The incoming generation of Toyota Camrys will abandon their customary internal combustion engines in favor of a hybrid-only system, according to automaker executives.
The 2025 Toyota Camry will be exclusively hybrid, launching with both a 2.5-liter engine and an electric powertrain. In a first for the series, buyers can choose between FWD and AWD models, with respective outputs of 225 and 232 horsepower. While several trims will be available on launch in 2024, the automaker has yet to release any pricing details for the upcoming sedan. Toyota executives showcased the new model earlier this week in California, several days before the start of the LA Auto Show.
The Japanese automaker’s decision to launch a hybrid-only Camry is surprising, given that the series’ massive success was built entirely on ICE drivetrains. Speaking to Reuters, David Christ, group vice president and general manager of the Toyota Division at Toyota Motor North America, attributed the move, in part, to tightening emissions restrictions. Both the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are seeking to enforce strict rules penalizing OEMs for failing to meet emissions and fuel economy targets. Christ also underlined the vehicle’s improved performance as a hybrid. Compared to the 2025 Camry’s minimum output of 225 hp, the standard 2024 Camry is only capable of producing 203 hp.
Another likely factor in Toyota’s decision is its comparatively dismal electric vehicle selection. Until 2023, the automaker was largely controlled by pro-ICE executives who purposefully limited EV innovation, even as competitors, namely Tesla, began to achieve substantial success in the segment. Since taking the place of former CEO Akio Toyoda earlier this year, Toyota’s new chief, Koji Sato, has made substantial investments into electric vehicle infrastructure, research, and production in the hopes of making up for lost time, even as he continues to underline the company’s commitment to ICE powertrains. While the Camry has yet to completely abandon petrol, a hybrid-only model is a natural first step toward launching a fully electric model in the future.
