2025 Camry Hybrid XSE AWD
Price As Tested: $45,275 CAD
Colour: Heavy Metal w/Black Roof
I wax lyrical quite often about the boredom I feel when presented with another 5-passenger SUV to test. I know, car journalist problems. Nevertheless, this is how I feel so when the chance to drive anything else comes my way I’m all in. The Toyota Camry has always represented that Toyota stereotype of conservative design and bulletproof engineering. While this ethos may not stir the soul like some other brands it has allowed Toyota to become the biggest carmaker in the world (based on unit sales) and delivered to them an umatched reputation for quality and associated reliability. All this being said, the Camry was never that interesting. Thus, I haven’t been in one for nearly 20 years. Imagine my surprise then when I picked up the 2025 Toyota Camry Hybrid XSE AWD and was knocked over by how stunning a thing it had become. Gone are the boring lines and underwhelming face, replaced with sleek curves, daring bits of design and a stance that I would never have associated with the Camry. The Camry is a stud.
Power & Performance
In a world awash with turbo everything when it comes to powerplants for cars, Toyota is a rare exception. While they have a few in their lineup (and more coming to be certain), they’ve opted to use hybrid systems to provide the power and emissions benefits commonly derived from turbochargers. The Camry is now currently only available with the 2.5L Hybrid drivetrain. It’s not only buttery smooth but it really pulls when you ask it to. This press vehicle has AWD so three small electric motors that in concert with the gas engine deliver 232hp and over 300 lb/ft of torque. This is an incredible combination as it makes the Camry nimble and (dare I say it) fun to drive. I was slipping in and out of lanes like a teenager with a death wish and enjoyed every second of it. Normally driving like this delivers poor fuel economy but bashing it as hard as I could I never saw the fuel consumption creep above 5.6L/100kms (42mpg). On the highway I saw this number as low as 5.1L/100kms (46mpg). This sort of fuel economy out of a proper mid-sized sedan that drives like this one does is an achievement to be celebrated.
Exterior
Oh yeah, the Camry is pretty. For a car that has always been so conservative and uninteresting in terms of its exterior design, this new model (introduced MY2023) is stunning and elegant. While they’ve clearly shared notes with their friends at Lexus for some exterior design cues, it’s only a good thing as the Camry is truly beautiful. The large, but not too large, grille flows through lines all the way to the rear which ties the whole package up nicely in a pretty little bow. Modern design can make it difficult to make a really good-looking car which only makes the Camry all the more special. I’m also going to note the complete lack of bare plastic on this car. We’re seeing so much of this in car design and it’s working its way into sedans as well, but Toyota has wisely omitted it from the Camry and for that I’m grateful.
Interior
The cockpit of the 2025 Toyota Camry is a nice place to be. This press vehicle has the red “sports” leather and it’s fabulous. It has a curious black pattern woven into the perforations and I love the way it looks. Red interiors have come a long way, and the Camry is a superior example. Toyota is also still putting real leather in the Camry, and it feels incredible to sit in and to touch. Synthetics are fine but they really make you appreciate the real deal.
The Toyota Camry still has a console mounted shifter. No buttons or dials, just a stick you pull back and forth. Sometimes it’s easy to forget how cumbersome buttons and dials can be (mostly because of how slow they can be to respond) but this traditional offering on the Camry is very useable. It does what I want when I ask for it. Did I mention its leather wrapped as well?
The cluster is in a deep pocket on the dash and is very driver focused. The infotainment is a good sized 12.3” modern display. I found it argued with my Android phone a bit but was otherwise very useable. The stereo is top notch and really annoyed my neighbours as I arrived/departed with the music turned up.
The refinement in the cabin on the Camry is more befitting something that costs way more. There are offerings from other parts of the world that are less sophisticated, quiet and comfortable. The glass roof lets the world in and you can open the front half (remember your sunscreen if you’re running a little thin up top). There is a good sense of space with lots of room for four full-sized humans.
Quality
This is a Toyota. While not perfect they still make some of the best cars in the world and when it comes to hybrid systems nobody can touch them with nearly 25 years in that space. You can’t go wrong with the Camry.
CQI – 9.
Value
The Camry tops out around $46,000 CAD. That’s not cheap by any means but in the current market it represents really good value. When you factor in the equipment, size, space, refinement, build quality, fuel economy and strong resale this vehicle delivers there are few competitors. There may well be none.
Final Thoughts
I’m completely smitten with the 2025 Toyota Camry. Toyota’s flagship and iconic sedan continues to dominate its segment. Toyota could have chosen to cut corners and compromise for the purposes of profit, but they haven’t. They continue to invest in this car and seem intent on keeping it at the top of the pile. This is rare thing in a business continually under pressure to ask for more and deliver less. If you’re in the market for anything between $35-45 CAD, test drive the Camry. You may have forgotten about it so consider this a reminder. You can thank me later.
