INDIANAPOLIS — It’s fall break and my family is in California. We’re on our way to Hollywood, Disney, Pasadena and a week of relaxation and surfing in San Clemente. Gas is hovering near $5/gallon. I’m thinking a Prius would be perfect. Or…what about the redesigned hybrid-only 2025 Toyota Camry SE I see across the lot?
It’s a Camry, and you might think that’s a pretty boring choice for a week of fun and adventure in the land of sunshine and movie stars, but the SE has a very California vibe and adopts some of the old TRD kit too. From the front, it takes on the look of a Prius with the “hammerhead” front and thin LED headlamps, but adds black lower dive planes. Painted monochrome (especially white or red), it looks sports aggressive side sills and black 18” wheels. Around back, check the black diffuser and thin spoiler. I’d tint the windows and be proud of it.
There are no heated seats, JBL audio, power sunroof, nor leather seats. There’s no keyless entry either, but it doesn’t feel cheap. Swaths of bunched sweatshirt cloth and French stitching sweep across the dash and doors. SofTex faux leather seats are ravishing with their white stripes and power lumbar. Check the aluminum sport pedals. Wireless phone charging, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto tapped my phone into the 12.3” touchscreen for easy navigation around L.A. A digital gauge cluster, dual-zone automatic climate control and 6-speaker audio add class. Stay safe with adaptive cruise, automatic emergency braking, lane tracing, and safe exit alert.
For 2025, Camry, like Prius, is all-hybrid. Whirring away 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 fine for California. Heck, it’s fine in snow too. And, it’s pretty cheap to operate given 48/47-MPG city/highway. After a week of slaying freeways, city streets and carving canyon backroads, I filled up with seven gallons of gas! Gotta love that when Disney lifts nearly $200/person.
It feels like TRD may have tuned the chassis too. No matter the road, whether cruising Hollywood or fast-freeway-ing it towards the beach, the SE’s tuning is 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. It’s far more engaging than I expected – a commuter car that enjoys a good dance.
I wouldn’t normally get worked up over a Toyota Camry, but we needed something that looked Cali-fresh and wouldn’t cost a lot to feed. It turned out to be quiet, efficient, comfortable, and even fun to drive. Toyota’s favorite sedan starts at just $28,400 and came to only $31,835 in SE trim. I’d add heated front seats and steering wheel for $500 and call it a marriage.
2025 Toyota Crown Sedan pulls down its Nightshade
As much as I enjoyed the Toyota Camry SE hybrid on vacation, I might like something a little bigger and more luxurious if I was buying a car for my family. Fortunately, when we landed, there was a 2025 Toyota Crown Nightshade waiting. Perfect timing. Think of it as a bigger, sleeker Camry that’s even more of a grown-up Prius.
For a full-size sedan, it’s pretty stylish. The sleek fastback look is hybrid future-tech, but the Nightshade package looks sinister with black badging and dark 21” wheels. Pinched beneath its hammerhead prow are eight LED headlamps over a wide expanse of mesh grille. Savor the rear view with thin taillamps and chrome detailing.
The Nightshade’s interior looks like a posher blend of Prius and Camry. You step in at near crossover height to find a flatscreen gauge cluster, 12.3” infotainment screen deep console, and wrist-flick gear selector. Bronze accents add class. Our Nightshade’s JBL audio system, panoramic glass roof, heated/ventilated front seats and heated rear seats were sublime. Connect easily with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and console charging. Safety is enhanced by the latest crash avoidance tech.
Much of the powertrain hails from the Camry: A 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine matched with Lithium-Ion batteries and a continuously-variable transmission to put 236 horsepower to the road. A motor for the rear axle provides all-weather traction with all-wheel-drive. Fuel economy is rated a very frugal 42/41-MPG city/highway.
If you’re looking at the Prius or Camry, like them, but think your family needs more space and luxury, check out the Crown Nightshade. It’s the slightly moody full-size sedan that appeals to teenagers and Baby Boomers alike. Prices start at $41,440, but came to $51,158 for our incognito Lexus. If you want even more space, consider the Crown Insignia crossover.
Storm Forward!
Send comments to Casey at AutoCasey@aol.com; follow him on YouTube @AutoCasey.
Camry specs
Likes
- Fresh style
- Hybrid economy
- Sporty 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: 22”/22” 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
