2024 Toyota Camry Hybrid

America's favorite midsize sedan just keeps getting better. Introduced in 2018, the Camry Hybrid is now available in four trim levels and the 2024 model may be the best Camry to own.

 

Since 1982, the Camry nameplate has adorned Toyota's game-changing four-door sedan. It has evolved mightily since it debuted as a boxy people mover. Today's iteration is downright sleek and luxurious by comparison and features the latest driver assist features as standard.

 

Today we're driving the high end XLE Hybrid that has a starting MSRP of $33,745. It shares hybrid technology with the excellent Prius model and in a world that has gone crazy for SUVs it offers an ultra-reliable midsize sedan for families seeking safety, dependability, and incredible fuel economy.

 

While many hybrid cars have focused solely on EPA numbers, the Camry Hybrid is a great all-around car featuring comfort, style, and surprisingly good handling, in a five-seater that is truly fun to drive. The Nightshade Edition package with its gold sport wheels is even, dare we say it… sexy.

 

The Camry boasts nine trim levels, four of which are hybrids. These begin with the base level LE with a starting MSRP of $28,855. The SE trim adds sportier bumpers, a rear spoiler, and 18-inch wheels, and the XLE we drove adds Dynamic Torque Control all-wheel drive, leather multi-stage ventilated seats, a 10-inch heads up display, a panoramic view monitor, and front and rear parking assist to its already packed safety and driver assist suite. The top tier XSE includes gloss black 19-inch wheels and a sport-tuned suspension.

 

Every Camry Hybrid model for 2024 comes equipped with a 2.5-liter Dynamic Force inline four-cylinder gasoline engine, an electric motor for front-wheel drive, and a second electric motor to drive hybrid battery charging married to a smooth CVT transmission to provide an amazing 686 miles of driving range and a total of 208-horsepower. According to Toyota, the transmission mimics a quick-shifting 6-speed automatic in the way it feels and functions.

 

It will take you swiftly from zero to 60 miles per hour in 7.4 seconds and the EPA rates the Camry Hybrid at an impressive 51 mpg city/53 mpg highway. The XLE we drove averaged 47 mpg over a variety of road conditions and driving styles. The hybrid battery pack sits out of the way below the rear seat, so it does not reduce passenger room or trunk capacity. This also gives the Camry Hybrid a lower center of gravity for better traction.

 

A clever Auto Glide Control aids fuel efficiency by calculating efficient coasting logic, allowing longer coasting for better mileage. Perfectly tuned MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension produce ride quality that will remind you of luxury vehicles.

 

Both the outside and the inside of the Camry is beautifully designed. The cabin is extremely quiet, comfy, and even roomy. We think the higher trim levels are pretty posh for a midsize sedan. There's even plenty of room in the trunk and the rear seats fold down for extra storage. The driver's seating position is ergonomically correct, and all instruments and controls are easily within reach.

 

The XLE gives you heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, a panoramic sunroof, and real leather appointments. Adjustable electric seats with lumbar support up front keeps you comfortable on long trips.

 

Toyota's Entune 3.0 infotainment system comes with all Camry trim levels with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto included as standard. A new 10.5-inch touchscreen brings all the features to hand, and you'll also find a new wireless smartphone charging pad and an excellent nine speaker JBL audio system.

 

The automaker makes driver assist technology standard on all Camry models including adaptive cruise control, automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward-collision warning, lane departure warning and lane keep assist. When it comes to safety, the Camry Hybrid includes ten airbags and collision sensors deactivate the high voltage hybrid battery in the event of a collision. Plus, the Camry Hybrid has received Five Star ratings from the NHTSA for rollover crash and frontal crash protection.

 

The Camry XLE Hybrid we drove is quiet, comfortable, has surprising get-up-and-go for a hybrid, and offers a very smooth ride over all road conditions. It is practical and supremely reliable. In the midst of the SUV craze, here is a spacious sedan that truly reminds us of why four-door, five-seater sedans are terrific road cars.

 

The well-tuned suspension hugs corners nicely, and though it is no sports car, the Camry Hybrid launches with precision and amazing dexterity from a dead stop. There is also excellent visibility. The windows are wide and parking is a breeze with the 360-view camera feature along with front and rear parking sensors.

 

The ride quality around town is impressive. Smooth and luxury-like, similar to the Lexus ES. Though it is a larger sedan, it feels low to the ground, nimble and planted on the road. Build quality is good and you don't get any squeaks, creaks, or rattles.

 

The leather-wrapped steering wheel fits the hand perfectly, and though the car is equipped with paddle shifters, chances are you'll never really use them. The CVT transmission is decisive on the highway and when you put your foot down at highway speeds, it will launch you from 60 to 80 mph immediately. Excellent aerodynamics keeps wind buffeting to a minimum and lane-keep assist keeps you right where you want to be in your lane.

 

On twisty country roads, The Camry Hybrid displays a minimum of body roll and hugs corners like a champ. We found this to be true even driving in Eco Mode for better gas mileage.

 

All versions of the 2024 Camry Hybrid are actually a bit less expensive to purchase than the 2023 models were. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert is standard on the XLE but extra on lower trims. Driving this nimble machine, we can see why it has been America's favorite midsize sedan for over a decade. It ticks all the boxes for being economical, practical, comfortable, and extremely reliable.

 

An all-new ninth generation Camry is coming for 2025 that will follow the "hammerhead" design of the new Prius and Crown models with their sportier, bolder look. The new Camry is predicted to include more luxurious materials inside and a new 12.3-inch touchscreen. The powertrain of the all-new Camry Hybrid will likely include three electric motors for an increase of up to 40 horsepower.

 

2024 Toyota Camry XLE Hybrid starting MSRP as tested = $33,745.