2025 Toyota Camry Shifts Gradually

Toyota's revised, hybrid-only Camry reveals family cars are far from dead. Nearly 300,000 of Toyota's family sedans still found homes last year, even though the brand's RAV4 crossover has replaced the Toyota Camry as the bestselling car in the U.S. not a pickup truck. We are obviously not alone in favoring the cheaper starting price, better fuel economy, and cleaner driving characteristics that sedans normally provide over their utilitarian siblings. But Toyota does not take lightly changing the Camry's formula; so, careful evolution guided the path for its ninth-generation makeover.

It's easy to confuse the 2025 Camry's sculpted front end and gaping mouth for the departing model it reflects in practically every measure. Like previously, SE and XSE trim levels are advertised as the sportier models with black grille highlights and a more responsive chassis than LE and XLE's chrome trim and softer setup.

The major alterations are under the surface; all classes run Toyota's fifth-generation hybrid engine. With an extra eight horsepower for 184 in total supported by 163 pound-feet of torque, an Atkinson-cycle 2.5-liter four-cylinder remains the hybrid's core mower. Likewise, a more powerful traction motor (134 horsepower, up from 118) operates with a second motor that choreographs the hybrid system's planetary gearset so it finally performs like a constantly variable gearbox. From 208 ponies to 225 total production rises. Choose the $1525 electrified all-wheel-drive system, first for the Camry hybrid, with its own 40-hp rear-axle motor shared with the Prius AWD, and that combined total creeps up to 232 horsepower.

Strong Real-world Fuel Efficiency, Excellent Interior Improvements, Faster And Better Driving Than Previous Hybrids

Under the rear seat is a lithium-ion battery with an estimated 0.6 kilowatt-hour capacity; Toyota estimates a combined fuel economy range depending on the model between 44 and 51 mpg. On the low end, it is 2 mpg lower for an all-wheel-drive XSE against a previous XSE hybrid devoid of AWD and 1 mpg below the thriftiest front-drive model. Any form of the new vehicle will be more stingier at the pump than past gas-only cars, which bottomed out at 32 mpg combined, given the last Camry hybrid we examined, a 2018 XLE model, returned 44 mpg on our 75-mph highway test and averaged 40 mpg overall. Our 2025 all-wheel-drive XSE test car averaged 43 mpg on our highway loop and 38 mpg overall in accordance with that prior test.

The increased spring in the Camry's stride is most noticeable around town, where low- to mid-throttle applications allow the shove of its larger electric motor to be felt, hence enhancing responsiveness. The sub-six-second 60-mph sprints of the departing 301-hp V-6 versions are sadly relics of the past. Still, there is room for development. Though it weighed 118 pounds more than the front-drive 2018 model, our 3774-pound test car sprinted to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds and finished the quarter-mile in 15.1 seconds at 94 mph, increases of 1.0 and 0.9 second (and 3 mph), respectively. You may also read this: Customizing Features on Your 2024 Hyundai Kona Electric

Sportier V-6 Versions Are No More; Vague Steering Feel, Unimpressive Braking And Grip Statistics Are Not

The extra sound insulation on the new Camry had no effect on our interior sound-level readings: Its 73- and 69-decibel readings at 70 mph and full throttle respectively are 1 decibel louder than previously. When riding steep switchbacks, its somewhat stronger suspension tuning do provide all models better body control without affecting their plush ride (the basic LE has 16-inch wheels, with higher trims receiving 18s or 19s). Though rolling on somewhat larger 19-inch wheels, those changes once more fail at the test track, where our test car produced a similarly poor 182-foot stop from 70 mph and 0.84 g of grip against the 2018 model (180 feet, 0.84 g). Our primary dynamic grouse about the new Camry is its steering, which lacks more effort when negotiating curves and has a false on-center feel.

Although the Camry's dashboard is covered with smudge-prone piano-black trim, the remainder of the inside provides pleasing improvements like appealing, trim-specific upholstery, plus redesigned seats with lots of support and long-haul comfort. Digital displays extend from 7.0 to 12.3 inches for the driver depending on the model; the center touchscreens running Toyota's most recent infotainment system cover 8.0 or 12.3 inches. XLE and XSE versions include a 10.0-inch head-up display. Though you will have to pay extra for a surround-view camera system, lane-change assist, and parking assist with automated brakes, overall interior capacity remains substantial as does included convenience and safety features.

Value has traditionally been one of the Camry's strong points; the 2025 model starts at $29,535, about $2000 more than the base four-cylinder LE asked for last year but $455 less than the previous entry-level hybrid model. With a load of extras and accessories, our sample came as tested at $45,471; its basic price is still-sensible $37,260—less than $2K more than front-drive-only XSE hybrid from last year. Although the performance of the new Camry mostly lags below that of its long-standing competitor, the Honda Accord's great fuel economy and range of improvements should provide for a stronger contest when we schedule the inevitable comparison test. It is far less likely for Toyota's sales charts to show a comeback to the top. This is a superior Camry, nevertheless, for the sedan devotees.