The Toyota Camry has long been the king of the hill when it comes to mid-size sedans, known for its reliability and no-nonsense approach to transportation. The 2025 Toyota Camry marks a new generation, aiming to be the best Camry yet. But in a market increasingly filled with exciting and stylish alternatives, does the new Camry do enough to stay on top, or is it just more of the same safe, but ultimately uninspiring, formula? Let’s dive deep into this review of the 2025 Toyota Camry, particularly the XSE trim, to see if it truly elevates the Camry nameplate or simply offers a refreshed version of its predictable persona.
Image: 2025 Toyota Camry XSE front grille and logo, highlighting the redesigned fascia in a road test review.
Exterior Design: A Tale of Two Halves?
The 2025 Camry is touted as a complete redesign, replacing the previous generation that has been a common sight on roads since 2018. Toyota has indeed given the new Camry a fresh face and rear, but a closer look reveals a curious design choice: the central portion of the car’s sheet metal remains largely unchanged. This approach results in an exterior that can feel somewhat disjointed. The sharp, modern design language implemented at the front and rear clashes with the more rounded and arguably dated middle section. Whether this is a successful evolution in styling is subjective. While some may appreciate the bolder front and rear, others might find the overall aesthetic lacking in cohesion. The XSE trim, positioned as the top-tier offering, features a mesh lower front fascia that, while passable on some colors, can appear garish, especially on brighter paint options. This design aspect might be a point of contention for potential buyers looking for a refined and uniformly styled sedan.
Image: Side profile of the 2025 Toyota Camry XSE showcasing the exterior redesign and body lines in a vehicle review.
Interior and Comfort: A Step Up, But Still Conservative
Moving inside the 2025 Camry, there’s a more palpable sense of improvement. The cabin generally exhibits a lift in quality throughout. The XSE trim, being the flagship, boasts the most premium interior ever offered in a Camry. Space is ample both in the front and rear, and the seats offer good comfort for longer journeys. The leather-wrapped steering wheel feels pleasant to the touch, and the large center display screen is user-friendly. Overall, the interior is a “good” place to be – consistently so, without any glaring weaknesses. However, it stops short of being “great” and certainly doesn’t reach the levels of perceived luxury found in competitors like the Hyundai Sonata, particularly in terms of material richness and design flair.
Despite the overall positive impression, some aspects detract from the experience. The steering wheel controls are cluttered with an excessive number of buttons, some finished in a glossy material prone to fingerprint smudges. The digital gauge cluster, a common Toyota trait, is criticized for being overly busy and lacking intuitive customization options. While cabin quality is undeniably better than previous Camrys, the design remains somewhat bland and devoid of truly standout features. A peculiar design element mentioned is a “venetian blind-like trim piece” on the dashboard, which is deemed out of place and not visually appealing. Another notable, and frankly odd, oversight is the exposed hexagonal screws for the sun visor mounting points, visible when the visors are lowered. This unusual detail is seen as a surprising lapse in attention to detail for a new car interior.
Image: Interior view of the 2025 Toyota Camry XSE showcasing the dashboard, infotainment screen, and steering wheel in an automotive review.
Technology and Safety: Advanced Features with Quirks
The 2025 Camry is equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety systems and standard features expected in modern vehicles. However, it also incorporates Toyota’s “PDA” (Proactive Driving Assist) system, which functions like always-on radar cruise control. This system has been criticized for being overly intrusive and applying brakes unnecessarily, even on roads where it’s not warranted. In some instances, drivers might even need to apply the throttle to override the system, which is counterintuitive and potentially more dangerous than helpful. While this feature can be disabled, the process involves navigating the cluttered steering wheel controls, as there’s no direct setting within the main display. This implementation of driver-assistance technology seems to prioritize intervention over intuitive user experience.
Image: Close up of the 2025 Toyota Camry XSE red leather interior, showing the seat and door panel design in a car review.
Performance and Hybrid Powertrain: Embracing Efficiency
A significant shift for the 2025 Camry is that every model is now a hybrid. This is a strategic move by Toyota, aligning with the growing demand for fuel efficiency. The powertrain delivers 225 horsepower in front-wheel-drive configuration and 232 horsepower in all-wheel-drive versions. The increased power is immediately noticeable and provides the Camry with a welcome boost in responsiveness. More importantly, the updated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine is praised for its newfound refinement. Previous Toyota four-cylinder engines were often criticized for their rough and unrefined sound, but this new engine operates much more smoothly and quietly. The 2025 Camry XSE achieves a 0-60 mph time of around seven seconds, matching the Prius in acceleration. However, this is a step slower than the outgoing V6 model it replaces, highlighting a trade-off for improved fuel economy.
Image: Rear view of the 2025 Toyota Camry XSE highlighting the taillight design and badging in an exterior review.
Fuel Economy: Good, But Not Class-Leading
The window sticker of the 2025 Camry XSE boasts an impressive 47 MPG combined. However, real-world testing reveals a slightly lower, but still respectable, 39 MPG during a week of typical driving. While 39 MPG is commendable, it falls short of the advertised figure and also suggests that newer Toyota hybrids might not be as fuel-efficient as their predecessors from just a few years prior. Despite this discrepancy, the improved performance offered by the hybrid powertrain is seen as a worthwhile trade-off for the slightly reduced fuel economy compared to older models.
Image: Front interior of the 2025 Toyota Camry showcasing the dashboard layout and passenger seating in a vehicle interior review.
Driving Dynamics: Competent, But Soulless
In terms of driving experience, the 2025 Camry prioritizes competence and comfort over driving enjoyment. The steering is described as “medically deceased,” lacking any feedback or feel, which discourages spirited driving. While the front wheels respond accurately to inputs, the overall steering feel is numb. Ride quality is a strong point, providing comfortable and composed handling over various road surfaces, with minimal wind and road noise intrusion. However, when pushed into corners, the Camry reveals its lack of enthusiasm for dynamic driving. It lacks precision and composure in quick maneuvers, exhibiting noticeable body roll during transitions. While grip from modern tires prevents immediate understeer, the Camry’s preference is clearly for relaxed cruising rather than engaging driving. Compared to rivals like the Honda Accord and Mazda6, which offer unexpected handling prowess, the Camry remains focused on comfort and predictability, which aligns with the preferences of its target demographic.
Image: Front three quarter view of the 2025 Toyota Camry XSE displaying the front design and wheels in a car exterior review.
Pricing and Value: A Premium for Blandness?
The 2025 Toyota Camry is undoubtedly an improved vehicle. It excels at its core mission of providing economical and comfortable transportation. Toyota understands its customer base, and for loyal Camry buyers, this new model will likely be well-received. However, the price point of the new Camry, especially the range-topping XSE model tested, raises concerns. With an as-tested price of $42,195, the 2025 Camry XSE is considered expensive for what it offers. For buyers seeking more driving enjoyment or a more luxurious interior, alternatives in the market might present a more compelling value proposition. While the 2025 Camry is a better version of itself, it remains fundamentally bland, and the increased price tag might make it a harder sell against more exciting and equally capable competitors.
Pros:
- Impressive hybrid fuel economy.
- Improved interior quality.
Cons:
- Stylistically mismatched exterior design.
- Relatively expensive, particularly for the XSE trim.
- Lacks engaging driving dynamics.
Conclusion:
The 2025 Toyota Camry represents a refinement of the familiar Camry formula. It’s more fuel-efficient, boasts a nicer interior, and offers slightly improved performance. However, the exterior design is questionable, the driving experience remains uninspired, and the price has climbed significantly. While it’s a “better bland,” potential buyers should carefully consider if the improvements justify the price, especially when compared to competitors that offer more excitement or luxury for similar money. For die-hard Camry loyalists, the 2025 model will likely satisfy. But for those seeking a more well-rounded and engaging mid-size sedan, exploring alternatives is highly recommended.
