After all my research, I realized that my oldest child would drive a car—a brand-new 2025 Toyota Camry.
We started looking at affordable SUVs and realized there was no strong need for an SUV anytime soon. They were used to driving our 2007 Accord and enjoyed the sedan. Fuel economy was also a priority. They didn’t want an electric car because they were unsure of charging availability in college. The Prius was eliminated because of the exterior design, and we did not like the Honda Civic interior. However, after not liking the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid, we drove the Toyota Camry and were hooked.
The Camry was not part of my entry-level hybrid sedans post because it is technically not entry-level. The base model can be bought at the same price as the top-of-the-line Hyundai Elantra, and the SE is still under $32K.
Reviews
Solid reviews aligned it with the Honda Civic (9.1).
Prices
| Trim | MSRP | TrueCar Cheapest |
| LE | $28,400 | $29,535 |
| SE | $30,700 | $29,882 |
| XLE | $33,400 | $35,248 |
| XSE | $34,600 | $36,202 |
The SE Trim is the same price as the Civic’s top trim level, and it offers many of the same features.
Engine MPG & Power
| Trim | Highway | City | Combined | HP |
| LE | 50 | 53 | 51 | 225 |
| SE | 47 | 48 | 48 | 225 |
| XLE | 46 | 46 | 46 | 225 |
| XSE | 43 | 44 | 44 | 225 |
Since all new Camry trims have hybrid engines, they have the same horsepower but vary in fuel efficiency based on tire size and weight.
The Decision
Car makers do an excellent job of making their lower-priced cars feel nice while leaving you wanting more. The interiors of the vehicles were priced cheaper than those of the Camry, and they didn’t feel as nice. When test-driving them, they felt more pedestrian, and the Camry felt luxurious. It honestly felt the same as driving a Lexus 300h.
We ultimately increased our budget to get an XLE model, as the soundproofing on the windows, improved interior, and panoramic roof truly make it a luxury experience. I had to drive almost 300 miles to find the exact model we wanted, but it was worth it.
My oldest is now the proud driver of a 2025 Toyota Camry XLE in Ocean Gem with a Light Grey interior, premium package, and 19″ upgrades. I negotiated $3000 off MSRP by shopping at the end of the month for $37,200 before taxes and fees.
