Hybrid vehicles are a fuel-efficient option to going all-electric. Our reviewer compares three out of several options. phoenix
, but the first big seller was Toyota Prius a century later in the late 1990s, according to energy.gov’s electric car history. Fueleconomy.gov lists 126 hybrids for model year 2023, though some are iterations of the same model and some are mild hybrids, meaning they have a limited electric boost.
Camrys are smooth operators with plenty of room for four passengers to get comfy, but a bit less cargo space than many midsize sedans. Entry-point models include lots of driver-assistance features but no blind-spot monitor. The $31,710 Nightshade edition I tested looked sharp inside, a nice jump over less expensive Camrys.
As for standard equipment, entry-level gas and hybrid models are similarly equipped with a decent run of features. Likewise, the midsize sedans’ cabins are comfortable, quiet and roomy front and back with generous cargo space. ES is a bit larger than Camry. Toyota’s Avalon, also available as a hybrid, is more comparable in size. Both ES and Camry score well in J.D. Power reliability surveys. The Camry scored perfect fives in government crash tests, while the ES lost a point for frontal crashes.