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Midsize Sedans 2.0

18220 messages,  Last post on May 24, 2013 at 7:58 AM

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What is this discussion about? Hyundai Sonata, Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Volkswagen Passat, Mazda MAZDA6, Ford Fusion, Chevrolet Malibu, Kia Optima, Car Comparisons, Sedan

Messages Page 1654 of 1823

#16529 of 18220 Re: 2012 Toyota Camry Leaked: Full Specs and Photos [m6user] by mz6greyghost

Aug 13, 2011 (8:05 am)

Replying to: m6user (Aug 12, 2011 10:46 pm)
It's indeed nice to see activity here again, partly what I wanted to accomplish by posting the article...
 
Since I bought my '10 Mazda6, there has been a few new competitors, and the segment has indeed shifted IMO. The Sonata has polarizing styling, you either like it or hate it, at least exterior-wise. I personally am not a big fan, and IMO the Elantra is worse, simply because it doesn't look any different. I understand the concept of brand identity, but WTF?
 
The Optima OTOH, that's a great looker, and of the Korean twins, Kia has the better looks both inside and out.
 
Either way, IMO the Koreans have really stepped up their game.
 
I'll mention the Regal, since it's also new, and it's a Saturn Aura in a different dimension. Powertrains aren't class-leading, but the styling is euro-nice, if that's a word, and it's given new life to Buick dealers. The new '12 Malibu seems promising, although I really have to see the Camaro-inspired tail in person to make a final decision.
 
Disappointments? The Passat. One word, cheap. Inside, outside, it's VW catering to the lowest common denominator, something the Camry has done for years, and IMO it's terrible. Except the TDI, powertrains aren't very inspiring either (a 5-cylinder, really? IIRC, the last 5-cyl was the Acura Vigor, and that didn't exactly set sales records). The last-gen Passat looked more modern, had better interiors, and actually had character. the new one has none of those, which means it'll sell well, just like the Camry.
 
Altima, Accord, Fusion, Legacy? Umm, lets wait for the redesigns.
 
My 6? Still love it! The interior is still one of the best-in-class, despite being three years old. The exterior is still eye-pleasing to me, and after 15K miles of commuting, people-hauling, stuff-hauling, and a few road trips with 8+ hours per day of driving, it's been flawless.
 
The midsize sedan market is VERY hot right now IMO, but the Camry will still outsell everyone else, since vanilla still outsells all other ice cream flavors...

#16530 of 18220 Re: 2012 Toyota Camry Leaked: Full Specs and Photos [mz6greyghost] by backy

Aug 13, 2011 (9:22 am)

Replying to: mz6greyghost (Aug 13, 2011 8:05 am)
Yep, that Elantra (mid-sized interior) is really awful looking... sales through the roof, and named one of the world's ten most beautiful cars.
 
http://editorial.autos.msn.com/slideshow.aspx?cp-documentid=1175094#8
 
I think the Elantra is better looking than the Sonata. But a lot of people like vanilla ice cream, not pistachio.

#16531 of 18220 Re: 2012 Toyota Camry Leaked: Full Specs and Photos [backy] by m6user

Aug 13, 2011 (4:51 pm)

Replying to: backy (Aug 13, 2011 9:22 am)
I like the Elantra better. At first I thought the hood looked a littel stubby but after seeing it on the road it just seems to work better than the Sonata. I like the Optima design better than the Sonata but still like the Sonata.
 
I like the new Passat and find it to be a lot better looking than the older model. The interior has not been cheapened much at all compared to the way the new Jetta has and the Passat interior still looks and feels a class above.

#16532 of 18220 Re: 2012 Toyota Camry Leaked: Full Specs and Photos [m6user] by backy

Aug 14, 2011 (12:47 am)

Replying to: m6user (Aug 13, 2011 4:51 pm)
I would like the Passat a lot better if it didn't:
 
1) look like a 10-year-old Impala from the side.
2) have a barely adequate base engine (2.5L I5) that isn't competitive in fuel economy with today's mid-sized cars.
 
Actually I like the new Jetta pretty well, trim outside and humongous inside, with an Audi-esque rear. Only the cheap interior materials and the woeful base engine make it a tough car to love.

#16533 of 18220 Hyper Bland by kyrpto

Aug 14, 2011 (4:24 am)

I understand the '12 Camry hybrid is supposed to get 40 mpg.
 
Didn't know they could tweak it that much more.
 
It just looks like a bloated Corolla to me.
 
Our Sonata hybrid has been getting mid to high 30s and some 40 mpg tank fulls all summer.
6,500 miles since purchase 4/29.

#16534 of 18220 press request by kirstie_h HOST

Aug 15, 2011 (12:19 pm)

A reporter is interested in interviewing an individual who recently decided to do routine maintenance or basic car repairs on their own to save money in the struggling economy. The reporter is particularly interested in someone living in California (Southland), but all responses are encouraged. If you would like to comment on your experience, please reply to predmunds.com with your name, location and daytime phone number by 5pm Pacific, Wednesday, August 17, 2011.

#16535 of 18220 2012 Camry by m6user

Aug 23, 2011 (4:08 pm)

Edmunds has their first drive up and some other sites as well. Personally, I like the interior a lot compared to the old. The rear looks ok but I don't car for the front so much. All in all a minor improvedment outside....major improvement inside. From what I've read the interior not only looks better but is made from better materials.
 
MPG has increased on the I4 to better than the Sonata per EPA and they are getting 30mpg out of the V6! That's pretty good but I realize it's not as good as the turbo I4 in the Hyundai/Kia but then again it's a V6 and it goes NOW. I tend to believe you could attain the EPA numbers with the V6 in the Camry versus the turbo 4 in the Sonata and Optima. From what I've read it is more difficult to achieve those EPA numbrs in the turbos unless you baby them and who wants to do that. Isn't that why you buy more HP for, to give it a go now and then?
 
All in all a pretty good improvement. Not exciting but then again these are family midsized sedans so exciting is not what they are. You want exciting....buy a Porsche.

#16536 of 18220 2012 Camry by cannon3

Aug 23, 2011 (8:53 pm)

It does look like a bloated Corolla. Last I read Camry sales were off 18 percent in comparison to last year this time. Toyota needed to do better and IMO has failed. The styling factor is just not there. Bland, safe, no soul = 2012 Camry...

#16537 of 18220 Re: 2012 Camry [cannon3] by tlong

Aug 23, 2011 (10:58 pm)

Replying to: cannon3 (Aug 23, 2011 8:53 pm)
Bland, safe, no soul
 
Sounds just like the current Malibu...

#16538 of 18220 Re: 2012 Camry [cannon3] by m6user

Aug 24, 2011 (6:39 am)

Replying to: cannon3 (Aug 23, 2011 8:53 pm)
I agree it's kind of bland like Malibu, Altima, Accord, Fusion and Legacy and it's pretty safe too but they have addressed, it appears, the main problem they had IMO which was the look and quality of the interior. They also tweaked the suspension for a little better handling which I know probably isn't saying a lot but they don't want to tinker too much. They have a pretty strong fan base that liked bland and safe and a soft ride.
 
And which I4 auto midsize family sedan that we discuss here do you imagine has soul? Besides being hard to define because I'm sure the definition is different for just about everyone.

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