New car prices have jumped nearly $9,000 since 2019, and a lot of shoppers are stuck trying to match today’s sticker prices with yesterday’s budgets. If that sounds familiar, you might want to look past the crossover aisle and toward a car that’s been quietly packing one of the best value combinations on dealer lots: the all-wheel-drive Toyota Camry.
- Hybrid economy and all-wheel drive usually aren’t things that go together in a midsize sedan, but a nicely equipped Camry SE isn’t much pricier than the cheapest RAV4 trim.
- The AWD Camry’s powertrain puts out 232 hp and still gets an amazing 46 mpg combined.
- Pricing for the Camry starts at $29,495 for the base LE and goes up to $35,695 for the top XSE.
A Hybrid Sedan That Can Actually Keep Up
The latest Camry ditched the old V6 and non-hybrid four-cylinder options entirely. For 2025, the family sedan switched its once-broad powertrain lineup to include only two hybrid options. Every Camry now comes with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder paired with Toyota’s fifth-generation hybrid system.
The Camry is powered solely by a hybridized 2.5-liter inline-four, making 225 horsepower in front-drive form or 232 ponies with all-wheel drive, which adds an electric motor to power the rear axle. That might not sound exciting on paper, but the performance tells a different story. At Car and Driver’s test track, a Camry XSE AWD got to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds. As The Autopian pointed out, “this is a 46 MPG car that can keep up with an eighth-generation Honda Civic Si.”
And you don’t have to sacrifice fuel efficiency to get that pep. EPA-estimated ratings come in at 46 city/46 highway/46 combined mpg for the Camry SE and XLE with AWD. That’s genuinely impressive for a car that can move all four wheels and carry five adults in comfort.
How It Stacks Up Against Crossovers on Price
Cars are now frighteningly expensive. If $50,000 feels like the new $40,000, that’s because it is, with data from Cox Automotive showing average transaction prices up nearly $9,000 since 2019. So where does the Camry fit into this picture?
Toyota offers four main trim levels: the entry-level LE ($29,495), mid-level SE ($31,795), the luxury-oriented XLE ($34,495), and sporty XSE ($35,695). Adding all-wheel drive to any of those trims costs a bargain $1,525. That means you can get into a well-equipped Camry SE AWD for roughly $33,320. Compare that to the 2026 RAV4, which starts around $31,900 before you add any options at all.
A mid-range Camry with AWD, 46 mpg combined, and 232 hp costs roughly the same as a base-model crossover with fewer standard features and worse fuel economy. If you’re someone browsing a Toyota Highlander for sale or even considering a RAV4, that math should give you pause.
The Cabin Punches Above Its Price
The cockpit of the Camry bucks the trend of sterile modern interiors. While the big slab of glossy black plastic on the dashboard isn’t great, the rest of the materials range from fine to fabulous, with a soft dashtop, plush armrests, and a textured fabric on the lower dashboard.
Both rows offer acres of space, and every seat strikes a nice balance between comfort and support. The XLE and XSE benefit from front-side acoustic laminated glass that helps reduce wind noise and harshness, making highway cruising noticeably quieter than the lower trims.
On the tech front, the Camry comes with either an 8-inch or 12.3-inch screen, depending on trim. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available, along with a Qi wireless charging pad and up to five USB ports. Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 is now standard, bringing pre-collision detection, lane departure alert with steering assist, full-speed radar cruise control, and proactive driving assist.
The Nightshade Edition Adds Some Attitude
The only meaningful change for 2026 is the addition of a new trim level called the Nightshade Edition. Nightshade versions get black exterior trim for the grille, door handles, mirrors, and rear spoiler, along with black 19-inch wheels and the sport-tuned suspension shared with SE and XSE trims. It starts at $32,600 MSRP. If you want a sedan that looks a bit aggressive without paying XSE money, the Nightshade is a nice middle ground.
Is a Sedan Still Worth Buying in 2026?
Crossovers dominate the market right now, and there’s no debating that. The Toyota RAV4 is Toyota’s breadwinner, outselling the Camry in recent years. But that doesn’t mean the sedan is a bad bet. In many ways, it’s an even better one. You get lower weight, better aerodynamics, stronger fuel economy, and a price tag that’s hard to argue with. If you’re sedan shopping, the Camry belongs on your list.
The AWD Camry is one of those rare cars where you genuinely aren’t giving up much compared to a small SUV. You lose some cargo space and ground clearance, sure. But you gain far better gas mileage, a lower center of gravity, and a driving experience that feels more planted and composed on the highway. For commuters, road trippers, and anyone who doesn’t need to haul furniture every weekend, it’s a seriously smart pick.
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