The Toyota Camry was completely redesigned as a new-generation car for the 2025 model year. As it has been for the last three decades, the Camry's biggest rival is the Honda Accord.
With new looks and technology move the Camry into modern territory and Toyota is taking a big step by only offering it as a hybrid, leading it to get up to 51 miles per gallon (mpg). Toyota sells the model in four grades: LE, SE, XLE and XSE.
After spending two weeks behind the wheel of the Camry, one week earlier this year and one week in November, I can confirm that it is more than proficient at daily driver duties but that it lacks some of the refinement the Accord offers.
What we tested: Newsweek test drove the 2025 Toyota Camry XLE AWD in Reservoir Blue. It had a starting MSRP of $36,125 but was pushed to $43,194 with add-ons and a $1,500 destination and delivery feed included.
CHANGE: Driver information display
In front of the driver the fully digital information display gives a driver all the information they could possibly want… at once. The information lacks a level of refinement found in most other autos when displayed on its traditional screen format. Indicator lights, on-screen animations, and traditional numerical displays are smooshed together in a manner that looks like a poured out puzzle that was started but quickly abandoned.
CHANGE: Side mirrors
For decades automakers have been offering automatically dimmed side mirrors via a coating that is mostly imperceptible during the day, even on base models. The Camry did not come equipped with any such coating meaning that bright headlights, whether from small cars or big trucks, were blinding to the driver.
CHANGE: Cruise control
Automakers are continuously trying to reinvent the steering wheel, and often they take the bits that worked the best and muck them up in the process. The steering wheel in the Camry is no exception. Its cruise control functionality is one button each for increasing and decreasing the speed, instead of a toggle. To make matters worse, the buttons were not at a natural resting place for the finger, and don't feel much different to the finger.
KEEP: Engine
The 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine in the Camry generates a combined 225 horsepower (hp) in front-wheel drive models and 235 hp in all-wheel drive models. That's plenty. The engine is also efficient, which is a big bonus for commuters.
CHANGE: Sound deadening
There is just too much noise permeating the cabin from the front end of the car. It loud enough on the highway that you have to turn up the volume of the stereo to compensate and shout a bit when making calls. While I understand that tires and road surface play a part in this equation, there's no doubt that this noise level has been achieved due to a poorly insulated cabin.
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