(2025MY+) 380D Camry Discussion

Sulu

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And the Accord is way behind on fuel efficiency. Honda is about two generations behind Toyota in hybrid tech despite using a theoretically superior architecture.
One of the reviews I watched said that the difference between the Accord Hybrid and the Camry Hybrid is that the Accord engine was constantly on but the Camry engine switched on and off.
 

ssun30

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One of the reviews I watched said that the difference between the Accord Hybrid and the Camry Hybrid is that the Accord engine was constantly on but the Camry engine switched on and off.
i-MMD uses a clutch to engage and disengage the ICE so frequent ons and offs increase wear and tear and NVH. They are probably not as good at keeping the catalytic converter at operating temperature for emissions (which is the biggest challenge with any hybrid system design period). The best thing about THS is smoothness which also allows them to do ICE start/stop much more frequently. Many TNGA hybrids can drive 80%+ in EV mode in daily commute scenarios.
 

Flagship1

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I could switch the emblems on these vehicles, and no buyer would notice. Folks in this category just want an appliance that never breakdowns.
 

Gecko

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I saw two new Camrys yesterday (a black SE/XSE and a white LE) and was surprised with how similar they look to the "last gen" model. Even the front and rear don't look all that different in passing.

A lot of the press photos of the new front end are from 8" off the ground, and sure, that view looks very different. But standing up like a normal person and seeing the car in the sheetmetal... it doesn't feel like as much of a change as I anticipated.

The design does look nice but I wish they'd done a little more to change the sides of the car to further distinguish it from the last model.
 

qtb007

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I saw two new Camrys yesterday (a black SE/XSE and a white LE) and was surprised with how similar they look to the "last gen" model. Even the front and rear don't look all that different in passing.

A lot of the press photos of the new front end are from 8" off the ground, and sure, that view looks very different. But standing up like a normal person and seeing the car in the sheetmetal... it doesn't feel like as much of a change as I anticipated.

The design does look nice but I wish they'd done a little more to change the sides of the car to further distinguish it from the last model.
In person, I think the hammerhead headlights really stand out on the new Camry. That definitely helps distinguish. But I agree about the sides and the rear quarter. Changing the line through the door handles to something more crisp would have really tied the design together. TBH, in a shrinking segment, I understand why they did what they did and the previous gen Camry aged pretty gracefully anyway, so no harm no foul... but I don't think it would have taken a lot more work to change the door skin stamping.
 

Flagship1

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Brought the Tacoma over for service this morning and this new Camry SE was parked outside. Heavy Metal is beautiful in person - almost like Toyota’s version of Atomic Silver, just a shade more gray.
how is the paint quality?
 

Gecko

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how is the paint quality?

I didn't go over the car in depth, but it seemed very nice, basically like Lexus quality.

I feel like some of Toyota's/Lexus' paint quality has been not-so-great lately and this seemed very well done.
 

mikeavelli

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I’ll also have a press car later this month and plan to do a really detailed review. Going to challenge myself to be really transparent and do something different and hopefully more helpful.
 

qtb007

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Saw this in my Camry FB group I manage… you painted the lower grill… not bad
View attachment 9427View attachment 9428
Isn't that basically the SE grille? I'm undecided on which I like overall. I think the black grille is more conventionally attractive, but I think the body color grille definitely looks more futuristic. It's a good at illustrating the transition to what we'll more likely see on BEVs.
 

qtb007

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Toyota really needs to ditch e-awd and give us a proper awd system like they did in the 90's

IMO, the compromises that come along with a GR-Four style 4WD system are not appropriate for what are effectively commuter cars. Those compromises include a bunch of additional mechanical drag that impacts performance and fuel efficiency while requiring space for a prop shaft to run through the cabin hurting space efficiency. The separate rear motor also gives the vehicle some opportunity to efficiently change the front rear bias without using a heavy, costly, inefficient center coupler. The AWD in a Camry just needs to be able to help the car get going in the snow and maintain momentum in slow speed bad weather driving. The eAWD does a good job of this despite not passing the 3 roller test (which, TBH, isn't relevant at all to normal driving).

Anecdotally, the eAWD on my wife's UX300h has been really impressive so far. It doesn't have an obvious FWD feeling and the more powerful rear motor that came with the 300h is shown as contributing up to 60mph. So, it is effective where AWD is really useful. That's a big improvement over the previous model that had very limited input from the rear motor. For cars that are neither rock crawlers or track machines, this is a very balanced system.