Camry Wins Edmunds' Comparison Test : New Toyota camry new car review 2008

Camry Wins Edmunds' Comparison Test : New Toyota camry new car review 2008

Camry Wins Edmunds' Comparison Test
by Anthony Fontanelle
Edmunds.com, the leading online source for auto information, recently tested three hybrid sedans to find out which tops the field. The comparison test was done between the Toyota Camry Hybrid, the Nissan Altima Hybrid, and the Saturn Aura Green Line, the latter being the hybrid version of the reigning North American Car of the Year.Each of the three hybrid sedans has each own positive and negative feedbacks but in the end, Edmunds judged the Camry Hybrid as the best of the lot. Normally, the test would have included the Accord Hybrid, but earlier this year, Honda announced that they will no longer produce Accord Hybrids. Second to the Camry Hybrid is the Altima Hybrid and number three on the ranking is the Saturn Aura Green Line.According to Edmunds, the criteria they have used to determine the winner of the comparison tests is based on the concerns of hybrid auto buyers. Fuel efficiency is the foremost concern. After all, hybrids are becoming more and more popular due to the increasing price of gasoline. Performance is also considered but only to a minor degree. The prices of the vehicles are also considered.The Camry, according to Edmunds, topped the list in terms of fuel efficiency. In a road test conducted by Edmunds, the Camry posted a combined highway and city gas mileage of 43.2 mpg. On city driving though, the Altima Hybrid is the leader. While the Camry returned 44.5 mpg on city driving, the Altima posted a 47.3 mpg. The Saturn Aura Green Line cannot come up with gas mileage rating even close to that of the Altima and Camry Hybrids.The reason for this is that Saturn's hybrid powertrain is a 'mild' hybrid. This means that while it has an electric motor which provides additional power to its internal combustion engine, it cannot power the car alone. In contrast, the Camry Hybrid's powertrain allows its electric motor and battery pack to power the sedan on low power operations like deceleration.Edmunds' Inside Line Senior Road Test Editor, Josh Jacquot, has this to say about the Camry: "It's the Camry's abundant features, comfortable ride and fuel-sipping efficiency that takes it to the top of the podium in this test. The simple fact about the Camry Hybrid is that, like the standard Camry, you get a lot of car for your money."Meanwhile, the Nissan Altima hybrid also pleased Edmunds with its roomy interior and power output. The Altima Hybrid is the first hybrid vehicle marketed by Nissan. Its powertrain technology is the same as that used in the Camry Hybrid and the popular Prius. Edmunds' consumer advice editor Philip Reed has this to say about the Altima Hybrid: "The Nissan Altima Hybrid has basically flown below the radar. If you drive it right the Altima can get 37 miles per gallon in urban driving. To achieve that in a car that is roomy and has a pleasing amount of power is amazing...the Altima was my top pick of the three hybrids."The Saturn Aura Green Line also impressed Edmunds with its redesigned interior. This is the product of the automaker's partnership with German automaker Opel. With its wide array of standard features and other Saturn accessories, the Aura Green Line is still the lowest priced of the three. In the end, consumers will have the last say as to whether they will buy a Camry Hybrid, an Altima Hybrid, or an Aura Green Line.