Consumer Reports selects Camry Hybrid as best family sedan

This is a somewhat inaccurate headline and story. The CR article they were quoting from is really a brief face off article, generally comparing various camry models to various passat models.

However it is true that the 2012 Camry XLE Hybrid is tied for first among "Family" sedans. Both it and the Altima V6 score a 93, followed by camry v6 at 92, Altima 4cyl at 91 and Accord v6 at 90.

Other highly rated sedans include the Lexus LS 460 at an astonishing 99 (ultra luxury), the ES350 at 91 and Hyundai Genesis 3.8 at 92 (both upscale), the Infiniti M37 at 93 (luxury), and the G37 at 95 (sports).

 

I received my print edition of CR today and the '12 HyCam is in there.

Their city mileage result was quite impressive (on CR's harsh test). They got 32 city/43 highway and 38 mpg overall. Compare that to Most fuel-efficient cars. I'd imagine that '12 HyCam will be added there soon. The definitely beats the FFH.

The non-hybrid 173 hp 4-cylinder '12 Camry got 19 city/41 highway, 27 mpg overall.

What's pretty amazing is that the 268 hp 3.5L V6 '12 Camry didn't do that much worse overall in FE with 17 city/37 highway and 26 mpg overall.

Other Priuschatters who drove the '12 HyCam and myself remarked that it was pretty fast. Well, on CR's tests the NAH used to be at Consumer Reports - Fuel economy vs. performance but is gone now.

Here were '08 NAH's results (which only got 27 city/36 highway, 32 mpg overall on CR tests):
0-30 mph in sec: 3.1
0-60 mph 7.6
45-65 mph: 4.4
1/4 mile time and speed: 16.0 @ 90.3 mph

'12 HyCam:
0-30 mph in sec: 3.2
0-60 mph 7.6
45-65 mph: 4.6
1/4 mile time and speed: 15.9 @ 92.0 mph

That makes it pretty quick indeed, but w/way better mileage than the NAH. So, it's not surprising Nissan axed the NAH for '12.