The 2026 Toyota Camry is a hybrid for 2026, and it is still an outstanding midsized sedan, earning the top ranking for hybrid cars from U.S. News and World Report.
There is a lot to like about this car, so I will be a curmudgeon and get the ugly parts out of the way first:
In an effort to look more streamlined, headroom is a bit cramped. And I am not a fan of how they have redesigned the dashboard displays.
Okay, I am done complaining. Other, than that, for a starting price of $30K US (for now), this is an excellent car to consider if you can afford to buy new and really want a hybrid, one that offers an average mpg of 46.
Standard features on the base LE trim are considerable: dual-zone climate control, Apple CarPlay / Android Auto, 16-inch alloy wheels, smart key system (allows you to unlock doors without removing key fob from your pocket or purse) and (my favorite) Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which includes lane departure alert with steering assist, automatic high beams, pedestrian detection with pre-collision braking, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, to name a few.
Front-Wheel Drive is Standard.
For a few thousand dollars more, I would consider going up to the SE (seen here) or the sporty Nightshade edition. I tested the Nightshade trim, which comes with All-Wheel Drive, sport-tuned suspension, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, paddle shifters, SofTex trimmed seats and a very snazzy looking grill.
I really enjoyed driving this year’s Camry, as I always do. It is a light, easy-going kind of car. It is easy to park, easy to take everywhere. It truly is an easy-going LGT2SBQIA+++ car – but let your ally friends think it’s an every-human kind of car as well, because, really, it is.
The trunk has about 15 cubic feet of cargo space. The rear seats have a 60 /40 split, which will allow you to fold them down and store some more items inside, like skis or wood paneling.
The Camry is a functional vehicle, but it is not an SUV, so keep that in mind. Hockey moms and soccer dads, take note: if your weekend is more than just a leisurely drive to and from the estate, you may want to look at getting a more functional car. Like an SUV.
As the price of gasoline continues to climb, an average mile-per-gallon of 46 starts to sound very attractive. The beauty of a hybrid, versus a plug-in hybrid or an electric vehicle, is that you do not need to charge it or even really pay attention to it. Yeah, sure, you need to make sure it is running properly, but you can ignore it most days while you focus on work, family, and those other obligations of life.
As always, before you make any investment, sit down with those you love (to include that special someone you got at the animal shelter) and map out what kind of vehicle you want and need and how much of a dent to your monthly budget this will make. The costs will add up fast.
We here at gaywheels.com love cars, especially new cars. But we also want you to take care of yourselves first, and right now, that most likely means reining in your budgets as much as possible.
Let us know how we can we help. As the nuns at my Catholic school used to say, the only stupid question is the question that wasn’t asked.
Again, we are here to help, sans the habit, wimple and rosary beads.
