Toyota Unveils the Powerful and Purely Hybrid Next Generation Camry

Toyota Unveils the Powerful and Purely Hybrid Next Generation Camry

Posted on December 17, 2023

Building upon greatness, the Toyota Camry enters its ninth generation with a fresh new look, enhanced performance and a Hybrid powertrain that’s made to move. Designed and assembled in North America, the new Camry masterfully amplifies everything drivers love about the current best-selling mid-size sedan in Canada, with more power, striking good looks, feature packed convenience, and capable handling.

And now, as a part of Toyota’s effort to provide electrification for all, the 2025 Toyota Camry will be an exclusively Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), offering a combination of power and fuel efficiency that is ready to take on the daily drive.

“Toyota has led the industry in providing drivers with vehicles that reduce emissions and boost fuel efficiency. We have sold more than 20 million electrified vehicles worldwide since 1997 and today we offer Canadians a broad range of models to ensure there’s an electrified vehicle for every lifestyle,” said Cyril Dimitris, Vice President, Toyota Canada Inc. “This includes a growing number of models that are exclusively hybrid-electric such as the Prius, Crown, Venza, Sienna, and Sequoia – and we’re excited to add another core model, the Toyota Camry, to that list.”

Powering Camry is Toyota’s first-ever sedan pairing of its 2.5-litre, 4-cylinder engine and the fifth-generation Toyota Hybrid System (THS 5). Combining the engine’s power with two electric motors, this dynamic new HEV has a standard 225 net combined horsepower on Front Wheel Drive (FWD) models and 232 hp on Electronic On-Demand All-Wheel Drive (AWD) equipped models. Toyota engineers have also tuned the new HEV system at lower speeds to reduce engine RPMs and increase power from the traction battery to provide satisfying acceleration and torque feel. The Toyota Camry will also adopt the “Beyond Zero” badge to signal Toyota’s strong commitment to reducing carbon emissions and its vision for a carbon-neutral future.

For the first time ever on a Camry Hybrid, Toyota’s Electronic On-Demand All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system will be available on all grades. For added peace of mind, the AWD system provides additional traction when needed, like during inclement weather or while cornering. The AWD system’s capability comes from a dedicated rear electric drive motor generator that automatically supplies power to the rear wheels when needed.

Sleek New Generation

The ninth generation Camry, designed by CALTY’s Newport Beach, California and Ann Arbor, Michigan studios, delivers a sleeker, athletic look to the popular sedan’s design. The distinctive hammerhead front fascia adds a fresh clean look that is sure to turn heads. All grades will feature slim LED headlights, daytime running lights and taillights.

The SE and XSE grades have sporty exterior styling with a sleek roofline and a chiseled body. The sport grades feature racing-inspired functional aerodynamic air ducts, front-side canards and a rear diffuser. The rear also has an exposed dual-tip exhaust as well as a rear lip spoiler. The XSE will further the sporty style with a unique color matched front grille and black trunk garnish. With available 18-inch multi-spoke black-finished alloy wheels on SE grades and standard 19-inch multi-spoke black and smoke gray-finished alloy wheels on the XSE, these models will be a sure stand-out amongst its peers.

Exterior colour options include newly available Ocean Gem and Heavy Metal that will join Camry favorites like White, Wind Chill Pearl, Celestial Silver Metallic, Underground, Midnight Black Metallic, Supersonic Red, and Reservoir Blue. The XSE grades add an available two-tone look with Ocean Gem, Wind Chill Pearl, Heavy Metal and Supersonic Red paired with a Midnight Black Metallic roof.

Open-Style Cockpit

Merging with the impeccable craftsmanship of Camry, the modern open-concept and refined materials offer a unique experience to the interior design of each grade.

Beginning with the sport grades, the SE comes standard with Black SofTex®-trimmed seats featuring sporty bold white accents while the XSE adds a standard leather-trimmed interior with artistic “shooting blade” patterned perforations found on both the side door trim and seating surfaces. The XSE interior is available in two colours Black with blue lined perforations or the fan-favorite Cockpit Red. Both the SE and XSE grades come equipped with standard aluminum sport pedals and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with paddle shifters. In Canada, every Camry comes with standard heated front seats and heated steering wheel.

The XLE grade also showcases its own interior personality and style. It is the first Camry to feature leather and Dinamica® microfiber-trimmed seats offered in Light Gray or Black. A quilted pattern in this material can also be found on the front door panels and dashboard.

Camry will also have enhanced seat comfortability. Toyota engineers achieved this by changing the shape and density of the seat cushion and by increasing the cushion length. The headrest was also softened and moved rearward to enhance seat and ride comfort. That comfort can be extended on the XLE and XSE grades with standard front heated and ventilated seats that can be adjusted to three levels. These higher-end grades will also have a quieter cabin thanks to the standard front-side acoustic laminated glass to help reduce wind noise and harshness.

Toyota Camry also sets the standard for convenience. The next generation model comes with a standard push-to-start button, and a dual-zone automatic climate control system with rear air vents. For those who may have multiple drivers in the household, the XLE grade offers an available driver’s memory seat and memory side view mirrors. For added convenience, the XLE has standard automatic rain-sensing windshield wipers. And for the first time on a Camry hybrid, the XLE and XSE grades will have standard power tilt and slide panoramic roof with a power-retractable sunshade.

More than Meets the Eye

Under the hood, Camry comes standard with the fifth-generation Toyota Hybrid System (THS 5) which offers a more controllable and engaging driving experience. The system uses lighter and more compact electric motors to produce more power and enhanced performance than the previous hybrid system. When paired together, THS 5 and Toyota’s Electronic On-Demand All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system results in 232 net combined horsepower – 30 more horsepower than the current gas model with a mechanical All-Wheel Drive system.

The electronic On-Demand All-Wheel Drive (AWD) has been adapted to work seamlessly with the hybrid system. The electronically controlled AWD features precise on-demand front-rear torque distribution in accordance with driving conditions to support start-off acceleration, handling, fuel efficiency and stability when driving on slippery road surfaces such as snow.

Camry also has a retuned suspension for enhanced responsiveness and agile handling which adds a sense of thrill when taking on those twisting and turning roads. The sport grades have a specific sport-tuned suspension with increased comfort, while still providing even greater stability, handling, and confidence behind the wheel.

Enhanced Tech

For the 2025 model, a 7-inch digital gauge cluster comes standard on SE models, while a standard 12.3-inch fully digital gauge cluster is found in the XLE and XSE grades. The XLE and XSE grades also come with a standard 10-inch Head Up Display to allow drivers to check their speed, see warning indicators, and turn-by-turn navigation.

The Toyota Multimedia System includes a standard 8-inch touchscreen display or an available 12.3-inch screen. The system includes standard wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ compatibility, and pairs with the standard Qi wireless charging pad. Camry also offers a standard combination of USB-A and USB-C ports, with three in the front and two in the rear across all grades.

Access to a wide range of enhanced connectivity features is also available. Toyota Multimedia allows simultaneous dual Bluetooth® phone connectivity.

With an active available Drive Connect* trial or subscription, Camry drivers can also interact with the system through touch and voice activation. With Intelligent Assistant available through Drive Connect*, simple phrases like “Hey Toyota” awakens the system for voice-activated commands to search for directions, find Points of Interest (POI), adjust audio controls, change the cabin temperatures and more. Over-the-Air (OTA) updates will also be available.

Adding to the already robust offering of audio playback ability with HD Radio, USB data and a SiriusXM® Platinum Plan 3-month trial subscription, Camry offers a nine speaker JBL® Premium Audio system upgrade on XLE and XSE grades.

Additional connected services are available on Camry as well. The up to 10-year Safety Connect* trial includes an Emergency Assistance Button (SOS), 24/7 Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Automatic Collision Notification and Stolen Vehicle Locator. The up to 10-year Service Connect* trial provides drivers the capability of receiving Vehicle Health Reports, Maintenance Alerts and reminders.

The 3-year trial Remote Connect subscription allows drivers to remotely interact with their vehicle through the Toyota app via their smartwatch. Depending on grade, it allows to lock/unlock doors, start and stop the vehicle, locate the last parked location, check vehicle status and monitor guest drivers.

A Digital Key is available on XLE and XSE grades. With an active Remote Connect* trial or subscription, drivers can use the Digital Key via the Toyota app and allow passive entry unlock on front doors and trunk or push start in-cabin using your smartphone as the key.

* Subscription required after trial period. 4G Network-dependent

Driver Assistance and Safety Features

The Toyota Camry comes standard with Blind Spot Monitor, which is designed to help detect and warn you of vehicles approaching or positioned in the adjacent lanes, with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert for added peace of mind by helping to detect vehicles approaching from either side while backing out and alerting you with a visual and audible warning.

For those looking for additional Driver Assistance features, the XLE and XSE grades come standard with additional features such as:

• Traffic Jam Assist**
• Front-Cross Traffic Alert
• Lane Change Assist
• Panoramic View Monitor
• Front and Rear Parking Assist with Automatic Braking

The Toyota Camry comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 (TSS 3.0). The safety suite includes:

Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection: Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD) is designed to help detect a vehicle, pedestrian, bicyclist or motorcyclist and provide an audio/visual forward collision warning under certain circumstances. If you don’t react, the system is designed to provide automatic emergency braking.

Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control: Intended for highway use, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) is an adaptive cruise control system that is designed to be set at speeds above 30 km/h and uses vehicle-to-vehicle distance control to help maintain a preset distance from the vehicle ahead of you.

Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist: When white/yellow lane markings or certain road edge boundary lines are detected at speeds above 50 km/h, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/SA) is designed to issue an audio/visual lane departure warning if an inadvertent lane departure is detected. If the driver does not take corrective action, the system is also designed to provide gentle corrective steering for lane keeping assistance.

Lane Tracing Assist: When Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) is enabled and lane markers are detected, Lane Tracing Assist (LTA) uses the lines on the road and/or preceding vehicles to provide active driving assistance and help keep the vehicle centered in its lane.

Road Sign Assist: Using an intelligent camera, Road Sign Assist (RSA) is designed to detect speed limit signs, stop signs, Do Not Enter signs, yield signs and certain warning signs, and display and icon of the sign on the Multi-Information Display (MID).

Automatic High Beams: The Automatic High Beams (AHB) are designed to help you see more clearly at night at speeds above 35 km/h. The AHB system is designed to detect the headlights of oncoming vehicles and taillights of preceding vehicles, then automatically toggle between high and low beams accordingly.

Proactive Driving Assist: Proactive Driving Assist (PDA) uses the vehicle’s camera and radar, when system operating conditions are met, to provide gentle braking and/or steering to support driving tasks such as distance control between your vehicle and a preceding vehicle, pedestrian, or bicyclist. PDA can also provide gentle braking into curves.

For complete details on TSS 3.0, please visit www.toyota.ca/safety-sense.

** Traffic Jam Assist Requires an active Drive Connect trial or subscription and is 4G network dependent. For details, please visit www.toyota.ca/connected-services

The 2025 Toyota Camry is expected to arrive at Greater Vancouver Toyota Dealerships including West Coast Toyota in the Spring of 2024.