2024 Toyota Camry LE Review -- The Last Of The Dinosaurs

2024 marks the end of the availability of a Toyota Camry with a regular four cylinder engine and a torque converter automatic, since for 2025 all Toyota Camry models will be Hybrids. This also marks the end of the cheapest sort of motoring, buying one new car for a reasonable price and driving it for 300,000 plus miles with no major repairs, given proper maintenance. So to commemorate this loss, I am reviewing this base model 20-24 Toyota Camry LE. We will look at the last plain old straight four you could get in a Camry, we will measure out the trunk space, we will look at passenger room, we will go over the features on a base model 2024 Toyota Camry, and we will look at the Toyota Safety Sense systems on this car.
To watch my POV test drive video on this car, please click here:
• 2024 Toyota Camry LE P...
To watch my real-world fuel economy test on a 2023 Toyota Camry SE with the same engine and transmission that this car has, please click here:
• Toyota Camry SE Real W...
Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
1:26 Engine and Transmission
2:54 Cargo Measurements
4:53 Passenger Space
6:06 Interior Features
7:54 Safety Features
9"08 Please Like And Subscribe

[@geyser3445]

I think it is a 2.5 liter engine.

[@CarDietrich]

Lol you’re right, sorry I was off my game today

[@JamMan6string]

It's a myth that my coworker's Prius battery died at 120K miles. A new replacement was $5,000 (in this fairytale). She opted for a $2,000 used one and proceeded to unload the car within a year. And lived happily ever after. 😅 Statistically, that's just one data point somewhere on the 200,000-mile bell curve. It happens. Your results may vary. btw - As an owner of an SE, I think you described the experience with this Camry pretty accurately. One can always quibble, but on balance, it's a great daily driver.

[@kiwiinterstates3190]

I daily drive my 2010 Camry LE with the 2.5 liter 4 cylinder 6 speed auto. It’s got 223,000 miles now. Just replaced the motor mounts and had the AC recharged. You can tell its age but it still drives smooth and goes anywhere at anytime.

[@jxmar_]

I’ve seen Camry hybrids w over 300k miles on the original battery and our RAV4 hybrid has almost 200k miles on the original battery

[@Twominutedevotions]

Fabulous car for those of us on the tall side. I’m loving the hybrid and eCVT though. 20 years ago we would have been amazed that a car so big and comfortable could get almost 40mpg

[@jameswillett7186]

I drive 2017 Toyota Camry LE- My car only has 14,000 miles. Hopefully my car should last a long time with few repairs. I bought it used from a Toyota dealer in 2019 with only 7,000 miles.

[@alexanderkennedy2969]

the last of the dinosaurs? this car is a technological marvel with excellent fuel economy. a lot more advanced than a garbage electric motor

[@CarDietrich]

Since 1982, base model Camrys have been sold with regular old four cylinder gasoline engines and transmissions with gears in them. This is the last of its kind. Hence the title.

[@frankanderson4176]

Not necessarily true about a mandatory replacement of the hybrid battery. Lots of them out there with several hundred miles w/original battery and a few comments here stating the same. I drive a 2019 SE version that's smooth as silk around town & on the hwy. The engine is a 2.5L (not 2,4 as stated here) and during summer driving here in GA & FL, I easily get 42-45 mpg w/AC on at hwy speeds. My previous 2011 Camry passed on to my son has 240K miles and is still going strong with NO repairs other than reg. maint. Will defer going hybrid as long as possible but do so whenever. These cars flat-out work & work well. I've driven over a dozen American sedans over several decades as a sales rep logging many miles; virtually all were spent not long after 100K.

[@toronado455]

Well, the hybrid is actually cheaper to maintain due to fewer moving parts and accessories as well as less wear and tear on the gas engine and brakes because the hybrid system is doing more of the work. It's a myth that you will need to replace the battery because they typically last the life of the vehicle.

[@CarDietrich]

I agree that hybrid batteries last the typical life of a vehicle, but at the very top end that's 200k miles. If you're trying to get to 300k without major expensive repairs, a hybrid isn't the right car.

[@Twominutedevotions]

Because batteries are the major focus of innovation right now, I would not be surprised at all if the replacement lasts 5x as long as the original and offers more range on electric only, improving fuel economy. I’m okay with replacing it at 200-300k for that tradeoff.

[@toronado455]

@@Twominutedevotions I believe there are taxi cab hybrid Camrys that are getting that kind of life out of them. Just think if you're just using it normally and not a taxi what you can expect.

[@webcomment8895]

@@CarDietrichThe batteries go bad more with age than mileage. So, if you are a high mileage driver and pack on a lot of miles in less than 10-15 years, you will save much more in fuel and maintenance costs during that period than it would cost to replace the battery. Besides way fewer brake pad and rotor replacements, you also don’t have an alternator to replace, the eCVT transmission is extremely unlikely to fail or need any repairs at all, and the engine will have less wear and tear for the same mileage. On the other hand, if you don’t drive much, not only will you save very little on gas, the battery will still go bad in 15 years or so even if you have low miles on it. The hybrid is a money saver if you drive at least average mileage. If you drive a lot and live in an area with expensive gas prices, you will save much more.

[@toronado455]

@@CarDietrich FWIW, here's an example: I met someone with a 2014 Camry Hybrid. He has 107k miles on it and had the battery tested and it has 93% remaining life left in it. He said the car drives like new too. Seems possible it could get another 10 years at that rate.

[@jacobmartinez8145]

are you going to be reviewing/doing mpg test on the new 2025 anytime soon?

[@CarDietrich]

As soon as I can get my hands on one I will! I’m actually excited to review the new Camry

[@alexsystems2001]

My Mom has a 2019 Camry SE, she loves it. For the price, the fuel economy is pretty good, it’s decently quiet, it’s fairly well built, it rides nicely enough, it’s been low maintenance and it looks pretty presentable.

[@vanessaebony529]

I'm trying to get one of these. I don't like those hybrids and CVT transmissions.

[@StanMarsh-jz7wh]

Toyota CVT are fine. Not so much for other car brands.

[@LucasAllen]

Shopping for a 2025 right now. Sounds like I should have it within the next couple of weeks.

[@kendrickdelosreyes5381]

Lol the hybrid is arguably more reliable/higher longevity. What are you talking about?

[@CarDietrich]

You are certainly entitled to that viewpoint, incorrect though it may be.

[@joey86bu1]

Sad times. I think the 2025 version is a hybrid, cvt and comes standard with a pride flag bumper sticker.

[@MrTinyMen]

this is all FUD. wow.