We don’t know what’s in the water cooler at Toyota, but we like it!
Lately, Toyota has been on a roll with some exciting stylish vehicles – and some of them in the most surprising places. Take the all-new Prius, it’s gorgeous! Yes, a prius. And the new Land Cruiser; going back to a classic squared-off look that’s retro yet amazing.
So, we can’t say we’re stunned that the carmaker did a major refresh on the Camry, but when you consider that it’s the best-selling sedan for the last 22 years, you’ve got to admire the moxie to mix things up. Yes, we said moxie! So, let’s hop in and take a look at what the new 2025 Camry has in store.
Hello Sport!
We’d have to say this is one of the best-looking Camrys ever. And that’s not a small boast, the 2025 model is the ninth generation of the familiar 4-door.
Up front is definitely more aggressive and cohesive. Toyota calls the front face “hammerhead”, and it has some sharky intent with a large trapezoidal lower grille (sport mesh on our XSE model) with additional side slits, and a smooth snout with an underlying horizontal line. Our favorite part are the new LED headlights and LED daytime running lights that create a heavy-lidded, evil glare.
The profile is familiar, with a horizontal shoulder line and a nice, slashed cut-in that flows forward from the rear wheel wells. Adding to the vibe are side sport rockers, while our tester’s blacked out roof visually creates a more hunkered-down look.
Absolutely the best part of the side view are the drop-dead gorgeous 19-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels, in a tasteful black and smoke gray-finish.
The rearview is equally evocative, thanks to subtle lip spoiler, redesigned LED taillights, and on our XSE model, color-matched rear diffuser with dual tip exhaust poking out on the side. We also like the tasteful C A M R Y name spelled out in gloss black, resting atop a blacked-out trunk garnish. Finishing off our tester was the new-for-2025 Ocean Gem color, a stylish blue-aqua that really helps sell the aggressive lines.
Hello Luxury!
Inside, the Camry feels as much like a Lexus as it does a Toyota.
The look is more integrated, with a wide, horizontal sweep that integrates the 12.3 info-tainment display into the dash, rather than standing out like a stand-alone tablet in the previous model.
It’s an inviting interior made even more so by the rich leather that’s standard on XSE trims, draped over newly-designed front seats that feel more supportive, comfortable and have a longer lower cushion – great for taller drivers.
Drop into those comfy seats, and your eyes are met with a new digital gauge display. On our tester it’s a larger 12-inch digital version, and it really freshens up the look, and reminds us how analog gauges, as much as we love them, seem to have had their run. If you really like analog, you can still get them on the Subaru Legacywe recently tested.
The digital package is handsome here, and it even makes a little show when you change from Eco to Normal or Sport modes. The info-tainment system follows other models we’ve tested including the Tacoma pickup and features a massive 12.3-inch touchscreen (lesser models get an 8-inch display), and such goodness as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging and 5 USB ports to keep things charged. We also like the switchgear below the display for the climate controls. Simple, but the feel is high quality.
Our tester had the optional 9-speaker, JBL audio system which sounds terrific, still manages to have an actual volume control knob. We did note that our previous Camry TRD tester had a smaller screen and still managed to also fit a tuning knob, however.
On the bright side, you can just say “Hey Toyota” and access many key features including audio stations, etc., so you’re not really spending a lot of time fussing with the system.
We mentioned the Lexus-y vibe of our tester and with XSE, standards include leather upholstery, heated seats and steering wheel, ambient lighting, acoustic -laminated glass, adjustable rear seat headrests, and options including a panoramic sunroof and ventilated front seats, you do feel surrounded by the good stuff. Posh indeed!
Those rear seats are comfortable as well, with plenty of room for adults, and a nice sized trunk should swallow up plenty of bags on an airport run, and you can flip the rear seats forward, and with a nicely sized pass-through larger items like a bike should fit in, no problem.
Hello Hybrid!
For enthusiasts, the 2025 is a bit of a mixed bag, as Toyota has killed the V6, and will only power the new model with hybrid 4-cylinder engines. They’re not the only one, you can’t get a 6-cylinder on the Honda Accord or Nissan Altima anymore either. While we love that V6 –made especially nice with the performance exhaust of the TRD Camry, we get it – most buyers want good fuel efficiency and respectable performance from their family sedan.
And it is a respectable performer! You have two flavors of hybrid for 2025. On front wheel drive models, you have a 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder with two electric motors, serving up 225 horsepower, while AWD models add a third electric motor for a slight increase to 232 hp. For reference the previous V6 pumped out a strong 301 horses.
Like most hybrids, those electric motors kick in the torque immediately, and that makes the ’25 Camry quick off the line with 0-60 in a tick below 7 seconds. That instant torque helps you scoot around traffic, and with the ability to switch to full EV mode, it’s a quick and quiet cruiser. The big wow comes at the pumps, our loaded tester still earned an impressive 47 mpg combined EPA number, and that is phenomenal!
Toyota makes sure the Camry is fun when the road gets twisty, with a sport-tuned suspension on SE and XSE models, and we like the firm, but not harsh ride quality – it feels very European, there’s plenty of grip thanks to those big meaty wheels and tires. We’re not entirely sold on the sporty motif, here, the brakes lacked much in the way of feel. Let’s agree to say that the Camry is a sporty sedan, but not a sports sedan, if you get the difference. Still, we think most buyers who are looking for comfort, quiet and great fuel efficiency will be very happy with the new model.
Buyers will also be happy with the Safety Sense 3.0 driver’s assist suite standard on all Camrys. That includes Pre-collision tech and a Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert. Our tester upped the ante with the Premium Plus Package, which adds Front Cross-Traffic Alert, Lane Change Assist, Front and rear assist with automatic braking and Panoramic View Monitor.
Hello Value!
More good news here. You have to compare apples to apples, here though. Last year’s base Camry didn’t have a hybrid powertrain, so it was less than the least expensive 2025. The 2024 Camry Hybrid however, started at $28,885, where the ’25 starts at $28,400. So, it’s actually a bit less.
Our top-of-the-line XSE started at a still reasonable $34,600. Toyota didn’t mind showing off some options on our car, which included the Premium Plus Package ($4,075), Two-tone Midnight Black Metallic Roof ($500) and 19” Dark Grey Metallic Wheels ($1,500). Add in $1,095 for Destination, and we rang the bell at $41,770.
Direct competition would have to include the Honda Accord Hybrid at $42,480. They’re very close, both stylish, and worth a test drive. One thing that could sway you – the Accord is not offered in AWD. We’d also look at the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, which comes in a bit less at $38,350, a stylish choice, but like the Accord no AWD is offered.
Sporty looks, a luxury interior and impressive efficiency – the new 2025 Toyota Camry is sure to stay a best seller!
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Ben Lewis grew up in Chicago, and after spending his formative years driving sideways in the winter – often intentionally – moved to sunny Southern California. He now enjoys sunny weather year-round — whether it is autocross driving, aerobatics, and learning to surf.