Economical, attractive family sedans
Three midsize hybrid sedans stand out as outstanding examples of the segment, including the Toyota Camry Hybrid, the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, and the Honda Accord Hybrid. I will get to the Accord later in the year, leaving me with the Sonata and the Camry, which both offer something unique. Toyota offers an AWD option, and there are non-hybrid Sonata sedans available, including the sporty Sonata N Line. For this comparison, I am keeping the vehicles as apples-to-apples as possible, so both trims are similar and front-drive hybrids.
What’s new, Camry?
The 2025 Toyota Camry is nearly all-new. There are no more non-hybrid versions – and that includes the athletic V6. Front-wheel-drive (FWD) models, like the one I’m comparing, have a combined 225 horsepower powertrain consisting of a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and two electric motors. If you opt for the all-wheel-drive (AWD) model, a third motor powers the rear axle, raising the total to 232 hp combined. Both setups are paired with an electronic continuously variable transmission (eCVT), which is actually a planetary gearset that behaves like a CVT.
Provided you get the lower-end FWD model, you will get the most fuel-efficient Camry of the lot, rated at 53 mpg city and 50 mpg highway. If you opt for AWD, your mpg could drop between one and two mpg, depending on the trim. The least efficient trim is the top-of-the-line XSE AWD trim, estimated at 44 mpg city and 43 mpg highway. Part of that has to do with the extra weight and wheel/tire selection.
I mentioned weight a moment ago, and that’s based on all of the extra amenities you get on the higher trim models, including screen size. All 2025 Toyota Camrys offer two infotainment screens. The 8-inch screen comes standard, and a 12.3-inch screen is available (or standard) on the SE, XLE, and XSE. Leather-trimmed power seats are standard on the higher trim, and the overall interior design is pleasant but not exactly sporty.
Back seat comfort is good, but the overall backseat space is not best-in-class. The same goes for the 15.1 cu-ft of cargo space in the trunk. It’s usable, but it trails the competition. One thing is very noticeable: the Toyota Camry has a much more commodious back seat than the Sonata. The 2025 Toyota Camry starts at $28,700, while a fully loaded XSE AWD comes in at just under $38,000.
What’s new with the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid?
There are only a few updates this year, but last year, we saw a bunch of external and internal updates. 2025 sees the end of the entry-level Sonata Blue, updated wheels and colors, as well as a few interior updates. You can even get a power trunk and a head-up display, depending on the trim and options. The Sonata Hybrid uses a 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, making a combined 192 hp through a six-speed automatic transmission.
There is no AWD option available, but the 2025 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is EPA-rated at 44 mpg city and 51 mpg highway, filling the gap between Toyota’s base models and their premium models. The Sonata Hybrid’s automatic transmission is pretty smooth, and it eliminates the typical groaning sound you get from CVT-equipped vehicles.
The interior design feels slightly more premium to me. All Sonata Hybrids benefit from the dual 12.3-inch gauge and infotainment touchscreens. This, along with their slick-looking dashboard setup, imparts a higher-end feel. Up front, the seating comfort is excellent, maybe even best-in-class. Unfortunately, the back seat is tighter than the competition, but the 16.0-cu-ft trunk is mid-pack and very useful.
As I said, it is tighter in the back seat, but average-sized adults should have no issue fitting comfortably there. Taller people will have to compromise a bit. The 2025 Sonata Hybrid has only two trims available: the Hyundai Sonata SEL, which starts at $31,250, and the Limited, which starts at $37,700.
Driving both
The cars truly feel different. Much of that has to do with their horsepower and their transmissions. The Camry is also more efficient, as long as you are not driving the XSE AWD variant. To be honest, neither is particularly entertaining to drive, but one is much more athletic than the other.
The 2025 Hyundai Sonata is a smooth, almost luxurious option among the two. It feels more expensive (well, it kind of is) but also more modern. Steering is light, but the Sonata Hybrid doesn’t like to be hurried. Acceleration is pretty timid, and it seems to dislike transitioning from EV to gas. All in all, it doesn’t feel special, but it does feel good.
The 2025 Toyota Camry Hybrid has a completely different character, which is slightly more engaging. It has 40 more horsepower than the Sonata Hybrid, and it moves with greater urgency in most situations. Additionally, it seems to be a bit more agile, allowing for occasional fun. Still, as I mentioned before, the engine groaning can be a nuisance for some drivers. With that being said, it’s still more driver-centric.
Final thoughts
Both vehicles fascinate me with their approaches to building an economic, comfortable daily driver. They are both well executed, and both have their strengths. That being said, I think the Toyota Camry simply makes more sense. You can get a well-equipped one for less money; they are generally more efficient, and they drive a bit better. Still, the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is quiet and smooth, loaded with great tech, making either car a winner in the right situation.