Posted on 11/22/2006 1:33:53 PM PST by kiriath_jearim
DETROIT -- The redesigned Toyota Camry, the hottest-selling car in America, is the winner of Motor Trend Magazine's 2007 Car of the Year award.
The award, announced Wednesday, went to all Camry variations, including the hybrid, because the car is innovative yet has a broad appeal, magazine Editor-in-Chief Angus MacKenzie said in a statement.
"The Camry is the one car rival automakers all wish they could build. It offers something for nearly everyone -- performance, efficiency and roominess -- at a price point most Americans can afford," MacKenzie said.
The Camry beat 26 other models that were totally new or redesigned in the year prior to Jan. 1, 2007, the magazine said. Japanese automakers had 10 cars in the field, with six U.S. models, five from Korea, four from Germany, one from the United Kingdom and one from Sweden.
MacKenzie said the Camry won in a very strong field.
"There have never been more choices available to American car buyers. That is a fact of life in the 21st century," he said.
Through October, Toyota sold 350,481 Camrys this year to lead all cars in U.S. sales. The No. 2 car in sales is Toyota's Corolla at 330,995, according to Autodata Corp.
Staffers at the magazine evaluated the vehicles on their innovation in engineering, design, safety and technology; their performance and quality; and whether the vehicle delivers value to the consumer.
This is the first year the Camry has won the award.
Among competitors for Car of the Year were the Chrysler Sebring, Saturn Aura, Nissan Altima, Kia Rondo, Honda Fit, Mercedes-Benz S Class, Volvo C70 T5 and the Volkswagen Rabbit.
Last year's winner was the Honda Civic. Last month, the magazine named the Mercedes-Benz GL450 its sport utility vehicle of the year.
(Excerpt) Read more at newsday.com ...
Sigh!
The Avalon is a pretty decent size inside, bordering on large. The Japanese mid-size cars are starting to border on large, at least to the point where my 6'3" frame finds them reasonably comfortable. But as you say, my standards were set with smaller vehicles. My last car was a Sentra. The cars you mention ARE large. Huge, even. I don't know why they don't still make cars as wide as the late 60s/early 70s American cars. The width is what really made those cars big, although to be sure they had plenty of room lengthwise, too, as a 25' long car should have :)
My Accord is actually just big enough for me, leg room wise. I'd like something even roomier, although I don't want to go much larger outside. The Ford 500 looks to be pretty roomy.
Not only the Sonata, but the Ford Fusion has a big price advantage, as well... Around here, a well-equipped 4 cylinder Camry will run almost $21k new. A well-equipped Fusion goes for about $17k new.
And Consumer Reports has the Fusion rated as more reliable than the Camry and Accord
And you can get the Fusion with AWD, if that floats your boat (not available on the Camry)
The Camry is a fine vehicle, but there are many truly competitive vehicles out there available for less....
Foo.
BUY AMERICAN
Well, if you want a truck for use as a truck (and not as a rolling style statement), you can still get a basic F-150 for under $20k.
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