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Sunday Drive: 2025 Toyota Camry XSE AWD – Style, efficiency and everyday performance

By Craig and Deanne Conover - Daily Herald | Jul 26, 2025
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The 2025 Toyota Camry XSE AWD.
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Inside the 2025 Toyota Camry XSE AWD.
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The 2025 Toyota Camry XSE AWD.
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Inside the 2025 Toyota Camry XSE AWD.
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The 2025 Toyota Camry XSE AWD.
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The 2025 Toyota Camry XSE AWD.

When a car has dominated its segment for over two decades, any redesign comes with high expectations — and Toyota has certainly delivered with the all-new, ninth-generation 2025 Camry. For more than 20 years, the Camry has held the title of best-selling sedan in America, and this time around, Toyota has gone all in: bold styling, a new all-hybrid powertrain across all trims, available all-wheel drive and a uniquely refined interior.

As always, we had the opportunity to drive the sporty XSE AWD trim for a week around Utah County, and we came away impressed with how well the Camry blended fun, functionality and fuel economy into one sleek package. Whether we were commuting to work in Provo, running errands in Springville or making the grocery rounds, the Camry proved to be a comfortable and capable companion.

“Building on its long-standing reputation as the best-selling sedan in the U.S. for over 20 years, this campaign highlights the all-new, all-hybrid 2025 Camry,” said Mike Tripp, group vice president of Toyota Marketing. “Toyota is thrilled to unveil our ninth-generation Camry featuring a sleek athletic design and impressive new powertrain backed by the exceptional quality and reliability that is synonymous with the Toyota brand.”

A new powertrain for a new era

Gone is the old gasoline-only option. Every 2025 Camry now comes standard with Toyota’s fifth-generation hybrid system. In our XSE AWD trim, that meant a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, putting out a total of 232 horsepower. The result? A zippy, smooth driving experience that felt surprisingly athletic for a midsize sedan.

From our driveway in Springville to downtown Provo, the Camry handled our daily commute with ease. Acceleration onto Interstate 15 was brisk and confident, and the electric motor provided instant torque when needed. The continuously variable transmission, or CVT, shifted effortlessly, working well within the hybrid system

What impressed us most was how the Camry combined this power with outstanding fuel efficiency. Even with a mix of city and freeway driving, we averaged 39 miles per gallon for the week. That’s outstanding for an all-wheel-drive sedan and a testament to Toyota’s mastery of hybrid technology.

Comfort in the everyday

It’s one thing for a car to be efficient, but it also has to be pleasant to live with day in and day out. Toyota clearly had daily drivers in mind when designing the 2025 Camry. The new cabin layout was driver-focused, with a clean design, upgraded materials and modern tech that made our errands feel just a little more luxurious.

We found the driver’s seat in the XSE to be especially comfortable, with red leather seats, power-adjustable lumbar support, and heating and ventilation. The back seats offered ample space for when we had family members in tow, and the trunk provided more than enough room for grocery runs and even a stop at the home improvement store.

One feature we quickly grew to love was the new standard 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, which gave us customizable readouts for speed, fuel economy, hybrid performance and more. A matching 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto made it easy to stay connected — and even easier to stream music for our morning drives.

Designed to be seen

Toyota hasn’t just updated the powertrain and interior — they completely redesigned the Camry’s exterior to match its modern performance. Our XSE trim came with bold styling cues: a black mesh grille, body-colored rocker panels, gloss-black 19-inch alloy wheels and a subtly aggressive rear diffuser.

Finished in Toyota’s new Heavy Metal gray (which shimmered beautifully in the Utah sunlight), our Camry XSE turned heads everywhere we went. It felt like a sedan that had finally grown into its sporty aspirations — refined and confident, with just the right amount of edge.

Despite its aggressive appearance, the ride was surprisingly smooth, even on some of the bumpier roads around Springville and Spanish Fork. Toyota’s suspension tuning struck a perfect balance between firmness and comfort, making it enjoyable for both driver and passengers alike.

Tech that makes life easier

One of the more impressive parts of this new generation was how much technology now came standard. Every Camry is equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which includes adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, pre-collision braking with pedestrian detection and even a proactive driving assist feature that helps smooth out turns and slowdowns.

In our XSE, we also had a surround-view camera system, blind-spot monitoring, parking sensors and rear cross-traffic alert — all of which came in handy in tight parking lots. The head-up display was another welcome feature, projecting key information onto the windshield so we could keep our eyes on the road.

It’s rare to find a midsize sedan packed with this much safety and convenience tech, especially in the under-$40,000 price range. Toyota clearly wants the new Camry to stand out in more than just appearance.

Everyday driving, redefined

Our week with the Camry was a mix of daily commuting, local errands and a few longer drives across Utah County. Each trip reminded us that a well-balanced sedan can still thrive in a market flooded with SUVs and crossovers.

Whether it was pulling into the Macey’s parking lot for groceries or navigating after-school traffic near the high school, the Camry remained nimble, efficient and easy to park. And thanks to the hybrid powertrain, we hardly noticed fuel costs at all — especially appreciated with summer road trips just around the corner.

The verdict: A worthy successor

It’s not easy to reinvent a vehicle with such a long legacy, but Toyota has done just that with the 2025 Camry. By going all-hybrid and offering all-wheel drive across multiple trims, the brand is clearly responding to what today’s drivers want: efficiency, capability and style — all in one package.

If you’re like us and still appreciate the ride height and handling of a traditional sedan — but want the fuel economy and technology of a modern hybrid — the new Camry is an outstanding choice. The XSE AWD trim in particular brings a fun, sporty edge without sacrificing practicality.

Base price: $36,125

Destination charge: $1,095

Price as driven: $43,720

Starting at $4.32/week.

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