With the 2026 Camry, Toyota has gone all in on a hybrid. All ten trims are equipped with an identical powertrain, namely a 2.5L four-cylinder mated to an electric motor. Depending on if one opts for front-wheel or all-wheel drive, that combination will put out 225 or 232 hp respectively. The EPA puts combined fuel economy at between 43 and 51 mpg for any of them, from an LE at $29,600* up to an XSE AWD for $37,525*. Here in Claremont the 2026 version is available with this engine only.
Quick Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Powertrain | 2.5L 4-Cylinder Hybrid (only engine offered) |
| Horsepower | 225 hp (FWD) / 232 hp (AWD) |
| Torque | 163 lb-ft |
| EPA combined MPG | 43-51 mpg, varies by trim and drivetrain |
| Drivetrain options | FWD standard, AWD available on every trim |
| Safety Suite | Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 |
What is the Camry Hybrid Powertrain?
All 2026 Camry trims come with the hybrid powertrain as standard, a 2.5L four-cylinder in combination with an electric motor and its battery pack. There is no plug-in option to be had this year, nor will you find a gas-only Camry. As for output, Toyota has made some minor adjustments to it on the basis of your choice between front-wheel and all-wheel drive.
Front-wheel-drive trims (LE, SE, Nightshade, XLE, XSE) make 225 hp. All-wheel-drive trims make 232 hp. Torque holds steady at 163 lb-ft regardless of drivetrain. Every configuration seats five. Cargo space is 15.1 cu ft, unchanged whether you pick FWD or AWD.
How the Camry Hybrid Powertrain Works
As with the majority of Toyota's hybrids, the task of getting the car underway is shared by a gas engine and an electric motor. They will combine or one will take over in response to how much throttle is applied and the speed of the vehicle. For a gentle acceleration at low speeds the electric motor is sufficient to do it alone, put more on the pedal or be up to highway speed and the gas engine comes into play to assist.
The rear axle of an AWD trim is fitted with its own electric motor to put more power to the back wheels in the event of wheel slip or where additional traction is called for, all without a mechanical driveshaft between front and rear. AWD trims rate 232 hp, compared to 225 hp for FWD. Torque is unchanged at 163 lb-ft. and because one does not have a conventional automatic to shift gears in the normal fashion, there is no hard clunk from the transmission when the power source changes from gas to electric.
Which 2026 Camry Trims Have the Hybrid Powertrain
Every 2026 Camry trim comes standard with the hybrid powertrain, with no option package or upgrade required:
- Standard on: LE, LE AWD, SE, Nightshade, SE AWD, Nightshade AWD, XLE, XSE, XLE AWD, XSE AWD, all ten trims
- Available on: Not applicable: no gas-only or plug-in alternative exists for 2026
- Not available on: No trim omits it
At $29,600* the LE is the most economical entry point to a hybrid Camry. It also happens to be the best in the line for fuel economy with a combined rating of 51 mpg.
How to Use the Hybrid Powertrain
You need not do a thing for the hybrid system to make the switch from electric to gas. There are some practices, however, that will put one in a position to get close to what the EPA rates. A leisurely and smooth acceleration from a standstill is one. It allows the car to stay on electric power for the better part of the time before the gas engine is called into play. Once on the freeway the reverse is true, with the system making greater use of the gas to maintain speed and the combined mpg being somewhat less than in the city. You can see the way this works in the per-trim figures below.
Regenerative braking recharges the battery whenever you are coasting or slowing. In the stop-and-go traffic on Claremont's surface streets, that improves efficiency in conditions where a conventional gas engine would be at a disadvantage.
Fuel Economy by Trim and Drivetrain
The hybrid rating isn't identical across every trim or drivetrain:
| Trim | Drivetrain | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LE | FWD | 52 | 49 | 51 |
| LE AWD | AWD | 50 | 49 | 50 |
| SE, Nightshade, XLE, XSE | FWD | 47 | 45 | 46 |
| SE AWD, Nightshade AWD, XLE AWD | AWD | 46 | 46 | 46 |
| XSE AWD | AWD | 43 | 43 | 43 |
The LE leads the lineup with a combined 51 mpg, the top rating among the FWD hybrid trims. The EPA lists that rating on its Fuel-Economy Ratings.
Driving the Camry Hybrid in Claremont
One is amply rewarded for a hybrid powertrain in the sort of driving one does in Claremont, given its 43 to 51 mpg combined. The fuel economy makes itself felt in short order, be it in the stop-and-go of the Claremont Colleges area or on the way to Rancho Santa Ana and the California Botanic Garden, even running an errand will see regenerative braking put charge back in the battery at each light and the savings mount. And when the occasion calls for a day at The Huntington or Disneyland Park over the weekend, the AWD versions with their 232 hp and extra traction are as capable of covering the distance as an FWD is of the daily grind.
We are at 601 Auto Center Dr (91711) in Claremont, minutes from the 10. At Claremont Toyota we can set you up with a Camry Hybrid test drive to the Claremont Colleges Botanic Garden, so you can see how the system performs on freeway on-ramps and surface streets alike. Call us at (909) 455-9142.
Why Buy Your Camry Hybrid from Us
- Ask us which Camry trims are currently available so you can compare an LE's 51 mpg against an XSE AWD's sportier tuning in person
- Our showroom sits just off the 10, close to Claremont Colleges and the California Botanic Garden, convenient for a test drive that covers both surface streets and freeway
- You can schedule hybrid maintenance through our schedule service page
- Our parts department can help you source Toyota Genuine Parts for the hybrid system's components
Get Behind the Wheel of a Camry Hybrid
To find out what Camry Hybrid trims we have in stock, take a look at our new inventory. A more economical Camry Hybrid can be found in our pre-owned or certified pre-owned lines. Should you wish to make plans for a visit, hours and directions are provided here, otherwise feel free to get in touch with us on any matter prior to coming in. For the time your Camry Hybrid is due for service, you can find our service specials page here.
Every 2026 Toyota Camry includes Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, the standard driver-assist safety suite across the lineup.
You can also browse our new inventory, view our certified pre-owned models, schedule service, value your trade, check our service specials, start a finance application, order genuine parts and accessories, or contact our team online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the 2026 Camry come in a non-hybrid version?
The 2026 Camry is a hybrid in every trim, so the answer is no. There is not a plug-in or a gas-only option to be had from Toyota for this model year. In fact, you are opting for a hybrid by default when you put your mind to a Camry, since all ten trims are fitted with the same 2.5L four-cylinder hybrid powertrain. This applies to the $29,600* LE as much as it does to an XSE AWD at $37,525*.What's the horsepower on the 2026 Camry hybrid?
A Camry will put out 225 hp in front-wheel-drive form, irrespective of the trim. Put one in all-wheel-drive and that goes up to 232 hp. But horsepower is where the FWD and AWD models differ, as for torque, it is a steady 163 lb-ft regardless of what drivetrain or trim is in question.What's the best fuel economy trim in the 2026 Camry lineup?
If you go with the LE in front-wheel drive, you get the highest rating in the lineup: 52 city, 49 highway, and 51 mpg combined, according to EPA fuel-economy testing. That makes it both the most efficient and the least expensive trim in the lineup, at $29,600*. AWD and higher trims rate lower: combined ratings drop as low as 43 mpg on the XSE AWD.Is the AWD Camry hybrid less fuel-efficient than FWD?
You would be right to say so. An FWD LE is good for 51 mpg in combined driving, but the AWD version of the trim rates 50 combined. The XSE and other trims at the top end show a greater gap: the FWD rates 46 combined to the AWD's 43.How much does the 2026 Camry hybrid cost?
The LE has a starting MSRP of $29,600*, with the XSE AWD at the top end of the scale at $37,525*. The SE, Nightshade and XLE trims and their AWD versions are all priced in between. And because they are hybrids across the board, there is no hybrid premium to be had as you would find with a Honda Accord that has both gas and hybrid options.Does the Camry hybrid need to be plugged in?
The 2026 Camry Hybrid is not a plug-in, but a standard hybrid. You never need to connect it to an external charger. The battery is recharged by the gas engine and regenerative braking alone. As with any conventional vehicle, refueling is done at the pump. The hybrid system takes care of itself unobtrusively in the background, requiring no input on your part.What's the torque on the 2026 Camry hybrid?
The 2026 Camry puts out a standard 163 lb-ft of torque in every trim, drivetrain be it what it may. You will find that number is consistent from one end of the lineup to the other, horsepower is the variable, coming in at 225 or 232 hp for FWD and AWD models.What's Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 on the 2026 Camry?
All 2026 Camry trims come standard with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, the standard driver-assist safety suite. There is no upcharge for it, whether you are looking at an LE or an XSE AWD. Since every trim carries the same suite, changing trim level makes no difference to the safety features you get.How many seats does the 2026 Camry hybrid have?
You get five seats in the 2026 Camry across every trim and drivetrain configuration. This holds true whether you choose FWD or AWD, and across all ten trims in the lineup. Cargo space also stays consistent at 15.1 cu ft regardless of which trim or drivetrain you select.Can I get all-wheel drive on every Camry trim?
Toyota has made AWD an option across the 2026 Camry line up, from the LE and SE to the Nightshade, XLE and XSE. One does have to pay more for it than FWD though. The LE with AWD is priced at $31,125* versus $29,600* in its FWD form. The additional rear electric motor on the AWD models yields a little extra power as well, 232 hp to the 225 hp of the FWD.Does the hybrid system affect the Camry's cargo space?
Cargo space stays at 15.1 cu ft across every 2026 Camry trim and drivetrain, so you get identical cargo capacity whether you pick FWD or AWD, and choosing a different trim doesn't cost you trunk room.What's the difference between the Camry's FWD and AWD hybrid systems?
The FWD system uses a single electric motor paired with the 2.5L engine to drive the front wheels, making 225 hp. The AWD system adds a second electric motor at the rear axle, engaging power to the rear wheels without a mechanical driveshaft, bringing total output to 232 hp. Torque stays at 163 lb-ft in both setups.Is the 2026 Camry hybrid good for stop-and-go traffic?
In stop-and-go traffic the hybrid system is at its best. Every time the car coasts or decelerates regenerative braking puts charge back in the battery, at a low speed the electric motor will see the vehicle along with the gas engine shut down. You can expect mpg to be on a par with the higher city-cycle numbers, as opposed to what is put up on the highway, say when one is driving the surface and city streets of Claremont.Where can I test drive a 2026 Camry hybrid in Claremont?
Come in for a test drive of the 2026 Camry Hybrid at Claremont Toyota. We are located at 601 Auto Center Dr in Claremont (CA 91711), just off the 10. The California Botanic Garden and the Claremont Colleges are close by, making it convenient to test the hybrid system on both surface streets and the freeway. To see what trims we have in our new inventory, call us at (909) 455-9142.What's new on the 2026 Camry compared to last year?
With the 2025 model year the Camry became an all-hybrid proposition, and for 2026 that is the case in every one of the ten trims. A 2.5L four-cylinder hybrid powertrain and Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 are standard fare no matter the trim, which means one's decision will be a matter of selecting the right drivetrain and trim as opposed to the powertrain.How much does the XLE cost compared to the SE?
The XLE starts at $34,800* in front-wheel drive, $2,700 more than the SE's $32,100* starting price. Both trims share the same 225 hp FWD hybrid powertrain and the same 46 mpg combined EPA rating, so the added cost buys you the XLE's higher equipment level rather than a different drivetrain. AWD versions of both trims are also available for a further premium.Sources: EPA Fuel-Economy Ratings · Official Toyota Specifications
*All prices shown are Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) and are provided for informational purposes only. MSRP excludes the manufacturer's destination and handling charge, which varies by model. It also excludes the $85 dealer doc fee, taxes, title, license and other applicable fees. Actual purchase price is determined at the dealership. Contact Claremont Toyota for complete pricing.
Information accuracy: Details on this page are provided for general information and are accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. Vehicle images are for illustration only and may depict a different trim or optional equipment. Any pricing shown applies only to the trim and configuration specifically identified and may not apply to the vehicle pictured. Specifications, features, and pricing are set by the manufacturer and the EPA and may change or be corrected after publication; we aren't responsible for changes made on their end. Fuel-economy figures are EPA estimates for comparison only; actual mileage varies. Please confirm specs, pricing, and availability with Claremont Toyota before purchase; the window sticker and signed purchase agreement are the controlling documents.