2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE - Review 2022

While sedans are apace becoming dinosaurs due to consumer appetite for crossovers and SUVs, the Toyota Camry has remained America'southward superlative-selling automobile for the final xv years for good reason. And the all-new 2022 Camry Hybrid makes a stronger case than ever for sedans, thanks to head-turning exterior styling, a luxury-similar interior on the pinnacle trim level, and a new version of Toyota's Entune infotainment system. It also offers enough of passenger and cargo room, loads of standard comfort and convenience features at every trim level, and several commuter assists as standard equipment fifty-fifty on the base of operations model.

Of course, proficient fuel economy is the main reason for ownership a hybrid. And even though the 2022 Camry Hybrid has the same engine as the previous model, the base LE trim is rated at 52mpg combined—12 mpg more than its predecessor, and the same every bit a Toyota Prius. While the SE and XLE have slightly less fuel economy ratings at 46mpg combined, the 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE we tested makes a compelling instance for the ride, roominess, and fuel frugality of a hybrid sedan, and earns our Editors' Choice.

Pricing and Design

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid comes in three trim levels, all with a 176-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine paired with a 18-kilowatt/118-horsepower electric motor, for a cyberspace 208 horsepower. Power for the electric motor comes from either a ane.6-kwh lithium-ion or sealed nickel-metal hydride battery that'southward recharged past the gasoline engine and through regenerative braking. Power is transferred to the front wheels via an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (ECVT).

The base model LE starts at $27,800 and comes standard with such exterior features as 16-inch steel wheels, automatic bi-LED headlights and daytime running lights, combination LED tail lights, a dark gray front grille, trunk colour power side mirrors, keyless entry, intermittent windshield wipers, high solar energy-arresting windows, and an acoustic noise-reducing front windshield.

Standard interior civilities include dual-zone automated climate control, fabric-trimmed seats, heated front seats, an 8-mode power commuter seat, a six-fashion manually adapted front passenger seat, and threescore/forty split fold-down rear seats with a heart armrest. There'southward also a tilt/telescopic steering cycle, soft material upper door trim, forest interior trim, push button ignition, power windows and doors, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass, a HomeLink garage door opener, and an electric parking brake.

Standard technology features include Bluetooth for phone and music streaming, a 4.2-inch LCD instrument cluster, and the Entune three.0 Audio organisation with six speakers, AM/FM/CD, an aux-in jack, a USB port with iPod connectivity and control, and a vii-inch touch screen. It comes with Sentinel GPS with a 3-year free trial, the Entune App Suite, Siri Optics Costless, built-in vocalisation recognition, a backup camera with guidelines, and a complimentary three-year trial subscription to the Prophylactic Connect telematics arrangement that includes automatic standoff notification, emergency assistance, stolen vehicle location, and roadside assist. Standard driver assists include adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane keeping assist, and hill start assist.

The SE trim starts at $29,500 and adds 18-inch black automobile terminate blend wheels, a black front grille with sport mesh insert, trunk color side rocker panels and rear spoiler, dual chrome exhaust tips, sport-tuned shock absorbers and springs, Sport SofTex-trimmed front seats, a leather-trimmed steering bike with paddle shifters, embossed-mesh interior trim, and a tire force per unit area monitor system with direct pressure readout.

The top-of-the-line XLE we tested starts at $32,250 and adds 18-inch silvery car finish alloy wheels, LED headlights and daytime running lights, LED tail lights, a bright metallic forepart grille, body color heated ability side mirrors with turn signals, rear seat climate command vents, a fill-in photographic camera with dynamic guidelines, leather-trimmed front end seats, an eight-way power front-passenger seat, and adjustable rear headrests. It besides has a 10-inch color heads upward display, Tiger Eye interior wood trim, an machine-dimming rearview mirror with compass, 3 USB ports, blind spot monitoring with rear cantankerous-traffic warning, and intelligent clearance sonar with rear cross-traffic braking.

Our test car was also optioned with a $1,050 surround-view camera, $415 adaptive headlights with auto-leveling, a $845 tilt/slide moonroof, and the pricey $1,800 Sound package that includes a premium JBL audio system and wireless smartphone charging. With a $885 delivery processing and handling fee, the terminal sticker price came to $37,245.

The Camry has long been known for center-of-the-route outside styling, only the 2022 Camry Hybrid has a more angular and muscular look. An aggressive ii-part grille with a larger Toyota badge at the center is tinted blue. The interior on our XLE exam car tin can well-nigh pass for that of a luxury sedan, with first-class fit and cease, quality materials, plenty of rider space, and good visibility. Despite having to fit in a hybrid battery, Toyota managed to retain a total-size trunk that's identical in size to a standard Camry.

Infotainment Interface and Connectivity

The 2022 Camry is the start Toyota to feature the all-new Entune three.0 infotainment system with an eight-inch screen. Entune has always been one of our favorite infotainment systems due to its simplicity of employ and its straightforward (and complimentary) connectivity options. Cheque out our full review of the Entune 3.0 organisation for a complete rundown.

Many of the Camry Hybrid'due south commuter assists are standard even on the base model and most let for sensitivity adjustments. The XLE trim we tested also has a new driver assist called Intelligent Clearance Sonar that uses eight sensors around the vehicle to warn when an object is nearby. In improver to providing an audible warning, ICS will too automatically employ the brakes when the motorcar gets besides close to an object. The surround view camera also has a "run into-through" fashion that provides a meliorate expect at what's effectually the vehicle.

Toyota has also equipped the XLE model with one of the largest and best head-up displays nosotros've seen on any machine.

Operation

There are four drive modes: EV, ECO, Normal, and Sport. Sport adds an increment in power from the hybrid system for faster acceleration, while ECO dials back operation in favor of fuel economic system. The Camry Hybrid also has a new Automobile Glide Control in ECO mode that helps to meliorate fuel efficiency when the automobile is coasting.

The 208 combined horsepower provides adequate functioning for daily use, and passing other cars and climbing hills isn't an outcome, although the CVT becomes noisy under heavy acceleration. Performance of the gasoline engine and electric motor blend well, and the regenerative braking is barely noticeable when lifting off the throttle. Ride and treatment are shine, and the lack of torso roll effectually abrupt turns is impressive given the vehicle's size and weight.

Conclusions

While the 2022 Camry Hybrid's flagship XLE model has a luxurious interior and other brute comforts, the base LE trim level likely will hitting the sweet spot for about buyers, since it has plenty of standard features and ameliorate combined fuel economy—and is priced almost $4,500 less. Regardless, nosotros believe that near drivers will be happy with any 2022 Camry Hybrid model they choose—and should consider one fifty-fifty if you're shopping for a crossover or SUV and don't need all-wheel drive. It reinforces what has fabricated the Camry so popular over the last fifteen years, and earns our Editors' Choice for sedans.