2025 Toyota Camry Revealed: Hands-On With the All-Hybrid Sedan
Do you like the look of the new Prius? Well does Toyota have news for you.
Toyota kicked off the LA Auto Show week late Tuesday with not one but two debuts. Both the 2025 Camry and Crown Signia debuted at a dedicated event outside Malibu, and when they arrive next year, will further bolster Toyota's electrified lineup as two hybrid-only offerings.
Sleeker looks
Remember back in 2017, when the then-new eighth-gen Camry showed off a stylish new look for America's favorite sedan? And then a year ago, people started using "Prius" and "sexy” in the same sentence—in a good way? Well, now the Camry looks like the Prius' big brother. The hammerhead headlight design translates pretty well to the large canvas, and a redesigned rear incorporates more angular taillights with a hint of GR86 about them.
If you're thinking the passenger compartment is looking familiar, you're not wrong: this is technically a very thorough refresh of the existing platform, with new styling inside and out alongside powertrain changes.
Like the current car, the ninth-generation family is split into two flavors: comfort, and sport. The LE and XLE cover the former, while SE and XSE handle the latter. Telling them apart isn’t too hard: the S models get dark alloys in either 18- or 19-inch sizes. Toyota gives them both what it’s calling “racing-inspired” aero features, including functional air ducts, front canards, and a diffuser. Even the Supra’s vents aren’t all functional. There are a few new color choices as well, including the pretty Ocean Gem you see on the XLE here.
Goodbye V6, hello more powerful hybrid
Let’s talk hybrid power. The Camry once again packs the familiar 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine, but pairs it with a fifth-gen version of Toyota’s electrified setup. Lighter yet more powerful electric motors mean 225 horsepower as standard. That’s for the front-drive model: the Camry will once again offer all-wheel drive too, bumping power to 232 hp. It’s important to note this is a different system from before, with electronic on-demand all-wheel drive instead of a physical connection between the axles.
This is the only powertrain for the Camry at launch. Yep, goodbye TRD and its last-in-the-segment V6. Just saying Toyota, if you want to drop the Crown’s Hybrid Max powertrain in here for another TRD, we wouldn’t say no…
Much-improved cabin
Pop inside the cabin and there is a whole lot of change. The LE uses fabric on the dashboard and seats, while the XLE brings in a combo of leather and microfiber seats. The latter, dubbed Dinamica, covers the dashboard and door panels as well, in a tactile quilted pattern that feels great. Meanwhile the SE brings in Toyota’s SofTex faux-leather, and the XSE adds perforated seats in either black and blue, or red. The X models also add ventilated seats up front, and should be quieter on the road thanks to front insulated glass. Toyota says it has rescuplted the seats for better comfort as well—not that we found the outgoing model lacking, but these new seats sure are pleasant on first impressions.
Standard kit is pretty solid: the Camry uses a 7.0-inch digital gauge cluster plus an 8.0-inch central touchscreen even on the LE and SE, while the X trims bump both up to 12.3 inches. Also standard: dual-zone automatic climate controls and—surprisingly—a wireless charging pad. There are five USB ports in the cabin too, regardless of trim. Toyota’s various subscription-based services are all available, including but not limited to the voice assistant, places of interest, roadside assistance, and stolen vehicle locator. Integrated music streaming is now available as well, letting buyers link their Apple or Amazon music accounts. Oh yeah, and a digital key. For the XLE and XSE trims.
Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 is of course standard on all 2025 Camrys, with a pre-collision system, full-range dynamic cruise control, lane departure and trace assists, road sign assist, and auto high beams. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is also standard. The XLE and XSE offer an additional Premium Plus Package which bundles in a few more assists, including a 360-degree camera, front cross-traffic alert, and parking assists.
The 2025 Toyota Camry will once again be built in the USA, and should arrive in dealerships in spring of 2024.
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Kyle began his automotive obsession before he even started school, courtesy of a remote control Porsche and various LEGO sets. He later studied advertising and graphic design at Humber College, which led him to writing about cars (both real and digital). He is now a proud member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC), where he was the Journalist of the Year runner-up for 2021.
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