Sounds like a no brainer to me - you love the 2024 from every perspective and generally speaking the last model year of a generation is the most reliable since all issues/recalls/etc have been dealt with. Lots of updated tech in the 2025 and we all become real world beta testers. I'd snatch up the 2024 quick because they have just about disappeared from dealer lots around here.

 

I read about water pump failure in 2025 between 50k to 100k miles.

Did you mean 2024? The 2025's have only been out about a month.

- Karen

 

gas-only, always

 

Luckily, you won't have that option going forward

 

2024 camry gas only does amazing mpg.. i think you've answered your own question.. go 2024

 

When it comes time to purchase a new vehicle that decision is made by my wife and myself . I don't care or want what anyone else thinks especially strangers on a forum.

 

I don't care or want what anyone else thinks especially strangers on a forum.

@M70 If you don't care what strangers think on a forum why are you here?

 

I seem to have been driving hybrids too long. And have forgotten the joy that a gas only engine can provide. Let alone one that is 6 or 8 cylinders size wise.

In order of likes I would say my hybrids have offered the following (most liked listed first):
EV only driving -
it is a bit of a strange animal this thing of driving/cruising along on four wheels with no engine sound. It can be as simply as being at a traffic light with windows up, or down, and a/c on or off. It is just enjoyable not to hear the engine and more so as you begin to move when the light turns green else proceed from a stop sign. Likewise at low speeds or when driving and it is a combination of ICE/Hybrid battery. Last, it is enjoyable to have the battery pack kick in a drop of extra power when you give it the gas.

My maverick does not have an energy flow display per say but can show when it is using battery only, ICE, or Hybrid mode (using both ICE and battery pack). I am often surprised how often it is on battery only mode.

eCVT -
yes, this is a mixed blessing, at best. Even in my 2020 highlander hybrid it exhibits that ’rubber band’ effect. Not great though compared to what Toyota gave us for later gen highlander transmissions I offer the ecvt is ok. Due to that fact an ecvt is almost a better choice I offer…at least concerning a 2020 highlander.

I hate nothing more than regular transmissions that suck doing its job of smooth gear changes. Plus, I do not miss feeling the gear changes. Iif a trans is not great at changing gears that makes me miss a regular transmission even less so.
My understanding is Toyota has improved the ecvt even more on the 2025 Camry hybrid so maybe one no longer feels that rubber band effect.

Higher mpg/Earth/Gas stops-
Guess I should want to rate this higher since I do like getting around 35/36mpg in the highlander no matter how I drive. I remember the old days, say 2007 with my v6 Highlander hybrid…thinking it was like 18 city and 26 highway. I feel good having a fair size suv, 3 rows no less, that gets 36mpg. Would figure I would really feed good getting 51mpg in the new Camry.

I would rate Earth higher though I figure I value what the ride does for me more than what it does for Earth. Though yes, I do feel good getting higher mpg then rides that do less. And yes, I enjoy not having to hit the gas station as much. Doubt I am saving the planet but figure if I put at least 100k on each ride maybe I am doing my part just a little bit.

2024 Camry
if you like it great. Saw one in the neighbor and the back/side/front views. Maybe it will become a classic one day. Maybe the 4 banger ICE only engine is the win/win choice. I know the new ford maverick eco boost engines seems to get crazy good mpg almost as much as my mav hybrid. Though figure the mav hybrid does better mpg in city only driving than the mav eco boost engines.

As hybrids become more refrained, I am uncertain I could return to ICE only ride in the future if I were to purchase a new car. Unless I had towing needs that required a bigger engine. It just feels to good getting say 35mpg plus all the time, along with what I feel the other benefits a hybrid engine offers.

At the end of the day I feel a hybrid engine has more upsides (with toyota ecvt) vs a non-hybird ICE engine. Granted if one simply wants power, say a 6 banger or that new hybrid max engine in the highlander then so be it.


.

 

My wife and I just went through this same dilemma and ended up purchasing a 2024 SE while we were still able to find one in the color and options we wanted.
My reasoning was the fact that we only drive around 6,000 miles a year (the 2024 is replacing a 2007 with 100,000 miles).
I think we would have opted for the 2025 Hybrid if we drove more miles and replaced our cars more often.

 

My reasoning was the fact that we only drive around 6,000 miles a year (the 2024 is replacing a 2007 with 100,000 miles).

I was thinking about getting a new Camry to replace my 2003, but not until the end of either this year or next, and it would likely be my last car as I think at best my remaining driving horizon is like 15-20 years at best.

I hope to work for 2 more years at most but my commute is only about 2.5 miles each way on local roads, so I don't put a lot of miles on my car. Once retired I likely won't drive every day, but are more likely to go on occasional trips which could be long - though then likely a lot of highway miles.

Unless gas prices go way up, driving only 5-6K a year one will not make up the extra cost, also but hybrid batteries do better if they are used more... and replacement batteries are very expensive (and that is my main concern).

But everything I've seen (all the reviews etc) about the 2025 Camry sounded VERY good and I like the looks both inside and out- (particularly the ocean gem color from the pictures I've seen ) much better than the 2024...

That said, I'm not 100% sure a hybrid is the right choice at this time in my life. If the 2025 had come out with both hybrid an ICE, I might very well chose ICE.

At this point I think I will go 2025, but come the end of the year while looking for a 2025, If at dealership I get a great offer on a well equipped 2024 ICE Camry, I would consider it - though I doubt there will be any left around by then.

- Karen

 

Good points and for certain if there was a 2024 color one wanted vs the 2025 colors. It is easy to get caught up in the highest mpg thing vs the actual cost difference getting an ICE only engine. And if driving limited yearly miles that cost savings are not as much. Enjoy the new ride

 

For me, I was ready for a change after owning my 4Runner for 21 years and wanted a sedan as my wife has an SUV for when/if we need to haul stuff. Always liked the reliability of the Toyota, always liked the Camry. The dealers around here aren't exactly giving away the 2024's so would have only saved about $700. Like the looks of the 2025, hybrid makes me feel like I'm doing a tiny something for the environment. My biggest reason was the next gen of safety features in version 3.0 and the standard BSM. The older we get (75), the more things like collision avoidance and rear cross traffic alert come into play and perhaps prevent an accident. And, worse reason of all, our last four cars/suvs have been white or silver and I wanted arrest me red to prove I'm a vigorous 75 year old

 

Why even ask? You sound like you already made up your mind.
According to you, the 2024 is better in every way and everything different about the 2025 is negative.

 

If me gas hybrid twice the head aches with no real savings and cost more up front. Hard enough to find good mechanic for gas engines even harder to find gas/electric mechanic. To many headaches with dual crap. Go gas or go electric not combo worst of both worlds

 

Dude. It's 2024. Hybrids are a decades-old tech and you aren't going to find issues finding qualified mechanics. And they are more reliable.

https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a46867042/how-reliable-are-hybrid-cars/

 

Dude. It's 2024. Hybrids are a decades-old tech and you aren't going to find issues finding qualified mechanics. And they are more reliable.

https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a46867042/how-reliable-are-hybrid-cars/

Dude. It's 2024. Hybrids are a decades-old tech and you aren't going to find issues finding qualified mechanics. And they are more reliable.

https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a46867042/how-reliable-are-hybrid-cars/

At dealer yes and pay dealer prices. Not a lot of nondealer guys will touch them as they have not been trained. You may find one but gas cars been around 100 plus yrs and good mechanic still hard to find even at dealer. Worked for Nissan dealer for a few yrs and they are as hit and miss as any mechanic and charge 3 to 5 times real mechanics for everything. But buy what you want but have seen many hybrids get issues and even dealer has isdues fixing them right first time. But do as you like he asked I gave my opinion based on owning cars for 50 yrs and working at dealership for yrs. Do what you want not my money

 

I suppose if you're working with Nissan you're going to have more problems overall, but I don't know a single mechanic who is afraid of hybrids at this point. And again, hybrids are significantly more reliable

 

Worked for nissan brother is mechanic at Toyota dealer and good friend is head of truck shop at gm dealer
I am not basi g on just 1 nissan dealer
I drive 03 camry v6 335k miles. We sold many trade in brands and even newer camry' s. I will drive my 03 until they pry my cold dead fingers from steering wheel. Rides almost as good as 2020 to 2023 camrys I have driven more trunk space more interior room and even v6 is not much quicker tham my 03 v6. Gas mileage is 22 avg in town 33 hwy at 335k miles. No.payment ins cheap ans spent total of 1800 in repairs last 5 yrs. Every switch motor ac sunroof all 21yrs old and work. Drivers leather seat worn otherwise in awesome condition. Including original white paint. 4 things replaced besides wear items. 1 alt. 1 radiator 1 knock sensor 1 set of struts. Other than that 100% 2003 original Toyota from Tennessee. Factory. You kerp new with payments and high repairs cost I will drive one of the best platforms they made 3.0 v6 that came in same yrs es300 lexus. Had one of those that had 400 plus k before I got t boned and totalled. I got camry v6 xle cheaper than lexus es300. Live this gen, they rarely break down even at 21yrs an 335k miles

 

...I drive 03 camry v6 335k miles...

I'm curious, how many timing belt replacements have you needed over these last 20 years in your 03 v6 Camry?

I'm looking at an 05 Lexus with I believe the same engine, as a second car. It had a timing belt done many years but not so many miles ago.

 

I mean, I'm not sure how any of that is relevant to someone buying a new car today 🤷🏽

 

Get back to me when new hybrid lasts 300k plus miles with same problems as old gas camry. Never happen. Mynentire point is less complicated less tech will be less hassle. Show me 10 yr old Camrys with same mileage one gas one hybrid and show me costbof repairs and failures, when they are about equal I will support a hybrid. I was electronic tech for 15 yrs and newer cars electronics cost more to fix and maintain than engine and trans. Toss in the electrics and electronics and I guarantee in cars environment it will be more expensive to maintain after yrs of driving. Simple math, more complex more issues and maintenance cost. Just saying a gas vs hybrid camry new today gas will be cheaper to keep on road for 10 yrs. Will bet a months salary on it. More stuff to break just say so. Simpler is alwzys cheaper to maintain for a decade. But like I said he asked I gave my opinion I you disagree fine buy a hybrid, no money out of my wallet. Happy trails

 

I guess the data says otherwise?

 

Lots of 300k camry hybrids out there to use as comparison what data please show lunk would luke to see it

 

You do know the Prius is approaching it's 25 anniversary, right? Many of those first gen cars are still on the road, the one in our neighborhood is still maintaining 70% of it's battery capacity - way longer than even Toyota thought. It's got something north of 200,000 with never a major mechanical problem. I've turned wrenches as a shadetree mechanic for 55 years, built and drove race cars, built many a race engine for competitors and I understand ICE and understand that pure ICE is dying technology, whether for environmental reasons, cost of gas, complexity or whatever so today's mechanics are being trained in hybrid and other technologies.

I think there is a much greater chance of my local independent mechanic wrenching on my hybrid than if I drove an all electric in there.