mentioned in this slideshow may not match the scores in our reviews.

Winner: Camry

The conventional wisdom holds here: The nonhybrid 2018 Toyota Camry is less expensive than its hybrid counterpart. The base Camry starts at $23,495 and ranges up to $34,950 for the top trim level with a V6 engine.

The 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid has a starting price of $27,800, a premium of more than $4,000. The top hybrid trim level, however, is $32,250, which includes leather upholstery and a head-up display. However, to get the upgraded infotainment system and moonroof found in the top trim of the conventional Camry, you’ll have to pay $4,110 for the Audio package.

Winner: Tie

These brand-new 2018 models have not yet received scores from J. D. Power, but the Camry has years of excellent reliability on record.

Both models come with a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty plus a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. The Camry Hybrid adds an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty for hybrid components, which should lessen any worries new hybrid owners might have about battery life. These warranties are all typical for the class. 

Winner: Tie

The 2018 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid were redesigned for this model year, which introduced a few problems along with the improvements. The seats are still comfortable and firm, which works well with the conventional Camry’s improved handling.

But the seats are lower than before, which might make it harder for some people to get into and out of the car. And the rear seats are a little smaller than in previous models, though there is still room – especially legroom – for adults to sit comfortably.

Winner: Camry Hybrid

The Camry and Camry Hybrid have exactly the same amount of cargo space in the trunk: 15.1 cubic feet. So why award this one to the hybrid? Because it’s unusual for a hybrid to have that much trunk space.

Usually, hybrid batteries are stashed behind the rear seats, and they encroach on the trunk space. When Toyota undertook the redesign of the 2018 Camry Hybrid, it moved the batteries to the rear seat area instead of the trunk. Thus the seats are slightly smaller, but the trunk space is equal to the Camry without a massive battery pack. That said, 15.1 cubic feet is among the smallest in the midsize sedan class. The base Camry L model has even less trunk space, at 14.1 cubic feet.

Winner: Camry

The 2018 redesign improved things inside and out for the Toyota Camry. The materials are more upscale now, with more soft-touch surfaces, even at lower trim levels. But the upper trim levels mark the difference between the Camry and Camry Hybrid. The conventional Camry has a wider variety of near-luxury choices for the top trims, including red leather upholstery and textured metal interior trim.

The Camry Hybrid has fewer differences between trim levels; high quality materials are featured on all hybrid models, with a dash of style, but no truly upscale or even flashy choices like you’ll find in the Camry XLE and XSE models.

Winner: Camry Hybrid

Both the 2018 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid have long lists of standard equipment and options packages, depending on trim level, that allow you to customize the car to your liking. But the Camry Hybrid has features that are just a little bit more advanced, like a surround-view camera.

The conventional and hybrid Camrys both have the Safety Sense suite of automatic driver assistance systems with available blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert. They also have Siri EyesFree, Google Voice Control, Bluetooth, and a USB port. Like all Toyotas, neither Camry works with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, but an upgraded and user-friendly Entune infotainment system is available. 

Winner: Camry

The revised 2018 Toyota Camry has taken a step up in the pep department. Its 203-horsepower engine is one of the most powerful in its class, and its acceleration benefits from the extra oomph. If you’d like even more oomph, there’s a V6 with 301 horsepower available for higher trim levels for and extra $5,950.

But don’t underestimate the Camry Hybrid. Its powertrain puts out a combined 208 horsepower, a bit more than the conventional Camry and more than most other hybrid sedans. The automatic transmission can be slow to shift, however. 

Winner: Camry Hybrid

This was an easy choice. The Camry Hybrid base model is rated at 51 mpg in the city and 53 mpg on the highway. Higher trim levels drop to 44 city/47 highway.

The conventional Camry is still one of the more fuel-efficient sedans on the market, not counting hybrids, at 28 mpg city and 39 mpg highway for the base model with the four-cylinder engine. If you upgrade to the six-cylinder, fuel economy drops to 22 city/32 highway. 

Winner: Tie

The 2018 Camry and Camry Hybrid have quiet cabins and smooth rides, and they’re nearly identical in this regard. As with generations of Camrys that have come before, the ride remains smooth and comfortable, with little to note.

Winner: Camry

While the ride may remain the same, the 2018 Camry got a big handling upgrade. The brakes are better, the steering is sharper, and the car feels confident in the corners. It’s still no sports car, but it makes driving the midsize sedan more fun, especially in the SE trims.

The 2018 Camry Hybrid’s handling is not bad – for a hybrid. It handles well on curving roads, but its focus on fuel efficiency means that its sportiness is curbed. 

Winner: Inconclusive

No results from independent testing agencies have come in yet, but the Toyota Camry traditionally performs very well in crash tests.

Again, when it comes to safety technology, these two are basically the same car. They both have Safety Sense and a rearview camera as standard equipment. The Camry has Safety Sense P, which includes pedestrian detection; the Camry Hybrid has adaptive cruise control as standard equipment. A head-up display, rear cross traffic alert, and blind spot monitoring are available for both cars. The only feature that the Hybrid offers that isn’t available on the gas-powered Camry is a surround-view camera system.

2018 Toyota Camry

It’s no surprise that this was a close race, but the 2018 Toyota Camry came out on top in the end. Both vehicles rank very highly among midsize cars, often trading places at the top of our list. But the Camry’s redesign gave it a little bit of a sporty edge without sacrificing the fuel economy or the comfort that fans have come to expect. It also has a few more options, including engine, interior, and tech upgrades, so you can customize your Camry to fit your needs.

That said, the Camry Hybrid tied its counterpart in several key categories due to the fact that they are very nearly the same car. But the difference is in the powertrain, and that may be where it counts for you. If fuel efficiency and the amount you’ll pay for gasoline over the lifetime of the car are important to you, then the Camry Hybrid will fit your needs more closely. But you’ll have to pay a bit more up front to save more at the pump.

To learn more about the 2018 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid, check out their reviews. Then, see how they stack up to the competition by exploring our midsize car rankings and hybrid rankings. And when it comes time to buy, use our Best Price Program to get the best deal on your new car purchase.