Why the 2025 Toyota Camry Is (Still) the Perfect Daily Driver

This was my first time behind the wheel of a Camry for an extended period of time and its impressive. The base model LE, one of the four trim levels offered, starts at a very reasonable $28,400. I drove the XLE, next to the top of the line, which also has an accommodating starting price—$33,400. 

Clearly, the price alone makes the Toyota Camry attractive. But there are other reasons why falling into the trust circle of this reliable sedan feels so natural.

Related: 2025 Toyota Camry First Drive: Surprise! Sportier, Fancier, and Now, All Hybrid

Toyota made the decision to equip all trim levels on the Camry with a 2.5L 4-cylinder gas/electric hybrid engine. My XLE model offered 232 HP. It’s a responsive engine, thanks to the electronic continuously variable transmission, and super quiet, which allows you to have conversations at reasonable audio levels during your time behind the wheel. The Toyota Camry also has electric on-demand AWD, which contributes to confidence behind the wheel in all conditions.

ReadP 2025 Toyota Camry: More Style and Safety (and No More V6)

I did some research and it seems that the most common car paint colors road are grey, white and black. Imagine being in a big parking lots where all you see are neutral colors. Distinctive exterior colors stand out, and the Toyota Camry XLE in this gorgeous Ocean Gem paint, which looks aqua in the sun and a darker blue in the shade, made me feel serene every time I approached it. 

Adding to the elegant effect are the beautiful dark grey metallic grille, crisp C-shaped LED lights, the sporty rear spoiler, and the 18” multi-spoke machined and black-finished wheels.

I drove through a rainstorm, as happens in Oklahoma in the summertime, as I headed to Texas in the Camry. In the rain I felt this car really protected me. On the highway I had adaptive cruise control on and the head up display that showed me exactly the interval in between myself and the car in front of me. I was always able to keep a safe and comfortable distance from other cars.

We are all different in our driving habits, and our comfort and confidence levels vary from person to person. But Camry’s standard settings put me at ease. I did not even have to adjust anything. This car knew how close was too close for my personal comfort.

The Toyota Camry XLE includes Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, so you get protection with pre-collision detection, blind spot monitor, and rear cross-traffic safety alerts. 

How about driving when it’s not raining? That was great, too. Acceleration is smooth and effortless. Even at higher rates of speed the engine and transmission are smooth and confident. Sport mode is very responsive and allows you to hear the engine a bit louder; the handling and suspension are a bit tighter. Braking is consistent and smooth. And there are 4 drive modes to can choose from—normal, eco, sport and EV, which allows you to drive in all-electric mode at low speeds.

The digital driver panel displays two discs on the screen and you can toggle through to learn the various statuses of the car. On one side of the screen is the indicator of which part of the motor you are using. I found myself frequently in the charging Mode, which felt pleasing, since the Camry has a pleasingly plump fuel economy of 46 mpg. The right-hand side of the driver display has an animation that shows you exactly where the power is being distributed from and which engine. This is part of the charm of modern vehicles. I like being able to actively keep track of how many leaves I can collect on my screen, so to speak. 

On the left side is the counter for the hybrid motor. Halfway through my trip, it said that I have 262 miles left of range. It was double the amount I needed to get to my destination. It’s pretty good fuel economy and something I’ve never had the luxury of in my own cars.

If you wish for peace and calm in your head and all around you, this hybrid sedan will deliver it. The interior cabin of the Toyota Camry is just delightful, starting with the illuminated door sills, a $345 upgrade. To gaze up from the welcome animations and see the clean, unfussy interior is so pleasing. Bone-colored leather pairs with dynamica, has a felt-like and smile-inducing, slightly fuzzy textured material.

In addition to the heated and powered seats, there is a leather-wrapped steering wheel and a 12.3’ multimedia screen that is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless charging pad and a simple open console that’s in with black gloss.

The Toyota Camry XLE AWD model I drove was optioned with the Premier Plus package, which includes so much: traffic jam assist, park assist, lane change assist, a 9-speaker JBL audio system, ventilated front seats, and a fantastic panoramic glass roof, among the many goodies.

To splurge for this package, it will set you back $4,760, but you’ll have everything you could possibly want in an easy-to-drive sedan with stylish comfort, tremendous safety and fantastic fuel economy.

It’s easy to see why so many people choose the Camry as their daily driver. It pleases the senses as much as the wallet. The quiet cabin belies the pep on the road, a fact that was noted by so many reviewers who found the drive experience in the 2025 Camry to be the best ever. I have to agree, even though this was my first true extended drive in the Camry; it’s great.

I finally understand why everybody makes such a fuss over the Toyota Camry, and I’m so glad that I do. Because it’s pretty cool to fall backward into a substantial amount of security and comfort.