2025-2026 Toyota Camry Hybrid

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ATex7239

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Jan 19, 2017
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If you have to ask, don’t ask…
Anyone have one? How are you liking it?

Things to look out for or features/upgrades you wish you had added?

Looking into possibly getting one in the very near future. Will be dropping the lease program through work on the Chevy. Liking the SE or XLE versions though LE seems nice enough. The Sienna Hybrid (wife’s daily) is very similar powertrain wise so that’s a plus with maintenance.
 
Mother-in-law purchased a 2026 Camry LE FWD last October. Not sure how I feel about the 0w-8, but it is getting dealer oil changes for the first few years. (Paying for additional OCIS at the alternating 5K interval). She routinely gets between 54-58mpg and has 10K on it already. She has the basic model but has the cold-weather package for remote start, heated seats/steering wheel. Like that this model has 16" tires vs 18 or 19, it rides really nice. Having to pay a monthly fee to use the app after the first year is annoying; she'll probably drop that when it's no longer free.
 
volk06 said:
Like that this model has 16" tires vs 18 or 19, it rides really nice.
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Did they bring back 16" wheels? My wife was miffed that any option package on her '21 would bump her into the lower mpg wheels. She really wanted the cold weather package but settled for less, in part due to this.
 
volk06 said:
She has 205/65R16 on her Camry.
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Nice! good for mpg. My wife gets miffed when she gets less than 50. I had to pull the belly pans off her car as they were filling up with sand and falling off, so that has hurt highway mpg a bit, and I think the replacement tires (Conti somethings) also hurt a pinch.
 
Rented one for a college visit with my daughter. Couldn't get over how well it rode and the MPG. Plenty of zip with the hybrid too. I've actually considered finding one for my kids. Really no complaints.
 
volk06 said:
Mother-in-law purchased a 2026 Camry LE FWD last October. Not sure how I feel about the 0w-8, but it is getting dealer oil changes for the first few years. (Paying for additional OCIS at the alternating 5K interval). She routinely gets between 54-58mpg and has 10K on it already. She has the basic model but has the cold-weather package for remote start, heated seats/steering wheel. Like that this model has 16" tires vs 18 or 19, it rides really nice. Having to pay a monthly fee to use the app after the first year is annoying; she'll probably drop that when it's no longer free.
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Thanks.

Not a fan of the 18/19’s either but I want some features the LE doesn’t offer so I’ll probably be looking at 18’s. I’ll likely use 0w-20 just like I’m using on the Sienna which recommends 0w-16. Or I might switch both to 0w-16; either way I will likely consolidate them.
 
I'd buy one. A shame they cut the hybrid battery capacity because having the AC run for so long with the engine off is nice. I rented a rav 4 hybrid on vacation in Hawaii and it was so nice to have in the summer. Don't remember the engine ever starting again when stationary and it kept cooling well. That's what got me into liking hybrids.
 
JavierH19 said:
I'd buy one. A shame they cut the hybrid battery capacity because having the AC run for so long with the engine off is nice. I rented a rav 4 hybrid on vacation in Hawaii and it was so nice to have in the summer. Don't remember the engine ever starting again when stationary and it kept cooling well. That's what got me into liking hybrids.
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We have had a lot of luck with hybrids. Had one Honda and two Toyotas so far and all have been completely reliable.
 
ATex7239 said:
We have had a lot of luck with hybrids. Had one Honda and two Toyotas so far and all have been completely reliable.
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Those are good. I'd avoid the crap dual clutch hybrids like the Hyundai kia ones unless I was only going to lease and not buy out or own it short term within the warranty.
 
I saw this rental car review. I also had one this spring and I generally agree with this assessment: https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/rental-car-review-2026-camry.407768/

Last week, I was in a rental Accord hybrid. I preferred the Accord. It was more "connected" with the road, ride was nearly as good, the interior was a bit nicer and felt like less of a mass-produced rental car. I know interiors vary with trims, and ride/handling trade-offs are a preference. I have nothing bad to say about the Camry and better things yet to say about the Accord, but would encourage you to drive them both and see which you prefer.
 
colloyd00 said:
I saw this rental car review. I also had one this spring and I generally agree with this assessment: https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/rental-car-review-2026-camry.407768/

Last week, I was in a rental Accord hybrid. I preferred the Accord. It was more "connected" with the road, ride was nearly as good, the interior was a bit nicer and felt like less of a mass-produced rental car. I know interiors vary with trims, and ride/handling trade-offs are a preference. I have nothing bad to say about the Camry and better things yet to say about the Accord, but would encourage you to drive them both and see which you prefer.
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I was thinking about the Accord as an alternative. Definitely know what you mean about the driving feeling differences. But keep in mind I’m coming from a base model Malibu with a CVT as a daily. Either will be an upgrade.
 
I’d still lean towards a slightly used Escape hybrid or PHEV so you get a taller vehicle which is just a personal preference and you aren’t paying the “Toyota tax” but if you want a sedan I think the Camry is probably the most reliable sedan you can buy these days. I find the interior tech in Toyotas lacking but perhaps I’m just used to my Teslas and GM EVs.
 
Had one as a rental recently. As noted, plenty of power and very solid.

Didn't drive any twisties, but in average driving it felt competent.

Got 45 mpg in mixed driving with a lot of city. Average clumbed to 54 overall during a 175 mile highway trip. (Did not reset)

Really dislike CVTs in general, but Toyota's eCVT is a different animal entirely, works extremely well, and has me reconsidering my position somewhat.
 
dogememe said:
I’d still lean towards a slightly used Escape hybrid or PHEV so you get a taller vehicle which is just a personal preference and you aren’t paying the “Toyota tax” but if you want a sedan I think the Camry is probably the most reliable sedan you can buy these days. I find the interior tech in Toyotas lacking but perhaps I’m just used to my Teslas and GM EVs.
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I don’t want an SUV as a daily. I’m more of a car guy.
 
Keep in mind on Camry the SE, XSE have slightly stiffer spring rates than the LE, XLE. The XLE softer spring rates and more sound proofing helps make them a more comfortable ride IMO.
 
JavierH19 said:
Those are good. I'd avoid the crap dual clutch hybrids like the Hyundai kia ones unless I was only going to lease and not buy out or own it short term within the warranty.
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most of those are gone. 1.6T with the 6speed, or the new 8 speed conventional auto. etc.

A few odd ones left (certain trim on elantra hybrid maybe?)

Was very odd who thought a DCT on santa fe was a good idea?
it wasnt ford powershift bad but not reliable overall.

If you could find a camry hybrid deal without the "toyota and hybrids" are hot taxes.... its a nice vehicle.
when its selling over msrp.. there are other options available though.
 
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