2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid

The Toyota Camry Hybrid is available with a single drivetrain on all variants: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine with a helping of electric assistance, mated to an eCVT to transfer the power to the front wheels. Because this power unit is meant to be as efficient as possible, performance isn't a major selling point. With a combined output of only 208 hp and a base curb weight of 3,480 pounds, expect a 0-60 mph run in about eight seconds (estimated) and a top speed of roughly 116 mph.

Fuel efficiency is the Camry Hybrid's reason for existence, and it performs very well on this brief. Because it's not a fast car, it's probably logical that the Camry Hybrid also has no pretensions of a sporty driving experience, even with its sophisticated all-independent suspension layout. The suspension is calibrated for comfort above all, but the damping is still up to the job of keeping body motions under strong control at normal driving speeds. It's only at high speed where things unravel a little, where the comfort-biased springs and dampers lead to some wallowing in quick direction changes. And, because the Camry Hybrid uses low rolling-resistance tires, outright grip levels aren't all that high, so early-onset understeer will result if drivers try to extract sporty behavior out of a Camry Hybrid.

As has become customary over the decades, the Toyota Camry Hybrid is a very good car. Given its market positioning as a spacious and comfortable family car, the Camry Hybrid stays true to the successful recipe established by its predecessors. The cabin has lots of room for occupants to stretch out, the trunk can take all their luggage and a little more besides, and it's quiet and restful, whether during a commute or on a long-distance cross-country trip. The Toyota Camry gets excellent safety reviews, too.

A base Camry Hybrid LE isn't even very expensive in the USA, and is priced alongside some midsize CUVs - none of which can match the Camry Hybrid on fuel efficiency, comfort, and space. It's not a thrilling machine to drive, but that's not really why anyone would buy a Camry Hybrid in any case. Competition from the Honda Accord Hybrid and Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is strong, with the Honda having slightly more power and the Hyundai slightly less, but the best either one of these competitors could do is match the Toyota's fuel efficiency.