The updated midsize is stylish, fast, comfortable, affordable - and it gets greatmileage, too

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The Toyota Camry is consistently one of the top-selling passenger cars in America. Yet the Camry has gotten a bad rap for being boring; a car you settle for rather than aspire to own. Toyota's been working hard to fix that, and I'm not ashamed to say that the 2020 Camry Hybrid simply blew me away with its luxury, comfort, performance, and value.

From the beginning, hybrid cars have been sold on their fuel economy. That's a great point, but it overlooks the fact that a modern hybrid will outperform the gas-powered version of the same car by quite a bit. The Camry Hybrid is officially rated at 208 combined system horsepower, with 163 pounds-feet of torque from the gasoline engine and 149 pounds-feet from the electric motor.

What you need to know is that the Camry Hybrid is fast, with impressive acceleration from 40-65 to allow easy passing on the highway. The electric motors deliver all their torque on demand, while a gas engine has to work up to its best power. Toyota has also refined the Continuously Variable Transmission to give you excellent throttle response.

The other things to know about the Camry Hybrid are that it's comfortable, has crisp handling and a smooth ride, and it carries a great technology package. The seats are supportive without being hard, and they are available with heat and ventilation. If you buy the top XLE trim with the full option package, you'll get a head-up display, navigation, a great JBL audio system, 360-degree camera system, adaptive cruise control, and the full Toyota Safety Sense-P suite of active safety features.

After all that, you still get impressive fuel economy with the hybrid. The top XLE trim that I tested is rated at 44 MPG city and 47 MPG highway. On a trip to the coast and back, I beat that rating by getting almost 48 MPG on the trip. That was without even trying to save gas. The most basic Camry hybrid LE is rated at 51 MPG city and 53 MPG highway, and retails at $28,430 before fees.

Toyota also updated the exterior, so the 2020 Camry Hybrid is anything but boring. One last point: the warranty coverage is 3 years or 36,000 miles on everything, but the hybrid system is covered for 8 years or 100,000 miles, and the hybrid batteries are guaranteed for 10 years or 150,000 miles. All of this together is why you should consider the 2020 Toyota Camry Hybrid for your next car. I think you'll be impressed.

2020 Toyota Camry Hybrid

Base price: $32,730

Price as tested: $39,145

Type: Midsize sedan

Engine: 2.5-liter four-cylinder with Electric Hybrid (208 net hp, 163/149 lbs-ft)

Transmission: Continuously Variable Transmission

EPA estimated mileage: 44/47

Overall length: 192.1 inches

Curb weight: 3,572 pounds

Final assembly: Georgetown, Kentucky