Drive Notes: 2024 Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE AWD

This one is the top-trim available if you're buying a hybrid Camry. Of course, buying a hybrid Camry is now the ONLY way to get a Camry. That's right, all Camrys come with a hybrid powertrain that pairs a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with three electric motors (two in the front, one in the rear) for 232 system horsepower (when all-wheel drive is selected) and mates to a continously-variable automatic transmission.

The styling is redone inside and out, as well.

Let's get to it.

Pros

• The interior upgrades are slick -- it's a nice look and the larger and updated infotainment system that Toyota has been using across its models is very nice to look at and use.
• For the most part, hybrid transitions are smooth, though you do get some ticking noises from the powertrain here and there.
• The cabin is quiet inside -- outside noise is well insulated.
• The ride is smooth.
• Despite some flaws -- see below -- the Camry handles a lot better than it used to.
• While the power numbers aren't impressive on paper, the Camry has good around-town acceleration.
• It's nice that Toyota makes a dash cam available.
• As is usually the case with Camrys, most things just work. Most things -- see below for more.
• The HVAC switches are easy to use and intuitive enough to quickly learn.
• The fuel economy/range is no joke. This would be a good road-trip car.
• Trunk space is cavernous.

Cons

• The steering is overboosted, though the weight is nice.
• Rear-seat headroom is compromised by the swooping roofline.
• I like the overall shape, but the grille area is a bit odd-looking.
• The wireless charger sometimes didn't work unless I placed my phone just right.
• Apple CarPlay failed to start a few times. At least once I had to reconnect my device via the infotainment. This seemed more apt to happen when the car was valet parked -- for insurance reasons, my building has garage hikers.
• There's a tad too much body roll in corners.
• Even factoring in inflation and the creep of average transaction prices, the $42K sticker seems a tad dear for a car that exists to be an easy-to-live with daily driver. Yes, that's true even for this loaded top-trim car.

The Camry remains an all-around all-star, though we're not certain if going hybrid-only is a good call or not. It gives Toyota green-marketing cred but some folks might be hesitant due to concerns over higher maintenance costs.

Powertrain aside, the Camry still isn't on performance par with the Honda Accord, but for daily driving it is very, very good. If sportiness matters less to you than a smooth ride, quiet cabin, large trunk, and ease of use, the Camry shows why it is perennially at or near the top of the mid-size sedan class.

That's not to say the Camry's driving dynamics are bad -- they aren't. And they are much improved from previous generations. It's just that the enthusiast's choice is probably still the Accord.

Otherwise, the Camry does what mid-size sedans are supposed to do and does it well. Time was us snarky, cynical auto journalists frowned on the Camry for being beige, bland daily transport. That time is over -- while those who emphasize sport may shop elsewhere, the rest of us would be plenty happy in the current Camry.