Toyota just showed that a sensible sedan doesn’t have to be boring. The 2026 Camry SE Hybrid Nightshade FWD turns out to be a smart pick if you want your daily driver to look a little meaner without tanking your fuel budget. Car and Driver recently put this blacked-out sedan through its paces, and the verdict is in: this is what 80 percent of Camry buyers are choosing, and for good reason.
- The 2026 Camry Nightshade sits in the middle of the lineup and costs just $1,000 more than the SE trim, bringing an all-black aesthetic with 19-inch wheels and darkened exterior accents.
- With 225 horsepower from its hybrid powertrain and an EPA-estimated 46 mpg combined, this front-wheel-drive sedan delivers decent pep while sipping fuel like a commuter champ.
- Car and Driver’s test showed the FWD Nightshade accelerates to 60 mph in 7.0 seconds and stops from 70 mph in 171 feet, making it both quick enough for merging and confident when you need to brake.
What Makes the Nightshade Different
The Nightshade trim is new for 2026 and sits right in the middle of the Camry hierarchy. Car and Driver previously identified the SE as the best choice in the lineup, and this is basically a twist on the SE. You’re paying an extra grand over the regular SE to get the murdered-out look, which includes black 19-inch wheels, gloss black badges, and Midnight Black Metallic accents on the grille, mirrors, door handles, and rear spoiler. The Camry’s styling is already busier than that of other mid-size sedans, but some buyers may find that the Nightshade visuals give it a sportier edge.
If you’re cross-shopping family sedans and considering something like a used Toyota RAV4 hybrid for your daily needs, the Nightshade Camry makes a strong case for sticking with a sedan that gets better fuel economy and handles more like a car than an SUV.
The interior keeps things simple with SofTex faux leather seats featuring white accents on a black background. As part of the Camry’s 2025 redesign, the funhouse dashboard was tossed out in favor of a more straightforward design. The result might not get pulses racing on the first showroom visit, but it’s blessedly easy to use.
How the Hybrid System Performs
All 2026 Camrys are hybrids, and the front-wheel-drive version makes 225 horsepower. The front-wheel-drive Camry accelerates to 60 mph in 7.0 seconds. That’s quick enough to merge on the highway without drama, though you won’t confuse this for a performance sedan. The powertrain uses Toyota’s fifth-generation hybrid system with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with electric motors and a CVT.
The brake pedal blends the regenerative and friction braking nicely, and the car stops from 70 mph in 171 feet. That’s better than a lot of family sedans manage, giving you confidence when traffic suddenly slows down.
The powertrain offers a Sport mode (along with Eco, the default Normal, and a rather pointless EV mode). Most drivers will just leave the Toyota Camry in its default setting and let it do its thing. The Sport mode makes the accelerator more sensitive, but Normal works just fine for everyday use.
Fuel Economy That Actually Delivers
Fuel economy is where the Camry really shines, with an EPA combined estimate of 46 mpg. What’s interesting is that fuel economy varies more with trim level than drivetrain, so choosing front-wheel drive over all-wheel drive doesn’t give you as much of an advantage as you’d think. True hypermilers should stick with the front-wheel-drive LE, which rolls on much smaller 16-inch wheels and notches an astounding 51-mpg combined estimate.
The Nightshade gets 19-inch wheels as part of its appearance package, which explains why its fuel economy lands at 46 mpg instead of the LE’s 51. Still, 46 mpg combined from a sedan with 225 horsepower and a sporty look is nothing to complain about.
What You Get for Under $40,000
The bottom-line price for the test car came in under $40,000 despite a fairly long list of options, some of which you’d definitely want (heated front seats and steering wheel for $500, the larger touchscreen for $735). Car and Driver also noted some questionable add-ons, like a $199 door sill enhancement and $450 for an illuminated trunk sill that most buyers can skip.
On any Camry trim, skipping all-wheel drive saves you $1,525. That’s a decent chunk of change, and the vast majority of buyers, 80 percent in 2025, choose front-wheel drive. Unless you live somewhere with serious snow or need the extra traction for wet weather, front-wheel drive is probably all you need.
The Nightshade comes standard with an 8-inch touchscreen, but you can upgrade to a 12.3-inch unit. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, along with five USB ports scattered throughout the cabin. Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 is also standard equipment, packing features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking.
Is the Nightshade Worth the Extra Cash?
If you like black trim and want your Camry to look a bit more aggressive, the $1,000 upcharge over the SE is reasonable. You’re getting unique 19-inch wheels, all the black exterior accents, and a slightly firmer suspension setup that the SE also shares. Downsides include busy exterior styling, some downmarket interior materials, and sacrificing some slippery-road grip compared to the all-wheel-drive version.
The Nightshade slots between the SE and XLE trims, giving you sportier looks than the base models without going full XSE with all the luxury features. If you’re the kind of buyer who wants a reliable hybrid sedan that doesn’t scream “I bought this for the gas mileage,” the Nightshade delivers that vibe. You get the practical benefits of Toyota’s proven hybrid system while looking like you care about how your car presents itself.
For most people shopping in this segment, the Camry Nightshade hits the sweet spot between price, efficiency, and appearance. It won’t blow you away with thrilling handling or neck-snapping acceleration, but that’s not what you’re buying it for anyway.
