2025 Toyota Camry LE Hybrid Review - All-Hybrid, All-CVT, Real-World 45-51 MPG Tested, and What You Give Up for Fuel Economy

[trinacriabob]

I was upgraded in a rental contract and, while going up by one category is not a big deal, getting to try out the new hybrid Camry was somewhat of a big deal.  The latest and current Camry only features hybrid powertrains.  The base 2.5 liter 4-cylinder engine, which was previously naturally aspirated, continues forward, but is assisted by an electric motor.  To make the powering on and off work, a CVT is now the standard transmission, when Camry had an excellent 8-speed automatic transmission for many years.  This vehicle had front wheel drive, but AWD is also available.  The V6 engine and ICEs are no longer available.

Getting used to this car doesn’t take much time.  Having already driven another rented hybrid – a Honda Accord – all I needed to know is that turning the key does not fire up an engine, but makes the car ready to move in EV mode, at least initially.

With 2.5 liters, the Camry pulls away nimbly and with agility, even with a minimally feathered pedal.  It doesn’t take much.  It’s fun to watch the centered power display setting move between eco and power modes.  If stomped on, the engine responds very quickly.  Surprisingly, stomping on it produces a more notable than expected engine hum.  The cabin remains mostly quiet and handling is predictable, neither firm nor vague, with some rougher pavement making it less quiet. 

The transmission feels very much like a CVT, but a well behaved one.  Still, drivers with old school tastes can lament the absence of the very last slick shifting 8-speed automatic that came standard in the Camry.  I know I do.  However, the current CVT behaves well because it doesn’t have that “stuck” feeling when pushed, but the spool is more of an exhaust node than the winding out and high rpm droning caused by the variable gearing.

The Camry’s exterior was freshened up and they worked off the last model.  It’s a compendium of small changes that, together, amount to a lot.  The front lights are narrower and cleaner.  The “appliance” grille is more understated than it once was.  (Sadly, it’s the more expensive versions where the grille is more flared, and even overworked.)  The rear lights are thinned out, complete with a boomerang effect, as they wrap around the rear fender edge and add to the horizontal look of the rear lip and the monolithic bumper panel.  Also, the almost retro, and not too effective, sweep of the rear pillar (think ‘72 Caprice coupe) is gone and the side profile of the windows is cleaner, perhaps a larger rendition of what was done with the Corolla.  Most of the vantage points look better than those of the previous Camry.

Inside, the Camry is also much improved.  The dashboard is organized in cleaner volumes.  The dash has a simple main instrument pod.  In its center is a round dial, whereby the upper part displays the speed and eco/power, and the lower part, through toggling, provides other information – direction, tire pressure, trip information and mileage, or even graphics of the flow of energy involving the engine and the battery.  There is no dedicated tachometer; however, the temperature and fuel gauges remain.  Around the main circle are small digital readouts for the exterior temperature, the time, the odometer, and the remaining range.  Filling up this hybrid showed close to 500 miles of range.  Not only that, the fuel cap is on the driver’s side and, like the trunk, they can be remotely opened by buttons in the interior. That said, there is none of that capless fuel filler stuff!

Being a Camry LE meant the lower grade fixtures inside.  Sadly, this meant a urethane steering wheel.  Sometimes, a mere leather steering wheel imparts the feeling of better handling and a smoother ride.  It’s that equipment choices and groupings seem to work together to give a vehicle its feel.

The LE seats are nicely upholstered in a tougher, durable fabric with slightly contrasting parts.  The front headrests can scoot all the way down and they actually point forward so the driver and passenger can use them without having to lean their heads all the way back.  Headrests for rear seat passengers are integrated into the seating and do not have features to adjust them.

The infotainment system is on its screen which is engaged to the dash, but moved slightly forward, and creates a cleaner look because it does not go up over the top of the cowl.  Fortunately, it remains a touch screen.  The functions are easy to work with, but I had a little bit of finicky interactions with Bluetooth and Android Auto.  Climate control has toggles instead of dials and they are easy to work with.  I will only say that the center vents of the climate control system do not work that quickly and powerfully.  Beneath this small panel are the cubby, a charging pod for a phone, and the flat console surface for the shift lever.  I found the console a little high for my taste.  Possibly to accommodate the new mechanical set-up, there is no storage cubby underneath the console as one sees on larger GM products, for example – both SUVs and even the last-gen Buick LaCrosse.  However, the console box is amply sized.

In addition to being able to look over the hood, visibility is commendable all the way around.  Except for being a little shoehorned into the Camry’s cockpit, the front of the cabin feels spacious and the legroom is also good.  (I had to push the lever to get the seats to move upward, which provided a view over the top of the hood, as evidenced by seeing the paint color, and which I prefer.)  They have retained good cabin space in the rear of the cabin.  Also, the trunk has a decent amount of usable capacity for this genre and for having kept this sweeping roofline.  I again want to state how pleasing it was to control the trunk, in addition to the fuel door, from a bar of buttons on a panel at the lower left part of the dashboard rather than on the floor near the door.  There are 5 functions and they were thoughtful about putting the (auto) lights control onto this bar, and all the way to the left, such that it can easily be noticed from behind the steering wheel.  The new Camry shows a lot of thought as to how the driver connects to the car through its controls and functions, and this is one of the areas where this Camry shines.

While I didn’t calculate fuel mileage, I know that I added only 3.5 gallons of regular unleaded fuel to cover one jaunt of about 160 miles of mixed driving.  This seems close to the EPA estimate. The little green EV icon shone quite a bit.

I imagine that this is a very easy car to live with over the long haul.  For Camry, this powertrain is obviously a new combination, but it’s technology that Toyota and other Asian marques have worked with for quite a while.  I mostly took note that, apart from the major powertrain change, there is the evident synergy of the many small changes that make this a more nicely packaged vehicle than the last Camry.

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MORE PHOTOS FORTHCOMING

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[trinacriabob]

EXTERIOR PHOTOS

Angled front view, showing the new headlamps, a tamer grille, and alloy 16" wheels

Angled rear view showing the slimmer and more horizontal rear taillamps

Side view showing the new greenhouse treatment

Overall look capturing the roofline, the greenhouse treatment and rear sail panel revision, and the sportier and more horizontal taillamps

[trinacriabob]

INTERIOR PHOTOS

This is the view of the front of the cabin as seen from the driver's door

This is the view of the front of the cabin as seen from the passenger's door

This is one view of the "fixed" displays in the dash and the lower part of the center gauge, which can be customized by toggling;  note the symmetrically placed temperature, time, odometer, and range digital readouts

This shows the controls found on each side of the steering wheel and, with the base LE trim, the steering wheel is urethane

This shows the push button ignition, the infotainment screen's placement, the climate control panel, and the two lower center air vents

This shows the gear selector, the cubby with ports, driving mode, parking brake release, and cup holders

The tidy clustering of control buttons to the left of the steering wheel comes in handy

Rear seat legroom appears to be decent for the average sized adult passenger

Looking over one's shoulder shows a pleasing roofline and window outline, engaged headrests, and the contrasting upholstered areas in the LE model, not to mention good visibility

The trunk capacity appears to be in line for this vehicle and for this genre

[trinacriabob]

MECHANICAL PHOTOS

This is the engine bay and the hood uses a prop rod.  The engine is a 2.5 liter 4-cylinder (HEV) augmented by an electric motor.

The label shows conformance to all emission standards for model year 2025 and that OBD II just keeps going

The orange fittings and plumbing apparently indicate what is part of the hybrid model, as was the case in a Honda Accord Hybrid I drove during the last year

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END OF PHOTOS

[ccap41]

14 hours ago, trinacriabob said:

 

The orange fittings and plumbing apparently indicate what is part of the hybrid model, as was the case in a Honda Accord Hybrid I drove during the last year

I believe the orange pieces are indications of high voltage cables, so beware of them. Haha

[trinacriabob]

26 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

I believe the orange pieces are indications of high voltage cables, so beware of them. Haha

You said it more economically than I did.

[G. David Felt]

Style is so blah to me as is the interior.

@trinacriabob Is that dash all hard plastic? Looks like it from the photo.

So glad I do not work on autos anymore, such tight space to deal with.

[trinacriabob]

On 4/8/2025 at 11:56 PM, G. David Felt said:

Style is so blah to me as is the interior.

@trinacriabob Is that dash all hard plastic? Looks like it from the photo.

Okay, but much nicer than the outgoing model.  That one was more blah, as you say.

Yes, all hard plastic given the price point.  I think there's a lot of value in LE form for current times.  Camrys last a long time and, with HEV, it came close to just sipping fuel.

[Drew Dowdell]

On 4/11/2025 at 9:17 PM, trinacriabob said:

Okay, but much nicer than the outgoing model.  That one was more blah, as you say.

Yes, all hard plastic given the price point.  I think there's a lot of value in LE form for current times.  Camrys last a long time and, with HEV, it came close to just sipping fuel.

How did you feel about interior quality as far as creaks and rattles?  My experiences in Toyotas lately have not been positive. On some vehicles, even new ones, they feel 20 years out of date.

[trinacriabob]

23 hours ago, Drew Dowdell said:

How did you feel about interior quality as far as creaks and rattles?  My experiences in Toyotas lately have not been positive. On some vehicles, even new ones, they feel 20 years out of date.

That's an interesting observation.

I did not get a squeaks and rattles feel.  The build quality in the interior says "larger Corolla."  While it may now have a nicer cabin, none of the finishes and materials reach the point of being impressive.  Also, you feel the lighter weight in the doors.  My first-gen LaCrosse had better materials and more solidity than the Camry ... any of them.

[Robert Hall]

On 6/11/2025 at 10:42 AM, trinacriabob said:

That's an interesting observation.

I did not get a squeaks and rattles feel.  The build quality in the interior says "larger Corolla."  While it may now have a nicer cabin, none of the finishes and materials reach the point of being impressive.  Also, you feel the lighter weight in the doors.  My first-gen LaCrosse had better materials and more solidity than the Camry ... any of them.

It's just a Toyota appliance, wouldn't expect Lexus quality interiors.. 

Edited June 13, 2025 by Robert Hall

[trinacriabob]

1 minute ago, Robert Hall said:

It's just a Toyota appliance, wouldn't except Lexus quality interiors.. 

Some appliances last a long time and some don't. I have a feeling this one will go the distance.  There aren't many choices in this segment.

[ccap41]

1 hour ago, trinacriabob said:

Some appliances last a long time and some don't. I have a feeling this one will go the distance.  There aren't many choices in this segment.

Aren't many choices? Isn't Ford and VW the only ones to have pulled out of a segment of like 10 cars? I feel like 7 vehicles is a pretty good pool of vehicles to choose from.

Camry

Accord

K5

Legacy

Altima

Sonata

Malibu

[G. David Felt]

14 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

Aren't many choices? Isn't Ford and VW the only ones to have pulled out of a segment of like 10 cars? I feel like 7 vehicles is a pretty good pool of vehicles to choose from.

Camry - Yes still in production

Accord - Yes still in production

K5 - Refreshed 2026 version shown in Korea, but Kia has not following the death of the Stinger in the U.S. stated if after 2025 it will get updated or end of life.

Legacy - 2025 last year, end of production this summer

Altima - 2025 last year, production ends this summer

Sonata - Dead

Malibu - Dead

The pool is closing to just a few after this year.

[trinacriabob]

27 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

Aren't many choices? Isn't Ford and VW the only ones to have pulled out of a segment of like 10 cars? I feel like 7 vehicles is a pretty good pool of vehicles to choose from.

Camry

Accord

K5

Legacy

Altima

Sonata

Malibu

Legacy is going away, as is Malibu.  As someone who obsessively makes fun of Subaru, the Legacy is actually nice, not to mention apolitical.

Eh on the Altima and the Sonata looks too much like a jelly bean.

Cam-cord are good choices but I would have preferred American iron.

[Robert Hall]

No much left in what used to be the biggest segment of the car market, I think.  It's disappointing how much market share has moved to mediocre CUV appliances. 

1 hour ago, trinacriabob said:

Legacy is going away, as is Malibu.  As someone who obsessively makes fun of Subaru, the Legacy is actually nice, not to mention apolitical.

Eh on the Altima and the Sonata looks too much like a jelly bean.

Cam-cord are good choices but I would have preferred American iron.

And the Altima has a very bad image...car of choice of people w/ subprime credit.. 

[G. David Felt]

6 minutes ago, Robert Hall said:

No much left in what used to be the biggest segment of the car market, I think.  It's disappointing how much market share has moved to mediocre CUV appliances. 

And the Altima has a very bad image...car of choice of people w/ subprime credit.. 

Be interesting to see what the subprime move to since as I posted above, pretty much all but two are dead after this year.

Camry - Yes still in production

Accord - Yes still in production

K5 - Refreshed 2026 version shown in Korea, but Kia has not following the death of the Stinger in the U.S. stated if after 2025 it will get updated or end of life.

Legacy - 2025 last year, end of production this summer

Altima - 2025 last year, production ends this summer

Sonata - Dead

Malibu - Dead

[Robert Hall]

5 minutes ago, G. David Felt said:

Be interesting to see what the subprime move to since as I posted above, pretty much all but two are dead after this year.

 

Kia...though they already seem to have a bad image at least w/ their cheaper ICE models.

Of the list of midsize mainstream sedans, if I had to buy any of them, I'd go with the Accord...built here in Ohio, always had a good reputation and always known to be a pleasant drive.

Edited June 13, 2025 by Robert Hall

[Drew Dowdell]

On 6/13/2025 at 11:51 AM, G. David Felt said:

Be interesting to see what the subprime move to since as I posted above, pretty much all but two are dead after this year.

Camry - Yes still in production

Accord - Yes still in production

K5 - Refreshed 2026 version shown in Korea, but Kia has not following the death of the Stinger in the U.S. stated if after 2025 it will get updated or end of life.

Legacy - 2025 last year, end of production this summer

Altima - 2025 last year, production ends this summer

Sonata - Dead

Malibu - Dead

Isn't it sad? You now have as many mid-size family sedan choices as you have minivan choices (not counting EV sedans).

Camry - Accord - Sonata - K5
Sienna - Odyssey - Pacifica - Carnival

[oldshurst442]

It is quite sad.  But it is a story long in the making. Decades in the making.  One reason would be of the downsizing of vehicles back in the 1970s. Another would be CAFE and the omission to include trucks in the strict CAFE emissions requirements as they did with cars.    Yada yada yada...   

I am quite accepting of this reality.  I have no (individual) power to reverse the SUV/CUV  trend as the choice of transportation.  The masses have spoken and continue to speak that they want this brand of vehicle as their daily driver needs.  Therefore, I have but no choice and to accept this reality.   

But in the Canadian market, there is a small but happy moment for sedan options.  In the EV sector.  I do not know what Chinese EVs we will be getting shortly, and if Chinese marketers are smart, they would be offering MORE of their SUVs/CUVs than they will be their sedans, because Canadians too, are on this SUV/CUV train,  but they would also be smart if they would offer their best (affordable) sedans to compete directly with Tesla sedans (models 3 and S) to see what Canadians really want to buy.  Because the Model 3, in Canada, is a good seller bucking SUV/CUV sales trends.

Therefore, in my market, the Canadian market, thanks to donald, I, Canadians,  will probably be getting slightly more sedan options than what we have now in the very near future.  Like sometime in 2026 before the year is up. 

[Drew Dowdell]

16 minutes ago, oldshurst442 said:

It is quite sad.  But it is a story long in the making. Decades in the making.  One reason would be of the downsizing of vehicles back in the 1970s. Another would be CAFE and the omission to include trucks in the strict CAFE emissions requirements as they did with cars.    Yada yada yada...   

I am quite accepting of this reality.  I have no (individual) power to reverse the SUV/CUV  trend as the choice of transportation.  The masses have spoken and continue to speak that they want this brand of vehicle as their daily driver needs.  Therefore, I have but no choice and to accept this reality.   

But in the Canadian market, there is a small but happy moment for sedan options.  In the EV sector.  I do not know what Chinese EVs we will be getting shortly, and if Chinese marketers are smart, they would be offering MORE of their SUVs/CUVs than they will be their sedans, because Canadians too, are on this SUV/CUV train,  but they would also be smart if they would offer their best (affordable) sedans to compete directly with Tesla sedans (models 3 and S) to see what Canadians really want to buy.  Because the Model 3, in Canada, is a good seller bucking SUV/CUV sales trends.

Therefore, in my market, the Canadian market, thanks to donald, I, Canadians,  will probably be getting slightly more sedan options than what we have now in the very near future.  Like sometime in 2026 before the year is up. 

I don't think you'll be getting them this year as nice as the option sounds. It takes time to set up a distribution channel and dealership network even if they're manufacturer owned stores. Genesis has been building a new dealership near me for nearly a year, at the moment they live in an old VW dealer.