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Amratya Nigam Automotive Journalist Updated on: November 27, 2019
Back in the day when people were just getting to know about EVs, Toyota had already played their card in the form of Prius - a vehicle that has been synonymous with hybrid powertrain ever since. Just like any new innovation, the Prius took a lot of time to attain the stature that it is at today, as people were skeptical about this new technology and were finding it hard to base their trust on it.
Now with the American government emphasizing on the conservation of the environment, the automotive manufacturers have started inclining towards the EV segment, and have already thrown in at least one contender in this competition, if not more. This is where Toyota has an upper hand, as it borrowed the same trusted powertrain from the “first mass-produced hybrid” and stuffed it in the more luxurious - The Toyota Camry Hybrid. A smart gameplay here by Toyota as the Camry sedan has been one of the shining stars of the segment, and now it is coupled with one of the most trustworthy hybrid powertrains too.
Best-in-class fuel economy
Punchy acceleration
Impressive cargo space as per segment standards
Good outer visibility
Shifting from regenerative braking to standard is not the smoothest
Base trim feels bouncy on uneven roads
Android Auto now standard across all trims
$28250
4dr Sedan
5
FWD
152 cu.in.
208 hp @ 5700 rpm
163 lbs.-ft. @ 3600 rpm
7 speed auto shift manual
Unibody
Independent front strut suspension w/anti-roll bar
Independent rear double wishbone suspension w/anti-roll bar
63.0/63.2
111.2 in.
192.1 in.
72.4 in.
56.9 in.
3472 lbs.
5.7 in.
99.9 cu ft.
15.1 cu ft.
925 lbs.
8 sec.
51/52/53 mpg
673.2 mi.
699.6 mi.
3 yr./ 36000 mi.
5 yr./ 60000 mi.
5 yr. / 60000 mi.
5 yr. / unlimited
Vehicle images are guides only and may not reflect the model's exact specifications/features– exact specifications/features should be confirmed with the seller.
Features
Interior
8.0
OVERALL RATING
$28,250
Style | Prices | MPG | Engine | Transmission | Drivetrain | Seats | Colors |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
LE 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 2CVT) | Starting at $28,250 MSRP | (51/52/53) | 208hp @ 5700 rpm, 2.5 L, inline 4, regular unleaded | continuously variable-speed automatic | front wheel drive | 5 |
$29,950
Style | Prices | MPG | Engine | Transmission | Drivetrain | Seats | Colors |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SE 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 2CVT) | Starting at $29,950 MSRP | (44/46/47) | 208hp @ 5700 rpm, 2.5 L, inline 4, regular unleaded | continuously variable-speed automatic | front wheel drive | 5 |
$32,550
Style | Prices | MPG | Engine | Transmission | Drivetrain | Seats | Colors |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
XLE 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 2CVT) | Starting at $32,550 MSRP | (44/46/47) | 208hp @ 5700 rpm, 2.5 L, inline 4, regular unleaded | continuously variable-speed automatic | front wheel drive | 5 |
Overall Rating
For 2020, the Camry Hybrid has been retained as it is, for the most part. However, it does welcome a slew of feature updates and now also supports Android Auto and Amazon Alexa. Its USP lies in its reliability factor, not to forget, its class-leading fuel economy too. The Accord hybrid does come in quite close to it in terms of matching the Camry’s equipment list, but with the EV segment taking a boom nowadays, more competitors have been introduced into the market who pose a threat to Camry’s existence.
With prices starting from around $28k for the base variant, the Camry Hybrid extends the challenge to some well-established contenders in the segment such as Honda Accord Hybrid, Ford Fusion Hybrid and the new-comer here - The Kia Optima Hybrid. Let’s move ahead and find out if the Camry’s best-in-class fuel economy is enough to beat the competition or not.
8.3/10
Features
8.3/10
Interior
The year 2020 welcomes the latest iteration of the Camry Hybrid in three different trims. In terms of powertrain, there’s no difference at all, however, all three trims are differentiated on the basis of features, be it safety or comfort. That said, most of the features that are standard across the lineup include Acoustic noise-reducing front windshield, High Solar Energy-Absorbing (HSEA) glass, Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Integrated backup camera and a lot more.
The middle trim, SE, adds on top of the standard features with some exclusive ones like the Sport SofTex wrapped seats, tire-pressure monitoring system, bigger 18-inch black machine-finished alloy wheels, single exhaust with dual chrome tips and few others.
The top-trim, XLE, further enhances the list with some exclusive features like Wireless charging pad, automatic headlamps, rear AC vents, 7.0-inch multimedia display and some more.
There’s a catch here though, the SE trim and the XLE trim feature a nickel-hydride battery pack as opposed to the lithium-ion setup in the base trim - LE. This means that the former is an outdated technology and offers way less economy than the lithium-ion setup, which by the way, has been borrowed from the Prius.
Model |
Hybrid LE |
Hybrid SE |
Hybrid XLE |
---|---|---|---|
MSRP |
$28,250 |
$29,950 |
$32,550 |
Key Features |
Bi-LED combination headlights with auto on/off feature |
Color-keyed sport side rocker panels |
LED headlights with fully integrated LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) with auto on/off feature |
Dark gray front grille |
Black front grille with sport mesh insert |
Bright metallic front grille |
|
16-inch steel wheels |
18-inch black machined-finish alloy wheels |
18-inch silver machined-finish alloy wheels |
|
Single exhaust |
Single exhaust with dual chrome tips |
Single exhaust with chrome finisher |
|
Layered wood interior trim |
Embossed mesh interior trim |
Tiger Eye wood interior trim |
|
4.2-inch TFT Multi-Information Display (MID) |
4.2-inch TFT Multi-Information Display (MID) with Tire-Pressure Monitoring system |
7-inch TFT Multi-Information Display (MID) |
|
Fabric-trimmed seats with 8-way power-adjustable driver and 6-way adjustable for passenger |
Sport SofTex trimmed seats with 8-way power-adjustable driver and 6-way adjustable for passenger |
Leather-trimmed seats with 8-way power-adjustable driver and 8-way adjustable for passenger |
|
Dual-zone automatic climate control with air filter |
Color-keyed rear spoiler |
Dual-zone climate control with rear AC vents |
|
Integrated backup camera with projected path |
Leather-trimmed tilt/telescopic 3-spoke steering wheel with paddle shifters |
Integrated backup camera with dynamic gridlines |
For its price, the base trim, LE, coupled with the optional tilt/sliding moonroof is the best proposition. You’ll get all the bells and whistles that you would expect and it is also the more fuel-efficient trim in the lineup. For more generous customers, Toyota has also provided an array of options to add some exclusivity to your pick.
Peek under the hood of the Camry Hybrid and you’ll be welcomed by a familiar 2.5L, Inline-4 motor, that gives you the leash over 176 horses and throws a force of 163 lb-ft on the crank. Assisting this athletic gasoline counterpart is an 88 kW electric motor that adds 28 more horses to the existing power output, raising the overall number to a respectable 208 hp. A Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) gearbox handles the transmission duties on the 2020 Camry Hybrid.
This hybrid powertrain is pretty athletic, however, it’s not up to the mark as its Honda arch-rival. The engine, otherwise, feels smooth and refined and there’s barely any noise that creeps inside the cabin. The CVT further enhances the overall experience for the calm and composed drivers with its linear acceleration, though it gets jerky at low speeds. However, unlike its sonorous V6 sibling, the hybrid model fails to excite the spirited driver in you.
Models |
Toyota Camry Hybrid LE |
Honda Accord Hybrid |
Ford Fusion Hybrid SE |
Kia Optima Hybrid EX |
---|---|---|---|---|
MSRP |
$28250 |
$25470 |
$28000 |
$29310 |
Engine |
2.5L I4 |
2.0L I4 |
2.0L I4 |
2.0L I4 |
Transmission |
CVT |
E-CVT |
CVT |
6-Speed Automatic |
Horsepower |
208 hp @5700 rpm |
212 hp @6200 rpm |
188 hp @6000 rpm |
192 hp @6000 rpm |
Torque |
163 lb-ft @3600 rpm |
232 lb-ft @3500 rpm |
129 lb-ft @4000 rpm |
271 lb-ft @1770 rpm |
The Camry’s arch-rival - Honda Accord outshines it in terms of the figures, massively in terms of torque despite the former’s bigger engine. The Ford Fusion has to suffice with the last position lining up just behind the Korean.
Who cares about the acceleration figures in a hybrid? Well, looking at the increasing share of EVs in the market, we think purists might have to settle with these hybrids in the near future, like it or hate it.
That said, the 208 horses under the 2020 Camry’s hood manage to pull this midsize luxury sedan to the 60 MPH mark from a standstill in 7.4 seconds. The acceleration is pretty linear and there is no lag in power, thanks to the electric counterpart. However, the Camry doesn’t seem to be very keen on moving fast, unlike its arch-rival.
Model |
Toyota Camry Hybrid LE |
Honda Accord Hybrid |
Ford Fusion Hybrid SE |
Kia Optima Hybrid EX |
---|---|---|---|---|
0-60 MPH |
7.4 |
7.2 s(est.) |
9.0 s |
8.5 s(est.) |
Quarter Mile |
15.6* |
15.5 s (est.) |
16.1 |
16.4 s(est.) |
Engine |
2.5L I4 |
2.0L I4 |
2.0L I4 |
2.0L I4 |
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/yr) |
3.4 |
3.6 |
4.2 |
4.2 |
When pitted against the competition, the Camry, not by a wide margin though, aligns at the second position in the lineup just behind the Honda Accord Hybrid. The Honda is more powerful and its humungous torque figure is why it wins this comparison hands down. The Ford Fusion emerges out to be the slowest and lines up just behind the Kia Optima.
The Camry hybrid is one of the lightest vehicles of the lot and it also features the biggest rotors in the segment too. Though we do not have any official braking figures for the 2020 Camry hybrid, it does feel sure-footed even under heavy braking applications. There is a considerable nose-dive though, but it won’t really scare you off.
The brake pedal is on the squishier side, nevertheless, it grows on you after some time. Also, when the Camry shifts from the regen-braking to standard braking, there’s a lot of mechanical intrusions that could get unsettling. In fact, its Honda arch-rival is much better in this department, thanks to its compliant mechanicals that work in conjunction with each other, unlike the Camry’s.
Model |
Toyota Camry Hybrid LE |
Honda Accord Hybrid |
Ford Fusion Hybrid SE |
Kia Optima Hybrid EX |
---|---|---|---|---|
Brake front (in.) |
12 |
11.5 |
11.8 |
12 |
Brake Rear (in.) |
11.1 |
11.1 |
11.9 |
11.2 |
Curb Weight (lbs.) |
3472 |
3,327 |
3668 |
3496 |
60-0 MPH (ft.) |
N/A |
135 ft (est..) |
N/A |
127 |
Unlike most trim lineups, the Camry Hybrid is a pretty confusing one. The base trim - LE, for a change, handles way better than the other two. The steering wheel is accurate and there is heavy grip even under spirited cornering. However, its softer suspension setup translates into equally heavy body roll throwing you around the bolsters which could get discomforting. But that’s just fine, as all the Camrys have known to be the most comfortable highway cruisers in the market, and the 2020 iteration uplifts the same spirit.
Move on to the other two trims and the steering wheel seems to get lousy a bit. There is some understeer that could trouble you, but the stiffer suspension setup imparts a bit more “planted” feel to the driver as opposed to softer setup on the base trim. Since the top two trims are heavier, due to the outdated battery pack, they don’t seem very happy to be thrown into corners.
Surprisingly, the base trim of the 2020 Camry Hybrid is more fuel-efficient than the other two. Why, you ask? Well, because the base trim uses a lithium-ion battery, whose compact size translates into more space inside the cabin. The other two trims are powered by a nickel-hydride setup which is actually the inferior technology among the two and also consumes more space.
The base trim - LE has been christened with the same electric powertrain as its daddy- The Prius. As a result, the base trim gives over 50 MPG combined which, by the way, is the segment-best feat. As commendable as it is, the other two trims settle for only 46 MPG combined.
Model |
Toyota Camry Hybrid LE |
Honda Accord Hybrid |
Ford Fusion Hybrid SE |
Kia Optima Hybrid EX |
---|---|---|---|---|
MPG (city) |
51 |
48 |
43 |
40 |
MPG (highway) |
53 |
47 |
41 |
45 |
MPG (combined) |
52 |
48 |
42 |
42 |
Fuel tank capacity (gallons) |
13.2 |
12.8 |
14.0 |
15.9 |
Range (city/highway) (miles) |
673/700 |
614/602 |
602/574 |
636/716 |
Nobody even comes close to the undisputed King here - The 2020 Toyota Camry Hybrid. While the rivals settle for way below 50 MPG mark, the Toyota surpasses it. The Accord does come in quite close to it, but has to do with the second position. The Korean loses out to the American by quite a margin and stays at the end of this comparison.
History has seen the Toyota Camry setting benchmarks in terms of interior comfort for a long period of time. With some best in class ride quality and top-notch fit and finish inside, the Camry has been one of the best driving cars. However, now with the Accord almost matching Camry’s traits, if not bested already, the 2020 Camry is under more pressure to uplift its badge than expected.
Toyota has outfitted all three trims with three different fabrics. While the base trim does away with the fabric-trimmed seats, the top-trim brings a sense of luxury along with the leather-trimmed seats. If you belong to the hotter parts of The States, we’d recommend you stick with the fabric-trimmed seats itself, as the leather ones might get discomforting under heat. There is loads of room for the driver and the front passenger, but its a totally different story at the back.
The back seats, though spacious, require quite a lot of effort getting into. The Camry Hybrid is a low-slung sedan, add that to the sloping roofline and voila, you got yourself a small hole to get into. If not done properly, you might land up bumping your head hard. Further spoiling the mood, the upswept window line of the Camry creates a nauseatic atmosphere for the rear passengers. But for the terrible ingress/egress factor, the rear seats do a fabulous job of immersing you in comfort otherwise.
Models |
Toyota Camry Hybrid LE |
Honda Accord Hybrid |
Ford Fusion Hybrid SE |
Kia Optima Hybrid EX |
---|---|---|---|---|
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.) |
38.3/57.7/42.1 |
39.5/58.3/42.3 |
39.2/57.8/44.3 |
39.8/58.1/45.5 |
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.) |
37.6/55.7/38.0 |
37.3/56.6/40.4 |
37.8/56.9/38.3 |
37.8/56.4/35.6 |
All the vehicles are pretty much the same in terms of space inside the cabin. There’s no picking a winner here. However, the Accord feels more spacious on the inside than the other three, the Camry being the least spacious of the lot.
The 2020 Camry doesn’t just ensure your comfort but also brings along a spacious trunk too that comes in handy for weekend getaways. Though not very outstanding, its generous 15.1 cu.ft of trunk is more than enough to suffice your needs.
However, some rivals do offer better space, but the Camry’s wide opening tail-gate and the low-set boot lip add to the loading experience. The power-operated trunk-lid further acts as an icing to the cake.
Model |
Toyota Camry Hybrid LE |
Honda Accord Hybrid |
Ford Fusion Hybrid SE |
Kia Optima Hybrid EX |
---|---|---|---|---|
Cargo Volume with rear seats up (ft.3) |
15.1 |
16.7 |
12.0 |
13.4 |
When pitted against the competition, the 2020 Camry hybrid aligns at the second position just behind the Honda Accord. Ford and Kia, like silent spectators, sit at the bottom of this comparison with the least space in the trunk.
Your entertainment duties are catered by a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment display in the 2020 Toyota Camry Hybrid. The top-trim, XLE, features a bigger 8.0-inch touchscreen display that brings along more vivid colors and also offers a better feature-list than the former.
But for the top-trim, the other two trims also feature a 4.2-inch MID that caters to the driver’s needs. Come to the top-trim and this display grows to 7.0 inches, as expected, it also offers more information than the former. Since everything comes at a price, you need to stretch your budget to the top-trim in case you need this in your Camry. Having said that, some of the key features associated with the infotainment system are:
Adhering to its luxurious repo in the automotive market, the 2020 Toyota Camry has been blessed with a plethora of creature comforts that ensure you don’t mind spending hours in the cabin. Having said that, some of the key highlights of the Camry’s cabin are:
The 2020 Toyota Camry features a sleek exterior with a split front grille and chiseled headlamps. The upper part of the grille bears the Toyota emblem and adds to the smiling face of the Camry. The bottom grille, blackened out for the top trim, adds more character to the pretty face. Speaking of character, the mild creases along either side of the Camry further emphasize the long wheelbase.
The chrome highlights on the side and at the back are prominent and certainly elevate the overall sense of luxury. That said, the rear seems to be busy with a lot of broad contours around the rear bumper, making it look wider than normal. There’s a lip spoiler on top of the trunk too that accentuates this feeling. The “Camry” badge takes up most of the space at the back which is further crescented by the Toyota emblem right on top of it. All in all, the 2020 iteration of the Camry Hybrid retains most of the elements from its forefathers that gave its identity in the first place. If anything, they’ve just made it better with the 2020 iteration.
Model |
Toyota Camry Hybrid LE |
Honda Accord Hybrid |
Ford Fusion Hybrid SE |
Kia Optima Hybrid EX |
---|---|---|---|---|
Curb Weight (lbs.) |
3472 |
N/A |
3668 |
3496 |
Length (in.) |
192.1 |
192.2 |
191.8 |
191.1 |
Width (in.) |
72.4 |
73.3 |
72.9 |
73.2 |
Height (in.) |
56.9 |
57.1 |
58.0 |
57.5 |
Ground Clearance (in.) |
5.7 |
5.8 |
N/A |
5.1 |
Wheelbase (in.) |
111.2 |
111.4 |
112.2 |
110.4 |
Track Width (in.) F/R |
63.0/63.2 |
63.0/63.4 |
62.3/62.0 |
63.5/63.8 |
The Camry and Accord have been the stars of the segment when it comes to the passenger volume. With their 2020 iterations, this battle still continues as the Camry is just slightly smaller than the Accord. In terms of wheelbase, the Ford outshines this competition leaving Kia for the last position. That said, these are just numbers, practically there’s not much difference among any of them.
Not just on the inside, the 2020 Toyota Camry Hybrid has been loaded with some specific details on the outside as well that either come in handy for convenience or add to the character of the vehicle. Be it luxury or utility, some of the key highlights of the 2020 Camry Hybrid’s exterior are:
Toyotas have been majorly known for their impeccable build quality and reliability. Adhering to the same ideology, the Camry isn’t any less, as it features a plethora of advanced safety assist systems that continuously run calculations just to ensure that you enjoy a hassle-free drive. Apart from the tech, the Camry’s well balanced and stiffened chassis further adds extra points to its safety scorecard.
Unfortunately, the Camry Hybrid hasn’t been tested by any of the safety agencies yet, however, its gasoline counterpart has scored the maximum ratings in all of them. NHTSA has awarded the standard Camry with “5 stars” and since the hybrid sibling carries the same chassis and similar features, there’s no denying the fact that the 2020 Camry Hybrid is one of the safest vehicles in the segment as well.
That said, some of the key safety features of the 2020 Toyota Camry Hybrid include:
The Camry and Accord are nothing but Hamilton and Vettel of the automotive industry. If one outshines the other in terms of ride quality, the other comes back into the game with a better feature-list. When pitted against each other, the Accord is surely more engaging to driveas compared to the Toyota, but if you prefer to be chauffeured around the city, its the Toyota that strikes the right tune with its stupendous ride quality and a softer suspension setup. Not to forget, it is more economical too. Having said that, no matter where you put your money, you’ll be happy with the decision.
The Ford Fusion hybrid, back when it was released, had taken the market by a storm. However, with the Camry and Accord back in the game, the Fusion’s hybrid counterpart started taking a hit due to its smaller, underpowered engine, less fuel economy and less space inside the cabin. The Camry easily bests the Ford by a wide margin in all of those factors, thus presenting a much better proposition for the same price.
Kia is the latest entrant here in this segment and directly locks horns with the star of the segment. Though Kia has gotten everything right with its spacious cabin and a long list of features, it still hasn’t been able to gain the trust of the consumers. Moreover, it’s still not as powerful and engaging to drive as the Camry. All in all, its the Camry that strikes a better deal of the two.
The Camry Hybrid checks all the right boxes and offers a good proposition for its price. You get loads of room, an extensive feature-list and not to forget, the best-in-class fuel economy. If you’re going to spend more time behind the wheel as compared to the rear, then we’d suggest you try out the Honda Accord Hybrid once, before you seal the deal. Apart from the engagement behind the steering, the Camry hybrid certainly is among the creamy layer of the segment and is definitely worth every penny.