2025 Toyota Camry Hybrid AWD - Bottom Line Review

EACH IMPERIAL COURT HEADDRESS ELECTRIFIED : Over the past four and a half decades nothing speaks "Oh What A Feeling" to "Who Could Ask for Anything More" to "Let's Go Places" to more American motorists than the mid-size car from automaker Toyota. "冠" is the the distinctive Japanese Imperial Court ceremonial royal headdress, consisting of a cap with chin strap topped by a tall textile banner dating to the 8th Century Heian Perioud, worn on commemorative occasions. Latinicized, "Kanmuri," also happens to be the name enduring eight generations of reliably solid family sedan.

Since overtaken by the derived RAV4, and its crossover utility ilk, a successor family sedan from the world's largest carmaker would have to continue tradition, while royally rising above the remaining peers. As if fulfilling a destiny, the ninth generation "Kanmuri," is the first to be exclusively battery electric hybrid powered. Including an update to the sinuous royal robes and tasteful robing room of its predecessor, the all-new 2025 Toyota Camry Hybrid XSE AWD resumes the road from appliance to aspirational.

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WHAT: 2025 Toyota Camry Hybrid XSE AWD XV80 TNGA-K platform mid-size family sedan, related to the RAV4 crossover and the Lexus ES sedan. The ninth generation of most successful mid size family sedan sold in America, succeeds the XV70 series. It is fourth Camry to be offered with Toyota Synergy Hybrid Drive and is now exclusively so-powered in North America.

Standard Synergy Hybrid Drive E-4 G3 Propulsion:

• 2487 cc Atkinson cycle, dual VVT-i DOHC 24V start-stop idle I-4 cylinder A25A-FXS gasoline engine: 176 hp (+8 hp)/ 163 lb-ft @ 6000 r.p.m. (+800 r.p.m.)
• PSM MSG1 x 8 hp
• PSM MG2 x 134 hp (100 kW), 153 lb-ft
• PSM MG3 x 40 hp (30 kW), 62 lb-ft (AWD only, rear axle)
• Li-Ion traction 252V battery, 68 cells, 4.0 Ah, 1.0 kWh
• parallel shaft gearset coupled Aisin T110 Continuously Variable Transaxle, 8 steps

Standard Gas Battery Electric Hybrid Power:

• 225 Net Hybrid Horsepower (153 kW), 149 lb-ft @ 5200 r.p.m.
  • +17 hp, + 14 lb-ft vs. XV70 Camry Hybrid
  • optional - 232 Net Hybrid Horsepower (171 kW), with E-4 G3 All-wheel drive

WHAT (A) STYLING DIFFERENCE: In the flesh the 2025 Toyota Camry is more evolutionary than revolutionary. Still, the careful eye will notice Toyota's removal of any blue tinted emblems on its hybrid models, and following a new trend of excising any grille badging, instead fitting a dark slim trace badge on the forward hood edge.

Where the preceding eighth generation Toyota Camry embarked on an appliance-free sensuous sinewy silhouette, the ninth generation nips and tucks the exterior brashness, embracing a more earnest demeanor.

Front: A revised nose morphs from pointed center to square projecting, aligned with the Toyota Crown's language. The dual flanked shelf hood with but two creases, spill-over into the upper nose. A razor slim darkened, cross divided upper slit is flanked by open faced boomerang inboard light assemblies. Directionals move to the top gap with the hood. A Lexus-like widening trapezoid lower grille features body color latticing which decrease in size towards the edges. It is flanked by darkened boomerang fangs with night accent lights.

Sides: The fuselage is the spitting Coke bottle image from the eighth generation Camry, replete with low beltline with lateral crease for tall greenhouse. Lower spats are integral. Wing mirrors are door mounted, door handles are body colored, and XSE trims bands glassware with black frames. Upper quarter panel flares to achieve wide hips below. The available two-tone darkened roof spills over and extends down the C-pillars to the upper rear deck, connoting a fastback look.

Rear: The rear deck integral duckbill style lip is now broader and more gently curved, with XSE trim adding a sporty black upper winglet. More prominent inboard boomerang taillamps, ala Honda Accord, are spanned by a darkened middle lower trunk-lid bar, with "CAMRY" lettering. While the lower center trunk lid retains the cinched license plate bowl, the entire bumper cover is body colored, but for the lateral lower reflectors, spanned by stacked lateral lines, followed by a simulated lower splitter. A chrome twin-tipped exhaust exits the lower left cover.

WHY: Quenching thirst for electrified fuel frugal version of America's best selling family sedan.

WHEN: On-Sale (in the U.S.) since Autumn 2024

WHERE: Toyota new vehicle dealers

WHERE MADE: Georgetown, Kentucky, U.S.A.

WHERE TO: Electrically efficiently to all of North America, including places where sleigh bells ring, with Synergy Hybrid Drive E-Four, available for the first time in a Camry.

HOW ROADWORTHY: Converging to a common propulsion system, with only the option of electrified all-wheel drive, seems a prudent choice for motivating the new 2025 Toyota Camry. Few were drawn to a front drive V-6 Q ship that was the XV70 TRD. Thus, the ninth generation car focuses on what serves most family priorities most of the time: a cosseting touring experience, devoid of abruptness, exuding a substantial build feel, while delivering class-topping fuel efficiency and offering class-exclusive all-wheel traction.

On those counts, the new Camry delivers. Hybrid Synergy Drive E-Four is expert at seamless petrol-electric swapping. In Sport mode, the 230+ net horsepower and 150 lb-ft of near-instant electric twist surely musters gallop through the direct shift CVT. The XSE's dorsal steering wheel shift paddles are a redundancy, unless more high pitch engine rasp is desired. Even with the weight penalty of rear-axle motor, and the higher rolling resistance low profile tires, the tested 2025 Toyota Camry Hybrid XSE AWD matched the last tested XV70 Camry Hybrid front-drive sipping regular unleaded at an impressive 42 miles per gallon, without any hyper-miling. In contrast with the moaning of the engine under strain, electric propulsion is truly placid.

The last generation Camry finally pulled away from an anodyne feel, with a well judged front strut, rear multi-link chassis. The 2025 Camry Hybrid XSE legitimately is engaging, up to a point. Heel-to-toe slaloming through gentle esses, is averse to listing or tipping. Direction changes from the helm happen with smooth accuracy. Slowing action, during modulation from hybrid motor backspin to the hydraulic binders is progressive and consistent. While all new 2025 Camrys have acoustic windshield, the tested XSE 1st Row acoustic door glass and premium padding, ensured a truly placid occupant lounge.

HOW FAR: 42 combined miles per gallon*; 546 miles highway range w/ 87 AKI unleaded fuel

• +1 Segment leading fuel economy; Smooth and seamless hybrid operation
• -1 Engine lockout EV mode disengages above school zone speeds.

HOW BIG/ LITTLE:  Nearly as spacious as Lexus' largest sedan by cabin volume [the ES]. America's favorite 2 + 3 family sedan because it fits American sized families.

Space - Occupant:

• Wheelbase / Row 2 Legroom: 111.2" inches / 38.0" = unchanged from previous series Toyota Camry XV70
  •  -0.2" / -2.4" vs. Honda Accord Sport; -0.2" / -2.4" vs. Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

Capacity - Cargo:

• Trunk capacity: 15.1 cubic feet
  • -10% vs. Honda Accord Sport; -0.6% vs. Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

HOW USEFUL: √ Deep trunk; √ 60:40% split folding 2nd Row seat backs - cable releases; √ Trunk shopping bag hooks x 2; √ Latching raised trunk floor; √ Wide front center armrest, shallow felt bottom bin; √ Split shelf glove-box - unlined

• +1 Cupholders x 4, Bottle holders x 4 (each door), Overhead sunglasses bin, Dual extending sunvisors
• +/- Wireless device shelf (lower center stack) x 2 devices - open
• -1 Modest door pockets; Narrow trunk load aperture; -No trunk lid grab handle; Thin trunk carpet lining

HOW SAFE: IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus rated; √ 10 airbags; √ rear camera

Advanced Driver Assistance - Standard:

• Toyota SafetySense P 3.0 = √ Pedestrian + cyclist + oncoming vehicle detection braking; √ Forward collision avoidance braking; √ Blind spot warning; √ Rear cross traffic detection; √ Lane Departure Warning w/ Keep steering assist + Lane Trace; √ Full adaptive cruise control w/ auto hold; √ Traffic Jam assist (0-25 m.p.h.); √ LED headlamps + Automatic high beams

Available Supplemental Advanced Driver Assistance (incl. on XSE tester):

• 360 surround camera, front + rear park assist warning; Perimeter Scan; 10.0"-inch Heads Up Display; Rear cross traffic & blind spot avoidance braking; Traffic Sign recognition
  • +1 Excellent outward visibility; Substantial headlamp broadcast; Effective lane control and obstruction avoidance
  • -1 No controlled access motorway "hands-free" cruise control yet

HOW PEOPLE FRIENDLY: The 2025 Toyota Camry Hybrid is marketed in four trims, LE, SE, XSE and XLE, with the latter two available with nearly bespoke appearance and cabin comfort premium package content. At least in upper trims, cabin panels fit expertly, accent materials manage to improve, color contrast is rather pleasing. Instruments are crisply marked and controls intuitively grouped, reacting smoothly to inputs.

The esoteric senses do come away stimulated more than in any peer, boasting heavy continued influence by the Lexus ES 300h. The new 2025 Camry XSE manages numerous premium fitments with tinges of sportiness. Reassuringly, the ninth generation Camry continues to master the art of light, yet firm door close with a waft.

√  Leather perforated seats; √ Heated & cooled 8-way, power lumbar power front seats; √ 4 power windows w/ full up/ down express; √ Heated tilt / telescoping leather steering wheel; √ 2-zone automatic climate control + center console aft Row 2 ventilation registers;  √ Panorama moon-roof, 1st Row power open, power sunshade; √ Auto dimming rear view mirror w/ remote door transmitter; √ Smart Key approach access + pushbutton ignition. +1 seat comfort

• +1 Improved seat padding & supportiveness

Cool Gizmo(s): √ 12.3" color TFT variable layout instrument cluster ^{(replaces LE, SE 7.0" twin analog dial cluster)} ; Perimeter Scan surround camera vehicle check; √ Climate control dependent automatic 1st Row seat heating, cooling, steering wheel heating

Details Done Right: √ Tailored contrast leatherette mid- dashboard & door panels w/ contrast stitching + matching color pillars; √ Brushed metallic dash, door, climate vents central console accents; √ Damped action storage compartment lids; √ Refined grain pebbled plastic surfaces; √ A-Pillar mount JBL audio high frequency horn driver modules; √ Brushed aluminum "CAMRY lettered ^{(non-illuminating)} aluminum door sill plates

Nearly Non-Descript: -1 Multiple steps to alter instrument cluster information; Infotainment screen no longer displays energy flow; 2nd Row trunk cable release pulls

HOW CONNECTED:  √ Toyota Connected center dash tablet 12.3"-inch landscape oriented, capacitive touch LCD infotainment screen ^{(replaces LE, SE 8.0" touch screen)}; √ Drive Connect "Hey Toyota" system voice interaction; √ Bluetooth hands-free communications x 2 phones; √ GPS HDD cloud Navigation w/ 3-D map, voice guidance, Google POI data, OTA updates; √ SMS voice to text messaging; √ Wireless Android Auto / Apple CarPlay phone projection; √ USB-A x 2,USB-C x 3, 12V x 1,√ Qi wireless inductive charging pad (lower center stack open shelf)

• +1 Toyota Connected infotainment user interface enhances intuitive voice command functions
• -1 Non-concealed forward center console wireless device storage shelf

HOW AUDIBLY: √ 800 watt, 11-speaker, 8 channel JBL Quantum-Logic DTS + Clari-Fi premium audio ^{(240 watt, 6 speaker 4-channel streaming audio + HD radio on XLE, Limited)}

HOW "APP" -LICABLE:  √ wireless Android Auto / Apple Car Play smart phone projection; √ Toyota Connected Apps; √ Digital Key

By Subscription (trial): ♦ Sirius XM radio (3 mo.); ♦ WiFi by AT&T (30 day, 3 GB trial); ♦ Toyota Connected Services (Safety, Service - 10 yr. trial, Remote, Drive - 12 months trial)

HOW MUCH: $45,431 = as tested 2025 Toyota Camry Hybrid XSE AWD.

WHAT'S MISSING: Trunk lid liner grab handle, No rear seat heating, No driver's seat + mirror position memory (until XLE trim), Significant price increase in upper trims

ANY COMPETITION:  Honda Accord Hybrid: +1 enthusiast's hybrid;  Hyundai Sonata Hybrid: +1 conventional automatic transaxle, cabin ambience amenities