The Toyota Camry has long been the quintessential no-nonsense sedan, a vehicle synonymous with reliability and dependability, often praised in publications like Car and Driver for its sensible nature. While not typically known for excitement, the Camry consistently delivers on comfort and efficiency, making it a popular choice for those seeking a stress-free ownership experience. The arrival of the 2025 Toyota Camry has sparked considerable interest, prompting a closer look at whether this latest iteration maintains the model’s core values while evolving to meet modern expectations.
The first 2025 Camry models have begun reaching dealerships, offering an opportunity to assess the changes firsthand. One particular model, a black-on-black XSE with a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $42,000, recently arrived at a local dealership, providing a tangible example for evaluation. Initial reactions to the exterior styling, based on online photos, were lukewarm, and seeing the XSE in person did little to change that sentiment. Styling is inherently subjective, but the new design direction may not appeal to everyone, with a preference for the previous 2018-2024 generation’s aesthetics. The front-end redesign, in particular, feels like a less successful translation of the design language seen on the new Prius. The large, body-colored grille in the lower front bumper appears somewhat awkward, disrupting the visual harmony. While the rear of the car is more agreeable, the black trim piece connecting the taillights on the XSE trim level comes across as a廉价 detail.
Close-up of the dual exhaust tips on the 2025 Toyota Camry XSE, highlighting the design where one tip appears to darken faster than the other.
A notable exterior detail that raises concerns is the continuation of faux dual exhaust tips. This design choice, where only one tip is functional, can detract from the vehicle’s appearance over time. When new, both tips appear pristine, but with regular use, the functional tip will inevitably become discolored from exhaust fumes while the non-functional one remains shiny. This disparity can create an undesirable visual imbalance, giving an impression of cost-cutting. While a minor point, it’s a detail that might bother discerning owners and detract from the otherwise refined image Toyota typically cultivates. The new 2025 XSE design seems to perpetuate this trend, as evidenced by a dealership model with only 29 miles already exhibiting the early stages of exhaust tip discoloration.
Exhaust tips of a nearly new 2025 Toyota Camry XSE with only 29 miles, demonstrating the early onset of discoloration on one of the tips.
However, stepping inside the 2025 Camry reveals a significantly different story. The interior represents a home run, a substantial leap forward from the previous generation. The 2018-2024 Camry’s interior was arguably its weakest aspect, feeling dated and technologically behind the curve. The new interior is a vast improvement, bringing the Camry’s cabin up to par with, and potentially exceeding, its competitors. The inclusion of a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch infotainment system is transformative, offering a modern and user-friendly experience. Personal experience confirms the daily usability and appeal of these new tech features. The perceived quality of the interior materials also appears to be high, contributing to an overall sense of refinement. The extensive use of piano black trim on the center console and passenger side dashboard is a minor drawback, as this material is prone to collecting dust and fingerprints, requiring frequent cleaning to maintain its polished look.
The interior is likely to be a major selling point for the 2025 Camry. It surpasses the Honda Accord’s interior in terms of design and perceived quality and is expected to age gracefully over time. Looking ahead, it would be beneficial for Toyota to incorporate features already offered by Honda in the Accord, such as memory seats on both the XLE and XSE trims, especially considering the price point of models exceeding $40,000. Heated rear seats, available in the Accord Touring trim, would also be a welcome addition at this price level, further enhancing passenger comfort and competitiveness.
One area of potential concern carries over from previous Camry generations: the panoramic sunroof seal. The XSE model inspected at the dealership exhibited a sunroof seal of questionable quality, mirroring issues observed in 2018-2024 Camrys. It remains to be seen whether this is an isolated issue with early production models or a persistent design flaw. Hopefully, Toyota has addressed this aspect in the final production version.
Interestingly, the black XSE model at the dealership remained unsold for over a week, even being the sole 2025 Camry available initially. This is noteworthy, especially considering that 2024 models are already sold out at this location. With no dealer markups or mandatory add-on packages, and only a standard $399 service fee, the lack of immediate sales suggests a potential shift in market dynamics. Typically, a car lingering on the lot for a week opens the door for negotiation. It’s plausible that prospective buyers could secure a discount of $500 to $1000 or even more off the MSRP on this XSE, with the discount potentially increasing the longer the vehicle remains unsold. Even the popular Grand Highlander is currently experiencing discounts of $2500-$2800 in the current market, indicating a broader slowdown attributed to high interest rates impacting car sales across the board.
