When someone says “hybrid,” chances are you’re thinking Prius. It’s the car that practically defined the category and made Toyota the king of hybrids.
But here’s the twist: the Prius isn’t Toyota’s hybrid bestseller anymore. Another model has quietly slipped past it, and the gap is bigger than you might expect.
This unexpected contender is proving that the midsize sedan isn’t dead after all—outselling the Prius even in a market dominated by crossovers and SUVs.
To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Toyota and other authoritative sources, including Edmunds and the EPA.
The Toyota Camry Quietly Beat the Prius Twins in Q2 2025
Over 155,000 Copies Moved in Half a Year
Toyota has already sold an impressive 181,337 hybrid-only Camrys in the first seven months of 2025. That makes it the brand’s second-best seller, just behind the gas-only RAV4, which racked up over 250,000 units.
July alone saw 26,048 Camrys find new homes, marking a 4.2-percent jump from the same month last year.
Year-to-date, this hybrid is smashing expectations with a staggering 142.8-percent increase in sales. It’s clear that buyers are still flocking to midsize sedans—even in a market dominated by SUVs.
Toyota Camry And Prius 2025 Sales Performance
|
Toyota Camry |
Toyota Prius |
Toyota Prius Prime |
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
July 2025 Sales |
26,048 |
2,623 |
1,495 |
|
July 2024 Sales |
24,030 |
885 |
316 |
|
Month-To-Date Performance |
4.2 Percent |
185 Percent |
354.9 Percent |
|
Year-To-Date Sales |
181,337 |
28,844 |
9,119 |
|
Year-To-Date Performance |
142.8 Percent |
149.2 Percent |
85.9 Percent |
Toyota moved 2,623 standard Prius units in July 2025 alone. That brings sales from January through July to 28,844—well ahead of the same period last year.
The Prime model is gaining traction too, even with 1,495 sold in July and 9,119 over seven months.
Compared to the Camry Hybrid, it’s clear the Prius has become a niche player. This five-door fastback hatch appeals to a specific audience rather than the mass market.
Starting at Just $28,700, the Toyota Camry Is Surprisingly Affordable
Competitive Prices Keep It Ahead of the Pack
Pricing is a big reason the Camry keeps breaking sales records and leaving the Prius in the dust. The base LE front-wheel-drive model starts at $28,700, making it one of the most competitively priced hybrids in its class.
On the other end, the range-topping XSE kicks off at $34,900. Add all-wheel drive for $1,525, and don’t forget the $1,135 destination fee.
Toyota keeps optional extras minimal across all trims, sticking to a simple four-tier pricing strategy. It’s a straightforward approach that clearly resonates with buyers.
2025 Toyota Camry Trims and Pricing
|
FWD |
AWD |
|
|---|---|---|
|
LE |
$28,700 |
$30,225 |
|
SE |
$31,00 |
$32,625 |
|
XLE |
$33,700 |
$35,225 |
|
XSE |
$34,900 |
$36,420 |
The Prius starts at $28,550 for the base LE, which is interesting considering it’s a smaller hatchback. Moving up, the XLE goes for $31,995, the Nightshade Edition hits $32,800, and the Limited tops the range at $35,565.
All-wheel drive tacks on $1,400, plus there’s the standard $1,135 destination fee.
The PHEV Prime comes in three trims: SE at $33,775, XSE at $37,025, Nightshade at $47,795, and XSE Premium at $40,470. It’s a lineup with plenty of options, though pricing climbs quickly as you move up the range.
225 Horsepower Makes the Camry Feel Surprisingly Quick
The current Camry comes with a reliable 2.5-liter four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle engine, making 184 horsepower and 163 pound-feet of torque on its own.
Front-wheel-drive models add a pair of electric motors, delivering a combined 134 horsepower and 153 pound-feet. Toyota doesn’t list a total torque figure, but confirms peak output is capped at 225 horsepower.
All-wheel-drive versions get a third electric motor at the rear, adding 40 horsepower and 62 pound-feet. That bumps the maximum output to 233 horsepower, giving the AWD Camry a noticeable boost.
2025 Toyota Camry Specifications
|
Front-Wheel Drive |
All-Wheel Drive |
|
|---|---|---|
|
Engine |
Naturally Aspirated 2.5-Liter Four-Cylinder Atkinson Cycle |
Naturally Aspirated 2.5-Liter Four-Cylinder Atkinson Cycle |
|
Horsepower (Combined) |
225 HP |
233 HP |
|
Torque |
163 LB-FT |
163 LB-FT |
|
Motor |
Dual Permanent-Magnet Synchronous Motors |
Triple Permanent-Magnet Synchronous Motors |
|
Electric Motor Power |
134 HP |
134+40 HP |
|
Electric Motor Torque |
153 LB-FT |
153+62 LB-FT |
|
Transmission |
Direct-Drive eCVT |
Direct-Drive eCVT |
The front-wheel-drive LE is the efficiency champ, hitting 53/50/51 MPG in the city, highway, and combined cycles. With a 13-gallon tank, that gives a 663-mile range and could save you up to $4,000 in fuel over five years—about $1.59 every 25 miles.
The all-wheel-drive XSE is slightly less frugal, but the difference is small. It earns 44/43/44 MPG with a 572-mile range, potentially saving $3,250 in fuel over five years, or $1.84 per 25 miles.
2025 Toyota Camry EPA Fuel Consumption Estimates
|
FWD LE |
AWD LE |
FWD SE/XLE/XSE |
AWD SE/XLE |
AWD XSE |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Gas Consumption (City/Highway/Combined) |
53/50/51 MPG |
51/49/50 MPG |
48/47/47 MPG |
46/46/46 MPG |
44/43/44 MPG |
|
Range |
663 Miles |
650 Miles |
611 Miles |
598 Miles |
572 Miles |
|
Five-Year Fuel Savings |
$3,750 |
$3,750 |
$3,500 |
$3,250 |
$3,250 |
|
Annual Fuel Cost |
$950 |
$950 |
$1,000 |
$1,050 |
$1,050 |
|
Cost to Drive 25 Miles (EV/Gas) |
$1.54 |
$1.57 |
$1.68 |
$1.71 |
$1.79 |
|
Cost to Fill the Tank |
$41 |
$41 |
$41 |
$41 |
$41 |
|
Tank Capacity |
13 Gallons |
13 Gallons |
13 Gallons |
13 Gallons |
13 Gallons |
The Prius Remains a Standout HEV
The Prius made its name with incredible fuel efficiency, and the front-wheel-drive base trim is the standout. The EPA rates it at 57/56/57 MPG city/highway/combined, letting you cover 644 miles on a single tank and potentially save up to $4,250 over five years—about $800 a year.
Driving 25 miles costs just $1.36, and a full 11.3-gallon tank runs around $35.
Step up to the XLE or Limited trims, and savings drop to $3,750 with a range of 588 miles. Their 52/52/52 MPG results are still strong, while the all-wheel-drive models hover around 49/59/49 MPG, saving roughly $3,500 over five years.
Toyota’s Latest Prius Is Surprisingly Exciting
The Prius lineup runs exclusively on Toyota’s 2.0-liter Dynamic Force four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle engine. On its own, it makes 150 horsepower and 139 pound-feet of torque.
Pair it with the permanent magnet motor in the eCVT, and power jumps to 194 horsepower.
Add the optional electronic on-demand all-wheel-drive system, and output nudges slightly higher to 196 horsepower, giving a subtle boost when you need it.
Toyota Prius Hybrid Performance Specifications
|
Front-Wheel Drive |
All-Wheel Drive |
|
|---|---|---|
|
Price |
$27,950 |
$29,350 |
|
Powertrain |
2.0-Liter Four-Cylinder and Two Permanent-Magnet Motors |
2.0-Liter Four-Cylinder and Two Permanent-Magnet Motors |
|
Horsepower |
194 HP |
196 HP |
|
Torque |
139 LB-FT |
139 LB-FT |
|
Transmission |
Direct-Drive eCVT |
Direct-Drive eCVT |
|
Driveline |
Front-Wheel Drive |
All-Wheel Drive |
|
Battery |
0.91 kWh (Net) |
0.91 kWh (Net) |
|
Range |
588–644 Miles |
514–567 Miles |
|
Fuel Economy |
52–57 MPG |
49–54 MPG |
|
0–60 MPH |
7.0 Seconds |
6.6 Seconds |
|
Top Speed |
115 MPH |
115 MPH |
Toyota says the front-wheel-drive Prius hits 0-60 MPH in 7.2 seconds, while the all-wheel-drive version trims that to a clean seven seconds. Both are electronically capped at 112 MPH.
The front permanent magnet motor puts out 111 horsepower, and the optional rear motor adds 40 more.
These electric motors can run in full EV mode, but only under specific conditions at low speeds, giving a brief taste of silent, zero-emissions driving.
