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Toyota Camry vs Hyundai Sonata: fuel economy and fuel cost

In model year 2026 the Toyota Camry is the cheaper of the two to fuel: about $1,280 a year for its lowest-cost configuration (Camry HEV FF LE, 51 MPG combined), against $1,290 for the Hyundai Sonata (Sonata Hybrid Blue, 51 MPG combined). That is $10 a year, or $50 over five years.

One of the two is offered only with a hybrid or plug-in hybrid powertrain in this model year; the other has gasoline configurations. Costs assume 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel and electricity prices for both vehicles, using the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Each figure is rounded to $10 and every difference is calculated from the rounded values.

The EPA is still publishing model year 2027 ratings, so this page compares model year 2026, the latest complete year.

Illustration: Midsize cars
  • Hybrid
  • Midsize cars

Toyota Camry

Lowest fuel cost configuration

Camry HEV FF LE

51 MPG
Combined
52 MPG
City
49 MPG
Highway
Annual fuel cost
$1,280

$8.53 per 100 miles

15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

5 configurations in MY2026

Illustration: Large cars
  • Hybrid
  • Large cars

Hyundai Sonata

Lowest fuel cost configuration

Sonata Hybrid Blue

51 MPG
Combined
47 MPG
City
56 MPG
Highway
Annual fuel cost
$1,290

$8.60 per 100 miles

15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

6 configurations in MY2026

What the fuel costs

Annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration

  • Toyota Camry$1,280 a year · $8.53 per 100 mi
  • Hyundai Sonata$1,290 a year · $8.60 per 100 mi

Difference per year

$10

Toyota Camry costs less to fuel

Over 5 years

$50

$10 a year × 5, 15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

Head to head, MY2026

Toyota Camry and Hyundai Sonata compared on their lowest fuel cost configuration
Measure Toyota Camry Hyundai Sonata
Lowest-cost configuration Camry HEV FF LESonata Hybrid Blue
Powertrain HybridHybrid
Combined rating 51 MPG51 MPG
City rating 52 MPG (better)47 MPG
Highway rating 49 MPG56 MPG (better)
Annual fuel cost $1,280/yr (better)$1,290/yr
Cost per 100 miles $8.53 (better)$8.60
Annual cost range, all configurations $1,280–$1,520$1,290–$2,450
Configurations in MY2026 56
EPA class Midsize carsLarge cars

Best configuration by powertrain

Lowest-cost configuration of each powertrain, Toyota Camry and Hyundai Sonata
Powertrain Toyota Camry Hyundai Sonata
Gas Not offered in MY2026 32 MPG · $2,060/yr Sonata w/Stop-Start
Hybrid 51 MPG · $1,280/yr Camry HEV FF LE 51 MPG · $1,290/yr Sonata Hybrid Blue

Each cell shows the combined rating and the annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration with that powertrain.

Where each one comes out ahead

Generated from the numbers above, comparing the lowest fuel cost configurations. No subjective judgements.

Toyota Camry

  • Lower annual fuel cost: $1,280 vs $1,290
  • Higher city rating: 52 MPG vs 47 MPG

Hyundai Sonata

  • Higher highway rating: 56 MPG vs 49 MPG
  • Offers gas configurations in MY2026; the Toyota Camry does not

Level on: combined rating (51 MPG)

Year by year

Combined rating and annual fuel cost by model year, Toyota Camry and Hyundai Sonata
Model year Toyota Camry Hyundai Sonata
CombinedPer yearCombinedPer year
2026 43–51 MPG $1,280–$1,520 27–51 MPG $1,290–$2,450
2025 44–51 MPG $1,270–$1,480 27–47 MPG $1,380–$2,450
2024 25–52 MPG $1,260–$2,600 27–47 MPG $1,380–$2,450
2023 25–52 MPG $1,260–$2,600 27–52 MPG $1,260–$2,440
2022 25–52 MPG $1,260–$2,600 27–52 MPG $1,260–$2,440
2021 25–52 MPG $1,260–$2,600 27–52 MPG $1,260–$2,440
2020 25–52 MPG $1,260–$2,600 31–52 MPG $1,260–$2,140
2019 26–52 MPG $1,260–$2,550 26–42 MPG $1,250–$2,510
2018 26–52 MPG $1,260–$2,550 26–42 MPG $1,250–$2,510
2017 24–40 MPG $1,630–$2,690 24–42 MPG $1,270–$2,670
2016 25–40 MPG $1,630–$2,660 24–41 MPG $1,250–$2,670
2015 25–40 MPG $1,630–$2,660 24–37 MPG $1,780–$2,670
2014 25–40 MPG $1,630–$2,660 24–37 MPG $1,780–$2,680
2013 25–40 MPG $1,630–$2,660 26–37 MPG $1,780–$2,510
2012 24–40 MPG $1,630–$2,680 26–36 MPG $1,810–$2,510
2011 23–33 MPG $2,010–$2,870 26–36 MPG $1,810–$2,540
2010 23–34 MPG $1,920–$2,840 22–25 MPG $2,610–$2,970
2009 23–34 MPG $1,920–$2,840 22–25 MPG $2,610–$2,970
2008 21–34 MPG $1,920–$3,110 22–25 MPG $2,610–$2,970
2007 21–34 MPG $1,920–$3,110 21–25 MPG $2,610–$3,110
2006 21–25 MPG $2,610–$3,110 21–25 MPG $2,610–$3,110
2005 21–25 MPG $2,610–$3,110 20–23 MPG $2,840–$3,270
2004 21–24 MPG $2,720–$3,110 20–23 MPG $2,840–$3,270
2003 19–24 MPG $2,720–$3,440 20–23 MPG $2,840–$3,270
2002 19–24 MPG $2,720–$3,440 20–23 MPG $2,840–$3,270
2001 19–24 MPG $2,720–$3,440 20–22 MPG $2,970–$3,270
2000 19–24 MPG $2,720–$3,440 20–22 MPG $2,970–$3,270

Earlier model years are costed with today's fuel prices, so the table shows how each model's efficiency changed, not what fuel cost at the time. Ranges cover every configuration of that model year.

Frequently asked questions

Which is cheaper to fuel, the Toyota Camry or the Hyundai Sonata?

The Toyota Camry is cheaper: about $1,280 a year against $1,290 for the Hyundai Sonata, a difference of $10 a year. That compares the lowest-cost configuration of each in model year 2026 at 15,000 miles a year with the same fuel prices.

How much would the Toyota Camry save over five years?

About $50 ($10 a year for five years), assuming 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel prices. Your total depends on how much you drive and on local prices; see fuel cost by state.

Which has the better fuel economy rating, the Toyota Camry or the Hyundai Sonata?

Both are rated 51 MPG combined. City: 52 MPG vs 47 MPG. Highway: 49 MPG vs 56 MPG. These are the EPA ratings of each model's lowest-cost configuration.

How is the annual fuel cost calculated?

Distance of 15,000 miles a year at the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Gasoline is priced at $4.36/gal (EIA U.S. average for regular, Sep 2026) and electricity at 18.3¢/kWh (EIA U.S. residential average, Jul 2026); premium and diesel configurations use their own EIA prices. Each result is rounded to $10, and differences are calculated from the rounded figures.

Are the Toyota Camry and the Hyundai Sonata in the same class?

The EPA classes the Toyota Camry as Midsize cars and the Hyundai Sonata as Large cars, so they are listed as a hybrid-versus-gasoline comparison.

Explore these cars

More comparisons

EPA ratings: fueleconomy.gov file of Sep 29, 2026 · Prices: EIA regular gasoline, U.S. avg, Sep 2026 ($4.36/gal); residential electricity, U.S. avg, Jul 2026 (18.3¢/kWh) · 15,000 mi/yr, 55% city, same prices for both vehicles