The Toyota Camry is a living legend in a segment that long ago lost its will to survive.
The 9^th-generation Camry is hybrid only and just about flawless.
The 2026 Camry starts at $37,625 with fees.

The story of the dying midsize sedan is already more than a decade old. In that period, we’ve lost the Chevrolet Malibu, Ford Fusion, Kia K5 (Optima), Chrysler 200, Mazda6, Subaru Legacy, Volkswagen Passat, and others, and soon we’ll be without the Nissan Altima as well. And I’m skipping the Suzuki Kizashi, Mitsubishi Galant, Dodge Avenger, and, why not, the Saab 9-3.

I’m in the mood: The Chrysler 300, Toyota Avalon, Nissan Maxima, Chevrolet Impala, Kia Amanti/K900, Pontiac Bonneville/G6/G8, Buick Regal and Century, Ford Crown Victoria, Ford Taurus (500), Saturn L/Aura, Oldsmobile Aurora/Alero, are all gone. Should we be sad? Yes, and no. SUVs mostly do it better, but a sedan will always be classier.

Today, this leaves the Hyundai Sonata, a colossal flop compared to what it was only a few years ago, the Honda Accord, and the irreplaceable, inimitable, and legendary Toyota Camry. Could anyone have predicted that there would be fewer new sedans available for sale than minivans, only five or six years ago?

The good news is that, in this segment, the answer has nearly always lain between the Honda and Toyota. And since 2025, the Camry is the Final Answer.

2026 Toyota Camry

Case in point: It is only offered with a reasonably powerful hybrid powertrain, which can optionally be fitted with an additional rear-axle electric motor for AWD traction. Equipped as such, the 232-hp midsize sedan will consume scarcely more than 5L/100 km.

The efficiency numbers should not fool you – the Camry hybrid is still entertainingly quick off the line. And when passing, even though the 4-pot gets noisy due in part to the eCVT’s need to keep engine revs “steady”, as a “driver”, you’ll never truly long for more.

Despite my propensity to “test” cars and SUVs, I still managed an incredibly respectable 6L/100km. If this were my car, if my job were to drive this car, I’m convinced I could match NRCan’s and Toyota’s estimated 5L. While I did not mention it above, only the Toyota Prius bests this figure, if barely, among roomy sedans.

Outside of throttle-thrashing moments, the Camry is serene, quiet, and refined. The seats in the tested XLE AWD are leather-covered, providing comfort and a touch of class. The rear bench is enormous, while the 428-litre trunk is far more user-friendly than the figure suggests.

The kilometres came and went all week. Within the first 10, however, I felt so at ease and well in the Camry that, in a parallel universe, I could easily see myself driving one of these around as a full-time job.

Physically, the 9^th-generation Camry slots itself into the top three best-looking Camry generations ever. I’m always a fan of early cars; in this case, both the 1^st and 2^nd generations are my favourites, leaving the then-all-new 2025 (now 2026) car with the third prettiest face. And around back, the sedan also carries itself with plenty of dignity. The XSE has but one visual advantage in its 19-inch wheels, but I’ll take a compliant sidewall every time. Besides, the standard 18s are plenty big.

On board, reason and functionality take over, leaving flash and fancy behind where they belong: behind. Actual hard controls are complemented by tactile on-screen functions, all of which are ergonomically laid out and accessible. Grey quilted suede-like material is prominent on the door cards and dash, adding another touch of class. I’m especially fond of the passenger-seat wraparound that nearly isolates the occupant from the driver’s area.

I’ve nothing but praise for the infotainment system and how easy it is to use. The new 12.3-inch display adds a necessary touch of modernity for those who typically aren’t into the latest tech.

The Sedan Standard

The Toyota Camry is kind of like your favourite old hoodie that passes as “clean” when going out with friends, is perfect for shopping, and is a go-to comfort-zone-accentuating piece when home. It’s literally everything. The Camry is all cars.

The tested 2026 Camry Hybrid XLE AWD is priced from $48,275 with fees, and today, it has no competition in its dwindling segment.

Above, I asked if we should we be sad that sedans are all but dead. Yes, because some of the most elegant cars ever built (think most Maxima generations, first Mazda6, 2005 Subaru Legacy, 2004 Chrysler 300M Special) were sedans and no, because the Camry is with little doubt the best of the best.