2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid

Is the Toyota Camry Hybrid a Good Car?

The Toyota Camry Hybrid is a great choice compared to other hybrids and midsize cars. It gets better fuel economy than many hybrid rivals, and the ride quality is all-day smooth. Both rows of seats offer plenty of space for passengers to get comfortable. Because Toyota relocated the battery to under the rear seat, the Camry Hybrid now has more cargo room than most other hybrid sedans.

Sure, there are a few weak spots to the Camry Hybrid, though they shouldn’t scare you away. Other hybrids have nimbler handling, but the new Camry Hybrid is sportier looking and more engaging to drive than ever. You still can't get the latest tech like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in the Camry. Still, the car still has a long list of standard and available features, including lots of driver assistance technology.

Should I Buy the Toyota Camry Hybrid?

The redesigned Camry Hybrid is one of the best midsize hybrid choices out there, and it should definitely be on your list of cars to check out. There are some other attractive hybrid options worth considering, though. The Honda Accord Hybrid boasts excellent fuel economy estimates, an upscale interior, and plenty of room. Then there’s the gold standard for hybrids – the Toyota Prius. Though it falls in the smaller compact car class, the Prius has more cargo space than the Camry Hybrid does, and it costs less too. The Camry Hybrid is an excellent car, but if you want to cast your net a little wider, those are two good alternatives.

Compare the Camry Hybrid, Accord Hybrid, and Prius »

Should I Buy a New or Used Toyota Camry Hybrid?

The Camry Hybrid is completely redesigned for 2018. Performance is improved across the board: the hybrid powertrain gains 8 horsepower (208 versus the 2017's 200 horsepower), while fuel economy gets a boost to 51 mpg in the city and 53 mpg on the highway. (In comparison, the 2017 model only earned up to 42/38 mpg city/highway.) A new Sport driving mode and improved handling also increase the Camry Hybrid's overall performance chops. All 2018 Camry Hybrid trims come standard with several advanced safety features, including a pre-collision warning system, lane departure warning with steering assist, and adaptive cruise control. These features were only available in the top trim of the previous generation.

It is possible for you to save money by shopping for a used 2017 or older Camry Hybrid (likely thousands of dollars with a 2016 Camry Hybrid compared with a new model, for example), but you won't get the benefits of the vehicle's 2018 redesign. If you're considering an older model, be sure to read our 2017 Camry Hybrid review to help you decide if you can live without the 2018 model's long list of improvements. Then, check out our Used Car Deals page to learn about savings and discounts on used vehicles.

Compare the 2016, 2017, and 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid »

We Did the Research for You: 24 Reviews Analyzed

For our 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid full review, we researched dozens of professional evaluations, along with safety scores, reliability data, and cost of ownership estimates, to help you make the best buying decision possible.

Why You Can Trust Us

U.S. News Best Cars has been ranking and reviewing vehicles since 2007, and our team has more than a combined 75 years of experience in the automotive industry. To maintain objectivity, we don't accept incentives or expensive gifts from car companies, and an outside team handles the ads on our site.

How Much Does the Toyota Camry Hybrid Cost?

The Toyota Camry Hybrid LE (the base trim) has a starting MSRP of $27,800. While that’s more than most midsize cars, it’s middle-of-the-pack for a midsize hybrid. There are two higher Camry Hybrid trims: the SE ($29,500) and the top-of-the-line XLE ($32,250).

Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for great savings at your local Toyota dealer. You can also find excellent manufacturer incentives on our Toyota deals page.

Toyota Camry Hybrid Versus the Competition

Which Is Better: Toyota Camry Hybrid or Toyota Prius?

The Toyota Prius has long set the bar for what a hybrid should be, but the Camry Hybrid is coming for the crown. After its redesign, the current-generation Camry Hybrid is now just about as fuel-efficient as the Prius, while also being more powerful and more engaging to drive. Inside, both of these Toyotas offer a high-quality space. The midsize Camry offers more passenger room, but the hatchback Prius gives you much more cargo space. Each car has a similar list of features, including safety and driver assistance technology. Your choice may also come down to how much you want to spend; the Camry’s starting price is roughly $3,000 higher than the Prius.

Which Is Better: Toyota Camry Hybrid or Honda Accord Hybrid?

The Honda Accord Hybrid was also redesigned for the 2018 model year, and like the Camry, it rates well for reliability and crash safety. Both are fine options in this highly competitive class, though the Camry is a bit more impressive overall. It gets superior fuel economy ratings and boasts a more upscale interior. That said, the Camry Hybrid costs nearly $3,000 more than the Accord Hybrid. Whether it's worth the extra money is up to you.

Compare the Camry Hybrid, Prius, and Accord Hybrid »

Camry Hybrid Interior

How Many People Does the Camry Hybrid Seat?

The Camry Hybrid seats five people. The cabin is well-insulated from outside noise, and both rows of seats have enough space for adults. The rear seats have better legroom than many rivals, but the front seats might not have enough headroom for taller drivers. Visibility is great because of the thin roof pillars.

Camry Hybrid and Car Seats

The Camry Hybrid has two full sets of LATCH connectors for securing child seats. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave this LATCH system a Good+ rating (the highest possible) for its ease of use.

Camry Hybrid Interior Quality

This Toyota has a stylish cabin that features high-end materials. Even lower trims have a good feel inside, and there are few interior quality differences among trim levels.

Camry Hybrid Cargo Space

Many hybrids offer less space than their nonhybrid counterparts. Not the 2018 Camry. During the redesign, the battery was moved from the trunk area to the rear seat, so the Camry Hybrid has the same 15.1 cubic feet as the nonhybrid Camry. That’s enough space for a dozen carry-on bags or to take your cornhole boards to a friend’s cookout.

Camry Hybrid Infotainment, Bluetooth, and Navigation

Standard features in the Camry Hybrid include dual-zone automatic climate control, a USB port, and the Entune Infotainment system with a 7-inch touch screen, Siri Eyes Free, and Bluetooth. Available features include a moonroof, satellite radio, a nine-speaker JBL audio system, a Wi-Fi hot spot, navigation, and an upgraded Entune system with an 8-inch touch screen and the Entune App Suite. 

The Entune infotainment system is intuitive and easy to use. The touch screen is responsive, and there are redundant physical controls for some functions. There are plenty of tech features, but the Camry Hybrid doesn’t offer Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, which can be found in several other cars in the class.

For more information, read What Is Apple CarPlay? and What Is Android Auto? Then, see the Best Cars With Apple CarPlay and Best Cars With Android Auto.

Read more about interior »

Camry Hybrid Performance

Camry Hybrid Engine: Powerful, by Hybrid Standards

The Camry Hybrid features an electric motor and a four-cylinder engine that combine to put out 208 horsepower, making this Toyota one of the more powerful hybrid sedans on the market. Power and acceleration are ample for most driving situations, but the standard continuously variable automatic transmission is slow to shift on occasion.

Camry Hybrid Gas Mileage: The Prius Better Watch Its Back

The Toyota Camry Hybrid got even more fuel-efficient after this year’s redesign. Now the LE trim earns 51 mpg in the city and 53 mpg on the highway. The higher trims are less fuel-efficient but still earn an outstanding 44/47 mpg city/highway.

Better gas mileage means more money in your pocket. You’ll spend about $100 less on gas with the Camry Hybrid compared to a Malibu Hybrid. In fact, with the Camry Hybrid, you’ll spend about as little on gas as you would with a Toyota Prius.

Camry Hybrid Ride and Handling: Not the Best but Still Good

The Camry Hybrid still isn’t on the level of some of the sportiest midsize cars, but it’s more than just a grocery getter, and it handles well on winding roads. It also delivers a smooth ride over most road surfaces. Front-wheel drive is standard.

Read more about performance »

Camry Hybrid Reliability

Is the Toyota Camry Hybrid Reliable?

The 2018 Camry Hybrid has an excellent predicted reliability rating of 4.5 out of five from J.D. Power.

Toyota Camry Hybrid Warranty

Toyota covers the Camry Hybrid with a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty, a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, and an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty for hybrid components. These are comparable warranty terms to what other hybrids offer.

Read more about reliability »

Camry Hybrid Safety

Camry Hybrid Crash Test Results

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety names the 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid an IIHS Top Safety Pick+, the agency’s highest award. The IIHS also gives the Camry Hybrid the highest rating of Good in all five tests. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gives the Camry Hybrid five out of five stars overall and the same score in each individual crash test.

Camry Hybrid Safety Features

Standard advanced safety features include a rearview camera, adaptive cruise control, and the Toyota Safety Sense pre-collision system, which includes forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, and lane departure warning. Available features include a head-up display, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, and a surround-view camera.

Read more about safety »

Which Toyota Camry Hybrid Model Is Right for Me?

Because all Camry Hybrids feature the same powertrain and drivetrain, features are all that really set the three trim levels apart. The prices between the trims aren’t that drastic, so if you want all the features, the XLE is a reasonable buy. However, many features are available in lower trims, so you can save some money by sticking with the SE or even the base LE.

Toyota Camry Hybrid LE

The Camry Hybrid LE carries a base price of $27,800. In addition to the standard features, a few option packages are available. The Convenience package ($1,225) adds blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert. For $2,125, you can add both the Convenience package and a moonroof. The Audio package ($3,580) includes the Convenience package (and a moonroof) and adds an upgraded Entune infotainment system, navigation, and wireless smartphone charging.

Toyota Camry Hybrid SE

The Camry Hybrid SE has a starting MSRP of $29,500. In addition to the LE’s standard features, the SE comes with leatherette upholstery and some styling upgrades. The Convenience and Audio packages are available in this trim also.

Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE

The Camry Hybrid XLE starts at $32,250. This trim comes with all the features found in lower trims plus leather-trimmed upholstery, an improved driver information display, and a head-up display. For $4,110, you can get the Audio package, which includes a surround-view camera, a moonroof, an upgraded Entune system, wireless smartphone charging, and a JBL audio system.

Check out our U.S. News Best Price Program for great savings at your local Toyota dealer. You can also find excellent manufacturer incentives on our Toyota deals page.

See 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid specs and trims »

The Final Call

The Toyota Camry Hybrid has been redesigned for the 2018 model year and has staked its claim as one of the best vehicles in our midsize car rankings. It has all the things so many love about the nonhybrid Camry – plenty of passenger space, lots of safety features, and a decent powertrain – while also returning incredible fuel economy, even by hybrid standards. It’s a great vehicle, and it deserves to be on your shortlist when researching your next car.

Don’t just take our word for it. Check out comments from some of the reviews that drive our rankings and analysis.

• "In other words, the new Camry is even more practical than its predecessors, which in recent memory skated by on reputation and loyalty. They didn't have to have a great interior, they didn't have to be great to drive, they didn't have to look that good, and they certainly didn't need to lead the pack in critical opinion. Scores of customers just didn't care and/or didn't know what they were missing. Well, something really has changed, because the 2018 does have a great interior, it is great to drive, it does look good, and this critical opinion states that if it isn't THE class leader, well, it's bound to be on the podium." -- Autoblog
• "The new Camry is unquestionably improved across the board, offers more versatility than ever, and is even a little fun now. Not so beige anymore, more like Macadamia." -- Automobile Magazine
• "Now, for even better fuel economy, the 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid makes just as strong a case for itself. Its LE trim returns 51 mpg city/53 mpg hwy/52 mpg combined, matching most versions of the Toyota Prius. That's right, you can now get Prius fuel economy in a Toyota that's bigger, quieter, more comfortable, more luxurious, better to drive and arguably, much better looking." -- Autotrader