Rental Car Review: 2025 Toyota Camry

The 2025 Toyota Camry was lauded as elevating one of the common sedans sold in this country. Once considered “boring,” grew into a sedan worth looking at. One with a. compelling modern exterior, a handsome cabin, and a solid track record of reliability. 

You have been seeing plenty of the on the road for some time.  Mostly because a lot of Camrys were sold to fleets. Rental car fleets, at that. 

Recently, George traveled to Phoenix for the national holiday to visit friends down there. Using a new vendor (to us), he spun the Rental Car Roulette wheel at the counter. After a few tries, he settled on a 2025 Camry SE. 

Lucky for him, we’ve been trying to get a Camry in for a full review. The initial praise has been warranted, with the welcoming of an all-hybrid lineup along with universal availability of all-wheel drive. 

The goal for Toyota is to improve the Camry even further than the last generation model. Not just in terms of technology, but overall execution. Has the extreme heat of the Valley of the Sun met these goals?

Let’s start with the top news item for this latest Camry. As we mentioned earlier, every 2025 Camry is powered by a hybrid driveline. This consists of a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, one or two electric motors, a continuously variable transmission, and a choice of front- or all-wheel drive. George’s rental was front drive, which had a single electric motor putting down a net combined 225 horsepower. 

As George traversed the Phoenix area, he did achieve fuel consumption average of 40.9 MPG, Toyota states that it would earn around 47-48 MPG. 

Efficiency-wise, it served a purpose. George loved the fact that it performed quite well. “The hybrid powertrain is silky smooth,” George said, “Initial acceleration coming from the electric motor gives it a sense of power particularly around town without effort.”

Electrified propulsion is not the only attraction to the Camry. We also mentioned its sharper exterior design. George loved that it simply ”stood out.” He reported that “the styling drew compliments. The SE’s grille, front spoiler and black wheels give it a sporty look.” Those wheels are of the 18-inch alloy variety. 

Interior-wise, George found the seat comfort “very good.” He added that the “eight-way power seats were easy to find comfortable positions. The SofTex seats get very hot in the July Phoenix sun and 110+-degree temperatures. It made me deeply regret wearing shorts.” If you do, George suggests to “bring something to sit on” if the seats are very hot. 

The features in the Camry SE were “nice,” according to George. He pointed out that the “wireless CarPlay worked perfectly. The stock sound system sounded full and satisfying for a stock system.” In his rented Camry SE, it was equipped with the eight-inch infotainment touchscreen that sends sound through six speakers. Let's not forget about the seven-inch Digital Gauge Cluster, as well.

As far as the driving experience is concerned, George noted that the Camry kept up with the usual Phoenix area traffic. He added that the steering and handling drew “parallels to a Jetta with how easily the car changes direction and how spot on the weight of the steering effort is. The suspension was comfortable and comfortable yet with a touch of sportiness which all together made it an enjoyable machine to drive.”

Consumers looking at the 2025 Camry should know that there are four trim levels available, divided into two “comfort” and two “sport” models. Pricing starts at $28,700. The SE seen here would carry a sticker price of $32,620. 

Upon returning the Camry SE back to the rental car lot at Sky Harbor Airport, George said that rental return attendant mentioned that “others have been liking the new Camry as well." The rental car agency employee also mentioned that “customers remarked about how good the fuel economy was.”

It all came to a surprise to George that he was indeed driving a Camry. He added that Toyota “must know about their stodgy reputation and trying to fix it.”

I’m glad one of us got the chance to experience the newest Toyota Camry. Everything George said about his week-long rental confirmed everything I’ve experienced in that brief encounter last year. 

Next time you need a rental car, get the Camry. Or, just go buy one. 

DISCLAIMER: Vehicle rented by Victory & Reseda – our opinions are of our own.

All photos by George Torline