Toyota Unveils Ninth-Generation Camry: Now only Hybrid with Significant Upgrades

Toyota, a stalwart in the automotive industry since 1982, has recently revealed the ninth generation of its iconic Camry, marking a significant shift toward hybrid technology.

The new Camry, essentially transforming into a larger Prius, boasts a 2.5-litre inline-four engine paired with two compact electric motors. Let’s dive deeper into the details of the groundbreaking ninth-generation Camry, exploring its features, design updates, and the potential impact on the hybrid sedan market.

The ninth-generation Camry is a pure hybrid marvel, equipped with a 2.5-litre inline-four engine and two electric motors, producing a power output ranging between 222 bhp and 229 bhp. Despite being a heavily refreshed iteration, riding on the same TNGA-K architecture as its predecessor, the Camry introduces several noteworthy enhancements, including a reworked suspension for improved riding comfort, responsiveness, and agile handling.

Exterior

On the design front, the new Camry maintains its sleek profile with a large lower front grille, slim LED headlamps, and LED-treated taillights. Offering a diverse color palette, including new additions like Ice Cap, Reservoir Blue, and Ocean Gem, the sedan rides on stylish 19-inch wheels.

Features and Interior

Moving inside the cabin, the new Camry comes with a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster and an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment screen. The top trims get 12.3-inch displays for the instrument cluster and infotainment system. The infotainment system gets wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, in addition to having a wireless charging pad. The top-end trim gets a 10.0-inch heads-up display. There's also a nine-speaker JBL audio system inside the cabin.

On the safety front, the new Camry gets Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 suite, which includes a pre-collision system that detects vehicles and pedestrians, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure assist, road sign assist, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.

Powertrain

Toyota's reveal of the 2025 Camry showcases a hybrid-only strategy, discontinuing the V6 engine option. Powering the Camry is a robust 2.5-litre inline-four engine paired with two electric motors, generating a combined output of 225 bhp for front-wheel drive and 232 bhp for all-wheel drive.

The suspension upgrades promise enhanced responsiveness and agile handling, catering to various driving preferences.

India Launch and Future

While the Camry has not been a chart-topper in India, selling around 150-200 units every month, the shift toward hybrid technology aligns with the increasing demand for eco-friendly vehicles in the country. The 2025 Camry's potential success hinges on Toyota's strategy to introduce hybrid models to cater to the evolving preferences of Indian consumers.

The ninth-generation Camry, being a heavily updated version of the last-gen car, positions itself as a contender in India's burgeoning hybrid market. With India's push towards sustainable mobility and the government's initiatives promoting electric and hybrid vehicles, the Camry's chances of making a mark in the Indian market are promising.