Best used economy hybrid: Toyota Camry Hybrid

The Camry first began offering a hybrid engine in 2008, as Toyota continued to dominate hybrid passenger vehicle manufacturing. By 2012, the second-generation Camry Hybrid had arrived, and it would remain on sale through model year 2017.

For this generation’s final two model years (2016 and 2017), various year-over-year updates and enhancements delivered strong value. For instance, the 2016 Camry Hybrid offered more standard equipment on more trim grades, and its improved wind and road noise isolation made it the quietest-driving Camry yet. 

The 2017 Camry Hybrid’s improved ride, safety feature availability and value proposition made it hard to pass up. All Camry models were built with 20 airbags, a back-up camera and the Toyota STAR safety system, a networked array of must-have driver-assist technologies. 

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Is the Toyota Camry Hybrid a good car?

Few cars come with a resume as impressive as the Toyota Camry’s.  

By the time the 2017 Toyota Camry Hybrid rolled out, the pioneering Toyota Prius had been in production for 20 years and global sales of Toyota hybrids had surpassed 10 million units. 

In 2016, Toyota was rated the Most Trusted Hybrid Car Manufacturer for the eighth consecutive year and the Most Trusted Passenger Car Manufacturer for the 10th straight year, according to Reader’s Digest.

The Camry and Camry Hybrid were called a Top Family Car Pick by AutoTrader.ca, a Top Safety Pick + by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), and a Canadian Black Book Best Retained Value Awards winner in the mid-size car category. 

Many shoppers gravitate towards the Camry Hybrid for its promise of a no-nonsense ownership experience. Other key benefits include a spacious and quiet interior that easily fits four adults, a generous trunk, a ride that’s consistently quiet and comfortable across a wide range of road surfaces, and, of course that economical hybrid fuel efficiency,

What’s under the hood?

The Camry Hybrid is powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid engine. There’s no plugging in required or possible, as the hybrid engine’s battery is recharged automatically while you drive around. Just gas it up as you would a regular car and drive the way you normally do.

With 200 horsepower, the hybrid engine has a slight power advantage over the non-hybrid engine (178 horsepower), and all units run an automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. 

Should you buy a used Toyota Camry Hybrid?

A used Camry Hybrid is an especially good car for commuters who frequently drive in stop-and-go traffic. That’s when the hybrid engine runs at maximum efficiency and saves the most fuel. 

On average, a non-hybrid Camry with the four-cylinder engine from this generation needs 8.2 litres of gas to drive 100 kilometres, according to Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). 

The Camry Hybrid needs just 5.8 litres of gas (about 30% less) to cover that same distance despite generating 12% more horsepower than the non-hybrid model.  

In dollars and cents? Assuming you pay $1.50 per litre and drive 25,000 kilometres per year, that’s an annual fuel bill of $3,075 for the Camry and $2,175 for the Camry Hybrid. In summary, the Camry Hybrid can easily save you $900 per year on fuel, and more if you’ll often drive in commuter traffic. 

Used hybrid cars perform best when they’re lovingly cared for, they’re properly maintained and their software is up to date. That’s why you’ll want to look for a second-hand Camry Hybrid with full service records, proving that the previous owner has kept up with all maintenance and inspections. 

Remember: hybrid cars need oil changes, tune-ups, braking system maintenance, suspension work, and wheel alignments, just like non-hybrid cars. 

According to the Camry owners’ community, shoppers considering a used Camry Hybrid from the 2012-to-2017 generation should carefully check for signs of excessive paint wear, chips, scratches and rust, as some owners have been disappointed with the durability of their paint jobs over time.

Check the seats, too. Adjust the driver’s seat through its full range of motion and double-check the lumbar support. Shift around vigorously within your seat once buckled in, listening and feeling for any unwanted shifting, cracks or pops from within the seat or its mounts and rails. This could indicate the need for adjustments or repairs.

If the Camry Hybrid is equipped with a navigation system, check the history and address book to confirm that neither is full of hotels, airports or conference centres, as this could indicate that the vehicle may have been used previously as a taxi or airport shuttle.

Example: 2020 Toyota Camry Hybrid specifications

• Price (new): From $31,550
• Body type: Sedan
• Powertrain layout: Front-wheel drive
• Engine: 2.5-litre inline-4 hybrid
• Horsepower: 208
• Torque (lb-ft): 163 
• Transmission: CVT
• Curb weight: 1,575 kg (3,472 lb)
• Fuel consumption (combined): 4.9 L/100 km
• EPA MPG (combined): 52

More about autos:

• Best used cars in Canada
• Your complete guide to getting the best car insurance in Canada
• The best gas credit cards in Canada
• Should you take your vehicle to a car repair shop or a dealership?

About Justin Pritchard

Justin Pritchard is an automotive journalist and award-winning presenter, photographer, videographer and technical writer in Sudbury, Ont. He is a former co-chair of the Canadian Car of the Year Awards, and his passion for vehicle testing is the core of his work.