Most fuel-efficient 2009 hybrid car 2009 Toyota Prius *Est. $22000
Best hybrid compact sedan 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid *Est. $23650
Best hybrid family sedan 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid *Est. $26150

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2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid

*Est. $26,150

Reviewed May 2009

Best hybrid family sedan

Roomy, comfortable interior
Plush ride
Reputation for reliability
Strong resale value
Excellent fuel economy
Smooth hybrid performance
Accelerates better than four-cylinder Camry

Looks like every other Camry
Small trunk
Dull driving dynamics

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Our Analysis

The Toyota Camry Hybrid (*Est. $26,150) seems to be a benchmark for midsize hybrid sedans. It receives accolades and compliments from reviewers for its sheer competency. Car and Driver's Patrick Bedard calls the Camry Hybrid "impeccably mannered and supremely confident in the rightness of its way. It sets the upper limits for smoothness, refinement and maybe even purity of purpose." Others say it manages to offer all of the comfort and convenience of a well-built family sedan without the potential compromises of a hybrid -- "space trumps style," says The Detroit News' Scott Burgess -- except for 10.6 cubic feet of trunk space, which is about a third smaller than the nonhybrid Camry thanks to the presence of the hybrid car's battery pack. MotherProof.com's Lori Hindman notes that this can present problems if you're using the Toyota Camry Hybrid as a family trickster: "When I went to load up for a couple of hours at the beach, I had to strategically place things to make sure that the Boogie board, beach chair and two bags would fit," she writes. While grocery shopping isn't a problem, a stock-up mission to a big club store would likely require boxes to be loaded into the backseat as well, which means the kids would be unable to come along for the trip.

The Toyota Camry Hybrid's smooth, full-hybrid powertrain, with 187 peak horsepower, delivers acceleration that is actually quicker than the 158-horsepower four-cylinder Camry (*Est. $19,145 to $25,575) and fuel economy is significantly better. Still, the Camry faces stiff competition from the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid (*Est. $27,270), which "emphasizes efficiency over acceleration more than the Camry does" while still being "plenty quick," according to Cars.com's Joe Wiesenfelder. The Toyota Camry Hybrid's Environmental Protection Agency fuel-economy estimates are 33 mpg city and 34 mpg highway from its 2.4-liter, four-cylinder gas engine and electric motor. Test drivers achieve mileage in line with the EPA's ratings, as shown by the 33.5 mpg average Motor Trend's Kim Reynolds reports.

Complaints about the Camry Hybrid are similar to those for the gas-only Camry: It's boring to drive. "If you should prefer a more involving driving experience, though, the Camry Hybrid probably isn't for you, as its ride is soft and its steering light," say the editors of Edmunds.com. But most reviewers admit that many car shoppers place a higher priority on a cushy ride and spacious interior. Auto123.com's Marc Bouchard writes that the "comfort-tuned suspension is definitely up to the task on the highway, although it generates significant body roll in tight corners." As reviews increasingly compare the Toyota Camry Hybrid to the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid, the Camry starts to lose its benchmark status. Some critics are calling the Camry Hybrid "dated" in comparison to Ford's hybrid car and its twin, the Mercury Milan Hybrid (*Est. $27,500). They also point out that the Nissan Altima Hybrid (*Est. $26,650) offers better handling than the Toyota. It's not as smooth, though, and is only sold in nine states.

Until the new competitors become more widely available and are tested more thoroughly in the media, the 2009 Camry Hybrid remains the top-rated midsize hybrid sedan. While it commands a premium price over similar nonhybrid Camry models, it still gets good ratings for value. A price reduction last year put the hybrid a bit closer to gas-only models; reviews say it falls somewhere between the four-cylinder Toyota Camry SE (*Est. $21,815) and XLE (*Est. $25,575) models. The Camry Hybrid's resale value is traditionally much better than average for a family sedan, and its reliability record is excellent.

Although the Toyota Camry Hybrid has few changes for 2009, there are plenty of new road-test evaluations. We did include a well-done 2008 comparison test between the Camry Hybrid and the Toyota Prius, conducted by Edmunds.com's Inside Line. Car and Driver also has an excellent comparison between the 2009 Camry and three other midsize hybrid sedans. Automobile Magazine contrasts the Camry Hybrid to its competitors, and Cars.com has a well-written single-car evaluation. The Detroit News also has a thorough, insightful road test. Motor Trend contrasts the Camry Hybrid with the Ford Fusion Hybrid in a technical discussion, but fails to pick one over the other. ConsumerGuide.com evaluates hybrid and nonhybrid versions of the Camry and names them all as Recommended. ConsumerReports.org provides reliability information along with a road-test review. MotherProof.com gives a typical mom's point of view, including details on installing child seats. Additional road-test evaluations can be found at Auto123.com and AutoMedia.com.

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2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid

Our Sources

1. Car and Driver Details/Subscribe

Car and Driver's typically thorough comparison test pits four midsize hybrid sedans against each other. The Toyota Camry Hybrid comes in second to the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid. Editors like the way the hybrid system works so seamlessly in the Camry, and they call the interior accommodations top notch. But they wish for a bit more "motoring verve," commenting that the Camry "seems to be an old man's car."

Review: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid vs. Camry Hybrid, Altima Hybrid and Malibu Hybrid, Patrick Bedard, Feb. 2009

2. Edmunds Inside Line

Edmunds.com's Inside Line examines two midsize hybrids with overlapping pricing found at the Toyota store: the Prius and Camry Hybrid. The base Camry Hybrid test car actually comes in almost $2,000 less than the well-equipped Prius test vehicle. In two weeks of driving, the Camry averaged 32.7 mpg versus 43.8 mpg in the Prius. After a variety of tests and comparisons, editors choose the Camry Hybrid as the better buy for its additional comfort, room and power.

Review: Comparison Test: 2008 Toyota Prius vs. 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid, Dan Edmunds, June 29, 2008

3. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe

Editors of ConsumerReports.org have a good summary review of the Camry Hybrid with a road-test evaluation along with reliability history as compiled in large owner surveys. You must be a subscriber to read this report.

Review: Review: 2009 Toyota Camry, Editors of ConsumerReports.org

4. Automobile Magazine Details/Subscribe

Automobile Magazine writer David Zenlea says the Camry Hybrid's "age is starting to show" in comparison with newer cars like the Ford Fusion Hybrid and Nissan Altima Hybrid. He feels the Camry Hybrid's interior is Spartan, dated and "rather less special than one expects from a high-tech sedan." He praises the refined powertrain and "pillow-soft" suspension for ride quality, but not for cornering ability.

Review: Review: 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid, David Zenlea, March 16, 2009

5. Detroit News

Detroit News reporter Scott Burgess says, "Out of all the hybrid cars on the road today, I like the Camry hybrid the most," although he admits that he is not a fan of the gas-only model. He explains that he likes the effortless refinement of the hybrid powertrain in such a smooth and quiet sedan. His well-balanced review gives plenty of driving impressions and detail about the Camry Hybrid.

Review: 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid: Delivers Green and More, Scott Burgess, Jan. 24, 2009

6. Edmunds.com

Edmunds.com names the Camry as one of its top recommended hybrid cars. In a hybrid-specific summary review, editors are pleased with the Camry's roomy and comfortable cabin and traditional cabin layout. Fuel economy is better than any nonhybrid midsize car, yet it has "stronger acceleration than most regular four-cylinder sedans." Drawbacks include the size of the battery-compromised trunk and "some below-average interior materials."

Review: 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid Review, Editors of Edmunds.com

7. Cars.com

Cars.com names the Toyota Camry Hybrid a Best Bet and provides a thorough evaluation by editor Joe Wiesenfelder. He says the Camry's smooth driving characteristics feel "more like a nonhybrid than most of its kind." High levels of refinement and comfort make the cabin pleasant, he comments. The biggest shortcoming is the small trunk.

Review: 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid, Joe Wiesenfelder, Dec. 30, 2008

8. ConsumerGuide.com

ConsumerGuide.com gives the Camry model line a Recommended rating rather than its top Best Buy honor. The test-drive review includes four Camry models, including the Hybrid. Acceleration on the Hybrid is quicker than the four-cylinder Camry but not as fast as the V-6 model. Fuel economy for the Hybrid averaged between 28.6 and 35.0 mpg.

Review: 2009 Toyota Camry: Road Test, Editors of ConsumerGuide.com

9. Motor Trend Details/Subscribe

This article is more of a discussion about the technology and driving characteristics of the Ford Fusion Hybrid and the Toyota Camry Hybrid than a ranking of the two cars. Drivers achieve an average of only 33.5 mpg in mixed driving with the new Fusion, lower than its EPA estimates. The Camry produces similar fuel-economy numbers, matching its EPA figures. The review praises the Fusion for its superior driving dynamics over the Camry.

Review: Comparison: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid vs. 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid, Kim Reynolds, Jan. 2009

10. Auto123.com

With a headline of "Where's the Passion?", editor Marc Bouchard makes clear that he finds the driving dynamics of the Camry Hybrid rather "insipid." But if comfort, economy and quality are more important, he says, "You won't find a more advanced and more sophisticated hybrid for the price." The review includes numerical ratings along with comments.

Review: 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid -- Where's the Passion?, Marc Bouchard, Nov. 18, 2008

11. MotherProof.com

MotherProof.com often gives useful insight into the aspects of new cars important in everyday family life with kids. Mom Lori Hindman says the Camry Hybrid feels quite advanced: "It's all spacey and future-bright and, really, pretty cool." Her kids fit easily into the roomy rear seats, although loading the small trunk proves troublesome.

Review: 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid -- Futuristic Camry Hybrid Takes Families to the Stars, Lori Hindman, Aug. 14, 2008