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Toyota Camry vs Toyota Prius: fuel economy and fuel cost

In model year 2026 the Toyota Prius is the cheaper of the two to fuel: about $1,150 a year for its lowest-cost configuration (Prius, 57 MPG combined), against $1,280 for the Toyota Camry (Camry HEV FF LE, 51 MPG combined). That is $130 a year, or $650 over five years.

Both come from the same maker or parent group. 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: Midsize cars
  • Hybrid
  • Midsize cars

Toyota Prius

Lowest fuel cost configuration

Prius

57 MPG
Combined
57 MPG
City
56 MPG
Highway
Annual fuel cost
$1,150

$7.67 per 100 miles

15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

4 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
  • Toyota Prius$1,150 a year · $7.67 per 100 mi

Difference per year

$130

Toyota Prius costs less to fuel

Over 5 years

$650

$130 a year × 5, 15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

Head to head, MY2026

Toyota Camry and Toyota Prius compared on their lowest fuel cost configuration
Measure Toyota Camry Toyota Prius
Lowest-cost configuration Camry HEV FF LEPrius
Powertrain HybridHybrid
Combined rating 51 MPG57 MPG (better)
City rating 52 MPG57 MPG (better)
Highway rating 49 MPG56 MPG (better)
Annual fuel cost $1,280/yr$1,150/yr (better)
Cost per 100 miles $8.53$7.67 (better)
Annual cost range, all configurations $1,280–$1,520$1,150–$1,330
Configurations in MY2026 54
EPA class Midsize carsMidsize cars

Best configuration by powertrain

Lowest-cost configuration of each powertrain, Toyota Camry and Toyota Prius
Powertrain Toyota Camry Toyota Prius
Hybrid 51 MPG · $1,280/yr Camry HEV FF LE 57 MPG · $1,150/yr Prius

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

Not ahead on any measure listed here.

Toyota Prius

  • Lower annual fuel cost: $1,150 vs $1,280
  • Higher combined rating: 57 MPG vs 51 MPG
  • Higher city rating: 57 MPG vs 52 MPG
  • Higher highway rating: 56 MPG vs 49 MPG

Year by year

Combined rating and annual fuel cost by model year, Toyota Camry and Toyota Prius
Model year Toyota Camry Toyota Prius
CombinedPer yearCombinedPer year
2026 43–51 MPG $1,280–$1,520 49–57 MPG $1,150–$1,330
2025 44–51 MPG $1,270–$1,480 48–57 MPG $870–$1,330
2024 25–52 MPG $1,260–$2,600 49–57 MPG $1,150–$1,330
2023 25–52 MPG $1,260–$2,600 49–57 MPG $1,150–$1,330
2022 25–52 MPG $1,260–$2,600 49–56 MPG $1,170–$1,330
2021 25–52 MPG $1,260–$2,600 49–56 MPG $1,170–$1,330
2020 25–52 MPG $1,260–$2,600 46–56 MPG $1,170–$1,410
2019 26–52 MPG $1,260–$2,550 50–56 MPG $1,170–$1,310
2018 26–52 MPG $1,260–$2,550 52–56 MPG $1,170–$1,250
2017 24–40 MPG $1,630–$2,690 52–56 MPG $1,170–$1,260
2016 25–40 MPG $1,630–$2,660 52–56 MPG $1,170–$1,250
2015 25–40 MPG $1,630–$2,660 48–50 MPG $1,200–$1,370
2014 25–40 MPG $1,630–$2,660 48–50 MPG $1,200–$1,370
2013 25–40 MPG $1,630–$2,660 48–50 MPG $1,200–$1,370
2012 24–40 MPG $1,630–$2,680 48–50 MPG $1,200–$1,370
2011 23–33 MPG $2,010–$2,870 48 MPG $1,370
2010 23–34 MPG $1,920–$2,840 50 MPG $1,310
2009 23–34 MPG $1,920–$2,840 46 MPG $1,420
2008 21–34 MPG $1,920–$3,110 46 MPG $1,420
2007 21–34 MPG $1,920–$3,110 46 MPG $1,420
2006 21–25 MPG $2,610–$3,110 46 MPG $1,420
2005 21–25 MPG $2,610–$3,110 46 MPG $1,420
2004 21–24 MPG $2,720–$3,110 46 MPG $1,420
2003 19–24 MPG $2,720–$3,440 41 MPG $1,590
2002 19–24 MPG $2,720–$3,440 41 MPG $1,590
2001 19–24 MPG $2,720–$3,440 41 MPG $1,590

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 Toyota Prius?

The Toyota Prius is cheaper: about $1,150 a year against $1,280 for the Toyota Camry, a difference of $130 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 Prius save over five years?

About $650 ($130 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 Toyota Prius?

The Toyota Prius is rated 57 MPG combined against 51 MPG for the Toyota Camry. City: 52 MPG vs 57 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 Toyota Prius in the same class?

Yes. The EPA classes both as Midsize cars.

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