‘New’ Toyota Camry will be a facelift, next generation pushed back

The next Toyota Camry – the world's biggest-selling sedan – has been caught on camera for the first time.

Spy photographers in the US have spotted a Toyota Camry test vehicle wearing heavy camouflage and being driven on Michigan roads.

A new Toyota Camry is due in 2024 or 2025 after the current-generation was introduced in 2018. Based on previous timelines, an all-new model is expected.

However, it now seems the Toyota Camry could receive a second facelift rather than be replaced by a new generation.

There are two plausible reasons for this – even though internal codes indicate a new model is coming.

Sedan sales are in decline globally, which has discouraged automakers from investing in new models.

Secondly, the current-generation Toyota Camry has been so well received – and has become the most popular iteration to date, even in a declining market – the Japanese car giant may have adopted an 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' approach.

All of this is, of course, speculation. It could be the case that the next Toyota Camry is completely changed but simply has similar proportions and design language to today's car.

However, after overlaying a side-on silhouette of today's Toyota Camry with the camouflaged car (above), there are more similarities than there are differences – most notably the roofline and door openings, which form the core of the vehicle.

The new Toyota Camry is expected to receive fresh sheetmetal – as well as changes to the front and rear, and an upgraded interior with large digital screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment system.

According to Drive's spy photography partners in the US, the new Toyota Camry is expected to go on sale in 2024 as a 2025 model-year.

"Given the shrinking sedan market, there is speculation Toyota will delay an all-new model, and instead release a second facelift," said a note accompanying these images.

The spy agency said opinion was divided on whether the camouflaged car in the photos "represents an all-new model, or a heavy-handed refresh utilising (elements) from the current-generation model".

"The camouflage on this prototype is very heavy, so any detailed analysis of the styling changes is not possible.

"We see hints of more angular cut lines under the vinyl camouflage, suggesting this redesign will consist of much more than refreshed front- and rear-fascias."

The next Toyota Camry is expected to be unveiled at the Los Angeles Motor Show in November 2023.