Talking Cars 446: Driving the Toyota Camry

Main theme: This podcast focuses on our first impressions of one of the most significant sedans still in production: the Toyota Camry. This popular model gets a complete redesign for the 2025 model year, and we talk about Toyota’s decision to offer it exclusively as a hybrid. Also noteworthy, all Camrys come standard with blind spot warning (BSW) and rear cross traffic warning (RCTW). Plus, all-wheel drive is now available on every trim line.

We rented two Camrys from Toyota: a sporty-ish SE and a luxurious XLE. Our panel discusses their overall driving impressions and whether or not the Camry can overcome a long-standing reputation as a boring car. (Spoiler: It can.) Other topics include the Camry’s impressive legacy of stellar reliability and impressive fuel economy.

Read our Toyota Camry first drive.

Audience questions
• Your recent video on the Fisker Ocean brought this to mind: I remember that CR’s tests from the 1960s and 1970s itemized lists of defects on tested cars. Mildly distorted windshield glass or flaws in the paint were fairly common and of minor consequence, while loose or missing lug nuts or a side window slipping out of its track might be more egregious. I also recall that if a car did especially poorly in the tests, it might earn a “Not Recommended” or “Not Acceptable” rating. Have any vehicles in recent memory been so riddled with defects to severely affect their overall rating, and have any cars come close to being rated “Not Acceptable”?

• What do you recommend for home chargers for electric vehicles that aren’t Teslas?