Our Opinion - 2026 Toyota Camry Review Many awards have been given to the Toyota Camry for its unique mix of cost, space, and fuel efficiency, but none for its ability to delight the senses. The 2026 Camry is only available as a hybrid, but it has two engine choices that make the hybrid work better. A normal front-wheel-drive system with 225 horsepower uses the least amount of gas. An all-wheel-drive system with 232 horsepower, on the other hand, boosts output without decreasing efficiency. The Camry makes an excellent family car thanks to its spacious, comfortable interior and an affordable starting price. What's New? A new trim level called Nightshade will be added to the Camry range in 2026. It will probably fall between the XLE and XSE trim levels. The Nightshade, as its name suggests, has a dark theme with gloss-black badges, special 19-inch wheels, and midnight-black glossy accents on the outside. In addition, it has the same sportier chassis setup as the SE and XSE models. Along with the new trim, the SE, XLE, and XSE grades now come in a new color called Dark Cosmos. Pros and Cons Pros Offers an excellent driving experience. Comes standard with a robust hybrid system. Contemporary design with plenty of features. Cons The styling is similar to the previous model. The SE and XSE have a firmer ride. There are concerns about the build quality. Engine, Transmission, and Performance There are two types of hybrid powertrains for the Camry Hybrid: one that only powers the front wheels and one that powers all four. In models with front-wheel drive, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors make 225 horsepower. In models with all-wheel drive, a third motor handles the back axle, making the total output 232 horsepower. A continuously variable automatic gear is used in both versions. With a 2.5-liter gas engine instead of the Prius’ 2.0-liter four, these powertrains are the same as the Prius. During our first test drive, we noticed that the hybrid setup was responsive in the city thanks to the strong push of the electric motors. The SE, XSE, and Nightshade models all have sportier damper settings. In the corners, our XSE test car had better body control, but we didn’t like the driving because it didn’t feel right. Safety The new Camry Hybrids will all have adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, automatic emergency braking with detection of pedestrians and bikes, and even a feature that gently uses the brakes to help the driver get ready for corners. Important safety features are: Automatic emergency stopping that looks for people on foot and bikes. Includes standard lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assistance. Standard features include adaptive cruise control, which can guide the car into its lane. Internal and External Cargo Capacity The Camry Hybrid’s trunk is roomy enough for adults to sit comfortably in both the front and back seats. The dashboard looks good, thanks to a big piece of trim that goes from the passenger side to the navigation screen. Automatic climate control for two zones, air vents in the back, and cloth seats are all standard. The XLE and XSE trims come equipped with features like heated seats, a heated steering wheel, ambient lighting, acoustic-laminated glass, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and trunk-stowable adjustable headrests. Fuel Economy and Actual MPG The LE grade with front-wheel drive got 53 mpg in the city and 50 mpg on the highway last year. With all-wheel drive, it delivered 51 mpg in the city and 49 mpg on the highway. However, the EPA has not yet released fuel economy figures for the 2026 Camry. The least efficient Camry was the high-end XSE all-wheel-drive, which achieved just 43 mpg on the highway and 44 mpg in the city. A 2025 Camry XSE AWD got 43 mpg, which was the same as what we thought it would get on our 75-mph highway fuel efficiency test route. We will make changes to this area as soon as the EPA’s 2026 predictions and our own testing results come in. Infotainment and Connectivity The XLE and XSE models come with a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, while the SE has one as an extra. The standard entertainment screen measures 8 inches. In any case, both screens have Toyota’s newest software layout, which we found to be quick and easy to use. Every car comes with a digital gauge panel, but the larger 12.3-inch fully digital version is only available in the top two trim levels. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard on all trim levels and don’t require a cord. A nine-speaker JBL sound system can only be added to the XLE and XSE trim levels. Range, Charging, and Battery Life On our test track, a Camry XSE AWD went from 0 to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds. At 60 mph, the Camry is only 0.1 seconds behind the Accord Hybrid and a full second ahead of the Hyundai Sonata. Price and How to Choose Different grades and features can make the 2026 Toyota Camry cost anywhere from $30,000 to $38,000. The SE trim level is the top choice in the Camry lineup. We like how sporty it looks and how good of a deal it is. A bigger touchscreen and a more powerful all-wheel-drive system are two of the most popular features that can be added as improvements. It also comes with more basic features and a stronger suspension.
