2019 Toyota Camry Hybrid Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byTravis LangnessReviews Editor

　　Travis Langness has worked in the automotive industry since 2011. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career.

　　

What's new

New standard Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa compatibilityPart of the eighth Camry generation introduced for 2018

　　The 2019 Toyota Camry Hybrid is one of the most desirable hybrid sedans on the road. Some might even say that the hybrid version of this popular family sedan is more appealing than the standard gasoline-powered model.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2019 Toyota Camry Hybrid LE 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$73/mo  for Camry Hybrid LE

　　Camry Hybrid LE

　　LE 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) (Most Popular) - $28,400 MSRPSE 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) - $30,100 MSRPXLE 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) - $32,975 MSRP

　　vs

　　$164/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　Redesigned last year, the Camry Hybrid is full of modern touches, including a powertrain that now dominates the class for fuel economy. EPA fuel economy estimates for the Camry Hybrid are as high as 52 mpg combined, a number previously reserved for small hatchbacks such as the Toyota Prius. And while the Camry Hybrid certainly isn't a sports car, its acceleration might surprise you. In our tests, the Hybrid zipped from 0 to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds, which is quicker than the standard gasoline-only Camry.

　　Inside, there's plenty of room and comfort for adults. We also like that safety features such as adaptive cruise control, forward collision mitigation and lane keeping assist are standard across all trim levels. The Camry's infotainment system can be a bit annoying to use, but Toyota has added Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa (no Android Auto yet) to the mix this year, which should help out a little.

　　There are some other appealing hybrid sedans. The Accord Hybrid, in particular, is a capable rival that has some slight advantages in handling performance and infotainment features. Overall, though, we're quite fond of the 2019 Toyota Camry Hybrid. It's an enjoyable car with lots to offer.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

7.8 / 10

　　

Trim tested

　　Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of theToyota Camry LE Hybrid (2.5L 4-cyl hybrid | CVT automatic | FWD).

　　NOTE: Since this test was conducted in 2018, the current Camry Hybrid has received some revisions, including the addition of Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa as standard equipment. Otherwise, the Camry Hybrid is unchanged, so our findings remain applicable.

　　

Scorecard

Overall	7.8 / 10
Driving	7.5
Comfort	8.0
Interior	8.5
Utility	8.5
Technology	6.5

　　

Driving

7.5

　　There's goodness in broad swaths with the Camry Hybrid, but some areas have yet to be conquered. Power and hybrid performance are smooth and plentiful, but its brakes and economy-focused tires spoil the party.

　　

Acceleration

7.5

　　While 208 combined horsepower might not look too impressive on paper, the Camry Hybrid has more than adequate real-world performance. Passing and merging with traffic are never a concern, and its recorded 0-60 mph time of 7.5 seconds even makes it a tad quicker than a regular four-cylinder Camry.

　　

Braking

5.5

　　The brakes are a mixed bag. Under most conditions, they feel smooth and predictable, but the transition between regen and mechanical braking becomes clumsy in stop-and-go traffic. The low-rolling-resistance tires diminish panic-braking performance; our test stop from 60 mph covered 128 feet.

　　

Steering

7.0

　　The steering is accurate, and the ratio is quick enough to make low-speed maneuvers a breeze. But there's an overabundance of power assist, so the steering is light and gives you little feel of the road.

　　

Handling

6.5

　　It's well-mannered within its modest limits since the tires don't have much grip. Still, the Hybrid feels tidy for a car in this class. Body roll isn't excessive when you're going around turns, though the Camry bobs up and down on bumpy, twisting roads more than we'd like.

　　

Drivability

8.0

　　In most situations, you'd be hard-pressed to tell this Camry is a hybrid. The gasoline engine is quiet and quick to rev, and the CVT automatic blends electric and gasoline power with ease and efficiency. Continuously variable gearing helps the cruise control hold speed within 5 mph on downgrades.

　　

Comfort

8.0

　　Comfort is where any midsize sedan should shine, and the Camry Hybrid does just that. Our biggest beef is with the LE hybrid's ride comfort. It's pretty good, but the extra weight of the hybrid system diminishes the car's composure a little compared to the regular Camry. The SE hybrid might be the sweet spot.

　　

Seat comfort

8.5

　　On first inspection, the seats don't look to be anything special, but they do a good job accommodating different body types. The seats are somewhat wide and somewhat flat. It's easy to get comfortable and stay comfortable. And the LE-level cloth breathes well.

　　

Ride comfort

7.0

　　The Camry Hybrid LE excels around town, soaking up bumps and broken surfaces with its long travel suspension and generous tire sidewalls. At highway speeds, however, the rear can sometimes feel soft and buoyant. It's not quite floaty, but it's close.

　　

Noise & vibration

8.0

　　Electric takeoffs are, of course, silent, and the engine is less obvious because it joins in later — though you will hear it zing under heavy throttle application. There's not much in the way of wind or road noise, no matter the speed.

　　

Climate control

8.0

　　The clear and easily understood controls, along with good vent positioning, make for set-and-forget operation. The system handles triple-digit temperatures well, though it takes a bit of time to get cranking.

　　

Interior

8.5

　　The Camry's cabin won't wow you with its opulence, but it does get the fundamentals right. The driver's seat will satisfy a truly broad range of sizes and shapes, and the cabin is spacious. And with easy-to-decipher controls, the Camry is a cinch to live with on a daily basis.

　　

Ease of use

8.0

　　There's nothing confusing about the inside of the Toyota Camry. On-screen menus are easy enough to decipher with one or two uses, and the instrumentation is very readable and efficient with information. The radio volume and tuning knobs are easy for the driver to reach, but they are a bit of a stretch for the front passenger.

　　

Getting in/getting out

8.0

　　Generous front and rear door openings mean easy access for most everyone. All the seats are unobstructed by any part of the car, and headroom is never an issue when entering or exiting the vehicle.

　　

Driving position

8.5

　　Drivers of just about any size should be able to find a comfortable driving position. The pedal area is roomy, and the steering wheel has a large degree of usable adjustment. Arms and elbows can find comfortable, padded support or are free to move when turning.

　　

Roominess

8.5

　　Front and rear passengers have ample space around them. Taller drivers won't impinge on rear passenger legroom, and headroom for the rear seat is ample for average-size adults. The front of the cabin is airy and spacious.

　　

Visibility

8.5

　　Thanks to large windows and slim roof pillars, visibility in every direction is quite good. Mirrors, both inside and out, are nicely sized, and blind spots are kept to a minimum. An optional top-view camera system provides a clear and comprehensive depiction of the surroundings.

　　

Quality

8.0

　　Soft-touch surfaces abound, and they look and feel good. The Camry's design and variety of textures won't be mistaken for those of a luxury car, but they're attractive without sacrificing functionality.

　　

Utility

8.5

　　Thanks to clever packaging, the Camry Hybrid retains a full-size trunk with no intrusion of a battery pack whatsoever. Standing with the trunk open, you can't tell it from a standard Camry. Hybrid sedans usually force you to give up some practicality, but not this one.

　　

Small-item storage

7.0

　　Cabin storage is good but not stellar. The forward center console bin is great for concealing items but has a hard, slippery floor, so items slide around noisily. The console bin at your elbow is a decent size, and the modest door pockets in the front and rear are good for small water bottles only.

　　

Cargo space

9.0

　　The Hybrid has the same trunk size as any other Camry. Loading most items is easy thanks to a wide opening and a low liftover height. The Hybrid's rear seats fold to expand trunk space even more.

　　

Child safety seat accommodation

8.5

　　It's easy to mount a car seat, with obvious and easily accessible lower anchors and package tray-mounted tether points, both under plastic covers. There's enough space so that the front seat need not be scooted all the way forward.

　　

Technology

6.5

　　All Camrys have an impressive suite of standard driver assistance features, but some are too sensitive or cannot be turned off completely. Smartphone integration is slightly improved this year, though built-in navigation is largely unavailable. The audio system is quite easy to learn and use.

　　

Audio & navigation

5.0

　　The audio system layout is simple and effective, with chunky, well-labeled buttons and a clear display even in direct sun. However, built-in navigation is hard to get on the Camry. Typically, you either have to use Toyota's Entune-based Scout GPS Link or your iPhone (through Apple CarPlay) to get navigation.

　　

Smartphone integration

6.5

　　Once your phone has the Entune app, the connection is seamless and immediate. Some apps require the phone to be connected with a USB cable. Wireless charging is optional. Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa are standard, but Android Auto is not available.

　　

Driver aids

8.0

　　All Camrys come with adaptive cruise, automatic emergency braking and lane keeping assist. Rear cross-traffic alert with automatic braking, intelligent clearance sonar and blind-spot monitoring are optional. The lane departure warning system's frequent alerts can be annoying on very narrow roads because the system has no off button.

　　

Voice control

8.0

　　Voice controls through the Entune app suite are fairly straightforward and made all the more effective when you follow the voice command setup menu that helps analyze your speech patterns. Siri Eyes Free and Google Voice are also supported.

　　

Mobile web

7.0

　　In-car 4G LTE Wi-Fi is available and offered free of charge for the first six months for data up to 2 gigabytes.

　　

Which Camry Hybrid does zzdcar recommend?

　　With the 2019 Camry Hybrid, the most fuel-efficient trim level is the base LE, and that's the one we recommend. And the base LE isn't bare-bones by any stretch of the imagination. Interior features include items such as Apple CarPlay compatibility, heated front seats and adaptive cruise control. If you're interested in options, the LE has a few worth checking out, too, such as an upgraded audio system and a sunroof.

　　

2019 Toyota Camry Hybrid models

　　The 2019 Toyota Camry Hybrid is offered in three trim levels: base LE, sporty SE and luxurious XLE. All Camry Hybrids are powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor to produce a total of 208 horsepower. A continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) is standard. The base LE trim uses a lighter and more energy-efficient lithium-ion battery pack, and the SE and XLE hybrids use a nickel-metal hydride battery.

　　The LE starts off with features such as 16-inch steel wheels, automatic LED headlights, keyless ignition and entry, a rearview camera, dual-zone automatic climate control, a power-adjustable driver's seat, and heated front seats. Also standard are a 7-inch touchscreen interface, navigation (GPS Scout Link), Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa connectivity, one USB port, Bluetooth, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a six-speaker sound system. With its lithium-ion battery, the LE is rated by the EPA at 52 mpg combined (51 city/53 highway). That's the highest fuel economy rating in the Camry Hybrid lineup.

　　Standard on every Camry is Toyota Safety Sense, which is a suite of driver assistance features including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane departure alert with steering assistance, and automatic high beams.

　　Right in the middle of the lineup is the SE, which adds 18-inch alloy wheels, sport-themed styling details, a rear spoiler, simulated-leather upholstery (with fabric inserts), and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with shift paddles. The SE's nickel-metal hydride battery contributes to a lower EPA fuel economy estimate of 46 mpg combined (44 city/47 highway). The EPA fuel economy rating is the same on the SE and the XLE.

　　The XLE Hybrid gets all of the base LE's equipment plus unique 18-inch alloy wheels, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, leather upholstery, a power-adjustable passenger seat, a head-up display, a larger driver information display, two extra USB ports, a wireless phone charger, an 8-inch touchscreen, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.

　　The LE and the SE can be equipped with the blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert as extras, and the XLE is available with a top-down parking camera system and a dynamic navigation system bundled with a JBL premium sound system. All three trim levels can be had with a sunroof.

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2019 Camry Hybrid Highlights

Trim: LESEXLELE

　　

Base MSRP	$28,400
Engine Type	Hybrid
Combined MPG	52 MPG
Cost to Drive	$73/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	15.1 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles