2025 Toyota Camry vs 2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

The 2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid underwent significant styling updates, particularly at the front, where a sleek lightbar known as the “seamless horizon lamp” added a modern touch. The badge was repositioned above the grille, and the headlights were placed independently below it, drawing a clear family resemblance to the Hyundai Ioniq 6 while avoiding its more polarizing design elements. The rear end featured a lightbar forming a wide “H” shape with the taillights, reminiscent of the new Hyundai Santa Fe, and a sporty black spoiler-like trunk lid was introduced. From the side, the 2024 Sonata closely resembled the 2023 model, with minimal changes to its profile. The Limited-trim test car sported 17-inch wheels and a fashionable enamel gray color called “Transmission Blue,” which was available without additional cost, unlike the extra-cost “Serenity White.” Inside, the seats remained unchanged from 2023, but the dash received updates, including vents flowing across it and a redesigned steering wheel with a T-shape and a Morse code “H” logo. Three interior color schemes were available, with the test car featuring a basic black interior.

The 2025 Toyota Camry's redesign was most noticeable at the front, where it adopted a more cohesive and business-like appearance, echoing the new Prius and resembling the Lexus spindle grille, termed the “hammerhead front face” by Toyota. Standard LED headlights and daytime running lights enhanced its modern look. The profile remained largely unchanged, but the rear window surround extended further into the sail panel, emphasizing the coupe-like roof. The hood extended forward, meeting the grille's vertical line, giving the Camry a more assertive stance. The base LE trim featured 16-inch alloy wheels, while SE and XLE trims had black 18-inch wheels, and the sporty XSE trim boasted 19-inch wheels in black and Smoke Gray. SE and XSE trims included sporty touches like front air ducts, rear diffusers, sport-mesh grilles, and exposed dual-tip exhausts. The XSE offered a two-tone paint option with a Midnight Black Metallic roof paired with one of four exterior colors, including the new Ocean Gem. The interior saw a departure from its predecessor, with a new dash layout and a center touchscreen housing that flowed across the passenger side, camouflaging the vents. The quilted Dinamica microfiber in the XLE test car was a light gray color, found on the dash and door cards, raising concerns about spills and oils. The base LE trim had fabric seating, SE featured SofTex synthetic leather, and the top XSE trim offered perforated leather seats in Cockpit red or black with blue accents.

The 2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid introduced an all-wheel-drive (AWD) system for the first time, but it was limited to the gas version, with the hybrid remaining front-wheel-drive (FWD) only. The Sonata Hybrid's 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine and electric motor produced a total system output of 192 horsepower, delivered through a six-speed automatic transmission. Unlike most hybrids with continuously variable transmissions (CVT), the Sonata Hybrid maintained an EPA rating of 47 mpg combined, offering additional control through its automatic transmission. Steering wheel-mounted paddles managed regenerative braking levels in Eco mode and allowed gear shifting in Sport mode. The brakes were touchy, but the steering feel and handling were appropriate. The configurable driver-information display allowed simultaneous viewing of the tachometer and hybrid system's power flow, and the novelty of accelerating at 0 RPM remained intriguing.

The 2025 Toyota Camry marked a significant shift as all models became hybrids, featuring Toyota's fifth-generation hybrid system. This system combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with electric motors, producing 225 horsepower for FWD models and 232 horsepower for AWD models. The electronic AWD system provided extra traction with minimal impact on fuel economy, with Toyota estimating 50 mpg combined for AWD models and 51 mpg for FWD. The Camry offered two distinct suspension tunings, with the XLE and LE focused on comfort. The hybrid system seamlessly switched between gas and electric power, though the powertrain was audible at higher speeds. Acoustic laminated front side glass limited road and wind noise. The braking feel was normal, akin to a traditional gas-only sedan, with no need to adjust regenerative braking settings. At speeds under 25 mph, the car could switch to EV mode, relying on the battery until the engine was needed or speed increased.

The 2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid offered competitive interior space, with the Limited trim's panoramic moonroof providing 37.8 inches of front-seat headroom, slightly above competitors like the Honda Accord Hybrid and Toyota Camry Hybrid. Without the moonroof, headroom increased to 40 inches. Rear-seat headroom measured 37.4 inches with the moonroof and 38.4 inches without it. The Sonata prioritized front-row legroom with 46.1 inches, while rear-seat passengers had 34.8 inches. The Limited-trim test car featured heated and ventilated seats and a slimmer steering wheel rim, enhancing comfort. A trunk close button added convenience, though its necessity in a sedan was debatable.

The 2025 Toyota Camry XLE test car included a heated steering wheel, an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, and a six-way power-adjustable front passenger's seat, standard on both X grades. Heated and ventilated front seats were available options for XLE and XSE trims, with dual-zone climate control and rear-seat air vents standard across all trims. The 2025 model introduced a panoramic moonroof option for hybrid Camrys, available on the top two trims. While Toyota hadn't published interior dimensions for the new Camry, minimal changes were expected, with front-row legroom comparable to the 2024 Honda Accord Hybrid. The Sonata Hybrid offered more headroom but less rear legroom. Trunk space for the 2024 Camry was 15.1 cubic feet, likely similar for the 2025 version.

The 2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid featured a selectable functionality for the driver's side front USB-C port, allowing it to switch between data-transmitting and charging-only modes. This feature complemented the wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto available on all trims, addressing common infotainment system frustrations. The Sonata Hybrid sported a curved display combining the infotainment touchscreen and driver-information display, with logical and intuitive haptic “buttons” for climate control and media functions. The Limited trim included navigation, natural language voice-recognition, and a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system, while a six-speaker sound system, HD Radio, Sirius XM, and two rear-seat USB charging ports were standard. A wireless charging pad was also included.

The 2025 Toyota Camry came standard with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen running the Toyota Audio Multimedia system, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and managing simultaneous Bluetooth connections with two smartphones. A wireless charging pad and five USB ports were standard, with USB-A and USB-C charging technology available. Higher trims offered a 12.3-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch fully digital driver information display, along with a 10-inch head-up display and a nine-speaker JBL Premium Audio system. Subscription offerings included 4G Wi-Fi connectivity for up to five devices and Drive Connect, which added an Intelligent Assistant voice-recognition system and real-time traffic updates. The voice recognition struggled during testing but responded well for others.

The 2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid included standard safety features like blind-spot collision warning with rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, forward collision-avoidance assist, safe exit warning and assist, lane-following and lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality, automatic emergency braking, and rear occupant alert. The Limited trim added a turn-signal-activated blind-spot-view monitor, surround-view monitor, Hyundai’s Highway Driving Assist system, and Remote Smart Parking Assist. Hyundai's infotainment system made safety features easy to find, turn on and off, and understand through clear graphics.

The 2025 Toyota Camry featured the Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 (TSS 3.0) suite, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, lane-tracing assist, lane-departure alert with steering assist, and road-sign assist. The Premium Plus Package, available on XLE and XSE trims, added front cross-traffic alert, lane-change assist, front and rear parking assist with automatic braking, a panoramic view monitor, and traffic-jam assist. The lane-keeping assist system provided firm but deferential guidance. While crash testing results were pending, the 2024 Camry earned a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS and scored well in NHTSA tests.