2025 Toyota Camry Test Drive Review: A Good Car That Keeps Getting Better

The 2025 Toyota Camry marks the ninth technology of this household sedan. Bigger than the Corolla and Prius, there are huge modifications to this midsize sedan this yr. These embody the disappearance of the V6 engine. It is changed by a selection of two four-cylinder hybrid powertrains with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, making this choice for individuals who reside the place winter climate contains snow and ice.

This new technology of the Camry contains an up to date exterior that retains it wanting recent and trendy. Notably within the XSE, it has a sporty, aggressive design that provides it loads of curb enchantment. Inside, there are upgraded supplies and colours that assist shed the notion that the Camry is a ho-hum choice for individuals who don’t actually care in regards to the automobile they drive.

Tech will get consideration with a digital instrument cluster, obtainable head-up show, and an infotainment touchscreen as giant as 12.3-inches relying on the trim. This can be a thorough redesign that, whereas not a dramatic departure from the prior technology, offers the Camry updates which might be positive to assist this dependable sedan preserve its title of best-selling sedan within the nation.

Exterior: Sports activities Sedan Vibes

The Camry shouldn’t be a sports activities sedan, however it does seem like one. The brand new entrance fascia with slim LED headlights makes it look glossy and aggressive; it’s engaging and crowd pleasing with out being overdone and busy. The SE and XSE grades are the sportiest of the lot with aerodynamic ducts, front-side canards, and a rear diffuser. There’s even a dual-tip exhaust and rear lip spoiler.

New colours embody Ocean Gem and Heavy Metallic alongside brighter choices corresponding to Supersonic Crimson and Reservoir Blue. If you’d like your Camry to draw consideration, then you may absolutely choose a trim and coloration mixture that may have your folks asking about your new journey.

Whereas it seems to be sporty, we respect that Toyota’s designers didn’t get carried away. This isn’t a efficiency automobile, so an extra of options that promise that will be disingenuous. The Camry seems to be like what it’s, setting the precise expectations for what drivers will expertise behind the wheel.

Inside: Open, Ethereal, And Eye-Catching

To make every little thing look straight from the longer term, inside designers typically go along with a minimalist design aesthetic. Whereas this could look good, it could possibly additionally look somewhat boring: Muted colours and materials may be enjoyable, however they don’t actually make an impression while you open the door.

The Camry goes in one other route with trendy options mixed with loads of coloration and quite a lot of supplies that look incredible. This isn’t a automobile that’s identified for having an particularly fabulous inside, however the XSE we drove appeared nice. Particularly adorned within the Cockpit Crimson of our take a look at automobile, it’s a putting inside that has a extra premium really feel. The entrance seats are supportive with loads of adjustability to get comfy. They’re additionally extra closely bolstered, which could make them comfortable for these with a bigger body. The upside is how effectively they maintain you in place, offering loads of help for longer drives to make them much less tiring.

* 37.5 inches with moonroof

The rear seats have room for 3 with good headroom and legroom. Tall adults received’t have an issue getting comfy. Regardless of being roomy, the rear seats are finest for 2, however that is just about the case for all sedans. It’s wonderful to pack in your folks for brief journeys, however on an extended drive, discover the man with an SUV and take his journey as a substitute.

As for cargo, this can be a sedan, so giant cargo wants are higher met by a bigger automobile. Nonetheless, there’s 15.1 cubic ft of room within the trunk with a large opening that permits for bulkier gadgets. The rear seats additionally split-fold 60/40 to permit for longer gadgets when you don’t want the room for passengers.

Expertise: Greater Is Higher

Small screens, whether or not for the instrument cluster or infotainment, are terribly dated. They more and more make vehicles really feel low-cost, too, so Toyota has upped its sport to make sure the Camry doesn’t have that drawback. An eight-inch infotainment touchscreen with six-speaker audio, wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 5 USB ports, and Qi wi-fi charging together with a seven-inch digital instrument cluster are customary options. High trims get a12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Choices embody a 10-inch coloration head-up show and 9-speaker JBL audio. It’s a totally featured system in each trim with obtainable choices to make it extra premium.

The system is simple to make use of with a responsive touchscreen and a voice-activated system that prompts just by saying, “Hey, Toyota.” Voice management will be iffy in a whole lot of automobiles, however it’s fairly good within the Camry. It simply hears each the motive force and entrance passenger and customarily will get it proper on the primary attempt.

Efficiency: A Story Of Two Hybrids

There is no such thing as a pure gasoline engine choice on the Camry this yr because the V6 was faraway from the lineup. As an alternative, there are two hybrid powertrains. Entrance-wheel drive trims get a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with two electrical motors for 225 horsepower whereas all-wheel drive trims get a lift to 232 hp because of a further electrical motor on the rear axle. Each are paired to a repeatedly variable automated transmission.

The Camry has loads of rise up and go, however it’s not as responsive because the previous V6. Whereas that’s a bit unhappy for individuals who just like the added efficiency, you’ll get your smile again while you check out the Camry’s spectacular gas economic system.

Gas Effectivity: A Extensive Swing Between Trims

There’s no trim of the Camry that will get dangerous gas economic system. This can be a hybrid in any case, and saving cash on gasoline is a big a part of its enchantment. Nonetheless, the mixture of varied trims and a number of powertrains offers a variety from the very best to the worst.

The bottom LE with front-wheel drive is the gas economic system winner with 53/50/51 mpg metropolis/freeway/mixed. That’s a superb determine that makes it the trim to select if gas economic system is your precedence. On the flip facet, the XSE with all-wheel drive drops to 44/43/44 mpg metropolis/freeway/mixed. Select your trim fastidiously.

Drive Impressions: A Hybrid You’ll Need To Drive

We’ll admit that the primary automobile on the record for many driving fanatics shouldn’t be a hybrid. It’s in all probability some sporty, high-horsepower automobile that comes with a price ticket which will or could not require promoting a kidney. Excellent news! The Camry will allow you to preserve your inside organs, and it’s fantastic to drive.

Certain, the V6 was enjoyable, and it’s gone, however the hybrid four-cylinder that’s now customary is greater than as much as the duty of getting the Camry in control. It has no drawback responding below onerous acceleration with energy sitting in reserve for passing the annoying sluggish man on the freeway.

It’s not, nevertheless, simply in regards to the engine. Dealing with is nice with a minimal quantity of roll. Even fast freeway lane modifications and twisting again roads are simple and enjoyable within the Camry. It additionally has wonderful braking that retains you confidently in management. The journey itself is clean with a minimal quantity of street and wind noise. The plush seats make it simple to loosen up with out being so smooth that longer rides show uncomfortable. Whether or not you are driving the Camry or just alongside for the journey, it’s a incredible sedan.

Pricing and Verdict: The Camry Is Higher Than Ever

This yr’s Camry makes plenty of incremental enhancements that collectively make it a a lot better sedan. The outside design provides a pleasant mixture of fashion and sportiness with a spread of colours that permits you to select simply how a lot consideration you wish to appeal to.

The inside has been upgraded to make it extra comfy and, like the outside, extra eye-catching. The standard of the supplies, the colours, and the open structure all make this a extra interesting sedan. It additionally delivers a clean, quiet journey with room for the entire household.

It has improved driving dynamics, particularly within the SE and XSE with their sports-tuned shocks and suspension. This isn’t a sports activities sedan, however it’s additionally not boring. It’s a enjoyable sedan to drive, particularly on winding nation roads. It rounds out that drive with nice gas economic system that makes it extra reasonably priced over the long run.

*excluding $1,135 vacation spot

Pricing ranges from $28,400 for the bottom LE with front-wheel drive as much as $36,125 for the XSE with all-wheel drive. Even at its most well-equipped, the Camry retains pricing below $40K. The 2025 Toyota Camry proves that it’s the best-selling sedan within the nation for good cause.