Kia & Hyundai Won't Like The 2026 Toyota Camry's Fuel Economy

Yahoo

19-07-2025

Kia & Hyundai Won't Like The 2026 Toyota Camry's Fuel Economy originally appeared on Autoblog.
The 2025 Toyota Camry continues to dominate
Redesigned for the 2025 model year, the Toyota Camry arrives with an updated look inside and out. Perhaps more importantly, every version of the ever-popular midsize sedan now comes equipped with a hybrid powertrain. That puts it in contention with, or perhaps a step ahead of, midsize competitors, some of whom lack a hybrid offering altogether. South Korean automakers Kia and Hyundai, both of which fall under the Hyundai Motor Group umbrella, tend to share powertrains across brands, but neither can match the efficiency of the 2025 Toyota Camry.
Kia and Hyundai fall short of the Camry
Starting at $28,700, the 2025 Camry rolls out with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine mated to either two or three electric motors, depending on your drivetrain of choice. The FWD model includes two electric motors that work with the engine to generate 225 horsepower. Adding a third electric motor to the rear axle upgrades the Camry to all-wheel drive and 232 horsepower. Interestingly, Toyota still doesn't include combined torque figures for its hybrid vehicles.
Naturally, the FWD Camry is the most efficient, specifically in the base LE model. It's rated for an EPA-estimated 53 mpg in the city and 50 mpg on the highway, putting combined fuel economy at 51 mpg. The AWD Camry is slightly less efficient, earning up to an EPA-estimated 51 mpg in the city and 49 mpg on the highway for a combined 50 mpg.
The 2025 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, priced from $31,250, is available in two trim levels, neither of which can match the Camry's performance or efficiency. Both models come powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, producing 192 horsepower. Regardless of trim level, the Sonata Hybrid earns up to 44 mpg in the city, 51 mpg on the highway, combining for 47 mpg.
Despite sharing powertrains across brand lines, the 2025 Kia K5, from $27,390, doesn't have a hybrid model on its roster. At its most efficient, the Korean sedan comes powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. It earns up to 26 mpg in the city, 37 mpg on the highway, and 30 mpg combined.
The midsize sedan segment is shrinking
As crossovers have risen in popularity, the midsize sedan segment has suffered dramatically. What used to be a thriving segment has seen its offerings shrink with each passing year. As we roll into the 2026 model year, at least two more midsize family sedans will be leaving the market, for the time being, anyway. The Chevrolet Malibu and Subaru Legacy, the former of which has seen more than six decades of production, are driving off into the sunset.
With two more midsize casualties, the once-revered segment falls to just five mass market offerings. The Kia K5, Hyundai Sonata, and Toyota Camry are joined by two more Japanese models, the Honda Accord and Nissan Altima. Notably, however, the Altima's fate seems uncertain.
With the Japanese automaker struggling to right the ship, the 2026 model year could very well be the Altima's last, at least in its current gas-powered form. The current model has been on the market since 2019 with few notable updates, so a full redesign could be in the works. Nissan is also focused on filling out its EV lineup, so it's within reason that the Altima could return as an electrified sedan.
The Honda Accord presents the best challenge to the Toyota Camry, but even its hybrid variant can't match its rival's fuel economy. It comes powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, producing 204 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque. In its most efficient EX-L model, priced from $34,940, the 2025 Honda Accord Hybrid is rated for 51 mpg in the city, 44 mpg on the highway, and 40 mpg combined. Honda's hybrid midsize sedan isn't available with AWD, putting it a step behind the Toyota Camry.
Final thoughts
The 2025 Toyota Camry isn't to be trifled with. Its impressive performance, available all-wheel drivetrain, and incredible fuel economy make it a dominant force. That's not to mention its sleek styling updates, comfortable yet practical interior, and affordable price. While there are other hybrid midsize sedans on the market, they can't match the sheer versatility of the Toyota Camry.
Kia & Hyundai Won't Like The 2026 Toyota Camry's Fuel Economy first appeared on Autoblog on Jul 18, 2025
This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Jul 18, 2025, where it first appeared.