The Toyota Camry has long been the go-to sedan for those seeking reliable and comfortable transportation, and the all-new 2025 model aims to continue that legacy. This redesign marks a significant refresh for the popular sedan, promising to be the best Camry yet for Toyota loyalists. But for those seeking a more engaging driving experience, or simply the best value for their money, does the 2025 Toyota Camry truly deliver? Our in-depth review dives into the details to help you decide if this new Camry deserves a spot in your garage.
Alt text: Angular front profile of a silver 2025 Toyota Camry XSE showcasing its redesigned headlights and grille.
Exterior Design: A Divisive Refresh
Toyota has opted for an evolutionary rather than revolutionary approach to the 2025 Camry’s exterior. While touted as an all-new redesign, closer inspection reveals a curious carryover. The central structure of the car appears largely unchanged from the previous generation, which debuted in 2018. Toyota has grafted on a new front fascia and rear end, resulting in a look that can feel somewhat disjointed. The sharp, modern design language employed at the front and rear clashes with the still-rounded midsection, creating a visual disharmony. It’s as if two different design teams worked on separate ends of the vehicle without fully coordinating. Whether you find it aesthetically pleasing will be subjective, but to some eyes, it comes across as a somewhat lazy refresh lacking cohesive design flow. Certain trim levels also feature a rather prominent and arguably garish mesh lower front fascia, which can be particularly unflattering on brighter paint colors.
Alt text: Driver’s perspective of the 2025 Toyota Camry XSE interior highlighting the dashboard, steering wheel, and infotainment screen.
Interior Comfort and Technology: A Step Up, But Still Lacking Spark
Stepping inside the 2025 Camry reveals a more optimistic picture. There’s a noticeable improvement in overall interior quality across the cabin. Our test vehicle was the XSE trim, the top-of-the-line offering, and arguably the nicest Camry interior to date. Space is generous in both the front and rear seats, providing ample room for passengers. The seats themselves are comfortable and supportive, suitable for longer journeys. The leather-wrapped steering wheel feels pleasant in hand. The central infotainment screen is large and user-friendly. Overall, the interior is a consistently “good” space to be in. There aren’t any glaring weaknesses, but it doesn’t quite reach “great” either. While materials are improved, it still doesn’t quite match the perceived luxury of competitors like the Hyundai Sonata in terms of material richness and design flair. However, the steering wheel controls are overly complicated and cluttered with buttons, and the glossy black lower controls attract fingerprints easily. The digital gauge cluster, in typical Toyota fashion, is busy and lacks intuitive customization options. Despite the uptick in cabin quality compared to previous Camrys, the overall design remains somewhat bland and uninspired, lacking truly standout elements. A distinctive trim piece attempts to add visual interest to the dashboard, but its execution feels somewhat out of place and not entirely successful. A curious detail that detracts from the otherwise improved interior is the exposed hexagonal screws used to mount the sun visors. These are plainly visible and feel like an uncharacteristic oversight from Toyota in terms of finishing detail.
Alt text: Rear three-quarter view of a 2025 Toyota Camry XSE highlighting its taillights, rear bumper, and dual exhaust outlets.
Hybrid Powertrain and Performance: Efficient and Refined, But Not Thrilling
In a smart move, Toyota has made every 2025 Camry a hybrid. Power output is increased to 225 horsepower for front-wheel-drive models and 232 horsepower for all-wheel-drive versions. This power bump is immediately noticeable and appreciated, providing the Camry with a welcome dose of responsiveness when accelerating. Perhaps even more significantly, the updated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine demonstrates newfound refinement. Toyota’s four-cylinder engines have historically been known for their somewhat coarse and noisy character. However, in the 2025 Camry, the engine operates much more smoothly and quietly, both in sound and feel. The 2025 Camry achieves a 0-60 mph acceleration time of around seven seconds, placing it in the same ballpark as the Toyota Prius. However, it’s worth noting that this is about a second slower than the previous generation Camry V6 model.
Alt text: Front-end view of a 2025 Toyota Camry XSE parked on a paved road showcasing its grille, headlights, and Toyota emblem.
Fuel Economy: Reality Check on MPG Claims
The window sticker for the 2025 Camry XSE boasts an impressive combined fuel economy of 47 MPG. However, real-world testing revealed a still-respectable but lower figure of 39 MPG during a week of typical daily driving. While 39 MPG is undoubtedly excellent for a midsize sedan, it represents a noticeable shortfall from the advertised claims. It appears that newer Toyota hybrids, while offering improved performance, may not quite achieve the stellar fuel economy figures of their predecessors from just a few years prior. Nevertheless, the trade-off of slightly reduced fuel economy for enhanced performance is likely a worthwhile compromise for many drivers.
Alt text: Close-up of the red leather interior of a 2025 Toyota Camry showcasing the seats, door panel, and dashboard stitching.
Driving Experience: Competent Transportation, Not Driver’s Car
When it comes to driving dynamics, the 2025 Camry delivers a predictably competent but ultimately uninspiring experience. The steering is light and lacks any meaningful feedback, discouraging spirited driving. While the front wheels respond accurately to inputs, there’s no sense of connection or engagement for the driver. Ride quality is a strong point, providing a comfortable experience for passengers over various road surfaces. Wind and road noise are well-suppressed, contributing to a relaxed cabin environment. However, attempting to drive the Camry with any enthusiasm in corners reveals its limitations. It lacks precision and composure when pushed, exhibiting a noticeable lack of eagerness for quick directional changes. While modern tires provide decent grip, preventing immediate understeer, the Camry clearly prefers a more relaxed pace. During quick transitions, the car feels somewhat ponderous, not changing direction as nimbly as some competitors. For drivers prioritizing engaging handling, the Honda Accord and Mazda 6 remain superior choices in this segment. Toyota, however, seems uninterested in chasing driving thrills with the Camry, and this approach is likely perfectly acceptable, and perhaps even preferred, by their target customer base.
Safety and Driver Assistance: The Intrusion of PDA
The 2025 Toyota Camry comes equipped with a comprehensive suite of standard safety systems and driver-assistance technologies, as expected in a modern vehicle. However, it also features Toyota’s “PDA” (Proactive Driving Assist) system. This active driving assistant, which functions similarly to radar cruise control but operates even when cruise control is not engaged, can be overly intrusive. In certain situations, such as downhill stretches of road, the PDA system may apply the brakes unnecessarily if it perceives you are following too closely, even on empty country roads. This braking can be abrupt and unsettling, sometimes requiring the driver to apply throttle to override the system, which feels counterintuitive and potentially more hazardous than helpful. While this feature can be disabled, the process involves navigating through the cluttered steering wheel controls, and is not accessible through the main infotainment screen settings.
Pricing and Conclusion: Is the 2025 Camry Worth the Premium?
The 2025 Toyota Camry represents an incremental improvement over its predecessor, offering a slightly more refined interior and updated hybrid powertrain. It remains a competent and comfortable mode of transportation, particularly for those prioritizing fuel economy and reliability. However, the top-trim XSE model we tested carries a hefty price tag of $42,195. At this price point, the Camry faces stiff competition from rivals that offer either a more engaging driving experience or a more luxurious interior, or both. If you are seeking driving excitement or a truly premium feel, alternatives might be more appealing. Ultimately, the 2025 Toyota Camry is a refreshed but not revitalized offering. It’s still somewhat bland, but perhaps a “better bland” than before. For loyal Camry buyers, this may be enough. But for those open to exploring other options, the 2025 Camry’s value proposition at its higher trim levels becomes questionable.
Pros:
- Typically impressive hybrid fuel economy
- Improved interior
Cons:
- Mismatched exterior design
- Expensive for its class
- Lacks dynamic driving engagement
Alt text: Panoramic view of the 2025 Toyota Camry interior showcasing the dashboard, seats, and overall cabin design.
Alt text: Side profile of a 2025 Toyota Camry XSE highlighting its wheels, window line, and overall silhouette.
Alt text: Detailed view of the red leather seats and interior stitching in a 2025 Toyota Camry XSE.
Alt text: Close up of the dashboard and infotainment system of the 2025 Toyota Camry showcasing the screen and controls.
Alt text: Rear seating area of the 2025 Toyota Camry demonstrating legroom and seat design.
Alt text: Red leather rear seats of the 2025 Toyota Camry XSE highlighting the spaciousness and premium upholstery.
Alt text: Front three-quarter view of a 2025 Toyota Camry showcasing its overall design and stance on the road.
Alt text: Badge with “2025 Toyota Camry review | The Road Beat” signifying the source of the car review.
