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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.
