I generally like MT articles and their knowledge but feel there must be a mistake here. I test drove a sonata hybrid (it was a manager's special car with 800 miles on the odo) and the car was a dealership car which had returned from a 100 mile trip. The trip computer on the dash (it was the base version) said 40.6 mpg average and the manager looked heavy-set and far from being a hypermiling kind of guy.
"To the poster who said Hyundai interiors were plasticky". I found them personally to be on par or better than my Lexus and the gauges, materials were first rate, more often seen on 35K plus cars.
I would really want MT to retest a different Sonata hybrid because the numbers do not seem accurate from other road tests I have read (or) my personal experience at the dealership??
For example 123autocanada got 37mpg on a lead foot
http://www.auto123.com/en/news/car-news/past-topics/sonata-hybrid?topic=sonata+hybrid
@suparag9
If all you (and MT) care about are the feelings of the drive then you (and MT) are not qualified to comment about these cars. Let's face it, all these cars ARE "appliances."
The Camry though, is the proven reliable appliance.
a couple of points:
1. diesel stinkiness refers to your hands when you refuel it, the exhaust is pretty clean.
2. Toyota HSD hybrid tech is as reliable as possible for a car to get.. no belts, no clutches, no transmission, no starter, no alternator, no water pump, no turbo and no direct fuel injection.. and its very likely the brake pads will last 100k miles. The Hyundai tech is new and unproven.. VW TDI reliability and maintenance issues are scary after 5 years, these new diesels (2005-present) are very complicated and have expensive maintenance.. fuel quality is extremely critical with the common rail high pressure fuel pumps.
@Inyurahsya,
VW won because it is a "Car" and for the driver, it is a pleasure to "drive" it.
Camry did not win because it is an "appliance" and for the driver, if he/she is awake, try to avoid the boredom with some tunes..
@lions208487, I guess you have never driven newer VW's and seems your opinions are based on cars more than two decades ago.
I drive a 2006 VW Jetta TDI with 186K miles, I have not had any oil leaks, or oil sludge. As far as you put in oil that meets VW specs, you have no issues. At 50K miles the diesel engines are just breaking in.
I wanted to hear this many "feelings", I'd watch the next episode of "The View".
MT's testosterone is a quart low. And it's mascara is running.
Tell me how it "feels" when the VW's check engine light comes on next week....
BD
I would prefer to wait for the new Altima and Fusion Hybrid before a true comparison test can be made. However, even though Toyota is not my preference by any means, the Camry obviously is the true winner here.
As syj states, it's not all about 0-60 and MPG, but the Camry dominated in both so that deserve recognition. Since Fuel economy is the primary purpose for a hybrid, the Camry wins. Interior and exterior appearence is in the eye of the buyer, I personally would take the Camry over the VW. Despite Toyota's recall issues in the prior two years, they still make a much more reliable car than any VW product period. Intake valve, oil sludge, oil leaks tend to become a common problems with VW's after 50K miles. C/R and JDP consistantly list VW's issues with every years reliability test, and VW is always near the bottom. That alone is reason to go for the Hyundai or Toyota.
"church
That beats Haley's Comet
BD"
Oh, I show up a little more often than that. But when I do, I'm right. Try again :P
Round 1: Base Model
"In terms of power, interior space, useability, and fuel economy, the Camry's the best here." But the Passat is better because it felt better and won.
Round 2: Hybrids/Diesel(MPG)
The camry got 36.9 MPG; the Passat got 34.3 but is better because it felt better and won.
Let me guess...
Round 3: "High Octane" versions
The Camry and Sonata whooped the Passat but the Passat is better because it felt better and won.
Why even have these tests?
Adamlink
I forgot, you do everything someone tells you. You fall for every line
You definitely are the bend-over-and-take-it type......
You didn't read the article, just the final paragraph
But having someone read it for you kind of proves the point.....
BD
All kidding aside, and the fanboyism, I think some people here are misunderstanding what MT was trying to do in this comparison.
This comparison was not purely about gas mileage. If it was, the Focus SFE would have been included, because it gets 40 MPG on the highway. (Or the Fusion hybrid, etc.) It also wasn't meant to be a comparison of ALL the midsize contenders out there . . . because it just isn't practical to test 15 vehicles!
They took the current bestseller (the Camry), the hot newcomer (the Sonata), and a recently redesigned oldtimer, and tried to find out which was the best CAR . . . overall. Price, value, economy, handling, quality, etc.
MT praised each of these cars for their various attributes and criticized each one, as well. I think they were pretty fair. In the end it wasn't like one car was a total turd and the others were made of gold . . . each car did very well. Can you please everybody? Don't think so.
As a VW fan I'm just glad we were invited to the party this year. 
Sorry, Gatt!
(You should try being a Redskins fan.)
BD,
Please do not spill your pollution over to MotorTrend. Keep it to the hot heads and children on Autoblog and LeftLaneNews. We actually enjoy real conversation on this site.
To Black Dynamite and all the others on the Toyota payroll . . .
You're absolutely right. The Camry actually won these two comparisons.
And the Redskins actually beat the Carolina Panthers this past Sunday. The scoreboard must have been wrong.
A couple of misconceptions. 1. VW does have hybrid technology. In the next few years you will see both hybrid gas vehicles and hybrid diesel vehicles here in the U.S.
2. VW didn't go with diesel because it didn't have hybrid technology. They went with diesel because first, it was proven, second, it has fewer maintenance issues when compared to hybrid, third, it's familiar and widely available, and fourth, when synthetic diesel is developed to its full potential, diesel will cost far LESS than gasoline.
3. Where I live the price of diesel varies throughout the year. The most I've seen it is about 20 cents more than gas . . . but I've also seen it 10 cents LESS than gas, depending on the season and availability.
The TDI is not "smelly." You can stand right by the tailpipe while it's running and not smell a thing.
You won't see any diesel residue left around the tailpipe on the bumper, either. In fact, you can run your finger around the inside of the tailpipe and you won't be able to pick up anything.
The TDi is actually cleaner than gasoline in certain particulates, and won the "Green Car of the Year" award when it first came out.
@ pmirp1
If they were comparing hybrids, the TDI would not have been invited and the Camry would likely win. The Camry's acceleration times are faster than a number of yesteryear's V6s, which is quite impressive.
Then again, there is more to a car than 0-60 and mileage. To enthusiasts, things like interior comfort, handling, driving dynamics, and plastic texturing are more important than to the average driver. The Camry appeals to the average driver. VWs tend to appeal more to enthusiasts, although that is changing a bit. Based on early reviews, VW seems to have a particularly sweet spot with the Pasat, even if it does have an ugly grille.
There is also the point that hybrids are not the be all and end all to mileage, although it is hard to argue against their superiority in city and stop and go driving. However, a larger percentage of people drive on highways in most of the country as opposed to 90+% city driving (which is what I do). The Pasat seems to be the best overall car here.
@blackdynamiteNYC
Camry - 2 wins
Passat and Sonata - 0.0
well said my friend. WELL SAID
i only add, Ron Kino doesn't know what he is talking about
When the stars are all in alignment, Church123 shows a small, tiny bit of wisdom.
Camry - 2 wins
Passat and Sonata - 0.0
BD
I've driven this sonata and it is not well put together. The interior has left over bits of plastic in it. Lots of hard plastic panels. The engine is rough. The transmission hesitates at 2nd/3rd gear. Maybe if it had a v6 it'll be better.
I haven't driven the new Toyota so i cant comment on that. I have driven the 2010 model. Its pretty smooth. Reminds me of a Lexus ES.
@himoses
The MotorTrend article seems to be only focused on interstate driving. I mean how many people only drive their cars on the interstate other than editors of MT that have nothing better to do?
To 99% of population, driving efficiency in the city is what matters.
Why does Motor Trend not state how much better the braking for the Camry has become? Remember the regenerative braking is a weak spot for all hybrids and now Camry has improved it.
Also, while most observers admit the dual clutch transmission for VW TDI has hesitation tendencies and there are many articles about it on the web, Motor Trend does not say a thing about all those issues.
Motor Trend clearly does not want to go where it should, which is lack of hybrid technology for VW. VW knows hybridization is expensive, so it leaves that technology for Porsche and expensive SUVs.
Camry gives that technology at its best to masses.
Power to the people, Camry wins outright.
I agree including a Fusion would have been more appropriate for t
As odious as I find it to agree with blackdynamite, he's correct here.
Around town the VW may feel peppy, but out on the highway, the Camry thoroughly crushes it in acceleration - almost 2 seconds faster from 60-80 mph. That's a huge difference in passing power.
And in that aforementioned around town driving, I'll bet the Camry nearly doubles the Passat's fuel economy, never mind that in the US, 87 octane gas is some 10% cheaper than diesel these days.
And while I can believe that the Passat is more engaging to drive vs. the HSD CVT setup in the Camry and its disconnection between throttle and gas engine operation, if you're looking for a fuel sipper in this class, such engagement is not your top priority. And in the end, the Camry did beat the Passat around the figure-8 despite narrower, low rolling resistance tires so it isn't like it's slow in the cut and thrust of the real world.
And in the extra passenger room in the Camry, and world class reliability and I think the Camry has to win this class.
@ pmirp1
Have you driven a TDI? They are hardly smelly. The comparison was for mileage so diesel belongs as an alternative to a hybrid. When it comes to city driving, diesels can't touch hybrids.
I would have liked to see the Fusion hybrid thrown in the mix since it has been the best midsize hybrid for the past two model years.
I guess that didn't have the Fusion Hybrid on hand because its not a "new" model like the trio at hand. Perhaps they are waiting for the New Malibu e-Assist/Fusion Hybrid match up next year.
What a shame about the Sonata Hybrid. It shows that as fast as Hyundai has been cranking out models, something was bound to be a screw up. I'm not a Toyota fan by ANY means but I have to give them credit. The Camry is still a contender..even though its still ho hum!
Why compare a Diesel to hybrids? What logic is there for that? Other than the fact that Diesels get good gas mileage.
A Diesel has very natural driving tendencies, and does not have to deal with dual technologies that are balanced in a hybrid. The Diesel does not have a CVT so of-course it feels better and sounds better to drive.
Still, the Camry is easily much faster, more fuel efficient by EPA standards (remember hybrid comes to light in city where most of us drive) and it is made by a company that has tremendous reliability.
Again this comparison just makes no sense, but by most objective criteria, the Camry wins. Case closed.
Now throw that smelly Diesel back in the sea or to Europe, where it needs to stay. America has no infrastructure for Diesel, as the last gas shortages showed. Do not be fooled
"A salesman at a dealer said they pulled of 700+ miles on one tank. Most of the mpg was achieved on cruise"
A salesperson at a dealer said something highly optimistic about the cars they are selling? Alert the press!
The low real world MPG is an ongoing this for Hyundai. This isn't the first time one has underperformed when it comes to MPG. Sure MT has a heavy foot, but you can't think they were babying the Camry and Passat while just flogging the heck out of the Sonata to produce that result.
@Inyurahsya
Come on man the camry beat it by what 2 mpg in the test. Really is that enough for me to run around with a car that a much lesser drive overall NO!!!!. The Camry did great in this test but its not soooo great that it would win. In a test done by CR it would have one because driving experience doesn't matter to consumer report, but this is motor trend.
Now I could understand if it lost to the hyundai in this test. Now that would be something to be upset about.
Shut up UpstateBD,
VW won.
*** crap lost.
Again, the Camry lost due to driving dynamics when they are testing MPG. Why did they test the XLE against the TDI SE, WTF?
It's funny how MT calls the Passat 43MPG on highway and yet refers to the Camry LE Hybrid as 41 combined as if to dumb tn down a little. Way to twist the truth, MT.
@ BlackDynamiteNYC
Get over it. The Passat is better than the Camry.
VRsicks
@slu1979- Cleary you didn't read that they said it a much worse drive the passat all around. I mean come on you thought they'd prefer to drive a CVT over a 6 speed dct. LOL
Anyways the only vehcile missingh was the fusion hybrid even though people are screaming conspiracy about the passat's performance. I can only wonder why the passat is winning in comparisons on other publications too? I guess VW much be paying off everyone.. LOL
Why did they use the Camry XLE, but not the same trim in the Passat (SEL)? The Camry LE actually gets ANOTHER 2 MPG better than the XLE!
So IF MT wanted to do this on the square, they would test the right car, or add two MPG and subtract $1500 for the Camry.
So an LE Camry Hybrid would get approx. 38.9 MPG and cost $15 more than the Sonata, and cost $205 LESS than the Passat.
PLUS factor in the penalty for diesel gas.
PLUS this is obviously a highway test, and plays to the diesel's strength, and the diesel still got beat. If this was equal parts city and highway, it would have been even more of a blowout!
Again, MT strains to find problem with the Camry to negate it's clearly superior performance, and fails miserably......again.
MT screwed the pooch on back-to-back tests? WOW!
MT doesn't think much of their reader if they can't expect you to see through this TWICE!
MT, for shame........
BD
Hard to pick a winner between the three biggest sponsors of any automag out there, huh?
Luckily the hideous entry placed last, followed by the kind of hideous and very boring entry, right behind the most boring car in the world.
View the original article here
The Nissan Murano's grown popular because it has so few of the usual tired SUV cliches. It's a five-seater without much off-road ability or towing capacity, and it's stylish, too--almost to a fault.
See What the 
As the alternative propulsion sector stands now, Toyota has it pretty good. The do-no-wrong Prius is indisputably the eco car standard-bearer, and continues to sell in healthy quantities -- 83,918 through August 2011. But this is America, land of the pickup truck and midsize sedan. Fortunately for Toyota, it also knows how to build, market, and peddle cars like the 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid. Let's talk fuel economy. Whereas the old Camry Hybrid's 31/35 mpg city/highway pales in comparison to the Ford Fusion Hybrid's 41/36 mpg city/highway and the hybridized Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima (35/40 mpg city/highway), our top-of-the-line 2012 XLE tester does a cool 41/38 mpg city/highway on 17-inch alloys wrapped with low-rolling-resistance 215/55-17 tires. That's a 21-percent combined mpg improvement over 2011. A spirited 200-plus-mile dash of city, highway, and quick, undulating back roads left us with a real-world consumption of 37 mpg. Go with the more basic LE trim -- replete with smaller 16-inch steel wheels and narrower rubber -- and the EPA figure rests at 43/39 mpg city/highway (up 26 percent).The tailpipe emissions-less electric component of the power-split hybrid system is chiefly championed by the 141-horsepower tractive motor. If directed by the continuously variable transmission or slipped into the newly inserted EV mode, the motor alone can propel the Camry Hybrid with a not-unsubstantial 199 lb-ft of torque (peak torque available from 0-1500 rpm). Unless the 1.6-kilowatt-hour nickel-metal-hydride battery is at its most minimal state of charge, driving around town carefully and quietly as a bona-fide EV is a cinch, and doesn't feel particularly penalizing given the motor's output. Toyota claims there is less friction loss in the transaxle and better motor-voltage control aiding the relatively accomplished HSD system. Blending battery and gasoline energy sources in haste produces a net of 200 silky horsepower, up from 187. Powertrain integration is honestly among the best of any hybrid vehicle out there.The soft, floaty ride helps generate the illusion the Camry Hybrid is larger than it really is, a plus if you're constantly shuttling people around. There's sufficient space in the back seat to fit three average-size males abreast without the middle passenger having to curl into a ball -- taxi fleets operating Camry Hybrids should find welcome fares. On paper, the interior dimensions haven't drastically changed, with the biggest numeric differences highlighted in rear leg room (+0.6 inch) and rear hip room (+0.6 inch).Answer: Kind of. The interior design and build materials won't be winning any awards, not even in the pedestrian midsize segment. We found the revised color patterns a bit more inviting, and the ergonomics and controls placement and functionality to be well executed, but in the end there's a lack of intangible warmth in the cabin - it's appliance-like, if you will.Front engine, FWD, 5-pass, 4-door sedan 2.5L/156-hp/156-lb-ft Atkinson cycle DOHC 16-valve I-4, plus 141-hp/199-lb-ft electric motor; 200 hp comb 
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