The new Toyota Camry retains the previous generation’s 2.5-liter gasoline engine in certain markets, including the Middle East
While the extensively updated 2025 Toyota Camry is exclusively a hybrid in the US, traditional powertrains are still in play elsewhere. In the Middle East, for instance, the new Camry has launched with a classic gasoline engine alongside its self-charging hybrid counterpart.
The 2.5-liter VVTi four-cylinder engine delivers 201 hp (150 kW / 204 PS) and 240 Nm (177 lb-ft) of torque, matching the power of the previous generation. This is 26 hp (19 kW / 26 PS) less than the hybrid’s combined output in the same market. Unlike the hybrid, this engine is paired solely with an eight-speed automatic transmission, not the e-CVT.
The ICE-only model is available in the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, where hybrids are less popular compared to North America. However, a 2025 Toyota Camry Hybrid option is also offered, but exclusively with FWD.
In terms of style and features, the Middle Eastern Camry closely resembles its US counterpart, with no significant changes to its exterior or interior design. The entry-level model comes with 16-inch steel wheels, while the higher trims feature sleek 18-inch alloy wheels. Inside, even the base Camry includes an 8-inch infotainment screen, with the 12.3-inch touchscreen available only on the top trims.
The Middle East isn’t the only region where the new Camry is offered with an ICE powertrain. In China, the locally produced GAC Toyota variant also features a non-hybrid option, though with a smaller 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. This engine generates 170 hp (127 kW / 173 PS) and 206 Nm (152 lb-ft) of torque, making it the least powerful ninth-gen Camry globally. Additionally, the Chinese model distinguishes itself with slightly redesigned bumpers, setting it apart from other versions of the Camry.
In the United Arab Emirates, the 2025 Toyota Camry starts at AED 109,900 (approximately $29,922 at current exchange rates) for the ICE-powered version, and AED 123,900 ($33,734) for the hybrid. This is a significant premium compared to the US, where the standard hybrid begins at $28,400. Meanwhile, the Chinese-spec Camry, with its smaller gasoline engine, starts at ¥179,800 ($25,241), showing that sometimes less really is more—or at least more affordable.
