It was the holidays and my family had just landed in California for vacation. Gas was hovering near $5/gallon. I was thinking a Toyota Prius would be perfect. Or … what about that redesigned hybrid-only 2025 Toyota Camry SE I saw across the lot? My family raised all of its eyebrows, but quickly retracted them when they saw the wisdom of my choice.

At least that’s my story.

From the front, the Camry takes on the “hammerhead” look of a Prius with thin LED headlamps, but adds black lower diveplanes, flared nostrils and an angrier grin. Painted monochrome, it looks sporty with aggressive side sills and black 18-inch wheels. Around back, check the black diffuser and thin spoiler. If the old Camry TRD seemed a bit much, this is spot-on.

Tint the windows and be proud of it.

The Camry SE offers sport and comfort, but there’s also a focus on value. There are no heated leather seats, JBL audio, power sunroof or leather. There’s no keyless entry or remote starting either, but it doesn’t seem cheap.

Swaths of bunched sweatshirt cloth and twin stitching upholster the dash and doors. SofTex faux leather seats are ravishing with their white stripes and power lumbar, but were also easy to clean after days in the sand. Check the aluminum sport pedals.

Wireless phone charging, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto tapped my phone into the 12.3-inch touchscreen for easy navigation around L.A. and down the coast. A digital gauge cluster, dual-zone automatic climate control, and booming six-speaker audio slay. Stay safe with adaptive cruise, automatic emergency braking, lane tracing, and safe exit alert.

For 2025, Camry is all-hybrid. Under the hood is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, supported by lithium-ion batteries to conjure 225 horsepower. All-wheel-drive is available, but front-drive is more efficient, achieving 48/47 mpg city/highway. After a week of freeways, city streets and canyon back roads, I filled up with seven gallons of gas!

It feels like TRD may have tuned the chassis too. It’s compliant enough to be comfortable, but whisks through corners like a much sportier machine. It took about three minutes outside of LAX to start smiling.

I wouldn’t normally get worked up over a Toyota Camry, but the SE exceeded expectations by being frugal, safe, comfortable and surprisingly fun to drive. It starts at just $28,400, rising to $31,835 as driven. Add heated front seats and steering wheel for $500. Competitors include the Honda Accord Sport Hybrid and Hyundai Sonata Hybrid.

Likes: fresh style, hybrid economy, agile handling

Dislikes: no keyless entry, basic audio, frumpy reputation

2025 Toyota Camry SE

Five-passenger, FWD Sedan

Powertrain: 2.5-liter Hybrid, CVT

Output: 225hp

Suspension f/r: Ind/Ind

Wheels f/r: 18”/18” alloy

Brakes f/r: Regen disc/disc

Fuel economy city/hwy: 48/47-MPG

Assembly: Georgetown, KY

Base/as-tested price: $28,400/$31,835

©2025 Tribune Content Agency, LLC