2025 Toyota Camry unveiled, due in Australia next year as hybrid only

The next iteration of one of the world's best-selling sedans – the 2025 Toyota Camry – has been revealed ahead of the Los Angeles motor show this weekend, and its Australian arrival in the second half of next year.

And for the first time in the nameplate's 40-year history in Australia, it will be sold exclusively as a hybrid.

Although the 2025 Camry is billed as a new vehicle, it is just a heavy facelift of the previous model – with the same footprint and revised underpinnings under updated bodywork and a new interior.

It comes as sales of sedans continue to decline globally, and it becomes more difficult to invest in all-new models with dwindling returns.

The new Toyota Camry will not be sold in Japan – even though it will continue to be built there for Australia – such are its sales today.

It is due in Australian showrooms in the second half of 2024, with prices to be announced closer to launch.

Orders for the current Toyota Camry Hybrid were paused last month amid wait times of two years, and it is unclear when they will resume.

While there are new front and rear fascias, there have been only subtle changes to the metal stamping that forms the side of the body – around the roof, windscreen pillars, doors and tail-lights.

There has been a tweak to the shape of the rear door windows, but the doors, windscreen and rear window appear otherwise unchanged.

Even the front wheel arches appear to be same as today's model – to reduce costs – and Toyota has designed the new headlight clusters to fit the old wheel arches.

While the exterior is only a facelift of the previous model, the interior is all new, with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen on top-of-the-range models.

The new infotainment screen – running Toyota's latest software with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – is a big upgrade on the ageing 9.0-inch display of the current Camry. This is the first time the Camry has been fitted with a fully-digital instrument cluster.

Cheaper models are fitted with an 8.0-inch touchscreen and 7.0-inch driver instrument display.

Standard across the model range in Australia will be keyless entry and start, dual-zone automatic climate control, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a voice assistant, and Toyota Connected Services support.

Top-of-the-range models will offer a head-up display, JBL premium audio system, leather-accented seat upholstery, paddle shifters, wireless phone charging, a 360-degree camera, and front and rear parking sensors.

US buyers can opt for SE or XSE models with sportier exterior styling, including aerodynamic attachments on the front bumper, dual exhausts, black trim, a small bootlid spoiler, a unique rear bumper, and wheels up to 19 inches in diameter.

However it appears Australia will miss out on these, as the photos attached to the media release published by Toyota Australia this afternoon show North America's luxury-oriented XLE model – and does not reference the sporty body kit.

Australian models will offer 17 or 18-inch wheels.

Powering the new Toyota Camry is a revised version of the familiar 2.5-litre non-turbo four-cylinder petrol engine, now matched with new-generation hybrid technology comprising two electric motors – developing 168kW (up 8kW).

In the US it is available with a third electric motor on the rear axle for all-wheel drive, and a 173kW power output. This will not come to Australia.

Reports of a high-performance version with a 2.4-litre turbocharged hybrid system – with more than 250kW, and quicker acceleration than a Subaru WRX – have not come to fruition.

The move to offer hybrid power only is unprecedented for such an important vehicle for the Japanese car maker.

The first non-Prius model from Toyota to go hybrid-only in Australia is the C-HR small SUV, for its latest generation due next year. However it does not have the global reach of the Camry – as it is not sold in the US.

In Australia the hybrid accounts for 90 per cent of sales, and is offered on all model grades – rather than just the base model, as with the entry-level four-cylinder petrol engine.

The V6 previously available in the US – but not sold in Australia since 2021 – has been dropped.

Toyota says in its media release there are lighter and more compact electric motors than before, retuned suspension, and revisions to the hybrid system that "[reduce] engine revs at lower speeds and [increase] power from the traction battery".

A full suite of advanced safety technology will be standard across the range in Australia, including autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane following assist, speed sign recogntion, automatic high beam, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

The 2025 Toyota Camry is due in Australian showrooms in the second half of next year.