This Is The Used Hybrid Sedan To Buy If You Have A Budget Of $20,000

Car shoppers on a budget tend to be more concerned about cost than features and performance, which makes buying a hybrid sedan a good option. While slightly more expensive than traditional vehicles, hybrids offer better fuel efficiency and long-term value, which can more than offset that difference. They are also a good way to help out the environment while avoiding going all-in on an electric vehicle.

If your idea of a hybrid vehicle is a small, oddly styled hatchback like the previous-generation Toyota Prius, you’ll be happy to know that there are a variety of options. Most automakers that still produce four-door sedans often include a hybrid model in the lineup, and most of these vehicles also provide a good mix of fuel economy and performance, like the Honda Civic, which may get you to rethink speed and affordability. The Honda Civic Hybrid is a good choice if you have a budget of $20,000 or less, but it’s not the best choice. Instead, that honor goes to a vehicle that has a lot in common with the Toyota Prius, though this one comes wrapped in a more traditional sedan body.

The 2018 Toyota Camry Is The Best Choice For Under $20,000

There’s a reason the Toyota Camry continues to thrive in the dwindling mid-size sedan market – like an Olympic decathlon, it does everything well. Every Camry offers a comfortable cabin, ample trunk, good performance, and solid fuel economy, combined with excellent reliability and low ownership costs. Plus, there are a variety of trim levels, including the mainline LE, sporty SE, and loaded XLE which offers Lexus-like luxury.

However, it’s the 2018 Camry Hybrid that shines under these circumstances. In addition to the regular Camry goodness, it offers fuel economy in the range of the Toyota Prius, with a combined rating of 46 to 51 MPG depending on the trim level. Better still, you’re not penalized by the miserly fuel economy with poor performance. The Camry Hybrid’s 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and AC motor produce a combined 208 horsepower. Not enough to win a stoplight drag race, but more than sufficient to comfortably reach 60 mph in about eight seconds.

But wait… there’s more! Like the latest gotta-have gadget advertised on late-night TV, the 2018 Camry Hybrid is available for a new lower price. Yet it retains all the features and an ability to rack up high mileage that cemented its reputation.

Brand New For 2018 With Improved Styling And Features

Toyota Camry styling, like the car itself, has always been evolutionary rather than transformational. However, the all-new 2018 model was a noticeable departure. Leading with a bolder front grille, the exterior is more sporting without appearing gimmicky. Inside, the instrument panel is more driver-focused and the cabin features premium materials. The overall package is still subtle, but instead of an off-the-rack quality, the Camry looks like it’s wearing a tailored suit.

Prices Have Dipped Below $20,000 for the LE, XLE, and SE Models

When new, the 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid started at $28,895 for the LE model and $33,320 for the XLE, while the SE occupied the middle ground at $30,595. Today, those models can be found for under $20,000 depending on the market location, mileage, and condition of the vehicle.

Related

How Much The Toyota Camry Hybrid Depreciates After 7 Years

The 2017 Toyota Camry Hybrid has showcased decent value retention and reliability over time, with notable depreciation and impressive efficiency.

Fuel Efficiency and Performance

The tailored look of the Toyota Camry offers a new assertiveness in performance. A stiffer chassis combined with a multilink rear suspension improves ride quality while making the Camry Hybrid feel more buttoned down. Crisp steering with a modicum of feedback contributes to handling responsiveness. No one would mistake a Camry for a Toyota Supra, but they also wouldn’t confuse it with their grandmother’s Buick.

Fuel Economy: The 2018 Camry Hybrid Offers Up to 52 MPG Combined

While the Camry Hybrid will never blow the doors off a GR Supra, it handily beats it at the pump. Its ace is that it does everything well while getting between 46 and 52 MPG combined. That comfortably beats the Supra’s 21-27 MPG combined by 25 points and puts it in range of the previous-generation Prius, which achieved 54 MPG combined.

2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid Fuel Economy Specs

208 Horsepower Hybrid Setup That Makes 208 Horsepower

Toyota paired a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a synchronous AC electric motor to deliver a combined 208 horsepower. A 1.6-kWh battery pack generates power for the electric motor while the four-cylinder uses an Atkinson combustion cycle to optimize fuel consumption. The combination works seamlessly to provide momentum and can be optimized by selecting Eco mode, which reduces throttle response and keeps the engine working as little as possible.

Driving Comfort: Balanced Handling, Smooth Acceleration, and Regenerative Braking

Interior refinements and a tight suspension tuned for a comfortable and composed ride, make the Camry Hybrid a pleasant travel companion. Those attributes combined with smooth acceleration make it a highly competent vehicle for going places. To help with the lofty MPG rating, the Camry leverages regenerative braking to charge the hybrid battery. This system is less obtrusive than many found in electric vehicles and can be deactivated in Eco mode to allow the car to coast at highway speeds.

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The Toyota Camry remains one of the brand’s most popular models, especially now that it’s a hybrid-only model.

Reliability And Low Maintenance Costs

If the Camry Hybrid’s goodness and all-around merits aren’t enough to sway you, then perhaps its reputation for reliability will. Toyota built its reputation on the backs of the Corolla, Camry, and vehicles like the Land Cruiser, which still regularly top the list of most dependable vehicles.

Toyota’s Reputation for Durability and Reliability

It’s not unusual for a vehicle to last 100,000 or even 200,000 miles with a little care and routine maintenance. Making it to 300,000 miles is an impressive feat, one that requires a long commute and a little dedication to coaxing a vehicle along. But somewhere in Dubai, there is a 2018 Camry Hybrid with over 530,000 miles on it. Far from leading a sheltered life, this particular Camry serves as a taxi, spending most of its time in constant use.

Fewer Battery-Related Issues Compared to Older Hybrid Models

Toyota began leveraging hybrid technology more than 25 years ago and has learned a few things about hybrid batteries and how to avoid issues. In addition to regenerative braking, which helps to prolong the battery life, the Camry uses lithium-ion batteries which have a high energy density. Hybrids also put less wear on their batteries than EVs or PHEVs because the gas-powered engine handles a lot of the workload while helping to optimize charging.

Lower Maintenance and Repair Costs Compared to Competitors

The reliability and reduced number of battery issues pay dividends in other areas. Compared to other hybrid sedans like the Ford Fusion Hybrid or Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, the Camry Hybrid has lower overall maintenance costs. This is part of the reason why the Camry Hybrid has a higher resale value than most of its competitors and why even 10-year-old examples are still worth around $10,000.

Interior Comfort And Features

At its best, the Toyota Camry feels like a bargain Lexus ES. The refined driving experience, rich interior materials, and passenger comfort are enough to re-consider spending another $10,000 on the Camry’s more posh sibling. The Camry Hybrid’s cabin is spacious and well-laid out, with comfortable seating for five passengers and high-quality materials that give it a premium feel. Rear-seat passengers also benefit from generous legroom, and with 15 cubic feet of trunk space, there’s a generous amount of room for luggage.

Standard Tech And Convenience For Every Trim

The XLE is worth the premium because you get even higher quality, soft-touch materials, a larger touchscreen, and a premium JBL audio system. Still, the LE is no slouch in the technology department with a standard seven-inch touchscreen that includes Toyota’s Entune infotainment system. In addition to Bluetooth connectivity, it offers Apple CarPlay with intuitive access to media, navigation, and smartphone integration.

Discussion

Which Camry Is Better: 2024 XSE Hybrid or Camry XSE V6?

Scenario: I have a budget of around $45,000 and want to buy this year’s Toyota Camry. However, the hybrid model has amazing mileage and overall efficiency, while it lacks the speed and fun of the V6. I’ve narrowed it down to the XSE trim in either the gas or hybrid configuration. What should I do?

Safety And Resale Value

In addition to features and performance, the 2018 Toyota Camry holds its own in two other areas – safety and resale value. Redesigned for the 2018 model year, it took advantage of the latest driver assistance technology, which makes it safer than the previous-generation Camry. Its combination of new styling, features, safety, and dependability all contribute to the Camry’s popularity, which in turn helps it hold its value better than many other vehicles in its class.

Top Safety Pick+ Rating from IIHS

The 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), making it one of the safest hybrid sedans on the market. Thanks to its strong crash scores, it not only provides peace of mind but helps lower insurance rates. Every 2018 Camry Hybrid comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense-P (TSS-P), a suite of advanced driver assistance features that include:

• Adaptive cruise control
• Lane departure warning with steering assist
• Automatic braking with pedestrian detection.

Strong Resale Value Compared to Competitors Due to Toyota’s Reputation

Thanks to their reliability and reputation for longevity, Toyota models consistently hold their value better than most other vehicles. The 2018 Camry Hybrid’s retail market value today is roughly 70-percent of its original MSRP. That’s an impressive number compared to the average resale value of a similar vehicle, which is typically worth less than 50-percent of its original price.