New Toyota Camry Excels in Consumer Reports’ Tests, VW Passat Not So Much
#1
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New Toyota Camry Excels in Consumer Reports’ Tests, VW Passat Not So Much
http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2011/12...-consumer.html
Consumer Reports has just announced its latest test results. This time, the nonprofit organization put two brand-new, family sedans under its microscope – and while the one came up trumps, the other was a mixed bag.
Starting with the new 2012 Toyota Camry, Consumer Reports tested three different models with a four-cylinder, a V6 and a Hybrid engine, all of which ranked amongst the best in their class.
As the magazines notes, compared to the model it replaces, the new Camry has a plusher interior, more responsive handling, improved ride and better fuel economy, with only the increased road noise and some cheap details tainting the overall picture.
In fact, while the 173HP 2.5-liter four-cylinder version ties with the Hyundai Sonata for best-in-class fuel consumption delivering 27 mpg (8.7 lt/100 km), the more powerful 268HP 3.5-liter V6 is just a smidgen more thirsty and, at 26 mpg (9.0 lt/100 km), beats most four-cylinder rivals.
The Camry Hybrid’s main disadvantage is that it has a slightly smaller trunk. Other than that, the qualities of the other versions combined with an average fuel economy of 38 mpg (6.2 lt/100 km), earns it not only the “Recommended” tag, but also the top spot in its class.
The second vehicle tested by CR is the all-new North American market 2012 VW Passat. The magazine says that while the Passat is a clean sheet design, its interior “feels more ordinary” compared to its predecessors and its handling is less agile.
“VW has made the redesigned Passat surprisingly similar to the Camry, but with so-so results”, said Consumer Reports’ Test Center director David Champion, who added that the 2012 Passat is too new to have reliability data.
The base 170HP 2.5-liter inline-five version was criticized for its "antiquated and gruff-sounding" engine and its 25 mpg (9.4 lt/100 km) combined fuel economy. The top-of-the-line 3.6-liter V6 version received much more positive comments thanks to its plusher interior and its smooth 280HP engine.
According to CR, though, it’s not the pick of the range: this title belongs to the 140HP, 2.0-liter TDI diesel model which unlike diesels of yore, is completely devoid of noise, smoke and exhaust smells. Its strongest point is its consumption: the 37 mpg (6.4 lt/100 km) average was quite impressive – though not as much as the 51 mpg (4.6 lt/100 km) it recorded on the highway.
From Consumer Reports press release:
Based on previous above-average reliability, the four-cylinder and hybrid versions of the updated Toyota Camry are Recommended, The previous Camry V6 has not been reliable enough for CR to currently recommend the updated model. The redesigned Volkswagen Passat is too new for Consumer Reports to have reliability data.
Consumer Reports only Recommends vehicles that have performed well in its tests, have at least average predicted reliability based on CR’s Annual Auto Survey of its more than seven million print and Web subscribers, and performed at least adequately if crash-tested or included in a government rollover test.
Based on previous above-average reliability, the four-cylinder and hybrid versions of the updated Toyota Camry are Recommended, The previous Camry V6 has not been reliable enough for CR to currently recommend the updated model. The redesigned Volkswagen Passat is too new for Consumer Reports to have reliability data.
Consumer Reports only Recommends vehicles that have performed well in its tests, have at least average predicted reliability based on CR’s Annual Auto Survey of its more than seven million print and Web subscribers, and performed at least adequately if crash-tested or included in a government rollover test.
Starting with the new 2012 Toyota Camry, Consumer Reports tested three different models with a four-cylinder, a V6 and a Hybrid engine, all of which ranked amongst the best in their class.
As the magazines notes, compared to the model it replaces, the new Camry has a plusher interior, more responsive handling, improved ride and better fuel economy, with only the increased road noise and some cheap details tainting the overall picture.
In fact, while the 173HP 2.5-liter four-cylinder version ties with the Hyundai Sonata for best-in-class fuel consumption delivering 27 mpg (8.7 lt/100 km), the more powerful 268HP 3.5-liter V6 is just a smidgen more thirsty and, at 26 mpg (9.0 lt/100 km), beats most four-cylinder rivals.
The Camry Hybrid’s main disadvantage is that it has a slightly smaller trunk. Other than that, the qualities of the other versions combined with an average fuel economy of 38 mpg (6.2 lt/100 km), earns it not only the “Recommended” tag, but also the top spot in its class.
The second vehicle tested by CR is the all-new North American market 2012 VW Passat. The magazine says that while the Passat is a clean sheet design, its interior “feels more ordinary” compared to its predecessors and its handling is less agile.
“VW has made the redesigned Passat surprisingly similar to the Camry, but with so-so results”, said Consumer Reports’ Test Center director David Champion, who added that the 2012 Passat is too new to have reliability data.
The base 170HP 2.5-liter inline-five version was criticized for its "antiquated and gruff-sounding" engine and its 25 mpg (9.4 lt/100 km) combined fuel economy. The top-of-the-line 3.6-liter V6 version received much more positive comments thanks to its plusher interior and its smooth 280HP engine.
According to CR, though, it’s not the pick of the range: this title belongs to the 140HP, 2.0-liter TDI diesel model which unlike diesels of yore, is completely devoid of noise, smoke and exhaust smells. Its strongest point is its consumption: the 37 mpg (6.4 lt/100 km) average was quite impressive – though not as much as the 51 mpg (4.6 lt/100 km) it recorded on the highway.
#3
Lexus Test Driver
Looking forward to getting this issue soon. Today's mid-size sedan choices are bountiful and about to get even more so when the new Accord debuts in late 2012.
#5
Lexus Fanatic
BUT the Passat looks so much nicer and has a far better interior. It also has more room I think. I guess that will fade pretty quickly. Toyota knows how to make a car for the masses.
#6
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Based on previous above-average reliability, the four-cylinder and hybrid versions of the updated Toyota Camry are Recommended, The previous Camry V6 has not been reliable enough for CR to currently recommend the updated model
recommending a NEW model based on reliability of the completely different OLD model is just bad analysis.
the new Camry has a plusher interior, more responsive handling, improved ride and better fuel economy, with only the increased road noise and some cheap details tainting the overall picture.
According to CR, though, it’s not the pick of the range: this title belongs to the 140HP, 2.0-liter TDI diesel model which unlike diesels of yore, is completely devoid of noise, smoke and exhaust smells. Its strongest point is its consumption: the 37 mpg (6.4 lt/100 km) average was quite impressive – though not as much as the 51 mpg (4.6 lt/100 km) it recorded on the highway.
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#8
Lexus Fanatic
Even a car like the Chevy Volt is not "all new" it is based on an existing platform, and uses a modified version of an existing engine.
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http://www.greencarreports.com/news/...nsumer-reports
Camry Hybrid tops family sedan class. 38 mpg overall on CR's testing loop.
"All three are given the Recommended tag, beating Volkswagen's all-new Passat comprehensively. The Camry was rated highly for its more agile handling, improved interior and better fuel economy. The hybrid model in particular was praised for its 38 mpg rating."
Camry Hybrid tops family sedan class. 38 mpg overall on CR's testing loop.
"All three are given the Recommended tag, beating Volkswagen's all-new Passat comprehensively. The Camry was rated highly for its more agile handling, improved interior and better fuel economy. The hybrid model in particular was praised for its 38 mpg rating."
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Camry hybrid
15.5 sec @ 91.5 mph
36.9 mpg
Passat TDI
16.6 sec @ 83.1 mph
34.3 mpg
overall Consumer Reports got 38 mpg from the Camry Hybrid and 37 mpg for the Passat TDI.
Also why would mpg matter for recommendations. The Civic topped its class in fuel economy on CR's test loop and isn't recommended.
#11
well done to Toyota, but this makes absolutely no sense.
recommending a NEW model based on reliability of the completely different OLD model is just bad analysis.
the new camry is noisier? do not want. but it seems most makers are giving up sound insulation in a quest for higher fuel economy (lowering weight) and i can't blame them because the EPA has a gun to their head.
so 51mpg (which i think blows away the camry hybrid) doesn't allow the car to be 'recommended'? smh.
recommending a NEW model based on reliability of the completely different OLD model is just bad analysis.
the new camry is noisier? do not want. but it seems most makers are giving up sound insulation in a quest for higher fuel economy (lowering weight) and i can't blame them because the EPA has a gun to their head.
so 51mpg (which i think blows away the camry hybrid) doesn't allow the car to be 'recommended'? smh.
As to the TDI, well Camry Hybrid is significantly quicker car and gets better mg, which is probably why it was best in class. They score many other things though, not just the enginr. Civic was not reccomended because of its poor overall rating as an vehicle, even with its reliabilit record being good.
As to the reliability, what exactly do you want them to do? Reliability can be determed only after few years and even then there are often big changes like with new engines coming in. Thats why they go by history, brand, model and engine.
#12
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Seriously...good news for the Camry and we continue to rip it here? Historically past Toyota quality has been an accurate indicator of the new models and they seem to have gotten past the recent quality issues.
Altima wishes it was as mediocre as the Camry
Altima wishes it was as mediocre as the Camry
#13
Lexus Fanatic
#14
Lexus Fanatic
They said that they would stop doing that (recommending new or redesigned models based on reliability of past ones).
the new camry is noisier? do not want. but it seems most makers are giving up sound insulation in a quest for higher fuel economy (lowering weight) and i can't blame them because the EPA has a gun to their head.
so 51mpg (which i think blows away the camry hybrid) doesn't allow the car to be 'recommended'? smh.
In all fairness, however, the new 2012 Camry DOES seem to be better-built, overall, than the 2006 model, though it admittedly lacks some door and sheet-metal solidness.
Last edited by mmarshall; 12-31-11 at 08:31 AM.
#15
Lexus Fanatic
No it makes sense, because almost no new model is in fact 100% new, plus there is history involved. For a very long time, basically every new Toyota model was just as reliable as the last, based on that, CR automatically gave a new Toyota model a recommendation. That changed recently, in large part due to the falling quality of the generation 6 Camry.