Toyota Camry Named Motor Trend Car of the Year

[scionlife]

The all-new 2007 Toyota Camry has been named Motor Trend's 2007 "Car of the Year." Launched in spring 2006, the new Camry offers a major redesign for the 2007 model year and an available Camry Hybrid option equipped with Toyota's industry-leading Hybrid Synergy Drive.

Long-favored by passenger-car buyers, the Camry remains America's best-selling passenger car eight of the last nine years. Currently in its sixth generation, the all-new Camry offers more interior space, an athletic design with a more upright style than its predecessor, and unique performance enhancements, especially in the Camry Hybrid. The hybrid version sets a new standard for fuel efficiency / performance balance with outstanding EPA- estimated 40 mpg city/38 mpg highway ratings and a net 187 horsepower for the combined hybrid system.

The Camry was selected ahead of 27 contenders in various vehicle segments. The field included: Chevrolet Aveo, Kia Rondo, Saturn Sky Redline, Chrysler Sebring, Kia Sedona, Suzuki SX4, Dodge Caliber, Lexus ES 350, Toyota Camry, Honda Fit, Lexus LS 460, Toyota Yaris, Hyundai Elantra, Mercedes Benz S-Class, Volvo C70 T5, Hyundai Entourage, Nissan Altima, Volkswagen EOS, Infiniti G35, Nissan Sentra, Volkswagen Rabbit, Jaguar XK, Nissan Versa, Jeep Compass, Porsche Cayman, Kia Optima, Saturn Aura

Eligibility for the award was based on several factors including design, value, innovation, performance, safety, technical advancement, quality and market significance. Each vehicle was subjected to a battery of tests, such as skid pad ratings, acceleration and quarter-mile track times, and evaluated on drivability and fuel economy under normal driving conditions.

The 2007 Camry's improved performance, safety and comfort deliver the exceptional value that has helped make this model so admired. Camry sales provide further evidence of its popularity among consumers with year-to-date sales of 374,717 units in 2006. In October 2006, Toyota passenger car sales were led by Camry, which posted best-ever October sales of 33,812. The Camry Hybrid, which went on sale in late April, reported sales of 2,806 units in October.

This marks the third time in the last four years that Toyota has claimed one of Motor Trends' top prizes. The magazine selected the Tacoma pickup as its Truck of the Year in 2005. The Prius Hybrid was named Car of the Year in 2004.

[foxtrot685]

go toyota!!!

[paul34]

You know... I'm with everyone that the Camry really is a "bland" "boring" etc etc car, but really, its obvious that is what everyone wants... otherwise why would so many people be buying it?

We can "criticize" Toyota all we want, but really, they're just making exactly what people want... what other car manufacturers only dream of doing! :clap:

[kdepew]

The Camry might be a really nice family sedan, and it looks alot better than the last generation (except the bump where the Toyota logo is on the front), but it is truly sad Motor Trend calls it the Car of the Year.

They should reserve that title for a vehicle people really aspire to own. Alot of people buy Camrys because it meets their needs (reliable, ergonomic, etc.), but who really gets excited about buying a Camry. I would have much rather that award have gone to the Porsche Cayman or Jaguar XK.

I told myself I was going to cancel my subscription to Motor Trend when they awarded the Prius the Car of the Year award. Too bad I didn't follow through. Car and Driver is a better magazine (although the new layout doesn't impress me much).

[foxtrot685]

id trade my in my xA with a quickness for a '07 Camry SE 4-cyl. with a sunroof!!

[jovan_gonzales]

I am pretty dang impressed not gonna lie, but I really don't think it's the BEST car of the year, definitely one of the best imo. I like the new camry.

I am proud of Toyota, they keep adding to the notion that they are going to take over the world ... soon we'll be eating food made by Toyota and wearing Toyota brand clothing, hahaha!

[burkpe]

My parents bought a 2007 Camry in titanium metallic 5sp auto 4cyc they traded in their 2000 camry on it and its a night and day difference. rides so smooth it puts me to sleep they did an amazing job on the redesign. GO TOYOTA!

[JustAtC]

Other than the interior design, I like everything about the new Camry. This call for a test drive.

[paul34]

foxtrot685 wrote: id trade my in my xA with a quickness for a '07 Camry SE 4-cyl. with a sunroof!!

There is a car with a sunroof and the 4 cyl from the Camry... called the tC! :P

[foxtrot685]

thats true!

[foxtrot685]

the camry is a lil sexier tho

[tortus]

Camry sexier than the tC? What are you smoking? :)

I like the new Camry. It's a major visual improvement over previous models. I also like how the Yaris was designed to look like a "baby Camry"

But in the Camry's price range there are so many more exciting, interesting and sexier cars I'd get. As great as the Camry is, I'll never buy one (maybe a used one that was a steal...)

[JUMBO]

Honda and Nissan have some SERIOUS catching-up to do. Should make for an interesting next-gen Accord and Altima, no?

[foxtrot685]

nissan is so dead. the only thing they really got going for them is the z car and their infiniti lineup. other than that their quality control sucks and their vehicles keep getting worst built/least reliable ratings. look at the nissan armada for example. $50k gets you an suv whose doors are poorly sealed and shake and rumble when you hit bumps. the quest minivan recently got least reliable minivan by consumer reports

and hondas are too much dern money... great value my butt.

[xA_Factor]

^^^ Yeah, I heard that Nissan extended the factory bumper to bumper warranty beyond the normal 3/36 on the Quest a year or so ago, because of the high number of recalls and huge amounts of warranty claims. It was an attempt to keep disgruntled owners happy.....well, happier.

Also, the Armada based QX56 ranked the worst vehicle.....period, for defects per 100 units last year.

[OooThatsSharp]

Way to go Toyota. The new Camry is a great car. It has a little something for everyone. You want a cheap car that gets everyone around? - Get a LE 4-cyl. You want high tech and fuel economy?- Go Hybrid. You want Civic Si crushing acceleration (with your friends in the back seat and all their stuff too)? V-6 SE has your name on it. It's no wonder it's the best selling car. As far as someone else getting the award instead of the Camry - look at the requirements Motor Trend has for a "Car of the Year" - the Camry does all of it!

[dskinner]

I think the Camry is the perfect candidate for car of the year. The purpose of the title is not inteded for the vehicles that we "all" aspire to own such as the Cayman, but rather it is a true comparison that rounds out ALL the factors that go into a car-buying experience. If the car of the year award went to true sports cars only, how would such cars as the Elantra, Sentra and Sebring even have a chance to compete. This contest is all about the impact the vehicle has on society in general and even though the Cayman/Z4 coupe/Sky Red Line are all great sports cars in their own way, they certainly do not impact society such as the Camry does. And yes, thousands of people each month are very excited to purchace a new Camry!

If you are looking for "sportier" vehicles to capture the awards, then look no further to C&D's 10 Best next month, where you will find five of the same car's grace the list from the last ten years along with a few newcomers and even the '07 Camry.

[SactoGuy7654]

The 2007 Camry--once Toyota solved the initial quality issues--has become a very nice, excellent car. The fact even the I4-powered models sport decent acceleration is a testament to Toyota's sound design for the car. Of course, I think the clincher was the Camry Hybrid, which offered very good performance but with excellent fuel economy.

[xA_Factor]

^^^ What quality issues? The only serious one I was aware of, was the problem with a few early 6-speed autos.....and only a very small number at that.

[foxtrot685]

xA_Factor wrote: Also, the Armada based QX56 ranked the worst vehicle.....period, for defects per 100 units last year.

i know... my step father has one. i drive it periodically and ask him "is this model engineered by kia???" lmao he gets so mad its funny