Toyota Corolla Hybrid vs Toyota Camry Hybrid

The 2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid, six years after its eighth-generation debut, continued to polarize opinions with its styling. However, the introduction of the new Reservoir Blue paint and the Nightshade Edition's matte-bronze 19-inch alloy wheels added a fresh appeal. The Nightshade Edition, available only with SE trim, offered a choice between a standard 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with AWD or a hybrid specification with FWD. It featured distinctive black-trimmed headlights and taillights, a TRD mesh grille, and black accents, available in Reservoir Blue, White, or Midnight Black. Inside, the SE-spec interior remained unchanged, with Toyota's claim of "impeccable fit and finish" not quite matching reality due to the prevalence of cheap-looking plastics. The Camry Hybrid's road noise and rattling license plate further detracted from its perceived quality. In Canada, the Camry Hybrid's pricing started at just over $35,000, with the SE Hybrid Nightshade Edition priced at $40,785.

The 2023 Toyota Corolla Hybrid received notable updates, including a new AWD option standard on all trims except the base LE. The hybrid system saw a power increase, and the exterior received subtle style refreshes. The Corolla Hybrid's design was more appealing than previous generations, with a sculpted front end and sporty trapezoidal grille. Inside, the Corolla Hybrid maintained a minimalistic design, with materials quality leaving room for improvement due to the abundance of hard plastics. The XSE trim added SofTex synthetic leather, but the Corolla still fell short compared to competitors like the Honda Civic. The Corolla Hybrid prioritized efficiency and affordability, offering a practical and economical choice for consumers.

The 2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid offered three powertrain options, with the most popular being the 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing between 202 and 206 horsepower, depending on the trim and drivetrain. For those seeking more power, a 301-hp 3.5-litre V6 was available with FWD. The Camry Hybrid combined a 2.5-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine, an electric motor, and a lithium-ion battery pack, delivering a net power output of 208 horsepower. The hybrid system simulated a CVT, providing power to the front wheels. Despite Toyota's fuel economy claims, the test car averaged 7.0 L/100 km, falling short of expectations. The Camry Hybrid's electric assist motor offered quick acceleration, and the regenerative braking system provided better-than-expected pedal feel. The SE Nightshade Edition featured sport suspension tuning, delivering predictable handling and good grip, though the stability control was sensitive during dynamic driving.

The 2023 Toyota Corolla Hybrid retained its 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine with hybrid drive, now producing 134 horsepower and 156 lb-ft of torque. The powertrain included a CVT and an additional 40-hp electric motor for on-demand AWD. The hybrid powertrain responded quickly from a standstill, but power built slowly, taking around nine seconds to reach 100 km/h. The engine's loud drone during acceleration affected driver confidence. The Corolla Hybrid featured a dedicated EV mode, though maintaining it required a delicate touch. Braking was consistent, and handling was adequate for conservative driving. Larger road imperfections impacted cabin comfort, and road noise was noticeable. The Corolla Hybrid exhibited some unrefined characteristics, reminiscent of older generations.

The 2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid offered a straightforward and user-friendly interior, with durable materials and intuitive controls. Standard features included keyless entry, push-button start, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The test car's front seats provided comfort, with eight-way power adjustment for the driver and manual adjustment for the passenger. The Camry's rear seats were less spacious than competitors, and the lack of rear air conditioning vents was a drawback. Trunk space measured 428 litres, smaller than the midsize sedan class average, but it accommodated full-size suitcases on their sides.

The 2023 Toyota Corolla Hybrid provided ample front space, though the steering wheel's limited telescoping range could be an issue for taller drivers. The cabin's simplicity was user-friendly, with well-placed steering-wheel buttons and basic climate controls. Interior storage was adequate, with a small tray, cupholders, and a centre armrest bin. Rear seats offered sufficient headroom and legroom, though the low roof required caution when entering or exiting. Trunk capacity was 371 litres, with a deep and wide space for cargo. The rear seats folded for additional capacity, though not flat with the floor.

The 2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid featured a choice between a 7-inch or 9-inch touchscreen infotainment display, both offering smartphone connectivity with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The larger system included a connected navigation system and a JBL premium sound system. The test car had the basic 7-inch touchscreen, with physical knobs and buttons for controls. Additional tech options included a 7-inch driver information centre and a 10-inch head-up display, though the test car lacked these features.

The 2023 Toyota Corolla Hybrid came standard with an 8-inch multimedia touchscreen, upgraded for 2023 with on-screen controls and improved responsiveness. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity were standard, along with enhanced voice commands and OTA software updates. The system could pair two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. However, the JBL audio system available in the U.S. was not offered in Canada.

The 2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid came equipped with 10 airbags, a rear-seat reminder system, and Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 (TSS 2.5), which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centring assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Camry received five-star ratings from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, though it received a Poor rating in the updated IIHS side-impact crash test.

The 2023 Toyota Corolla Hybrid received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with four stars for rollover protection. The Corolla Hybrid came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, featuring frontal collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and more. The standard 2022 Corolla sedan received top scores from the IIHS and was named a Top Safety Pick+.