Now we are to believe a first year transplant, made in America car that is dumbed down for America, with an older technology engine that is not even sold in other VWs much longer, and is imported to America not even built here, and then inserted into the VW, is better than a homegrown entirely made in America Camry.
Let me tell you, every time that oxygen sensor light comes on, every time the rattles in the dashboard drive you nuts, every time the heater coil breaks in zero degree temperature and radiator coolant leaks, and every time you realize no corner Good Year or Firestone is able or willing to touch this low tech VW, you would hate the moment you made a decision to purchase it.
To compare a VW Passat in any trim to a Camry and proclaim it a better car in its first year, is the height of irresponsibility
Just FYI for those complaining about the price difference for Sonata...As someone already mentioned, the trim level tested does not have Navi or leather interior for beginners. Who knows? Maybe this was way of Hyundai saying "Hey, at least we're selling it cheap!" You don't compare Hyundai to VW. It is only a matter of time before Hyundai is exposed for their style over substance approach.
BD,I don't know what you mean by the VW was slowest BY FAR in all the other tests. Hm, let's see. It lost from 0-30 and 0-40 but then the Camry starts losing ground and is overall beat by the VW in the quarter mile but we'll say it was basically a tie. Then we check everything else. Figure 8, lateral gs and breaking is one pretty easily by the V dub. after all the stats which show the Passat fastest not just in a straight line (call it a tie fine) but around the bends (this time definitely beating both competitors) we look at the road test. It didn't sound to me like MT had any trouble deciding who won in everything in that test. Ride comfort, refinement, enjoyment to drive, quality, everything. And the interior is by far better especially compared to the clearly cheap toyota's. So you put that all together with VW's new rep for quality and Toyota's new rep of not-so-great quality then you understand the price difference. You pay for a better car and its worth it compared to outdated cheap and bring
"Toyota isn't losing sleep over Passat. They may not even know it's been redesigned....."Hopefully they'll sleep right up until the end.
BD,Quote from the article
Away from the test track, the Passat VR6 didn't lose any luster. Over our 30-mile drive loop, we scored it the highest in ride, road feel, refinement, and roominess.
BD,What part of "fun to drive" don't you understand? This has been a factor in all 3 comparisons.
@GT-keithWhich is why I really think they should consider using an Optima next time. I also recently spent time in a rental Sonata (445 miles in 7 days), as well as a rental Optima (1463 miles in 11 days) and the Optima was a better experience all around. I didn't have any violent shaking issues in the Sonata (and it had almost 30,000 on the odo), but it still didn't provide as good of an experience.
Congratulations to Volkswagen for listening to the public and taking a huge risk in building a car that was sure to alienate some longtime VW buyers but might turn out to be a hit with the general public.And kudos to Motor trend for putting the Passat in this comparison in the first place, and having the guts to call it like they see it.
Seems the ringers Hyundai likes to throw at comparisons didn't make it to this one. That is why we see these times and the true driving dynamics, or should I say lack there of, and near bottom FE.Poor fanboys can't accept the truth. Which is, Hyundai, and their cheerleaders over hype the products.
First of all, these times appear to be from automatics and the Pasat and Camry put up some super impressive straight line times. I think that Camry has the superior engine but VW has the superior transmission. If a Camry handled anything close to a VW, it would be my choice of the bunch given Toyota's well-deserved reputation for reliability. Then again, if you drive a VW, they are easy to fall in love with. How else could VW still be in business with all of the reliability gremlins they have had with virtually every car after the original, rock-solid reliability Beetle.I think what is lost is how unimpressive the 2.0T from Hyundai is. I think MT was overly kind on the handling dynamics of the 2.0T. It has the WORST handling feel of any car in this segment. If anything, the 2.0T throws of the balance of the car and makes an already suspect handling car have a handling feel that is like driving a poor handling bumper car.
VRJust point out the multiple errors and hypocrisy
Fortunately, few people are dumb enough to buy a VW as a daily driver, so if VW sells 125k next year, especially after the new Malibu, Altima and Accord have their say, they should throw some type of over-the-top celebration.
Toyota isn't losing sleep over Passat. They may not even know it's been redesigned.....
BD
If there's a bigger wiener out there, I've yet to meet him. All you do is complain.
Hey, did you hear that VW is going to be the largest automaker by the end of the year? Yup, you heard right. Toyota dropped behind VW AND GM this year. They're boring, and as MotorTrend noted in this comparison test, the Camry isn't as awesome as it used to be.
It's funny, all the negativity about VW reliability. Give me a break. You're all just pissed that this "inferior" car has bested the untouchable Camry.
I don't get what MT's obsession with the Hyundai Sonata is for all their comparisons, especially when they can't even bother to get a fully loaded one that competes more directly with the Passat they used.You'd think they'd just use the Kia Optima they have in their long term fleet. It's fully loaded, turbocharged, and the general consensus among auto journalists is that it's a better car than the Sonata anyway. The fact that they get subpar 0-60 times in either vehicle seems to only be a problem they have. Something strange is going on here. I actually like the new Passat and Camry, but it seems MT is not going all in with their third player.
JeremyJames86 - Today 10:54 AMI agree with everyone on the west coast waking up 4 hours after New Jersey.
$33K you get get a lot better rides than a veedub:
- Infiniti G Sedan
- Cadillac CTS Sport Sedan
- Lexus ES350
well... fella, you'd end up with a stripped one.
Had to point out a clear error in the article:"Add that to its being the quickest and most fun to drive, and you have is a sedan unmatched in its class."
Clearly, the Camry matched it in speed. It beat the Passat to 30 MPH, and to 100MPH, and matched it in the quarter, so Passat cannot be considered "unmatched" if the Camry ran with the more expensive car step-for-step.
The Passat IS unmatched in price, efficiency, and value. The Camry and Sonata had better MPG at much lower costs, presenting much better values to the consumer.......
BD
Is value a factor or not (Again, we are talking about family sedans)? Isn't that what a family is looking for in a V6 family sedan? Is THAT the car they would choose? Is THAT the car you would recommend?
Oh........
BD
The cars you mentioned start around $37k and the CTS has 270ho for that amount. While you can get some luxury models in the $33k range- they wont be loaded and they wont have 280hp. The Passat is loaded for that amount of money.
How come people have trouble understanding that MT cannot always get the exact model they want? All the mags complain about this when staging comparos. You have to take what is available from the manufacturers. I also dont get all the comments saying "how can a VW Passat be ranked over a Camry?". What rule sales a VW cant beat a Toyota? If the Passat was the most impressive in this trio than it should be ranked #1.
Agreed with Church123It's like MT went to the same deceptive marketing seminar as GM did.
It is clear now that the Camry is the true winner of all 3 comparos.1. Base Model test: Camry outperformed all
2. Hybrid/Diesel MPG: Camry wins again
3. Performance: Camry is on par with Passat for less and is the most efficient
Or how an entry level, everyman's Camry gets compared to Passat SE and is criticized for having too soft a ride and not enough grip (M+S tires vs. summer tires on the Passat), then the Camry SE (sport package for intenders) is cricized for being too stiff.
And of course, no mention that the Passat V6 is dramatically more expensive and less fuel efficient than the Camry.
Don't get me wrong, if I'm looking at a top of the line V6 sedan, a mpg or two deficit isn't going to be as important to me as some of the other things the Passat has going for it. Of these three comparisons, the Passat winning the V6 category makes the most sense to me. But after your selective memory on the first two tests where the Camry was superior you're going to get called out for your inconsistency
I agree with everyone on the west coast waking up 4 hours after New Jersey.$33K you get get a lot better rides than a veedub:
- Infiniti G Sedan
- Cadillac CTS Sport Sedan
- Lexus ES350
I know who's pocket MT is in now.......
Passat is only $6-8k more expensive.
A hell of a value for a family sedan!
BD
I've driven a rental sonata. Its kinda of rough when accelerating driving and braking. Interior is not as refined either. Now that the sonata have had some real world testing. The flaws are being reported from the consumers.
Gotta love the "VW isn't reliable" slander from all the Toyota fans. That VR6 is a killer engine, just as reliable as the other two in this test. I'm surprised the article didn't mention how glorious the exhaust note is.I'm shocked at how slow the 2.0T is. But then again, it's not the engine's fault. The Sonata is geared for optimal fuel economy (35mpg highway). Drop in some premium fuel and give it some better gear ratios and this would be a much quicker car. I'd love to see Hyundai/Kia give this engine a chance in a different car purpose-built for speed.
@benff:Mags often cannot get press cars equipped EXACTLY as they want. This is nothing new. They have to use the press cars provided. I dont think this comparo was based on features. Sonata is a nice car, but its competition has been refreshed. Everyone is in such awe of Hyundai that now people get mad if a Hyundai isnt seen as the benchmark in any given category. Sonata is now 3rd oldest midsizer on the market and after Malibu comes out it will be 4th oldest. Its hard to stay on top when your competition is so determined.
Short article for a 3 Car Comparison...Until VW fixes it's issues (and stops under styling), I won't be buying one.
Hyundai must be overrating their mpg and horsepower numbers lately. The real world data proves it. Even the old 2006 Sonata V6 with only 235 hp posted 0-60 in 6.8 seconds and weighed 200 pounds more.http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/112_0512_family_sedan_comparison/specs_prices.html
These last few VW articles have hindered Hyundai significantly (as well as Toyota). I am seeing much better numbers in every other site (usually averaging low 6s for the 2.0t). MT, I am loosing faith in you, this seems to blatant of a VW advertisement. Nothing wrong with the VW, but in the past three articles, it's a bit much.I call shenanigans!
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