Camry places first in MT comparo (grabs popcorn)
03-15-10, 07:34 PM
#16
Lexus Test Driver
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: il
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
also, i can't believe the low 0-60 numbers on all cars. Edmunds had it 7.7 for sonata and edmunds is notriously slow on 0-60.
and a new sonata owner recently posted 7.2 0-60 with a timer.
and a new sonata owner recently posted 7.2 0-60 with a timer.
03-15-10, 07:37 PM
#18
Lexus Test Driver
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: il
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
no that would be Kia sorento. 59 decibel compared to 68-69 on these midsize 4 bangers.
sonata limited do have 2nd quietest official decibel numbers, but they tested SE which is noticeably more noisy. i think having a 18 inch wheel is a big factor in a road noise too.
03-15-10, 07:38 PM
#19
Lexus Fanatic
Most editors' noggins contacted the rear ceiling (despite those best-in-class rear headroom figures
The previous model's interior design and ergonomics were also deemed richer looking and more user friendly.
The previous model's interior design and ergonomics were also deemed richer looking and more user friendly.
That's JUST what I said about the old and new Sonatas....the superiority of the old model's interior, and how the droop-rear roofline affects entry/exit for taller people on the new one. I was roundly criticized by several CL posters when I did.
03-15-10, 07:43 PM
#21
Lexus Test Driver
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: il
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
no that would be Kia sorento. 59 decibel compared to 68-69 on these midsize 4 bangers.
sonata limited do have 2nd quietest official decibel numbers, but they tested SE which is noticeably more noisy. i think having a 18 inch wheel is a big factor in a road noise too.
03-15-10, 08:05 PM
#22
Lexus Fanatic
About the Camry:
Absolutely. I agree 100% that this is the way that dash controls SHOULD be designed.....here we can learn from the past. Sometimes newer and more complex is not always better.
I disagree, however, that the Camry's interior has nice materials and fit/finish. The climate-control ***** are too wobbly, and the silver-trim plastics are a joke.
we can't help being impressed by the gigantic back seat, huge trunk opening, and breathtakingly simple cockpit ergonomics. The base radio employs two big ***** and six station preset buttons, as they all did for most of a century. Three more ***** control the heat and air. We've sampled more heavily optioned Camrys with navigation, and while they're more involved than this, they're also elegantly simple to master. The materials and build quality suggest this could be the priciest car in the group,
I disagree, however, that the Camry's interior has nice materials and fit/finish. The climate-control ***** are too wobbly, and the silver-trim plastics are a joke.
Last edited by mmarshall; 03-15-10 at 08:08 PM.
03-15-10, 08:05 PM
#23
Lexus Test Driver
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: il
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This is just my opinion, but the Camry won because M/T think midsize buying American will like it the most - quiet, smooth ride, easy to drive, simple controls meaning overall just the epitome of a basic, nothing too fancy. just a decent unoffensive sedan.
and if that's a case, why did they have to chose SE over limited on sonata? why did they go for more performance oriented one than the one that was supposed to be more camry like?
and whatever happened to mazda6? that's not fair for mazda. i can understand optima not being there because it's severely dated. is mazda6 too sporty for this segment? i would be very angry if i was a mazda6 owner. if they are going to compare midsize sedan they should've included mazda6. i know kizashi is a new kid in town and it's not 'best selling', but mazda6 should've been there IMO.
obviously camry being #1 basically means they really didn't put too much emphasis on:
Fun to drive - this is just my opinion, but camry has absolutely zero fun to drive factor just like my wife's elantra. I'm not hating, but that's what camry is. you get no fun out of camry.
style- maybe it's just me but, i find sonata, fusion, malibu much more visually appealing than camry
features - don't quote me on this, but sonata they tested should have much more features than camry. that's why the price is alot more. it also has NAV. basically 26k SE is the loaded one with everything on it.
camry to me is just a decent car with the one of the best reliability(until the recall). but it's hard for me to understand camry winning a comparison test just like it's very hard to imagine my wife's hyundai elantra beating civic or mazda3.
and if that's a case, why did they have to chose SE over limited on sonata? why did they go for more performance oriented one than the one that was supposed to be more camry like?
and whatever happened to mazda6? that's not fair for mazda. i can understand optima not being there because it's severely dated. is mazda6 too sporty for this segment? i would be very angry if i was a mazda6 owner. if they are going to compare midsize sedan they should've included mazda6. i know kizashi is a new kid in town and it's not 'best selling', but mazda6 should've been there IMO.
obviously camry being #1 basically means they really didn't put too much emphasis on:
Fun to drive - this is just my opinion, but camry has absolutely zero fun to drive factor just like my wife's elantra. I'm not hating, but that's what camry is. you get no fun out of camry.
style- maybe it's just me but, i find sonata, fusion, malibu much more visually appealing than camry
features - don't quote me on this, but sonata they tested should have much more features than camry. that's why the price is alot more. it also has NAV. basically 26k SE is the loaded one with everything on it.
camry to me is just a decent car with the one of the best reliability(until the recall). but it's hard for me to understand camry winning a comparison test just like it's very hard to imagine my wife's hyundai elantra beating civic or mazda3.
Last edited by joe80; 03-15-10 at 08:22 PM.
03-15-10, 08:15 PM
#24
Lexus Fanatic
This is just my opinion, but the Camry won because M/T think midsize buying American will like it the most - quiet, smooth ride, easy to drive, simple controls meaning overall just the epitome of a basic, nothing too fancy. just a decent unoffensive sedan.
and if that's a case, why did they have to chose SE over limited on sonata? why did they go for more performance oriented one than the one that was supposed to be more camry like?
and whatever happened to mazda6? that's not fair for mazda. i can understand optima not being there because it's severely dated. is mazda6 too sporty for this segment? i would be very angry if i was a mazda6 owner. if they are going to compare midsize sedan they should've included mazda6. i know kizashi is a new kid in town and it's not 'best selling', but mazda6 should've been there IMO.
and if that's a case, why did they have to chose SE over limited on sonata? why did they go for more performance oriented one than the one that was supposed to be more camry like?
and whatever happened to mazda6? that's not fair for mazda. i can understand optima not being there because it's severely dated. is mazda6 too sporty for this segment? i would be very angry if i was a mazda6 owner. if they are going to compare midsize sedan they should've included mazda6. i know kizashi is a new kid in town and it's not 'best selling', but mazda6 should've been there IMO.
Last edited by mmarshall; 03-15-10 at 08:20 PM.
03-15-10, 08:24 PM
#25
Lexus Test Driver
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: il
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
well, those are pretty much irrelevant cars.. but mazda 6? what did mazda do to M/T?
is mazda6 positioned to be more higher end? i don't know. but many mazda6 owners from other board is absolutely mad that their cars were not included.
i can understand passat not being there because it's more pricey..
is mazda6 positioned to be more higher end? i don't know. but many mazda6 owners from other board is absolutely mad that their cars were not included.
i can understand passat not being there because it's more pricey..
03-15-10, 08:42 PM
#27
Lexus Test Driver
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: il
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
they are very very confused.
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...n/results.html
last year they had Passat #1, sonata #2, and camry #3.
1ST PLACE VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
Despite a high sticker and thirst for premium, wins by a nose due to driving fun.
so if mazda6 and passat were included, we might see a different results.
utter crap if you ask me.
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...n/results.html
last year they had Passat #1, sonata #2, and camry #3.
1ST PLACE VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
Despite a high sticker and thirst for premium, wins by a nose due to driving fun.
so if mazda6 and passat were included, we might see a different results.
utter crap if you ask me.
03-15-10, 09:09 PM
#28
Lexus Test Driver
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: il
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Basically what they are saying is that the last year sonata would've been #1 in this comparison test if they did add the 2010 sonata.
i totally disagree with that. I really do think current gen sonata is much better than the last gen. last year's sonata is just like camry. reliable, roomy, unoffensive, but kinda boring over all car. yes, it's a great family car, but is it better than stylish 2011 sonata? No friggin way. last gen sonata was as bland as a baked potato with no salt. it gets job done, but what's fun in that? new sonata looks like a luxury car compared to last gen sonata. people pass by hundreds of last gen sonatas everyday, but people probably won't even notice them.
i totally disagree with that. I really do think current gen sonata is much better than the last gen. last year's sonata is just like camry. reliable, roomy, unoffensive, but kinda boring over all car. yes, it's a great family car, but is it better than stylish 2011 sonata? No friggin way. last gen sonata was as bland as a baked potato with no salt. it gets job done, but what's fun in that? new sonata looks like a luxury car compared to last gen sonata. people pass by hundreds of last gen sonatas everyday, but people probably won't even notice them.
03-15-10, 09:21 PM
#30
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
MT did a good job with this comparo.
The Camry is dull, boring and plain, but highly functional, refined, and high quality.
The Camry is dull, boring and plain, but highly functional, refined, and high quality.