2025 Toyota Camry Lights Up L.A. Auto Show, Debuts New Tech and Hybrid Only Performance



It’s not often that we get to see the Toyota Camry go under the knife for significant updates. The Camry is still one of Toyota’s strongest-selling models and the firm tends to not rock the boat too much when it comes to ensuring that the Camry still has the magic to draw in buyers. The current-gen model has been around for a while now, and Toyota has decided to use the 2025 Camry as a potent stepping stone for new updates in technology and performance.

 

Refreshed Camry Maintains Old Blueprint

At first glance, the ninth-generation Camry may seem similar to the eighth-generation model which debuted back in 2021 and that’s partly true since this version is a refresh versus an outright reboot. However, the front end gets a larger front grille and reworked headlights which are now standard LED units with LED technology also being used in the running lights and the taillights. The bulk of the Camry’s paint roster is also unchanged, but is bolstered by the addition of two new colors; Ocean Gem and Heavy Metal. While the exterior styling is not as daring of an endeavor as some initially hoped for, the new duds allow the Camry to fall in line with the brand’s new design language which made its appearance on the funky Crown sedan and will be headlining the Crown Signia SUV.

Slip inside the 2025 Toyota Camry and you’ll see that an 8.0-inch infotainment screen is standard across the bulk of the lineup. Buyers looking for a flashier setup will have to go for either the XSE or the range-topping XLE trims which get a bigger 12.3-inch touchscreen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also standard and a 10.0-inch heads-up display appears on higher trims. Toyota designers also had fun with the upholstery options this time around and while the SE gets Toyota’s familiar SofTex leatherette surfaces, the base LE’s fabric-covered thrones get an embossed ocean wave pattern. XSE models get black or red upholstery and the XLE gets Dimanica microfiber accents in its leather. The aforementioned XLE and XSE also get access to optional heated or cooled seats while reworked acoustic glass reduces the amount of noise that penetrates the cabin. 

 

Hybrid Only Performance To Reign Supreme In 2025 Camry 

The biggest changes that Toyota made to the Camry for the 2025 model year are found beneath its refreshed bodywork. While the TNGA-K platform is carried over from the outgoing model, the company shuffled the powertrain selections around. The naturally aspirated V6 is gone and a hybrid equipped 2.5-liter four-cylinder will now be the lone powerplant moving forward. The engine has two separate tunes depending on what drive configuration is chosen. If it’s a front-wheel drive model the engine gets two front-mounted electric motors that help it produce a combined system output of 225 horsepower. Stepping up to AWD adds a third motor and power gets bumped up to a combined 232 hp.

An electronically controlled CVT will be the sole transmission offered and the hybrid system gets its juice from a lithium-ion battery pack though the company is not ready to talk about its exact capacity just yet. While the move to a hybrid-only engine lineup may seem like a gamble at first glance, it’s actually a calculated move by Toyota. Company reps in the past have stated that the company is putting its long-term hopes on hybrid vehicles (versus going all-in on EVs) and while the firm will have a few BEV models to offer in the next few years, look for the bulk of the figurative grunt work to be handled by hybrid models in the sales and profits department. It also appears that the sporty TRD model will be axed due to its V6 going away, but we’ll definitely keep our eyes peeled, especially if Toyota finds a way to make the hybrid system work with its track-focused demeanor. 

 

When Can I Buy One?

The 2025 Toyota Camry will begin making its way to dealerships this coming spring. No pricing information was announced in today’s announcement but look for the pricing ladder to not change too much since this is essentially a refresh versus a complete overhaul of the model.Â