Toyota Camry Is Still King

Toyota doesn’t need to fix the Camry. It’s been America’s best-selling sedan for more than a decade and is poised for another strong year. But even a vehicle as popular as the Camry needs an update every now and then. Fortunately, Toyota has stuck to the formula.

The 2025 Toyota Camry is just as great as its predecessor—and even slightly better in some key areas. A sharp redesign makes it look more modern, an updated interior adds some much-needed tech, and its hybrid lineup makes the midsize sedan more efficient than ever.

Under the hood is Toyota’s fifth-generation hybrid system, which combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with battery assistance. The drivetrain produces 225 horsepower with front-wheel drive and 232 horsepower with all-wheel drive. I tested the latter option—a fully loaded XSE with AWD. It’s paired with an electronic continuously variable transmission and gets up to 51 combined miles per gallon on the base LE model with front-wheel drive. The XSE AWD gets 44 combined mpg.

Toyota's hybrid system, with its battery-assisted torque, gives the Camry quick, smooth acceleration from the get-go. Its four-cylinder engine has a high compression ratio of 14.0:1, which keeps the Camry powerful at highway speeds. You'll have no trouble passing.

Jeff Perez/Motor1

While the Camry isn’t a sports sedan (until the next TRD version comes along), it does have better driving dynamics. The chassis is balanced, the suspension is supple, and the steering feels responsive. It’s also comfortable. Aside from a little engine hum, especially when you step hard on the accelerator—as is to be expected with most hybrids—the Camry is quiet, refined, and easygoing. It’s a great car to drive around town.

The XSE model comes with genuine leather upholstery, leather-wrapped door panels, and heated power seats. The $4,075 Premium Plus package adds seat ventilation (plus a host of other features). A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster sits behind the steering wheel, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen next to it adorning the center of the dashboard.

Jeff Perez/Motor1

Pros: Sharp new design, major technology upgrades, comfortable ride, premium interior

Senior Editor Chris Perkins has complained about the interior quality of other trims, but this XSE is quite luxurious. The perforated leather is plush and comfortable, the ride is quiet (aside from the humming engine), and the dual 12.3-inch screens are a welcome upgrade over the previous Camry.

The infotainment screen uses Toyota’s latest interface, which is a joy to use. It’s clean, concise, and easy to navigate. Touch responsiveness is also on par with any modern smartphone. The Camry XSE also comes standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as wireless phone charging.

Design-wise, the cabin gets a lot of aesthetic upgrades. A single piece of glossy black plastic houses the touchscreen in the center and extends to the passenger side in a flowing horizontal design. Glossy black plastic usually looks bad, but here it adds some much-needed visual width to the Camry’s cabin. Aluminum accents line the dash and door panels, and matte black plastic covers most of the high-traffic areas. It all looks and feels great.

Jeff Perez/Motor1

Jeff Perez/Motor1

But the most striking visual appeal is the Camry’s exterior. Toyota has added bold design elements up front, such as a large honeycomb grille, angled horizontal vents, sharp hood lines, and curved headlights. At the rear, the car also has curved taillights, a “CAMRY” logo, a subtle spoiler, and dual exhaust tips on this XSE model. The new Camry looks great, to be honest; it’s no longer just another obscure midsize sedan.

Every Camry comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0. That includes blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control above 20 mph, lane departure warning, road sign recognition and more. However, even on the XSE, you’ll need to shell out $4,075 for the Premium Plus package if you want adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go compatibility, as well as lane-change assist and a 360-degree overhead camera.

Jeff Perez/Motor1

Cons: Expensive Security Package, Occasional Engine Hums

But honestly, the extra safety gear is worth the extra cost. Adaptive cruise with traffic jam assist is a lifesaver in stop-and-go traffic. Steering assist is generous and—while not hands-free—requires less driver intervention. It makes long highway drives a breeze.

The base 2025 Camry LE will start at $29,495, while the XSE starts at $35,695, still a reasonable price for what Toyota offers. The XSE tested here is priced at $43,194, loaded with options—the most expensive being the $4,075 Premium Plus package. In addition to the safety features already mentioned, it also comes with a nine-speaker JBL audio system, a panoramic glass roof, and a few other features. All-wheel drive is priced at $1,525, those gorgeous 19-inch wheels are $1,500, and the front accent lighting package is $399.

But for a premium, well-equipped, comfortable sedan for under $45,000, the 2025 Toyota Camry XSE feels like a steal considering new car prices these days. Other than the latest Honda Accord, there’s no other car in its class that comes close. The 2025 Toyota Camry is still the king of the midsize sedans.