2025 Toyota Camry Ascent review (video)

You might not expect a lot of flair and excitement from a Toyota Camry. For years, it has been the car of choice for those who value ease-of-use over thrills. But the latest iteration of the popular sedan has stepped up its game in a few unlikely areas, all the while maintaining those roots as the quintessential choice for a reliable family or fleet car.

For 2025, the humble family sedan sees more power and improved economy with its fifth-generation hybrid powertrain over the 2024 model. It also receives a stylish redesigned exterior and interior, as well as upgraded multimedia and active safety technologies. Ahead, we explore which key areas the new Camry has become more than just your hassle-free car.

2025 Toyota Camry Ascent: Specifications

Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid
Output: 170kW
Gearbox: CVT auto
Drive type: Front-wheel drive
Wheels: F & R: 17×7.5, 215/55
ANCAP: Five stars
Tare weight: 1535kg
Power-to-weight: 9.02:1 (kg:kW)
Official consumption: 4.0L/100km
Our consumption: 4.8L/100km
Fuel tank/Fuel type: 50L/95 RON

Power efficiency: 42.5kW:L/100km
0-60km/h: 3.74 seconds*
0-100km/h: 7.28 seconds*
60-110km/h: 4.67 seconds*
1/4 mile: 15.28 seconds at 156.5km/h*
Max acceleration: 0.767g*
100-0km/h braking: 39.05m in 3.01s*
Max deceleration: -1.177g*
Decibel at idle (standby): 23*
Peak decibel at 60-100km/h: 75*
Starting price: $39,990

*Figures as tested by Driving Enthusiast on the day. Manufacturers’ claims may be different

2025 Toyota Camry Ascent: How much does it cost?

Now with just the one hybrid powertrain available, the Camry lineup is straightforward. You can pick up the base Ascent that we have here from $39,990, the Ascent Sport from $42,990, or the SL from $53,990 (all excluding on-road costs).

Those prices are certainly the cheapest among a very limited family sedan market. The new sole variant Honda Accord e:HEV RS retails from $64,900, the Hyundai Sonata N Line costs $55,500, and the Skoda Octavia starts from $41,490. Only the recently-discontinued Mazda6 Sport undercuts the Camry with its $36,290 price tag.

According to the February 2025 VFACTS figures, the Camry easily outsells all the above competitors, with the Mazda6 being the closest, with 170 sales versus 483 Camry sales.

The Camry is backed by an industry average five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty. It requires a service every 15,000km or 12 months, whichever comes first. And the first five services are capped at a reasonable $255 when serviced at a Toyota service centre.

2025 Toyota Camry Ascent: Interior & packaging

Jumping into the Camry Ascent, you are immediately met with a sense of familiarity. Everything about the sedan’s interior layout feels like a friend you’ve known for years. Materials are sturdy, the controls are intuitively placed, cupholders and storage holes aplenty, and the overall layout is as hassle-free as it gets. Its success lies in the simplicity that makes it so easy to drive without having to rewire your brain. It’s no wonder ride-share drivers flock to the Camry in droves.

While ergonomics in all seats are generally excellent, the driver’s seat could be improved in lumbar support. Even though the Ascent is a base model, the seat feels a bit hollow in the lower back. At least the space around you is spacious, offering copious amounts of legroom for both front and rear passengers. Even the boot is generously sized – at 524 litres – which is more than enough luggage space for those eminent airport drop-offs.

The tech inside the cabin feels familiar too, even after an upgrade of the infotainment system. For the Ascent an 8.0-inch touch-screen display is fitted (the Ascent Sport and SL score a 12.3-inch screen). It comes with natural voice recognition, cloud-based sat-nav, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, digital radio, and a basic six-speaker audio system. You will also find a USB-C audio jack, four USB-C ports, a 12-volt outlet and Toyota Connected Services.

In front of the steering wheel sits an easy to read 7.0-inch cluster display that pairs with some analogue gauges. Information is displayed in the simplest way possible, making it quick to grasp. Only the SL grade scores the fancier 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster and a digital rear-view mirror.

Other highlights awarded to the Ascent include 17-inch alloy wheels, LED lights, proximity key entry and start, power-folding mirrors, and dual-zone climate control. Then Toyota’s ‘Safety Sense’ package incorporates the industry standard across the range; including pre-collision autonomous emergency braking, pedestrian, cyclist, motorcyclist and oncoming vehicle detection, intersection collision avoidance support, emergency steering assist, curve speed reduction, safe exit assist, and a driver monitor camera. Notably, we found the driver monitor feature to be far less intrusive and more accurate than other systems out there.

Visually, the new Camry features an evolved external design that brings a surprisingly sportier look. We see Toyota’s distinct ‘Hammer Head’ design philosophy applied; first seen on the bZ4X and C-HR. It encompasses new C-shaped headlights and a more sloped bonnet. The lower grille adopts a sleek horizontal pattern, transitioning into a diamond mesh at the edges for an urbane, 3D effect. At the rear, the C-shaped taillights echo the front design, and pair with a sharper boot edge that emanates a wide, stable presence.

2025 Toyota Camry Ascent: Powertrain & handling

Talking about the power of a Camry is usually a tame topic. But for the 2025 model, with its updated fifth-generation hybrid powertrain, a power boost injects some inspiration. The 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine pairs with a CVT automatic gearbox, a 12kW electric motor, and 4Ah worth of lithium-ion batteries to deliver a combined output of 170kW to the front wheels. On their own, the engine puts out 138kW and 221Nm, and the electric side outputs 100kW and 208Nm. We tested 0-100km/h in a surprisingly quick 7.0 seconds.

The instant torque from the electric motor gives an instant surge off the mark, and then the power combo has acceleration come effortlessly and faster than expected. Since getting up to speed comes so easily, there is minimal revving and power hunting happening. Transitions between the power sources is as smooth and seamless as you can get. Electric-only power is predominantly used from 0-40km/h, but can be used at any speed provided battery and acceleration levels allow.

What’s even more inspiring is that these power increases do not come at a cost to fuel consumption. In fact, fuel use is improved. It officially averages just 4.0L/100km. Our testing, which included more freeway driving than in the suburbs, returned an average of 4.7L/100km. It shows that the Camry loves slower speeds where more braking is required, even when you’re not exactly driving like a saint. The only setback is that it now recommends using a minimum of 95 RON petrol. On a full tank, you can easily travel 800km or more without needing to stop at the petrol station.

Turning to handling, and the Camry impresses with a beautifully balanced ride. The suspension provides a comfortable ride that feels like a well-cushioned cloud while still maintaining a level of sportiness that prevents it from feeling too soft or bouncy. Taller-walled 215/55 tyres certainly help in the Ascent, as they do a brilliant job of absorbing bumps and rough patches in the road.

This is also where Toyota’s commitment to building a sedan with a low centre of gravity and a wide footprint comes into play. While SUVs might get all the attention these days, the Camry is a surprisingly agile sedan, with cornering ability that feels supportive and confident. It’s a car that behaves like it’s ready for anything, from the daily commute to more spirited driving on twisty country roads. Sure, it’s not a sports car, but it’s amazingly easy and versatile to drive for its price. Up front are MacPherson struts with a stabiliser bar, and the rear gets a multi-link setup with a stabiliser bar too.

Finally, the regenerative braking and stopping in the Camry is another area that stands out. Braking in hybrid vehicles can sometimes result in brake power inconsistencies as energy is collected during deceleration. But the Camry offers remarkably smooth braking with none of those usual hiccups. Whether you’re stopping gently or coming to a more abrupt halt, the car’s regenerative braking system works seamlessly, providing chauffeur-like smooth stops without any noticeable jerkiness or inertia when coming to a full stop. It’s this level of refinement that adds to the overall ease of use of the car.

Though, one curious observation is in the way the Camry handles downhill drives. The gearbox automatically senses a hill and revs the engine higher when descending, so it assists with braking. This is not uncommon in conventionally-powered vehicles. However, wouldn’t it make more sense to allow the car to coast more freely, which in turn, compels the driver to press the brake and collect more regenerative energy for the battery? Instead, the engine revs higher and energy collection shows as minimal because the brake is not being depressed. What’s your idea behind this, Toyota?

2025 Toyota Camry Ascent: Key attractions/reasons to buy

• New 5th-gen hybrid powertrain: Now producing an impressive 170kW, the Camry is far from the dull commuter car it once was. Its smooth, seamless acceleration and effortless power delivery make it quite fun to drive.
• Fuel economy: Officially rated at 4.0L/100km, and seeing our harsher real-world averages of 4.7L/100km, the Camry is remarkably fuel efficient. It performs especially well at slower city and suburban speeds.
• Refined ride yet sporty handling: Despite its practical nature, the Camry impresses with its well-balanced suspension, offering a cushioned yet controlled ride, and with a low centre of gravity, it feels more like a sport sedan than the usual vanilla family car.
• A big sedan under $40k: The Ascent is one of the few sedans left on the market that offers a budget-conscious base-spec option. Even so, it is respectably equipped and would more than suffice for most buyers in this class.

2025 Toyota Camry Ascent: Key considerations before you buy

• Lack of lumbar support: Being a base variant, the driver’s seat does not have lumbar support adjustment.
• There are bigger screens: While the 8.0-inch infotainment screen and the 7.0-inch driver display are both functional, there are bigger 12.3-inch screens available on the higher-spec models.
• Boring nameplate: Even though we believe the 2025 Camry has improved to increase appeal, it’s hard to shake off a long-standing reputation of being boring. It doesn’t help that it competes in a shrinking segment/demand.

2025 Toyota Camry Ascent: Video