The all-new 2025 Camry gets a major makeover under the hood. According to Mark DeJongh, the car’s chief engineer, the gasoline engine options are officially history.
Instead, the 2025 Camry will be a hybrid-only car. This means it combines a gasoline engine with an electric motor for better fuel efficiency. Toyota believes this is a perfect fit for the Camry, calling it “the right vehicle at the right time.” They’re confident that drivers will love the improved gas mileage, especially with the new and advanced hybrid system they’ve developed.
Imagine two electric motors working together. One helps start the gasoline engine and recharge the battery, while the other, bigger motor can actually power the wheels on its own or with the engine’s help. All-wheel drive Camry models get an extra electric motor for the rear wheels.
Unlike the Prius which uses a smaller engine, the Camry gets a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine for better performance. This engine also uses a special super lightweight oil to save on fuel. The Camry’s battery pack is a bit smaller than before, but it’s more powerful. Combined with the engine, the new Camry makes 225 horsepower, with all-wheel drive models getting a slight bump to 232 horsepower.
Mark DeJongh says that once they decided to go completely hybrid with the Camry, it just became the natural way to build the car.
This decision seems to reflect the current car market. While electric vehicles (EVs) are getting a lot of buzz, some people are hesitant about them. Hybrids, on the other hand, seem to be hitting a sweet spot with consumers. They offer better gas mileage than traditional gasoline cars without the limitations of needing to find charging stations, like EVs.
Going hybrid with the Camry is a big move for Toyota, especially since it’s their second-best selling car in the US. But it looks like a move they believe will pay off.
The new Camry isn’t a complete overhaul but more of a refinement of a trusted design. Toyota’s engineers, according to chief engineer Mark DeJongh, follow the philosophy of “kaizen,” which means making small, continuous improvements.
The focus was on making the sportier SE and XSE Camry models handle better on the road and feel more comfortable to drive.Of course, the Camry gets the latest infotainment system and improved driver-assistance features. The entire Camry lineup benefits from a more responsive steering wheel and improved braking feel.
DeJongh emphasizes that the Camry isn’t trying to compete with SUVs, even though those are more popular these days. They’re staying true to their sedan roots and making the Camry the best possible sedan it can be.
