Used 2021 Toyota Camry Hybrid

Toyota is on a mission to broaden the appeal of the 2021 Camry Hybrid with a new flagship model and upgraded safety features.

As the number of midsize sedans on the market shrinks in favor of SUVs, more attention is paid to the survivors, especially the hybrid models.

Joining the Camry Hybrid in the spotlight are the latest editions of the Honda Accord Hybrid and Hyundai Sonata Hybrid.

Each of these contenders has its pros and cons. For example, the Accord Hybrid is a shade more fun to drive than the Camry Hybrid, but a little less fuel efficient than the Toyota. The Sonata Hybrid is not as refined as the Japanese duo but represents the best value proposition.

Overall, however, these three are pretty evenly matched, and so your choice comes down to details and personal preference. Consider the comfort and convenience factors, safety equipment, refinement, and even the designs.

We like the Honda Accord Hybrid for its crisper road manners, and the Sonata Hybrid has a tremendous warranty. But it’s difficult to challenge the competent and well-rounded package that the 2021Camry Hybrid represents, especially given Toyota’s lengthy experience with hybrid engineering.

All the 2021 Camry Hybrid trims are front-wheel drive (FWD), whereas the non-hybrid Camry (reviewed separately) can be ordered with all-wheel drive (AWD). This may not concern you if you live in mild weather states, but for snow belt buyers, the AWD advantage is a consideration.

If AWD is desirable, you can choose from a number of AWD hybrid SUVs, compact and midsize, on the market as an alternative.

Driving the Camry Hybrid is all about making smooth, steady progress from A to B. This is not a car to set pulses racing on a road trip. Performance from the hybrid powertrain, which pairs a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine and two electric motors, is modest. The car keeps up with city traffic, but you need to think carefully about opportunistic overtaking maneuvers at higher speeds.

Unlike hybrid versions of smaller vehicles, such as the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, where the addition of electric motors gives a noticeable performance boost, the Camry Hybrid is no quicker than a decent 4-cylinder gasoline engine.

The Camry Hybrid prioritizes ride comfort over handling prowess, so enthusiast drivers will find the Toyota’s road manners rather underwhelming. However, the Camry Hybrid drives perfectly well, maintaining a composed state that will not upset passengers looking for a relaxed ride.

One less than ideal aspect of the hybrid system is the brakes, which can be grabby at lower speeds. Some hybrid vehicles have mastered this issue better than others. The Camry’s still needs some work.

A frisson of excitement is injected into the driving experience by the Camry XSE Hybrid trim’s arrival, which pumps up the visual appeal with 19-inch black-painted wheels and other sporty trim elements.

Comfortable, attractive, relaxing, and well equipped, the 2021 Camry Hybrid cabin rolls out the welcome mat for up to five passengers.

A supportive and slightly raised seat makes for a pleasant driving position, with all the controls and switchgear in easy reach. The dashboard design is quite adventurous for a Camry, with a prominent S-shaped styling cue sweeping up from the center console.

Rear-seat room is ample, if slightly tighter on legroom than in the Honda Accord Hybrid.

The XSE Hybrid brings an extra level of sophistication to the interior. In fact, for what is supposed to be a mid-market family hauler, the Camry Hybrid has the look and feel of a premium sedan. In some ways, it’s knocking on the door of Lexus.

All of which goes to show that a car designed to pinch pennies at the pumps doesn’t have to be parsimonious in other aspects.

Outside, the Camry Hybrid really shakes off the cobwebs with a dynamic design language that veers to downright sporty on the new XLE grade.

You don’t expect 19-inch wheels on a hybrid, but the XLE carries them well. The black painted rims combine with black finish door trim to give the Camry Hybrid a tough, no-nonsense profile.

We feel Toyota designers overreached with the Camry’s front styling, which has too many conflicting shapes, grilles, and angles. It’s a bit of a mess, but at least no one can accuse the Camry of being boring anymore.

TOYOTA SAFETY
For 2021, the Camry Hybrid introduces Toyota’s Safety Sense 2.5+ system for the first time, with a sweeping set of driver aids that come as standard on all hybrid grades.

SMOOTH RIDE
The 2021 Toyota Camry Hybrid offers the same silky ride quality and comfort as the standard Camry but with fuel efficiency as an added benefit.

The base 2021 Camry LE Hybrid trim includes 16-inch wheels, LED headlights, dual-zone climate control, 4.2-inch instrument display, power windows and locks, 7.0-inch audio touchscreen, and an 8-way power driver’s seat.

A full suite of safety equipment in Toyota’s Safety Sense 2.5+ system is standard across all Camry Hybrid grades. It includes forward-collision alert, emergency braking, radar cruise control, lane-departure mitigation, and lane-keeping assistance.

On the LE Hybrid, a blind-spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert system are optional.

There are also several package options, including an upgraded audio system that features a 9-inch touchscreen and back-up camera, a convenience package with a universal garage door opener and automatic dimming rearview mirror, plus a cold weather package with heated front seats and door mirrors.

The Camry SE Hybrid trim adds to the LE equipment with 18-inch wheels, sportier suspension settings, and faux leather seats.

The Camry XLE Hybrid grade level comprises the LE trim elements plus the three LE convenience package features. Buyers also get 18-inch alloy wheels, leather seats, rear AC vents, a 7.0-inch instrument display, a blind-spot monitor, and rear cross-traffic alert.

Optional extras include a navigation system and premium JBL audio system, heated steering wheel, and adaptive headlights (which turn as the car rounds a corner).

There is also a driver assist package, which brings cooled front seats, a head-up display, and a surround-view camera.

At the new Camry XLE Hybrid level, the additions include gloss-black 19-inch alloy wheels, black grille finish, and an optional black painted roof.

The Camry Hybrid powertrain comprises a 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder gasoline engine paired with two electric motors, which power the front wheels via a continuously variable (CVT) transmission.

The Camry Hybrid’s combined output is 208 horsepower, which is slightly less than the 212 horsepower produced by the Honda Accord Hybrid, but superior to the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid which develops 192 horsepower.

2.5-liter 4-cylinder, dual electric motors
208-horsepower total output
EPA city/highway/combined fuel economy: 51/53/52 (LE), 44/47/46 (other trims).