2019 Toyota Camry Hybrid

The 2019 Toyota Camry hybrids span across three different price points, almost equally divided by price margin. Starting with the entry-level trim, the Camry Hybrid LE carries an MSRP of $28,400, excluding tax, licensing, registration, and a $930 destination charge. Not far off its heels is the mid-range Hybrid SE with a $30,100 price tag, with sportier looks and a more luxurious interior finish. Coming in at the top of the range is the Hybrid XLE: with an MSRP of $32,975, it replaces the sporty looks in favor of a more executive finish.

Despite its mid-size sedan exterior and hybrid powerplant, the Camry offers surprisingly sporty driving dynamics without compromising on ride quality. Comfort in the Camry is also rather good, coming quite close to being the best in its class. As standard, all three hybrid models benefit from four selectable driving modes, Eco, Normal, Sport, and EV. The first three driving modes offer either superior fuel efficiency, a balanced drive, or a more taut and responsive driving dynamic. The EV mode is unique to the hybrid range, offering an all-electric mode over its non-hybrid counterparts. Although not designed for long-distance trips, it does well in saving that extra bit on gas on the thirstiest parts of your commute.

With consistent improvements made with each generation of Camry Hybrid, Toyota has shown a strong progression of the model. All three models offer attractive packages at different price points in the market, though there are more affordable entries to the segment such the Honda Accord Hybrid. That said, the Toyota Camry Hybrid is an excellent car to any prospective buyer, offering good build quality, exceptional reliability, and class-leading economy. Both recalls prove to be isolated incidents, and with class-leading safety scores, speaks volumes about the ability of the Camry to remain consistent. Safety, features, and practicality are still undeniably personified in Toyota's Camry, and it is no wonder that it has become a household name, even with electricity in its veins.

With all three trims generally well equipped, choosing a Camry Hybrid model boils down to what you need, and what you want. The entry-level LE and mid-range SE share the majority of available features, with the main difference being aesthetics. The SE has a sportier stance, with a sports front and rear bumper, side sills, a rear spoiler, and a like-minded interior trim. It also offers alloy wheels over the LE's steel wheels, which all things considered, hampers the LE's astonishing fuel economy. The XLE is more in line with those seeking premium travel and creature comforts, with a price tag to back that up. As a result, there isn't a single model of choice to go for, but rather all three depending on the buyer. For exceptional hybrid economy, the LE is a clear choice. For a sporty look and feel, the SE is ideal for you. If you double as a suit and tie family man, the XLE is a perfect fit.

Toyota's own Prius is another option to consider when looking for a hybrid vehicle, although the Prius is marketed as a Hatchback and not a sedan. The Prius is cheaper across all five trims when matched with the Camry's three, but you'd more than likely find the Camry much more enjoyable to drive. The trade-offs between the Prius and Camry make sense when you consider where they fit into the hybrid segment. The Prius has a much larger cargo area at the expense of spacious back seats, where the Camry has a more powerful motor and superior build quality. Styling also favors the Camry, featuring a more modern and civilized design as opposed to the Prius with its blue reindeer nose. At $4,630 cheaper at a base level, the Prius might be worth considering if you can give up the additional comforts.

More in line with its mid-size sedan rivals, the Ford Fusion Hybrid base model comes in at around $800 cheaper than the entry-level Camry and also features a comfortable and high-end interior, a quiet cabin and a brilliant infotainment system. The Ford Hybrid offers a less powerful 2.0-liter engine that makes 188 horsepower in comparison to the 208 hp produced by the Camry. Additionally, the Ford manages less impressive fuel economy statistics, with 43/41/42 mpg in city/highway/combined cycles - the Camry LE outperforms this substantially at 51/53/52 mpg. With an aging exterior on the Ford sealing the deal, the Camry leads this comparison on sheer efficiency and available power from the Hybrid engine.

The two Japanese giants both offer exceptional hybrid vehicles to choose from, looking remarkably similar after their 2018 redesigns. The Accord proves to be the more consistently economical vehicle between the two, suffering no penalty to gas mileage across trims, unlike the Camry. The Accord also offers a larger cargo volume and a lower base price, yet the Camry feels like the more refined and the classier vehicle of the two. The Camry also has a more responsive powertrain and offers better performance, while driving dynamics are largely the same as the Accord. Interior build quality is equally matched between the two, which leaves the decision down to personal taste. The Accord offers a more practical and conventional interior design, while the Camry does well to utilize sweeping curves to modernize its look and feel.