Review: 2025 Toyota Camry hybrid blends into the background

Toyota just doubled down on hybrids, again.

As the automaker marches towards electrifying its entire lineup, the updated 2025 Camry model line going hybrid tells the tale of Toyota's current strategy: potent (enough), practical, efficient, and cost-conscious. These are the defining traits of the 2025 Camry lineup.

After spending a brief amount of time behind the wheel of a base LE model and sportier XSE trim, it’s clear the Camry probably isn’t in danger of losing its place as the best selling car in the U.S. anytime soon. This is despite the fact the Koreans, both Hyundai and Kia, have just refreshed their midsize offerings, the Sonata and K5.

Here’s what I noted, and what we look forward to further testing in the real world with more time behind the wheel.

2025 Toyota Camry

2025 Toyota Camry delivers smooth moves

The V-6 is dead. The Camry was the holdout, and it’s no longer standing on that hill.

Every 2025 Camry has a 2.5-liter inline-4 rated at 184 hp. The gasoline engine pairs with Toyota’s fifth-gen version of the planetary-gear-configured hybrid system dubbed THS 5. It employs two electric motors and nets 225 hp sent to the front wheels. Toyota offers a third motor mounted on the rear axle for all-wheel drive and it can be optioned on every single trim for $1,525. All-wheel-drive models increase net system output to 232 hp.

Both the more comfort-oriented LE model and sportier XSE model driven delivered similar power, with some of the best electric power handoffs in the business. Toyota nailed the blending of the two power sources. The Camry never induced judders, jerkiness, or even disturbances of any kind to occupants. While down on power compared to the outgoing V-6 model, the hybrid’s electric motor makes its torque immediately off the line giving the Camry enough to scoot away from a stop sign.

On the highway the hybrid powertrain doesn’t seem to run out of ideas when it comes time to pass another car going 70 mph, but this is no Lucid Air Sapphire either. Don’t plan on racing anything other than a Corolla for pink slips.

2025 Toyota Camry

The steering is well weighted and the Camry tracked smoothly down the California highway. I was surprised,