The Toyota Camry stopped offering a gas-only engine when the ninth generation arrived for 2025, and Camry hybrid fuel economy is now one of the main reasons people buy one. But with front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive and a sportier XSE to choose from, how much fuel does each version actually use, and is AWD worth the small penalty? Here is what the official numbers say.
How the Camry hybrid works
Every Camry uses the fifth-generation Toyota Hybrid System: a 2.5L four-cylinder engine, high-torque electric motors, a lithium-ion battery and an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (eCVT). Toyota says it tuned the system for a more natural acceleration feel, drawing more power from the battery to keep engine revs from flaring when you press the accelerator.
There are two configurations:
- Front-wheel drive: 225 net combined horsepower.
- Electronic On-Demand AWD: adds a dedicated electric motor-generator at the rear axle, for 232 hp. It sends power to the rear wheels when needed, such as pulling away from a stop or when the system detects slippery roads.
Normal, Eco and Sport drive modes are standard, and there is no plug. The battery charges itself through regenerative braking and the engine.
The official fuel consumption ratings
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) publishes the official ratings. These are its 2026 model-year figures, the most recent we found for the Camry at the time of writing:
| Version | City (L/100 km) | Highway (L/100 km) | Combined (L/100 km) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camry (FWD) | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Camry AWD SE / XLE | 5.1 | 5.2 | 5.1 |
| Camry AWD XSE | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 |
Toyota Canada's own estimate for the front-drive model is slightly lower, at 4.9 L/100 km combined. We use NRCan's figures here because they are the federal government's official ratings for the 2026 model year.
What stands out
City and highway are nearly identical. Many hybrids, including Toyota's own RAV4 hybrid, are noticeably more efficient in town than on the highway. The Camry is essentially the same in both. That is good news for Canadians who rack up highway kilometres: you get hybrid-level efficiency on the 401 or the Coquihalla, not just in stop-and-go traffic. The Camry's low, sleek sedan shape helps here, since it faces less aerodynamic drag than an SUV.
AWD costs very little. Going from the FWD Camry to the AWD SE or XLE adds just 0.1 L/100 km combined. Over a year of driving, that is a barely measurable difference.
The XSE is the thirstiest Camry. At 5.5 L/100 km combined, the XSE uses 0.4 L/100 km more than the other AWD models. Toyota doesn't break down the reason, but the XSE is the grade with 19-inch wheels, which typically add rolling resistance compared with the 18-inch wheels on the SE Upgrade and XLE. Note that the Nightshade also uses 19-inch wheels; NRCan's listing does not show a separate rating for it.
What the numbers mean in litres
To put the ratings into real-world terms, here is how much fuel each version would use over 20,000 km of driving at its combined rating:
| Version | Combined rating | Fuel used over 20,000 km |
|---|---|---|
| Camry FWD | 5.0 L/100 km | about 1,000 L |
| Camry AWD SE / XLE | 5.1 L/100 km | about 1,020 L |
| Camry AWD XSE | 5.5 L/100 km | about 1,100 L |
The gap between the most and least efficient Camry is about 100 litres a year at that distance. Multiply by your local pump price to see what it means for your budget. Your own results will vary with driving style, weather, tires and load. Cold Canadian winters raise fuel consumption for every vehicle, hybrids included.
FWD or AWD?
Choose FWD if you live where winters are mild, or you are happy to rely on good winter tires, and you want the lowest price and best efficiency. The 2026 SE FWD starts at $34,575 MSRP, and it is the only Camry rated at 5.0 L/100 km combined.
Choose AWD if you face snowy, icy or hilly roads, or you simply want the extra confidence. The fuel penalty on the SE Upgrade AWD and XLE AWD is tiny, and the 2026 SE Upgrade AWD costs $1,645 more than the SE Upgrade FWD. You also get 7 more horsepower.
Choose the XSE if you want the sportiest Camry and accept a modest fuel penalty for its larger wheels and sport-tuned suspension.
On toyota.ca's 2027 lineup, front-wheel drive is offered only on the SE FWD (which can be ordered with an Upgrade package), while the SE Upgrade AWD, XLE and XSE are listed as AWD models.
How the Camry compares with an SUV
If you're cross-shopping a Camry against a compact SUV, efficiency is one area where the sedan wins. NRCan rates the 2026 RAV4 hybrid LE AWD at 5.5 L/100 km combined, the same as the sportiest Camry and 0.4 to 0.5 L/100 km more than the FWD and AWD SE and XLE Camrys. The RAV4 gives you more cargo space and ground clearance, but if you mostly drive on paved roads and want the lowest fuel bills, the Camry is hard to beat.
The bottom line
With official ratings between 5.0 and 5.5 L/100 km combined, every Camry hybrid is remarkably frugal for a midsize sedan. The FWD model is the most efficient, AWD costs only 0.1 L/100 km on the SE and XLE, and the XSE trades a little efficiency for sportier hardware.
Compare specs and ratings for every Camry grade on our Toyota Camry page.