A Week With: 2026 Toyota Camry SE Nightshade

Toyota’s decision to stick with sedans a decade ago when other makers fled the segment didn’t guarantee a better version of its mainstay Camry — it was the brand’s history of constant improvement that ensured the 2026 Camry would be excellent.

Late last year, the company introduced the ninth generation of the Camry, shifting to a new exterior design and a new standard hybrid powertrain. It’s better. How do I know? Well, aside from driving it, I need only look at the numbers.

Camry sales were up 11.3% in Q1 after being up just 2% for all of 2025. For a little more details, Toyota Division sales rose only slightly: 0.3%, but more importantly electrified vehicle sales — EVs and hybrids — were down 1.4%. At least one hybrid pulled its weight … and then some. After my time behind the wheel of the Camry, I can seek why sales jumped. And I mean I could see why: the new exterior design.

Here’s the beef

If you are building a sedan to compete in an SUV world, it needs to look like it could do more than simply pick a fight with a bully, it needs to look like it could win. Think more Superman and less Clark Kent. The shift between the two generations is simply that: more chiseled, sculpted, athleticism outside than the previous model.

That change is really apparent on the Nightshade models which get a sport-mesh front grille, side sport rockers, air curtains, side canards, door handles, mirror caps, shark fin antenna, rear lower sport diffuser, and rear spoiler. Also included are 19-inch satin-black wheels and gloss black badging.

It’s enough black to make you think drummer/lead singer not Darth Vader.

Our tester came in Supersonic Red with Nightshade black wheels and a black interior. All of the exterior badging is blacked out as well. I used to be a fan of an all-black car, but now an all-black sedan just gives off “I’m trying really hard” vibes. The red and black combo is just right.

Powered up

In the past, hybrids haven’t been performance powerhouses, but that’s all different now. That said, the numbers for the Camry — a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder putting out 225 net horsepower — don’t leap off the window sticker.What does jump out at you is the impressive 47 mpg city, 45 mpg highway, and 46 mpg combined. Other versions of the Camry are capable of up to 52 mpg, but this is already plenty good. Perhaps even more impressive was the electronic CVT. These units are notorious for underdelivering power when the driver needs it in the name of fuel economy.

To be fair, they’ve improved over the years, but this was the first time I’ve been behind the wheel of a e-CVT-equipped car that felt … normal. No searching for a gear or hearing the noise one associates with acceleration but not actually getting the burst of speed. Kudos Toyota.

 

Looks sporty, feels sporty

Drivers will enjoy a responsive suspension and agile handling that adds a sense of thrill when taking on those winding roads. All models feature an optimally tuned MacPherson strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension.

The SE, Nightshade Edition and XSE grades have a specific sport-tuned suspension with shock absorbers in the front and rear including a larger diameter front stabilizer bar than the other grades for increased comfort, impressive stability, handling, and confidence behind the wheel.

The Electronically Controlled Braking system features on-demand pressurization provided through a pump motor in the brake actuator enabling ideal controllability and brake feel. Drivers can also customize their Camry’s drive feel to suit their specific tastes with standard selectable Normal, Eco and Sport driving modes.

A few runs on my favorite local performance testing road, revealed plenty of acceleration and the Sport mode supplies plenty of confidence. Yes, it’s not a sports car so the steering will feel a bit numb, but after you’re behind the wheel for a while, you can adjust to that and really have some fun on a twisty road.

The body roll is well controlled in Sport mode, and using the paddle shifters offers a bit more control when it comes to applying power through a curve. You’re not going to the track, but if you find yourself on a curvy road that’s familiar, you can have some real fun.

Cabin pressure

Toyota’s vehicles are always functional, and that means you get everything you paid for, such as a steering wheel, heated seats, a 12.3-inch touchscreen (standard equipment on SE and higher trim models), a wireless charging pad, etc.

However, what that looks like or how it feels may not be as impressive. For example, on the Camry the driver’s gauge cluster lets you know very clearly how many miles to empty you have but does it look good? Not so much. It’s like using the wrong font. It works, but it’s not quite right. I’ve never been very warm to Toyota dashboards and touchscreens, but I will say they’re getting better.

Where Toyota makes up for is with great seats and ample room for passengers. In our tester the heated seats were quick to warm, and they remain “on” after the turn the car off so when get in the next day, your seats will warm up without you having to do anything. The Camry is a good place to be for a long drive. Plenty of room for people inside, and plenty of room for their stuff in the trunk and in the cabin.

Would I?

I love sedans. I’m among the many who are moving away from either driving or wanting a crossover because of the value and driving performance you can get from sedans. The Camry is a perennial top seller because it does all of the mechanical stuff well and looks good while doing it.

Perhaps more impressively, it does it at a value price. Our well-contented Camry SE Nightshade came in at $38,646, which includes a cold weather package, loads of electronics, a power moonroof, as well as great fuel economy, good performance, and impressive styling. Would I pay the extra $10,000 to $15,000 to get a similarly contented mainstream midsize SUV — not likely. So, yup, I would definitely buy one.