We spent a week and 612 miles with the all-new, hybrid-only 2025 Toyota Camry, including a rain-soaked commute loop, a 200-mile highway slog, and a twisty backroad detour. Our test car was an XSE AWD on 19-inch all-season tires, giving us a clear picture of Toyota’s mainstream sedan in everyday use.
Under the reshaped skin, every 2025 Camry is a hybrid: a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four teamed with Toyota’s fifth‑gen hybrid system. Output is 225 hp in FWD and 232 hp with the rear e‑Axle AWD we tested, driving through an eCVT. The TNGA-K chassis carries MacPherson struts up front and a multi-link rear. Our XSE AWD wore 235/40R19 tires; curb weight measured 3,650 lb on our scales.
Trunk volume remains a useful 15.1 cu ft, and the rear seat folds 60/40. Testing covered urban stop‑and‑go, a steady 75‑mph highway run, and rain-slicked canyon roads with temps from 48°F to 82°F. We logged fuel, performance, and noise data with a Racelogic GPS and a handheld SPL meter. Cabin tech included the optional 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless CarPlay/Android Auto and a matching 12.3-inch digital cluster; four USB‑C ports kept devices topped up.
Around town, the hybrid system’s calibration is mature. The Camry eases off the line on electric assist, the engine joining unobtrusively unless you mat it. We recorded 0–60 mph in 7.8 seconds and 30–50 mph in 3.8 seconds; 50–70 mph took 5.4 seconds. Brake-by-wire tuning is well sorted—pedal feel is natural and consistent, with seamless handoff between regen and friction.
At 70 mph, we measured 66 dBA, with wind hush impressive but some tire slap evident on coarse surfaces. Ride quality is tied to wheel choice. On the XSE’s 19s, the Camry is controlled but busy over expansion joints; the SE/XLE on 18s we briefly sampled ride more fluidly without sacrificing steering response. Body motions are tidy, and the car carries speed confidently through sweepers.
Our skidpad figure was 0.84 g, and 60–0 mph braking averaged 122 ft with no fade in repeated stops. Steering is light but accurate, with a natural on-center and predictable build-up off-center. Efficiency is the headline. Our overall average landed at 47 mpg over 612 miles, peaking at 52 mpg on a mixed suburban loop and settling at 44 mpg during a 75‑mph highway control run.
The AWD e‑Axle engages imperceptibly in the wet and helps the Camry launch cleanly on slick inclines without denting economy. Toyota Safety Sense 3.0’s adaptive cruise and Lane Tracing Assist reliably held lane position, though the system occasionally ping-ponged on poorly marked secondary roads. The 12.3-inch infotainment is quick and intuitive; wireless CarPlay stayed connected, and voice prompts are responsive. Practical gripes are few: the 19-inch tires introduce extra road roar, and the engine drones under full throttle.
Otherwise, the 2025 Camry feels cohesive, quiet, and genuinely efficient. For most buyers, the XLE or SE with 18-inch wheels is the sweet spot; choose AWD if you live in the Snowbelt, FWD if maximum mpg matters. It’s not a sports sedan, but it finally drives with polish to match its reputation—and your fuel receipts will back that up.