BARRETT JUNCTION, Calif. – It’s been common for multiple Camry generations to share a platform, so it shouldn’t be surprising or disappointing that the 2025 Toyota Camry shares the identical TNGA set of platform components as its predecessor. It definitely shouldn’t be surprising considering how similar they give the impression of being, other than its attractive recent face that boasts a sleek LED headlight arrangement and a grille area below stuffed with a number of different mesh patterns depending on trim level. There are other, more subtle design updates throughout (the rear quarter area actually has been modified), but you may have to check them side-by-side to see the differences.
Despite this, substantial improvements have been made under the skin. First, every 2025 Camry is a hybrid. Not only that, however it features the subsequent, fifth-generation hybrid system Toyota debuted in the brand new Prius – albeit with a larger 2.5-liter inline-four. While the 2025 Camry system produces more power at 225 horsepower with front-wheel drive and 232 hp with all-wheel drive (more on that soon), the large gain is that the system is smoother, quieter and just makes for higher driving. Engineers increased the quantity of energy provided by the lighter and more compact motor-generator to delay engine engagement while accelerating, make that engagement smoother when it does occur, after which lessen engine load.
The upgraded hybrid powertrain is a lot quieter, too, and the noises it does make are way more nice. The electronically controlled repeatedly variable transmission not yo-yos revs up and down so severely once you momentarily lift off the throttle – it does a fair higher job of keeping engine revs where they ought to be in Sport mode – with the additional benefit of an engine note that sounds less like a droning leaf blower. There’s actually quite a nice four-cylinder thrum now indicative of a automotive. I had a chance to drive a Toyota with the previous-generation hybrid system the day after my time with the Camry, and the development really is significant.
Fuel economy is an eye-popping 51 miles per gallon combined for the bottom LE and its balloony high-profile tires. The other trim levels get 47 mpg combined, while all-wheel drive drops each trim’s estimate by 1 mpg combined. OK, so the XSE drops to 44 mpg combined, but that’s still crazy good.
As mentioned, there’ll once more be an all-wheel-drive Camry available. The previous one was a mechanical system exclusively paired to the bottom, non-hybrid 2.5-liter. The recent system is the identical concept as other all-wheel-drive Toyota hybrids, including the brand new Prius: An extra motor added to the rear axle is engaged when the automotive deems the road slippery or detects front wheel slippage. There’s no proactive engagement to enhance performance and handling.
You can see comparison pictures of the XSE, XLE and SE within the gallery above.
On the topic of handling, though, the Camry once more offers two distinctive dynamic flavors: the cushy LE and sporty SE, with those with an X in the beginning signifying more equipment and fancier finishings. Although the LE became far less of a marshmallow last generation, it sure looks like Toyota widened the ride/handling gap between the LE and SE this time around when it re-tuned the chassis. The SE and XSE’s sport-tuned suspension got recent shock absorbers in any respect corners plus a larger-diameter front stabilizer bar, which definitely has something to do with how much flatter and controlled the SE stayed around long, high-speed sweepers than the LE, which heave-ho’d and bounded about. Grip was also reduced, however the LE has balloony tires wrapping 16-inch wheels reasonably than the tidy 18-inchers on the SE and XLE. The XSE gets 19s.
Steering differences are also quite obvious between LE and SE. Sport mode is especially well done within the SE, dialing in a small but just-right amount of effort, especially when turning in, to extend engagement that ought to please anyone who counts “good steering” as a priority. I used to be also high-quality with Normal in additional mundane driving scenarios. After switching to the LE, though, oh boy do things change. The difference between drive modes is negligible, as Sport just adds some elastic mush to a numb turn-in and a nebulous on-center feel. It drives exactly how most individuals think a Camry drives; the SE feels more like … um, this seems mistaken to say, but a sport sedan. A well-damped one, it ought to be said, since the ride stays comfortable.
Toyota also upgraded the braking system with an electronically controlled one, and it’s noticeable. Never mind improvement, these noticeably feel like great brakes. And I often don’t notice brakes. The pedal is firm and progressive, and there’s actual feel to them. “It feels natural,” says my notebook, which is particularly impressive considering this is a hybrid that should mix regenerative and mechanical braking.
The interior design gets an overhaul even when dimensions are largely cut-and-paste. The dash was redesigned for the 8- or 12.3-inch touchscreen to suit more seamlessly atop it, but Toyota thankfully wasn’t baited by the cost-cutting allure of eliminating buttons and knobs for climate and other key controls. One quirk of the design, though: From the driving force’s perspective, the screens appear to be pointing on the passenger seat. They aren’t; it’s just a weird optical illusion.
The user interface is recent to the Camry but commonplace elsewhere within the Toyota lineup. It may also feature the update that enables for a neater escape from Apple CarPlay. The fix, keeping the bank of docked menu icons on screen while using CarPlay, won’t be duplicated for Android Auto, though. Both Apple and Android connectivity are wireless, and the Camry is the rare automotive in its price range that comes standard with a wireless charging pad. There are also five USB ports spread throughout the cabin, while a recent, long bin next to the wireless pad is perfectly shaped to carry each a big phone and its cord. The result is that your passenger’s phone won’t be filling a cupholder with a wire snaking everywhere in the console.
Aesthetically, the 2025 Camry advantages from interesting fabric mixtures in each trim level, which not only makes the seats look snazzy, but function dash adornment. So, as a substitute of some plastic that appears like wood, metal or something supposedly fancy-ish, you get black or brilliant red SofTex pleather in an XSE, a plush quilted microfiber within the XLE, a textured pinstriped fabric within the SE and a lovely gray cloth within the LE. They all look great, and kudos for not excluding the lower trim levels from interesting design (though it’s probably fair to be concerned about stains long-term with the lighter-colored dash fabrics).
Toyota apparently lengthened and reshaped the front seat cushions, while also changing the froth density. I can’t say I noticed without a previous generation available, but those sound like updates that will make seats more comfortable. The back seat is just as spacious because it was before, however it still has fixed headrest bumps, which aren’t ideal for certain child seat rear anchor straps. Further to the concept that the body structure didn’t change, the trunk has the very same cargo space volume because the previous-generation: 15.1 cubic feet. If it performs otherwise than the last one did in my luggage test, I’d be stunned.
You probably won’t be stunned to listen to that pricing has gone up for 2025, however it’s more complicated than that. Starting at $29,495, including the $1,095 destination charge, that is a rise over the $27,515 the 2024 Camry LE went for. But! Remember that each Camry is now a hybrid, which possibly you didn’t ask for, however the 2025 Camry LE is in truth $455 cheaper than the old Camry Hybrid LE. Prices are similarly lower when comparing 2025 trim levels to 2024 hybrid ones. Score!
All-wheel drive is effectively a $1,525 option on all trim levels. It was $975 before, but that was also considerably cheaper than the everyday AWD option price. Finally, a totally loaded Camry XSE AWD with the $4,075 Premium Plus package (extra ADAS equipment, a JBL sound system, a head-up display, ventilated front seats and a panoramic sunroof) goes for greater than $42,000. Grumble, grumble, inflation, grumble.
The excellent news is that the brand new Camry really is an improvement, even when it’s not that recent. The previous generation was holding up well, however the sharp-looking recent front-end design, higher-quality cabin, big-time tech updates, well-executed hybrid powertrain and surprisingly engaging SE and XSE trim levels lead to a significantly better automotive. And here’s the kicker: Last 12 months’s recent Accord was hardly that recent, either. We should all just be comfortable we still have family sedans in any respect.
Credit : www.autoblog.com
