All-new 2025 Toyota Camry goes hybrid – fulltime

Whoever said that the sedan is dead forgot to tell Toyota. Proof of that can be found in the all-new 2025 Toyota Camry. Not only does the Camry get updated styling inside and out, but there is a big change in the drivetrain, that includes an all-new hybrid engine. Let’s see what the new Camry is all about.

America has always loved the Toyota Camry. We know that just by looking at the sales numbers – the Camry has been at or near the top of America’s best-selling car list for as long as I can remember. And there’s good reason for that – the Camry simply gets the job done by being the best family sedan Americans can buy. It’s roomy, comfortable, safe, and reliable. And with a high resale value, it’s always easy to trade your old one in for a new one.

Now entering its ninth generation, the 2025 Camry looks almost identical to the previous generation. But thinner taillights on the new Camry go a long way into changing the way the car looks – even from a side profile. Up front, though, is where most of the changes are as the new car sports a large, more upscale grille.

Inside, the curves and waves from last year’s car have been straightening to suit the rectilinear gauge cluster and touchscreen displays. Even the steering wheel has squarer spokes and buttons. The center stack is impressive with entry level LE and SE Camry’s getting a 7.0-inch digital gauge cluster and an 8.0-inch touchscreen, while XLE and XSE variants get the larger 12.3-inch version. While most of the cockpit is different, somethings haven’t changed – namely the row of buttons to the left of the steering wheel and around the shift lever.

One thing that has drastically changed, however, is under the hood. The base four-cylinder, optional V6 as well as the optional hybrid powerplant are all long gone for 2025. Instead, there is now a duo of hybrid drivetrain powertrains available on the 2025 Camry – one powering the front wheels and one driving all four. Front-wheel-drive models get a new 2.5-liter four-cylinder and two electric motors that combine for 225 horsepower while all-wheel-drive models add a third motor that drives the rear axle and increases combined output to 232 horses. All Camrys use a CVT automatic transmission.

With a starting price of $29,495, the new Camry is available in four different trim levels – the super fuel-efficient LE, the sporty themed SE, the luxurious XLE, and the XSE – a combination of the SE and XLE. All come standard with front-wheel drive. The EPA rates the LE at 53 mpg city and 50 mpg highway or 51- and 49 mpg with all-wheel drive. The top-trim XSE all-wheel drive Camry is the least efficient version with EPA estimates of 44 city and 43 mpg highway. My tester is an XSE, but with front wheel drive – it is rated at 48 city and 47 highway and has an MSRP of $41,916.

I found the hybrid setup to be responsive around town thanks to the strong support from the electric motors. As I recall the previous generation Camry Hybrid being pleasant and a delight to drive, the same holds true with this new version. And with the new car having almost 20 more horses, it is a little more peppier, with 0-60 mph coming in around 6.8 seconds. Of course, no version of the 2025 Camry will be nearly as quick as the old V-6 model, but few Camry buyers (less than 10%) opted for the V6 anyway, so it will be hardly missed.

With all the talk in the auto industry being focused on EVs and trying to move car buyers in that direction, we shouldn’t forget the hybrid. And Toyota hasn’t. In fact, Toyota is one of the few automakers that haven’t made any silly commitments to EVs in the future. But one thing is for sure – Toyota knows hybrids as they have mastered hybrid technology with the Prius. Now, with the big move to make every new Camry a hybrid, that should be a sign to car buyers and the industry alike – which direction we should be going.
– Christopher A. Randazzo

By The Numbers:

2025 Toyota Camry XSE

Base Price: $34,500.00
Price as Tested: $41,916.00
Layout: front-engine / front-wheel drive
Engine: 2.5 liter 4-cylinder and electric motor
Transmission: CVT automatic
Horsepower: 225 hp combined
Torque: N/A
EPA Fuel Economy: 48 city / 47 highway mpg

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