Test drove 2025 GT and Premium. So torn!

[Adventureboy]

We have a 2022 Premium AWD ER and love it. If I were to buy today, I would get the GT. My wife would have to work really hard to talk me out of the upgrade. It might be because I'm a bit spoiled with the giddy-up on our Lightning, which we got six months after the MME.

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[fkyct]

It sounds like you are primarily concerned about seat comfort. That’s a very very valid concern. 9 months ago we were looking to trade one of our Teslas for a Mach-e. The MME premium seats we test drove were not as comfortable as our Tesla Y. We didn’t test a GT. We ended up swapping our 2023 Lightning for Leased new Lightning platinum with massaging seats.

You need to do a longer drive in the GT to decide if the seats would be good for longer drives Before making the decision.

My wife had a Prius that she loved. I developed back pain after 45 minutes any time I drove r road in it. When we were looking to replace it with another Refreshed Prius I asked if I could sit in one at a dealership for extended period of time. We also tested the Prius V seats. I could not get comfortable and walked away from new Prius‘. We went with a Hybrid Lexus CT200h that had Prius drive system but more comfortable Lexus seats.

 

[Bad Dolphin]

At the scrapyard, I've seen plenty of what I assume are coffee or soda stains on headliners.

I'm with wherethelights. We love our 2024 GT (new this April). But always prefer lighter headliners as it makes the interior feel lighter, too. Never had a problem with splashes and stains--as sailors, I guess we've been able to anticipate potential flying liquid hazards!

 

[Eagertrader]

Who’s gonna drive the new chariot the most. You already know the answer in your gut if it is you: GT. If it’s your wife, she can care the least about the gut wrenching acceleration, save the money: Premium.

 

[Mach1E]

One thing I will say is, the GT is going to give you more excitement, but it won't be as comfortable to drive as the Premium is because of the stiffer suspension setup. But the GT offers an amazing driving experience overall.

The GT doesn’t have a stiffer suspension. Magneride is standard on GTs now so you CAN make it stiff, but you also can choose a setting softer than a premium.

 

[ChrisO]

BTW I stand on my original statement, make sure you are the driver and the ride will always be smooth.

And anyone that decides to ride in the back of our car, well they need to be grateful we even let them ride (in two years we have two passengers in the back).

 

[bgaviator]

One thing I will say is, the GT is going to give you more excitement, but it won't be as comfortable to drive as the Premium is because of the stiffer suspension setup. But the GT offers an amazing driving experience overall.

Uhhh, I thought since the GT has magneride that the suspension can be adjusted based on the driving mode.

 

[bgaviator]

We go back and forth about whether the rear seat ride is better in Engage or Unbridle mode in our 2025 GT but either is better than Whisper and all modes are much less vomit-inducing for backseat passengers than our 2024 Premium.

I have heard that the Rally is more comfortable still but it gives up enough range we didn't bother to test drive it. Maybe if we had I would be rolling in style now with some 1980s looking white rally wheels.

The 2025 premium rear suspension is greatly improved. No issues when I rode in the back over bumpy roads yesterday

 

[bgaviator]

Living in the South, for me the benefits of the GT along with the added expense wasn't worth losing ventilated seats of the premium (AWD ext. range). 2025 ride is smooth enough for me and the power is plenty.

I live in the south too. So the ventilated seats are something to consider. However I am also factoring in that I could remote start the car and get it pre-cooling before I left work. So not having ventilated seats may not be that big of a deal in that regard

 

[bgaviator]

Who’s gonna drive the new chariot the most. You already know the answer in your gut if it is you: GT. If it’s your wife, she can care the least about the gut wrenching acceleration, save the money: Premium.

This is going to be my car. She got the new car 7 years ago. Now it’s my turn. I was going to just go with another Camry…but I’m kind of ready for a “fun” car.

 

[tls]

I regularly drive a 2024 Premium and a 2025 GT. Ride quality in all seating positions is better in the GT. It's not just a question of stiffness - the magnetic suspension in the GT provides ride quality even though it is stiffer when it needs to be. It also, in my opinion, provides better handling, and thus an easier driving experience.

 

[bgaviator]

I regularly drive a 2024 Premium and a 2025 GT. Ride quality in all seating positions is better in the GT. It's not just a question of stiffness - the magnetic suspension in the GT provides ride quality even though it is stiffer when it needs to be. It also, in my opinion, provides better handling, and thus an easier driving experience.

Good insight, thanks

 

[Adventureboy]

BTW I stand on my original statement, make sure you are the driver and the ride will always be smooth.

And anyone that decides to ride in the back of our car, well they need to be grateful we even let them ride (in two years we have two passengers in the back).

Daily drives around town are usually 1 or 2 people for us, but it is usually 4 adults on the weekend and when road tripping. Mine is only a 2022 - so far no one has complained about the ride. Maybe they are afraid I might use the big eject button on the bottom of the screen.

 

[wherethelightis]

being a guy that loves any headliner that ISN'T black...how does one "stain" the headliner?

I really don't know, but every car I've owned with a light headliner ends up dirty and gross looking even when I am very careful with my cars. Just takes 1 person with greasy hands to make it look bad.

That being said I do work in heavy industry too lol.

I get why you would like a light headliner because it feels more airy inside, but the panoramic roof kind of balances it out on the MME.

 

[wherethelightis]

The GT doesn’t have a stiffer suspension. Magneride is standard on GTs now so you CAN make it stiff, but you also can choose a setting softer than a premium.

Yeah the GT in whisper is pretty soft IMO. I always keep it in unbridled however as I don't like body roll. Need to get upgraded sway bars next lol.

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