2025 Toyota Camry Review and Video

STYLING

7.0/10
Safety

9.0/10
PRACTICALITY

8.0/10
USER-FRIENDLINESS

8.0/10
FEATURES

9.0/10
POWER

10.0/10
COMFORT

7.0/10
DRIVING FEEL

8.0/10
FUEL ECONOMY

9.5/10
VALUE

7.0/10

Sedans may be suffering death by a thousand sales cuts, but shoppers who appreciate their sleek simplicity will find a smattering of outstanding options still exist.

One such entry sitting firmly atop the midsize segment is the 2025 Toyota Camry, a sedan that’s sure to go down with the sales ship. Redesigned and switched to a hybrid-only powertrain, the Camry may be slugging it out with only a handful of competitors these days, yet it still manages to rise above the rest in ways that matter.

Styling: 7/10

It starts with the styling, which has been elevated in a big way. There’s plenty of resemblance to the Camry that came before this one, with their silhouettes almost indistinguishable. There are also shades of the redesigned Prius and the impressive new Crown Signia crossover up front, with the same C-shaped headlights used here. More than anything, it’s nice to see some consistency across the lineup after years of scattershot aesthetics.

The interior is reasonably stylish, although the material mix is a bit bizarre, with something like six different plastics used in high-contact areas on the dash, doors, and centre console. Worse still, some of them are especially unflattering inside this standard-bearer of the midsize segment. While it would be unreasonable to expect premium-grade stuff inside the 2025 Camry, what’s currently on offer isn’t quite up to snuff.

Comfort: 7/10

Also falling short are the front seats, which are about as stiff and uncomfortable as the ones in the three-row Kia Telluride. It’s something of a shocking about-face for Toyota, which has long been known for fitting its vehicles with supportive seats that are plush enough for all-day cruising comfort. Of course, it could also be symptomatic of this particular tester, which was done up in XSE trim complete with perforated leather upholstery.

As the sportiest iteration of the 2025 Camry, this trim’s suspension features shorter rebound strokes that are meant to evoke some athleticism from behind the wheel. In reality, this is still a run-of-the-mill midsize sedan and should be approached as such. And even with its supposed “sport-tuned” suspension, the Camry rolls around smoothly and without much from the road below making itself known inside.

That’s true of the acoustics, too, with the cabin remaining quiet even when cruising along a porously-paved highway at triple-digit speeds. Credit goes to the sound insulation, as well as a hybrid powertrain that’s been refined this time around to generate less noise under heavy throttle load.

Power: 10/10

The fundamentals of this hybrid setup are the same as before – with the exception of the newly available all-wheel drive, of course – but Toyota’s engineers tweaked the way the 2.5L engine works with the electric side of the equation. Not only does the system feel more responsive with a heavy foot applied to the accelerator, but it’s not nearly as gruff as before thanks to extra pulses of electrons that are applied to offset how hard the four-cylinder has to work.

Net output checks in at 225 hp for the base front-wheel-drive model, a 17-hp increase, with an automatic continuously-variable transmission (CVT) working in conjunction with a gas engine and twin electric motor-generators – one that drives the wheels, the other that feeds the battery. Meanwhile, the rest of the lineup makes 232 hp thanks to the extra electric motor in the back that powers the rear wheels.

Fuel Economy: 9.5/10

Since Toyota’s hybrid all-wheel drive system is electrified – the rear wheels are motivated by an electric motor that’s independent of the rest of the powertrain – there’s really no penalty for the extra traction it provides. That’s why the fuel consumption ratings are essentially the same as they were before despite more driven wheels, with the 2025 Camry burning regular-grade gas at a combined pace of 5.1 L/100 km.

Meanwhile, the XSE trim tested here has a combined rating of 5.3 L/100 km, according to Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), which is a byproduct of its larger 19-inch wheels. (Unsurprisingly, the front-wheel-drive LE version does even better, with a combined rating of just 4.8.) But then this test saw an indicated average of just 4.7 during an evaluation that spanned 175 km, while the final tally came in at 5.2 over the course of more than twice that much total driving.

Driving Feel: 8/10

Smooth and simplified cruising is the name of the game here, with the Camry delivering a dignified-if-uneventful drive experience. There’s a nice balance between comfort and agility, with this sedan never floating along lifelessly nor feeling especially sporty. And while the steering lacks outright feel, it’s a responsive rack overall. The bigger issue is the vague braking, which has a slight learning curve when it comes to mastering pedal modulation. Underestimate the amount of force required to bring this hybrid to a halt and all 1,600 kg (3,527 lb) of its curb weight will make itself known as the Camry slows down.

Safety: 9/10

As always, Toyota has loaded this offering with the advanced safety essentials. Forward collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and lane departure warning and keeping assistance are all standard across the lineup. So, too, is adaptive cruise control that works in stop-and-go traffic, as well as a so-called “proactive driving assist” system that works in a similar fashion by automatically applying the brakes – but not bringing the car to a complete stop – in response to preceding traffic. The XSE and XLE trims get extras like front cross-traffic alert and a head-up display system.

Features: 9/10

Dual-zone automatic climate control, a heated steering wheel and front seats, an eight-inch touchscreen, subscription-based satellite radio, and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connections are just some of the niceties that come standard. The XSE and XLE trims add to that list a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen, nine-speaker stereo (instead of six), and ventilated front seats, as well as a Camry-first panoramic sunroof.

User-Friendliness: 8/10

Given how popular this midsize sedan has become with taxi and rideshare services, the rear-seat headroom implications that come with that big sunroof are worth worrying about. Toyota claims the space is the same as before – it lists the upright room at 955 mm (37.6 in) – but the housing for the overhead sun shade makes it all but impossible for those taller than about six feet to sit comfortably.

In typical Toyota fashion, front-seat headroom isn’t abundant, either, although the space is used well overall. Outward visibility is good, while the infotainment interface is basic but easy to use. There’s also a full array of climate controls just below the touchscreen, with a dedicated display for temperature and fan speed, while more controls on the steering wheel and near the driver’s left knee leave little guesswork about the various functions and features here.

Practicality: 8/10

Beyond the cramped headroom, the cabin is spacious enough for a family of four. But then a crossover like the Toyota RAV4 – which is available with hybrid power – is more spacious for both people and stuff. As it stands, the 428-L trunk here will swallow a couple of suitcases or even some golf clubs, but it’s not nearly as usable overall. Small-item storage in the cabin isn’t nearly as compromised, with a big console bin, bottle and cup holders throughout, and a space under the climate controls for keys, wallets, and phones (a wireless charger is standard).

Value: 7/10

The 2025 Toyota Camry starts at $36,160 before tax but including a non-negotiable freight charge of $1,860. A $2,000 upgrade package adds stuff like a conventional sunroof and 18-inch alloy wheels (16-inch alloys are standard), while that version with all-wheel drive rings in at $39,810. The XSE trim is priced at $46,110 before tax, with the lone options including two-tone paint jobs like this tester’s, while the XLE is $46,910.

With the gas-electric version of the Hyundai Sonata pulled from the Canadian market, the Honda Accord Hybrid is the only competitor that has the mechanical goods to take on this Toyota. But then that sedan is front-wheel drive and rings in at $43,330 or $46,830. The gas-only Sonata is priced at either $34,524 or $41,124, depending on trim, while the Nissan Altima ranges from $33,628 to $40,028 and features standard all-wheel drive.

The Verdict

The crop of midsize sedans may be getting smaller by the year, but that hasn’t stopped the 2025 Toyota Camry from becoming the best version of itself. The criticisms here may seem petty in that context, but then they just go to show the expectations that come with literal decades of segment leadership. While it’s unlikely sedans like this one have much time left on the market, expect this outstanding one to be among the last standing – and with good reason.

Competitors

Specifications

Engine Displacement	2.5L
Engine Cylinders	Hybrid I$
Peak Horsepower	232 net hp
Peak Torque	N/A
Fuel Economy	5.3 / 5.5 / 5.3 L/100 km cty/hwy/cmb
Cargo Space	428 L
Model Tested	2025 Toyota Camry XSE AWD
Base Price	$44,250
A/C Tax	$100
Destination Fee	$1,860
Price as Tested	$46,765
Optional Equipment $555 — Ocean Gem paint w/black roof, $555

Dan Ilika

Dan has been working in the automotive industry for the better part of the last decade, splitting his time between automotive media and public relations. Dan graduated from Toronto’s Humber College with an advanced diploma in journalism – print and broadcast. His work as a journalist spans from newspaper to television and the web, reviewing cars in writing and in front of the camera. In his role as Road Test Editor, Dan provides expert insight and analysis of the Canadian new car market.