2025 Toyota Camry

Toyota, the Asian automotive giant pioneering the gas-electric hybrid movement started at the turn of the millennia in the form of the game-changing Prius now offers up this evolving know-how as standard technology within its popular 2025 Camry sedan. These hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) never need nightly wall socket charging as the onboard battery pack self-charges, offering up extend miles per gallons when compared to conventional internal combustion engines sans the electrification perk. 

The 2025 model year marks the first time in Camry’s long, vaulted history that fuel-extending hybrid technology arrives standard. An interesting, and seemingly effective decision pumping adding value into the wobbly sedan segment. While European and Asian automakers continue marketing these family-friendly transports, American pioneers Ford and General Motors retired these once ubiquitous rides from their portfolio a half decade ago. Camry enjoys a head start among remaining sedans as the stylish four-door ranked as the best-selling sedan for the past 22 years. 

From a driver’s perspective, Camy’s fifth-generation gas-electric hybrid technology operates with the same muscle memory as models solely powered by an internal combustion engine, but with greater range. While hybrid technology comes standard, drivers get to choose between a front-drive or all-wheel drive experience. Toyota first introduced fuel extending gas-electric hybrid technology as an option with Camry back in the 2007 model year. 

This 2025 mid-size Camry welcomes aboard its all-new ninth-generation, aged-gracefully redesign, offering up and improving upon familiarities contributing to its fan-favorite status within the mid-size class. Gone from 2024; the higher horsepower V-6 engine and Toyota Racing Development (TRD) trim version. The exterior experiences a few nip and tucks, but this latest incarnation easily recognizes and identifies as a five-passenger Camry. 

A quarter century ago when first-generation HEVs, including the game-changing Toyota Prius, hit the streets a science fiction theme emanated inside and out. Yes, Camry now identifies as a hybrid but it’s a subtle wrap around. Other than HEV badging outside and minimal instrument panel graphics inside one would be hard pressed to immediately notice hybrid inspiration. 

For 2025, trim levels include: LE, SE, XLE and XSE. All now include the choice of front-wheel or all-wheel drive. Combined power starts with a 2.5-liter, naturally-aspirated, inline four-cylinder engine pumping out 184 horsepower and utilizing regular, 87-octane fuel filling the 13-gallon tank. It’s the sole engine available in 2025. 

Front-wheel drive models include one permanent magnet synchronous electric/traction motor powering the front wheels and delivering 100 kilowatts. All-wheel drive versions add a second 30 kw motor motivating rear wheels. Total horsepower reaches 225 with front-drive Camrys and 235 for all wheel drive. The direct-current lithium-ion battery pack stows under second row seats employing 68 cells each pumping out 3.7 volts. 

This year, an electronic continuously variable transmission (E-CVT) works in tandem with the powertrain, replacing a conventional eight-speed transmission from 2024. Not an unexpected update as smooth-shifting E-CVTs and gas-electric hybrid technology often pair together. Most CVTs prioritize smooth comfort rather than a sporty undercurrent. With both gas and electric technologies working together, Camry enjoys plenty of available power noticeable when at lower speeds. 

The all-hybrid design punches Camry’s starting price up from 2024, but the gap between a plug-free HEV design and a standard internal combustion engine has considerably narrowed during the past 25 years. The HEV underpinnings in 2025 add about $2,300 to the 2025 bottom line. A decade earlier, the gap between a standard ICE version and hybrid counterpart was more than double that figure. Our all-wheel drive XSE tester checked in with a $36,125 starting price. An array of stand-alone and a-la-carte packages swelled the bottom line to $45,431 with a $1,095 destination charge tacked on. Starting price for a front-drive LE checks in around $28,700. 

Exterior extras within our tester included a two-tone color scheme with midnight black metallic roof ($500) teamed with a premium ‘Heavy Metal’ gray ($425) exterior hue along with stylish 19-inch dark grey metallic wheels ($1,500). A $4,075 Premium Package added a cadre of recommended extras including: long, panoramic power roof heads-up windshield projection, front cross traffic alert, lane change assist, front and rear parking assist beeps, nine-speaker JBL audio system and ventilated front seats. 

Traditionally, Camry’s exterior personality tilts toward the conservative, especially within the first seven incarnations. This ninth-generation effort spices visuals up a notch with the hood featuring embossed lines extending from the windshield to the front end. The reimagined front end includes daytime running lights in the shape of a thin, letter ‘C’ inspired wishbone and change to amber hues when summoning the turn signal stalk. The large lower air dam includes a hexagonal chain-link pattern from end to end. Red LED tail lights take shape of elongated C-clamps. 

The short rear deck lid contrasts with a large rear window creating a coupe-like effect enhanced with a rear C-pillar narrower than the previous generations. Strap-like exterior openers share body color with a straight character line traveling from the front fender to the tail light wrap around. 

This ninth generation remains evolutionary not revolutionary. Wheelbase (distance between front and rear axle) remains unchanged at 111.2 inches while overall length increases by 1.3 inches. Height and width also stay the same compared with the previous platform. 

Excellent fuel economy varies depending upon the trim level selected. The SE with front-wheel drive checks in as the economical leader boasting an impressive 53 miles per gallon in city travel and 50 mpg highway. Our top-line all-wheel drive XSE delivered 44 mpg city and 33. 

Aiding to fuel economy results; regenerative braking, a seamless hybrid technology recycling mechanical energy created during the friction braking process and storing this energy back into the direct current battery pack for later reuse. 

Inside, the pleasant XSE interior offered a two-color black and red theme with brushed aluminum accents. The electronic push-button start resides on the dash just right of the manually-motivated steering column. To the left of the steering column resides a half-dozen push buttons operating the fuel door and trunk lid power openings along with traction control deactivation. The 12.3-inch digital instrument panel includes two outboard orbs with hybrid-displays and information playing through the right-side circle. Little hybrid information nests inside the center multi-function screen. 

Camry XSE includes a standard Qi wireless Smartphone charger standard along with both a Type A plug port and the popular Type C version, although three Type Cs intersperse throughout the vehicle while the Type A variant offers up only in row one. The charging pad lies flat within a lower center cove when charging, allowing drivers to easily view the phone screen directly fore of the easy-grab E-CVT vertically-traveling transmission shifter. 

Also between the front buckets, three push-activated drive modes aft of the transmission shifter include ‘Eco,’ ‘Normal’ and ‘Sport’ each tweaking the layout of the digital instrument panel. The storage bin/arm rest is hinged at the rear and flips open from the front. 

The rectangular (landscape style), 12.3-inch multi-function touch screen combines the best of an in-dash and flat-screen design. The dashboard’s passenger side includes an artistic stretch of thin vertical waves extending from the far-right air vent and expanding upward when approaching the screen’s right side, forming the in-dash look, but the remaining sides sport a flat TV ambiance. An easy-operational push-button on/off/volume button resides within the screen itself at the northeast corner. A left-side, in-screen vertical menu is omnipresent. 

Under the screen, a dozen push tabs coordinate all HVAC functions including front and rear defrosters with a pair of manually-operating rectangular air vents and hazard button below. Secondary HVAC functions may also tweak through the touch screen. 

The sloping roof line cuts down second-row headroom. My six-foot one-inch frame fit A-OK but those sporting additional inches may wish to position themselves upfront although row two leg room measures adequate. Three average, adult-sized riders co-exist adequately in row two. The bottom driver’s side second-row seat includes air vents to cool the DC battery pack stowed underneath. 

The 15.1 cubic-foot trunk measures a tad smaller than some mid-size rivals, but certainly no deal breaker as all necessary equipment/luggage stowed easily for a long extended Labor Day Weekend getaway. Be aware of two interior goose-neck style hinges attaching to the interior lid that could scrunch bigger in-cargo items. Below the flat floor, one conveniently finds a temporary spare tire and jack, a perk not all vehicles include. Mechanical pull tabs releasing rear 60/40-split seatbacks are also trunk bound. 

All trims include Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, a collection of high-level standard safety features adding peace of mind while tooling the roads. Included: Lane departure alert, road sign alert, pre-collision alert with pedestrian detection and full-speed range cruise control automatically slowing and accelerating the vehicle based on the distance from the car ahead. These team with familiar nuances including traction control, anti-lock brakes, stability control and blind spot monitor with rear cross traffic alert. 

This next-generation gas-electric Camry hybrid qualifies as a ‘full hybrid,’ delivering improved fuel economy numbers compared with ‘mild’ hybrid designs. While the ‘hybrid’ distinction gets tossed around often within automotive circles, not all hybrids are created equal. A Full Hybrid Electric Vehicle (FHEV) such as the 2025 Camry employs a larger DC battery pack powering an electric motor (or motors) and can operate in pure electric mode for short distances at low speeds when pushing an ‘EV’ mode button between front bucket seats. Less expensive ‘mild’ electric vehicles (MHEV) use a smaller electric motor and battery pack to assist the transmission and engine, but don’t directly power the wheels. Mild hybrids deliver less impressive miles per gallon returns with a lower initial upfront cost. 

For the fifth year in a row, Toyota Motor Corporation ranked as the world’s most profitable automotive company based upon global sales. Gas-electric hybrid versions accounted for an impressive 41 percent of sales. 

As with all Toyota models celebrated during the past four years, ToyotaCare comes standard, offering two years (or 25,000 miles) of complimentary maintenance covering factory scheduled items (oil changes, tire rotation) along with 24/7 roadside assistance. 

2025 Toyota Camry XSE 
Price as tested: $45,431 
Engine: 2.5-liter four cylinder 
Horsepower: 232 
Wheelbase: 111.2 inches 
Overall Length: 193.5 inches 
Overall Width: 72.4 inches 
Overall Height: 56.9 inches 
Curb Weight: 3,538 pounds 
Fuel Economy: 44 mpg city/33 mpg highway 
Powertrain warranty: Five year/60,000 miles 
Hybrid Battery Warranty: 10 years/150,000 miles 
Assembly: Georgetown, Kentucky