Is The New 2025 AWD Toyota Camry Better OR Worse Than The Old One On The TFL Slip Test?

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[jrksoldierx]

This channel actually makes good content from time to time, today is one of those days

[yissibiiyte]

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Toyota's hybrid "AWD" system is borderline false advertising. If it can't provide enough torque to the rear to get the car moving, how is it AWD?

[ericschlichting]

Hey Tommy, I wanted to thank you and your team for performing these tests. It is too bad the newer car's AWD system didn't do as well as the older car.

The AWD tests done by TFL on the 2020 Camry checked a big box for me in my purchase of a 2020 Camry AWD.

4 years and nearly 40k miles later, my AWD Camry car has seen some "Oh s***" moments in Minnesota. If my car could talk in these moments, it would have said, "Hold my synthetic oil, " as the AWD system kept my butt safe (and clean) by keeping me from having accidents, 😅, in difficult situations.

Keep doing what you and your team are doing, and let Toyota work through making their systems better. Good job with the review.

[bertschb]

Thanks for doing these AWD tests. They are super helpful.

[sk-unjq]

If you live in a snowy city get the RAV4 hybrid with the extra clearance for snow. Its only $2k more

[FirstHandLLC]

I live in a Boston suburb and found the awd system both in my Crown and my mom’s RAV4 hybrid absolutely superb! We had no problems whatsoever on the snow covered roads with all season tires, never even had a traction control light kick in. Is this awd system optimal off-road? No! Is it great for of everyday users? Absolutely!

[brians.]

I drove an 03’ Civic through seven MN winters on all-season tires and the only time I got stuck in the snow was in my unplowed driveway. FWD is plenty with snow tires for urban life. If it gets real bad 10”-12” of snow in 24hrs stay home and the roads are plowed curb to curb by the time you finish your cup of coffee ☕️ the next day.

[ArneAsada]

This AWD system is just there to give you an assist at times.

[bigcrowfly]

I want Toyota to return to making a low trim low cost L model. A $23k basic car with only A/C and AT.
More reliable and after 200k same resale as loaded car.

[exparrot]

This eAWD system seems like one that will keep your momentum up by delivering some torque to the rear wheels to minimize the risk of getting stuck in the first place, however, once stuck, there are better systems out there that can provide more torque to the rear wheels.

Will be interesting to see if Toyota makes a Camry Prime with a more powerful rear motor and if that makes a difference in ability to shift power between rear wheels.

[Doberowner]

Thank you Tommy for doing this comparison. I wrote TFL a while ago requesting this. Now we know it might not be worth the extra money for the AWD version for those of us in Colorado and other states that get snow.

[ricatiman]

Unless you drive an Uber up here in Beautiful British Columbia all winter, in the mountains, 3 Peak Hydrophilic snow tyres are all anyone needs on a 2 wheel drive car. I have been driving Canadian winters since 1968, and have driven through all kinds of winter storms in cars from Minis and MGB's to Saabs and Jettas, and always on the best winter tyres of that year. Sure I have an Outlander now, but 2wd was never an issue...and I still buy the best tyres.

[rrcbiker]

Time to grease those roller bearings they are on fire.

[davidlusk]

😊😊 here i am with my Pearl white 2017 camry xle looks mint inside and out with 213k miles runs smooth as silk.
Bought new has 0 leaks, 0 rattles, and only replaced front brakes last summer tires and 1 battery. Everything else is stock. Id buy another or the ES350 and wouldn't give it a second thought.

[MyViewToronto]

The previous Camry was way better looking. Had that storm trooper look in White.

[atmartens]

People shit on the Accord for not offering AWD, but the Camry’s is borderline useless. Sure, you get the badge, but it clearly isn’t that much better. It’s very much offered to help sales.

If you want a true AWD sedan, get a Legacy- especially soon since 2025 is last model year. If you live in a cold climate and really want better performance, save the money on spending more on the system and maintenance and get snow tires. If you can’t, then driver slower. FWD does just fine in the snow on streets.

[Michael_Livingstone]

Well at least it didn’t spit out a bunch of errors like the hornet did.

[josephcullen]

I think with these the issue is the capability of the inverter that turns DC current from the battery into AC current for the front and rear electric motors. On the very first all wheel drive Toyota hybrids like I have one of, they maxed out the capability of the inverter and that resulted in some inverters burning out when off roading because the current sent to the rear wheels was just too much for the electronics in the inverter. So I think Toyota are being cautious. To make the inverter able to handle more current would cost more and add more mass etc... And then the battery might run flat quite quickly anyway too... And large current draw isn't great for the battery either... So a PHEV with a larger capacity battery and beefier electronics might do better but the basic physics of a standard hybrid system just do not have huge power and torque capabilities. I think Toyota ought to move to PHEVs as all wheel drive options especially

[joshc]

Let’s face it, the MOST this car will get driven in bad weather it 1-4in of snow. The AWD is there for alittle security in bad weather. I believe it’s up to par for that. Sure it won’t last the 3 wheel slip test, but it’s not an off roader. But will it do better than a non-AWD car, yes 😊

[return.of.the.nac]

I think I will keep my 2018 XSE V6 until it dies. No frills, no gimmicks...