BARRETT JUNCTION, Calif. – It’s been widespread for a number of Camry generations to share a platform, so it shouldn’t be shocking or disappointing that the 2025 Toyota Camry shares the identical TNGA set of platform parts as its predecessor. It undoubtedly shouldn’t be shocking contemplating how related they appear, aside from its enticing new face that boasts a glossy LED headlight association and a grille space under full of a number of totally different mesh patterns relying on trim stage. There are different, extra delicate design updates all through (the rear quarter space really has been modified), however you need to examine them side-by-side to see the variations.
Regardless of this, substantial enhancements have been made below the pores and skin. First, each 2025 Camry is a hybrid. Not solely that, but it surely options the subsequent, fifth-generation hybrid system Toyota debuted within the new Prius – albeit with an even bigger 2.5-liter inline-four. Whereas the 2025 Camry system produces extra energy at 225 horsepower with front-wheel drive and 232 hp with all-wheel drive (extra on that quickly), the large achieve is that the system is smoother, quieter and simply makes for higher driving. Engineers elevated the quantity of power supplied by the lighter and extra compact motor-generator to delay engine engagement whereas accelerating, make that engagement smoother when it does occur, after which reduce engine load.
The upgraded hybrid powertrain is loads quieter, too, and the noises it does make are way more nice. The electronically managed repeatedly variable transmission not yo-yos revs up and down so severely if you momentarily raise off the throttle – it does a fair higher job of conserving engine revs the place they need to be in Sport mode – with the additional benefit of an engine word that sounds much less like a droning leaf blower. There’s really fairly a pleasant four-cylinder thrum now indicative of a automobile. I had a chance to drive a Toyota with the previous-generation hybrid system the day after my time with the Camry, and the advance actually is critical.
Gasoline economic system is an eye-popping 51 miles per gallon mixed for the bottom LE and its balloony high-profile tires. The opposite trim ranges get 47 mpg mixed, whereas all-wheel drive drops every trim’s estimate by 1 mpg mixed. OK, so the XSE drops to 44 mpg mixed, however that’s nonetheless loopy good.
As talked about, there’ll as soon as once more be an all-wheel-drive Camry out there. The earlier one was a mechanical system solely paired to the bottom, non-hybrid 2.5-liter. The brand new system is identical idea as different all-wheel-drive Toyota hybrids, together with the brand new Prius: An additional motor added to the rear axle is engaged when the automobile deems the street slippery or detects entrance wheel slippage. There’s no proactive engagement to enhance efficiency and dealing with.
You may see comparability footage of the XSE, XLE and SE within the gallery above.
With regards to dealing with, although, the Camry as soon as once more provides two distinctive dynamic flavors: the comfortable LE and sporty SE, with these with an X initially signifying extra tools and fancier finishings. Though the LE turned far much less of a marshmallow final era, it certain looks as if Toyota widened the trip/dealing with hole between the LE and SE this time round when it re-tuned the chassis. The SE and XSE’s sport-tuned suspension bought new shock absorbers in any respect corners plus a larger-diameter entrance stabilizer bar, which undoubtedly has one thing to do with how a lot flatter and managed the SE stayed round lengthy, high-speed sweepers than the LE, which heave-ho’d and bounded about. Grip was additionally decreased, however the LE has balloony tires wrapping 16-inch wheels reasonably than the tidy 18-inchers on the SE and XLE. The XSE will get 19s.
Steering variations are additionally fairly apparent between LE and SE. Sport mode is very effectively carried out within the SE, dialing in a small however just-right quantity of effort, particularly when delivering, to extend engagement that ought to please anybody who counts “good steering” as a precedence. I used to be additionally advantageous with Regular in additional mundane driving eventualities. After switching to the LE, although, oh boy do issues change. The distinction between drive modes is negligible, as Sport simply provides some elastic mush to a numb turn-in and a nebulous on-center really feel. It drives precisely how most individuals assume a Camry drives; the SE feels extra like … um, this appears improper to say, however a sport sedan. A well-damped one, it must be stated, as a result of the trip stays snug.
Toyota additionally upgraded the braking system with an electronically managed one, and it’s noticeable. By no means thoughts enchancment, these noticeably really feel like nice brakes. And I normally don’t discover brakes. The pedal is agency and progressive, and there’s precise really feel to them. “It feels natural,” says my pocket book, which is especially spectacular contemplating this can be a hybrid that should mix regenerative and mechanical braking.
The inside design will get an overhaul even when dimensions are largely cut-and-paste. The sprint was redesigned for the 8- or 12.3-inch touchscreen to suit extra seamlessly atop it, however Toyota fortunately wasn’t baited by the cost-cutting attract of putting off buttons and knobs for local weather and different key controls. One quirk of the design, although: From the driving force’s perspective, the screens appear to be pointing on the passenger seat. They aren’t; it’s only a bizarre optical phantasm.
The person interface is new to the Camry however commonplace elsewhere within the Toyota lineup. It should additionally function the replace that permits for a neater escape from Apple CarPlay. The repair, conserving the financial institution of docked menu icons on display screen whereas utilizing CarPlay, won’t be duplicated for Android Auto, although. Each Apple and Android connectivity are wi-fi, and the Camry is the uncommon automobile in its value vary that comes customary with a wi-fi charging pad. There are additionally 5 USB ports unfold all through the cabin, whereas a brand new, lengthy bin subsequent to the wi-fi pad is completely formed to carry each an enormous telephone and its twine. The result’s that your passenger’s telephone received’t be filling a cupholder with a wire snaking all around the console.
Aesthetically, the 2025 Camry advantages from fascinating cloth combos in every trim stage, which not solely makes the seats look snazzy, however function sprint adornment. So, as a substitute of some plastic that appears like wooden, steel or one thing supposedly fancy-ish, you get black or vivid pink SofTex pleather in an XSE, a luxurious quilted microfiber within the XLE, a textured pinstriped cloth within the SE and a beautiful grey material within the LE. All of them look nice, and kudos for not excluding the decrease trim ranges from fascinating design (although it’s most likely honest to be involved about stains long-term with the lighter-colored sprint materials).
Toyota apparently lengthened and reshaped the entrance seat cushions, whereas additionally altering the froth density. I can’t say I observed with no earlier era readily available, however these sound like updates that may make seats extra snug. The again seat is simply as spacious because it was earlier than, but it surely nonetheless has mounted headrest bumps, which aren’t best for sure baby seat rear anchor straps. Additional to the concept that the physique construction didn’t change, the trunk has the very same cargo area quantity because the previous-generation: 15.1 cubic toes. If it performs otherwise than the final one did in my baggage check, I’d be shocked.
You most likely received’t be shocked to listen to that pricing has gone up for 2025, but it surely’s extra difficult than that. Beginning at $29,495, together with the $1,095 vacation spot cost, that is a rise over the $27,515 the 2024 Camry LE went for. However! Do not forget that each Camry is now a hybrid, which possibly you didn’t ask for, however the 2025 Camry LE is in reality $455 cheaper than the outdated Camry Hybrid LE. Costs are equally decrease when evaluating 2025 trim ranges to 2024 hybrid ones. Rating!
All-wheel drive is successfully a $1,525 possibility on all trim ranges. It was $975 earlier than, however that was additionally significantly cheaper than the everyday AWD possibility value. Lastly, a completely loaded Camry XSE AWD with the $4,075 Premium Plus bundle (further ADAS tools, a JBL sound system, a head-up show, ventilated entrance seats and a panoramic sunroof) goes for greater than $42,000. Grumble, grumble, inflation, grumble.
The excellent news is that the brand new Camry actually is an enchancment, even when it’s not that new. The earlier era was holding up effectively, however the sharp-looking new front-end design, higher-quality cabin, big-time tech updates, well-executed hybrid powertrain and surprisingly partaking SE and XSE trim ranges lead to a a lot better automobile. And right here’s the kicker: Final 12 months’s new Accord was hardly that new, both. We must always all simply be completely satisfied we nonetheless have household sedans in any respect.