Blue Book Value of 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid Jan 2017

2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid

LE
$27,950
SE
$29,650
XLE
$32,400

Wondering which trim is right for you?

Our 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid trim comparison will help you decide.

Redesigned for 2018
2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine, electric motors
208 hp total system output
LE rated at 52 mpg combined
New exterior and interior styling
15.1 cubic feet of cargo room

2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid review: Our expert's take

The verdict: The Camry Hybrid offers hybrid fuel economy without compromise, matching the gas model in comfort and cargo room while also offering an efficient, responsive powertrain.

Versus the competition: A big boost in fuel economy for 2018 gives the Camry Hybrid a leg up on much of the competition.

The 2018 Toyota Camry got a much-needed, comprehensive redesign (see the review), and those changes carry over to the Camry Hybrid.

In addition to welcome new styling and better chassis dynamics, the all-new Camry Hybrid also boasts much better fuel economy. Figures vary by trim level: The LE (the trim level I tested) has EPA-rated mileage of 51/53/52 mpg city/highway/combined. That combined figure is a 30 percent improvement over the 2017's 42/38/40 mpg rating. SE and XLE models get a 21 percent improvement for 2018: 44/47/46 mpg versus 40/37/38. Compare the 2018 Camry Hybrid with last year's model here.

Needless to say, the Hybrid's mileage dwarfs the regular Camry, which at its best is rated 34 mpg combined with the four-cylinder and 26 mpg with the V-6. Of course, the higher mileage comes at a higher price — $3,800 more than the gas version when comparing the base, LE trims.

What We Tested

The Toyota Camry Hybrid is offered in three trim levels: LE, SE and XLE. Our test vehicle was the lowest trim, an LE, with a base price that starts at $28,695 (including destination charge). The SE jumps up to $30,395, and the XLE, which offers the most luxury features, to $33,145 MSRP.

Our LE test car had a few options added, as well, including blind spot warning, a moonroof, Qi wireless smartphone charging and an auto-dimming rearview mirror, among others, which pushed the final price to $31,600.

How It Drives

On top of its fuel economy improvements, the hybrid system is more powerful, as well, producing 208 net horsepower versus last year's 200 hp. Power comes from a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motor/generators. LE models get a new lithium-ion battery, while the SE and XLE keep last year's nickel-metal-hydride battery.

The Camry Hybrid drives a cut above the true eco hybrids on the market (like the Toyota Prius and Hyundai Ioniq). Thanks to a more powerful gas engine than those vehicles have, the Hybrid version of the Toyota Camry never feels as strained, and it has plenty of power, even from a stop. The 2018 Camry Hybrid gets the same chassis and suspension improvements as the gas model, and it's a much better-driving car than the previous generation. While it isn't really sporty, the hybrid sedan rides very well for not being sport-tuned; over the course of an 800-mile road trip I was impressed by it.

Interior

The Camry Hybrid LE I drove had cloth seats and a basic interior. I've previously driven a Camry XSE, and that car had a large advantage in terms of materials and a near-luxury feel. The LE is much more basic; there's one section of stitched leather on the dash and the rest is a combination of hard plastics and more budget surfaces. While that's not unexpected in a lower trim level in this class, it's hard to swallow given the premium you pay for the Hybrid.

The Toyota Camry Hybrid does at least come with a few extra screens in both the instrument panel and the center dashboard screen, displaying different fuel economy statistics and allowing drivers to monitor how eco-friendly their driving is. The center screen comes with a glossy, black bezel that looks nice but attracts fingerprints and dust. One other drawback to this screen: If the sun catches it at the right angle, it can reflect very brightly into your face while driving. Toyota is not the lone culprit in this; it's happened to me across several makes and models this year, as it seems to be the price of putting surfaces like this on the dashboard. The media system also lacks Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Toyota is one of the lone holdouts still not offering these infotainment technologies in its vehicles, instead supporting its own application suite, Entune. A new version, called Entune 3.0, makes its debut on the Camry, so I don't expect the brand to abandon this approach any time soon.

Cargo room has grown for 2018, as the battery has moved from the trunk area to a new home under the rear seats. That gives the Hybrid cargo capacity identical to the gas Camry: 15.1 cubic feet.

Value

Like most Toyotas, the Camry Hybrid offers excellent value on the safety side, with standard adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking. The LE's less than top-of-the-line interior, however, isn't as easy to swallow at $30,000-plus as it is closer to the mid-$20,000s.

All around, the Camry Hybrid is a solid mid-size sedan: It drives well, offers a good amount of standard equipment (especially on the safety front) and is much more stylish than before. And when it comes to fuel economy, the LE stands on its own in its class; its only real fuel economy rivals are vehicles like the Prius and Ioniq — dedicated hybrids that don't drive as well.

Competition for the lower-mileage trim levels comes from a wide slate of mid-size hybrids, however, including the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid, Ford Fusion Hybrid and Honda Accord Hybrid, all of which have estimated combined mileage in the 40s. Compare the Camry Hybrid with those models here. The Toyota Camry Hybrid's closest competitor, the 2017 Honda Accord Hybrid (48 mpg combined), is awaiting its own update: The 2018 redesigned hybrid version of the Honda Accord will debut early next year, likely with improved mileage of its own.

Consumer reviews

92% of drivers recommend this car

Rating breakdown (out of 5):

Comfort 4.8
Interior design 4.7
Performance 4.7
Value for the money 4.7
Exterior styling 4.8
Reliability 4.9

Most recent consumer reviews

Wouldn't but a Toyota again after 20 years

March 11, 2022

By Keerston from Pleasant Grove

Owns this car

I loved Toyotas but the hybrids heating system sucks!!! I'll buy a Honda next time I purchase. I can get the same gas mileage out of a civic for less money which isn't hybrid. The heating system wouldn't leave you stranded in the cold. Better looking more Accessories all around a better car. For 20 years I've bought Toyota this Camry hybrid and my Matrix have disappointed me!!!

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Great gas mileage, and good in all other ways.

March 18, 2021

By KokomoKid from CAPE CANAVERAL

Owns this car

I bought my 2018 Camry LE hybrid early in the model year, the first year for a major redesign. It had two rather annoying rattles that I fixed myself. I'll chalk that up to it being a early production car. It has been flawless since then, averaging about 45 mpg for a mix of driving including everything from stop-and-go driving, to highway trips going with the faster of the traffic on the interstate. The power is more than adequate. The thing that would make it substantially better would be a hatchback or wagon body.

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The Best Camry I have owned and I've had 3 of them

January 9, 2021

By Hotpop from Gaffney, S. Carolina

Owns this car

This car has ALL the Bells and whistles and is very economical to drive. I don't have to think about the economy it's automatic and the Best I've seen 44 mi/gal

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See all 91 consumer reviews

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