Toyota may have called it quits on the Camry in its home market of Japan after 43 years, but fear not Camry fans, as America’s best selling car for eons is getting a new lease on life with a fresh iteration that’s currently under development. A camouflaged prototype was spotted testing in Michigan, and while details are scarce, it’s clear that Toyota is gearing up to bring some intriguing updates and features to the mid-size model.
The current, eighth-generation Camry was introduced in 2017 as a 2018 model year, and it’s high time for a refresh. Like most vehicles with internal combustion engines, the ninth-generation Camry is expected to be a heavily updated version of its predecessor, rather than an entirely new design. According to rumors, the new Camry is set to make its debut late this year, possibly at the 2023 Los Angeles Auto Show as a 2025 model year.
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The Toyota Camry prototype is shrouded in heavy camouflage, leaving only the wheels and a portion of the greenhouse visible. Despite this, it’s clear that the upcoming model retains familiar proportions and a similar footprint to its predecessor. The redesigned silhouette appears slightly sleeker towards the back, with sharper lines on the nose and toned fenders bringing it into the mid-2020s. The headlights and bumper intakes may mirror those found in the new Crown series, as will the slimmer taillights.
Our spies weren’t able to get a look inside, but it is expected that Toyota will equip the next Camry with larger screens for the digital cockpit, as well as enhanced connectivity and ADAS features, which will likely be shared with the Crown Crossover. Fortunately, the Camry’s practicality and rear passenger space won’t be compromised for style, unlike some premium fastback coupes, and it will come with a reasonably spacious boot.
The upcoming 2025 Camry will likely utilize an enhanced version of the current model’s TNGA-K platform, which is also used by the Crown Crossover. It wouldn’t make sense for Toyota to create a brand new platform for internal combustion engine vehicles.
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Toyota currently offers the 2023 Camry with three powertrain options: the base 203 hp 2.5-liter inline-four, a 208 hp hybrid version with a 2.5-liter inline-four, and the flagship 301 hp 3.5-liter V6. While the four-cylinder models are expected to remain, possibly in an improved form with more power and better efficiency, the V6 may be phased out and replaced by a smaller turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. This unit could also be available in hybrid form, similar to the 2.4L turbo Hybrid Max found in the Crown, which delivers 340 hp and 400 lb-ft of peak torque.
Following its rumored debut towards the end of this year, production of the 2025 Camry is anticipated to begin in the first half of 2024, with the deliveries to the US market to follow shortly after. The Camry will continue to compete with other midsize sedans, such as the Honda Accord, Subaru Legacy, Nissan Altima, Kia K5, and Hyundai Sonata, in a segment that is shrinking due to the rise of SUVs and crossovers. The Camry will also live on in China, where sedans retain their popularity among buyers.
