The Toyota Camry Hybrid is our pick for Executive Sedan Of The Year.
The 2025 Toyota Camry has accomplished something truly remarkable this year, shattering long-held perceptions of what a mid-size sedan should be. What was once the quintessential “safe choice” for company executives has transformed into a genuinely exciting driving machine that demands attention on both practical and emotional levels.
At first glance, the Camry’s dramatic redesign catches the eye immediately. The bold hammerhead shark-inspired front fascia gives this sedan an aggressive, purposeful stance that feels like far more than a mere facelift. Sharp character lines flow across its body, complementing the sleeker profile and making a clear statement that this is not your traditional conservative sedan.
However, the true revelation comes when you slip behind the wheel. The new 2.5L hybrid powertrain represents a quantum leap forward in both performance and efficiency. The seamless integration of electric and gasoline power delivers an unexpectedly spirited driving experience with instantaneous torque and remarkably responsive acceleration. The hybrid system not only enhances fuel economy but fundamentally transforms the car’s character, providing a level of driving engagement previously unimaginable in a Camry.
What truly astonishes is how Toyota’s engineers have extracted such dynamic handling from a front-wheel-drive platform. The chassis tuning strikes an ideal balance between comfort and sportiness, with precise steering feedback and impressive cornering stability that inspires confidence in various driving conditions. The suspension absorbs road imperfections while maintaining composure during spirited driving, demonstrating thoughtful engineering throughout.
No longer merely a practical transportation appliance, the new Camry delivers genuine driving pleasure alongside its renowned reliability and efficiency.
The transformation of the Toyota Camry from predictable commuter to engaging driving machine proves that practicality and excitement need not be mutually exclusive. For those fortunate enough to experience it, the daily commute has just become something to look forward to rather than endure.
About VOTY 2025
The Allianz DSF.my Vehicle Of The Year (VOTY) Award ceremony is the first and only vehicle award event in Malaysia that does not hand out paid awards, nor does it charge winners or participating brands any fee whatsoever. Winners are allowed to use the VOTY event logo free of charge in all marketing materials. Event attendees are not even charged for their seat at the award presentation. All car manufacturers that operate in Malaysia are invited to participate free of charge. All they have to do is let our judges test drive their nominated vehicles.
The nominated vehicles must have been launched in Malaysia in the last 12 months and cannot be a localised minor facelift (body-kits, stickers, wheel upgrades, etc). All judging is independent and is put down to a vote before the winners are selected. Car manufacturers are not informed if they are winning or not before the event.
2025 marks a significant milestone for VOTY as Allianz celebrates its 16th year as the title sponsor of this prestigious automotive event. This year also commemorates Daniel Sherman Fernandez’s 25th year in the automotive industry, highlighting his longstanding contribution and commitment to automotive journalism in Malaysia.
The judges for VOTY 2025 are Daniel Sherman Fernandez and Subhash Nair of dsf.my, Ross Hadi of gohedgostan.com and Joshua Chin of automacha.com.
