The Toyota Camry has all the time been quite a lot of good issues — dependable, environment friendly, comfy — however it’s by no means precisely been thrilling to drive. That has modified with the introduction of the ninth-generation Camry. For 2025, Toyota’s trusty midsize sedan has been pared down to simply one powertrain choice, a 2.5-liter inline-4 engine mated to the corporate’s fifth-generation hybrid system. It’s that hybrid system that has helped improve the Camry’s driver enjoyment.
Throughout Toyota’s marathon drive occasion the place I obtained to check one among these new Camrys for the primary time, I used to be legitimately impressed. No, the Camry nonetheless isn’t a sports activities automobile, however if you happen to’re the sort of one who loves a peppy every day driver, you’ll have a complete lot of enjoyable with one of many ninth-gen Camry’s sporty trim ranges. I wished to know extra about how precisely that occurred, so after the occasion I adopted up with Mark DeJongh, Chief Engineer of the Camry.
In contrast with the earlier powertrain system, DeJongh mentioned by way of e-mail that the fifth-gen system is lighter and extra highly effective. He added, “With the brand new system we had been capable of retune the powertrain for a greater efficiency and decreased [noise and vibration]. We use the battery extra, which permits faster throttle response, particularly when passing.”
You’ll be able to completely inform. I discovered the brand new Camry’s acceleration to be fairly responsive, particularly when the automobile was set in Sport mode. Press the pedal, and also you’ve obtained on the spot torque launching you ahead. Paired with the retuned suspension courtesy of that hybrid system, you’ll discover the Camry sticks higher to the pavement and responds extra readily to any steering enter.
I additionally requested DeJongh to interrupt down the fifth-gen hybrid — what makes it particular, what improvement targets Toyota had in thoughts, and he provided an excellent detailed abstract:
On the whole, we targeting decreasing dimension and mass of parts together with the HEV Battery, Motors and Transaxle. The opposite aim was concentrating on friction reductions to enhance efficiencies whereas utilizing decrease oil viscosities. All whereas rising the ability and efficiency of the system.
HEV Battery: The battery is smaller and lighter with extra energy output. Cell amount is decreased from 70 to 68, however output has elevated from 37.3 kW to 38.2 kW. The assembled battery and housing have been extra built-in. The fuse field is now built-in with the junction block. Wiring has additionally been decreased.
Transaxle: The transaxle is smaller and lighter with extra energy output. Gear sizes and kit tooth stresses have been decreased, NV has been improved and improved lubrication construction.
Motors: a brand new compact excessive powered drive motor was developed by adopting new supplies (magnets and electromagnetic metal) and improved coil winding technique to cut back the peak of the coil finish.
2.5L enhancements additionally embrace mass and effectivity enhancements comparable to adopting a smaller electrical water pump and utilizing low viscosity 0W-8 engine oil.
I imply, consider the fifth-generation Toyota Prius that debuted with the 2023 mannequin yr, which makes use of this new fifth-gen hybrid setup. For years, the Prius had precisely one factor going for it: gasoline economic system. Drive a Prius for some time, and also you may simply neglect that driving might truly be pleasant. Then got here the redesign, and abruptly the Prius had punch. The brand new Prius continues to be no sports activities automobile, however it’s a marked enchancment over what got here earlier than, and that’s as a result of the brand new hybrid system allowed Prius engineers to completely renovate the powertrain and suspension. Now, that mindset has been utilized to the Camry.
I don’t know that the ninth-gen Camry’s transformation has been fairly as stark as that as fifth-gen Prius, however it must be greater than sufficient to encourage former Camry naysayers to sit down up and take be aware.
