First introduced in 1982, the Toyota Camry has been one of the Japanese brand’s most popular and enduring models throughout the decades. The XV70 Camry, the model’s second most recent generation, was offered with a 3.5-liter V6 as its top-level engine option. However, the V6 version of the Camry has been killed off in its latest generation, the XV80, due to take over from the 2025 model year onwards. This is because the new Camry will not be available as a purely gas-powered vehicle at all. All new Camrys will come with a hybrid powertrain, in a move that reflects the automotive market’s wider push towards electrification. Toyota is usually a slow-moving, relatively conservative company that tends to err on the side of caution when it comes to automotive trends, so the sudden shift away from ICE-only powertrains is a pretty strong indicator of the direction the industry is moving in.

Needless to say, like all major changes to a popular model, the introduction of the hybrid Camry has attracted a certain amount of controversy. Despite being generally perceived as a “boring” reliable family car, the Camry has built up a fanbase of its own over the past four decades, and a small group of fans has even signed a petition calling for Toyota to bring back the V6 version. Andrew Huynh, the author of the petition, stated in its description: “The Camry Hybrid can stay, but the gasoline-powered mid-size Camry for the 9th generation should bring back the V6 engine that Camry owners should expect”. But is the V6 Camry truly worth bringing back, and will the wider automotive world miss it as much as some hardcore fans seem to think? Let’s compare the outgoing V6 model with the new top-of-the-range hybrid Camry and see which one comes out on top…

Engine And Power: The V6 Was Never About Performance

Toyota made the decision to go fully hybrid with the new Camry to balance power and efficiency in a world where cheap fuel is no longer a reality and the automotive landscape is rapidly shifting towards electrification. Sure, the old V6 engine may be superior in terms of power output, but it did not match the priorities of prospective buyers considering a Camry as their next set of wheels. The image the Camry has created itself over the years is strongly associated with reliability, practicality, and safety. Having built a reputation as a sensible family sedan, the Camry attracted drivers for whom power was further down the list of priorities. In 2023, fewer than 1 in 10 Camrys sold in the US were equipped with the V6 engine.

The V6 in the Camry was all about having the engine needing less effort and making less noise to get up to speed. The electric motor in the hybrid system fills in for those missing cylinders on acceleration, but not so much when rapidly heading to freeway speeds or overtaking. – Ian Wright, Senior Editor.

Fuel Efficiency: An Easy Win For The Hybrid

The new hybrid Camry is, as expected, miles ahead of its predecessor when it comes to fuel efficiency. The first Toyota sedan to use the THS 5 (Toyota Hybrid System), the new Camry has been tuned to reduce engine RPMs at low speeds, which results in smoother acceleration and increased efficiency. The AWD system has also received an upgrade: the new Camry uses an electronic on-demand AWD setup, while the outgoing model used a mechanical AWD system. Not only does the new system result in a slightly increased power output (30hp more compared to the old AWD Camry), but it also improves efficiency and traction.

Price And Features

The top-spec version of the 2024 Camry (the XSE trim equipped with the V6 engine) costs $36,845, while the most expensive version of the hybrid 2025 Camry (XSE trim in AWD configuration) comes with a slightly smaller price tag at $36,125. (Both prices exclude the destination and handling fee of $1,095.)

The 2024 Camry is the last model year for the outgoing Camry generation, and comes in five different trim levels: LE, SE, XLE, XSE, and TRD. While the standard engine option is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (also available as part of a hybrid powertrain), the XLE and XSE can be had with the 3.5-liter V6 engine, and the sportier TRD comes with the V6 as standard. The outgoing Camry has received some updates over the years, which have prevented it from looking and feeling overly dated.

That being said, the Camry’s main focus as a model remains functionality rather than style. The interior is plain but functional, with cloth seats on the lower trims and leather upholstery on the XSE and XLE. Dual-zone climate control comes as standard on all trim levels, and there is plenty of storage space and passenger space for the whole family’s needs.

The infotainment is packed with modern features thanks to the updates received by the model over the years. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, voice control and Bluetooth connectivity are all included; lower-level trims have a seven-inch touchscreen, while the XLE and XSE get a nine-inch screen. All trim levels come with the TSS2.5+ driver assistance suite, which includes a host of safety and tech features, such as adaptive cruise control, road sign recognition, lane departure warning with steering assist, and automatic braking with pedestrian detection.

The new, hybrid 2025 Camry comes in four different trim levels: the entry-level LE, SE, XLE, and XSE. Each trim level is available in both FWD and AWD configurations (the AWD system adds $1525 to the price tag). All come with a single choice of hybrid powertrain: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors. The Camry’s design has undergone some drastic changes, with a new, sleek outline that gives the car a sportier look. LED headlights are standard, with additional LED lighting for top-level trims. Different trim levels also get their own unique grille style, and the SE and XSE add elements like air ducts and a rear diffuser for a sportier edge. The interior has been given a revamp as well, with a new dashboard, dual-zone automatic climate control, and improved seats for added comfort.

Cloth is the standard option for upholstery, except the XLE trim, which is the first Toyota Camry to be fitted with leather and microfiber-trimmed seats. The infotainment system is controlled via an eight-inch touchscreen; the touchscreen size goes up to 12.3 inches in higher-level trims, which can also be optioned to have a heads-up display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both standard, and wireless charging is available as well as five USB ports to keep everyone’s devices happy while on the move.

The new Camry has more advanced tech features than ever before: all trims get a wide range of safety features including pre-collision detection, lane departure alert with steering assist, radar cruise control, and road sign assist. The Premium Plus package, available on the higher trims, adds a panoramic view monitor, front parking assist, front cross-traffic alert, traffic jam assist, and lane change assist.

Will The V6 Be Missed?

As the automotive world moves rapidly towards hybrids and electrification, there is unfortunately no place for the V6 Camry in the future. As with all sudden changes, there will be backlash at first -hence the petition- but it is likely to be short-lived. The Camry was never meant to be a performance-oriented car, and prospective buyers looking into one are more likely to care about other aspects such as comfort features, tech, and practicality.

The V6 version of the Camry was a unique quirk that set it apart from other family sedans, but in the long run it is unlikely to be missed.