Motor Trend Names Toyota Camry 2007 Car Of The Year

DETROIT (AP)--Toyota Motor Corp's (TM) redesigned 2007 Toyota Camry is the
hottest-selling car in America, and it's also the Motor Trend Magazine car of
the year.
The award was announced Wednesday and went to all Camry variations, including
the hybrid.
Editor Angus MacKenzie says the car is innovative but also has a broad appeal.
The Camry beat 26 other models that were totally new or redesigned this year.
Japanese automakers had 10 cars in the field, which also included six U.S.
models, five from Korea, four from Germany, one from the U.K. and one from
Sweden.
Last year's winner was the Honda Civic.
Last month, the magazine named the Mercedes-Benz GL450 its sport-utility
vehicle of the year.

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

delan - 11/22/2006 10:15:12 AM

+1 Boost

Yehya!. Well deserved!

jasaero - 11/22/2006 10:39:06 AM

-3 Boost

Award paid for by Toyota Motor Corp. marketing division! COTY's are just expensive ad's in MT paid for by agreeing to inflated pricing on ad's in the rest of the years editions. This Camry has some new avialable features and a look and styling that is somewhat improved over the previous models. BUT, if you read forums and blogs on the car, it is a step backwards for Toyota. Even extremely loyal Toyota and Camry buyers are saying it isn't as good of car as past Camry's.

rocker - 11/22/2006 12:54:46 PM

-4 Boost

Dude, completely agree with you. Corruption runs through corporate America and MT, CD and all the other car mags desire the unreportable type of income. It is a great car for its segment. But the front end is so plastic looking and gargantuan that it detracts from the Avalon lines through out the rest of the car. Honda Civic has a much nicer look to it. For this year, Honda's entries look extremely nice. Fit is ten times better looking than the Yaris or Veras.

1970toyotamarc - 11/22/2006 1:50:33 PM

+7 Boost

No, loyal Camry fans are not dissing this car. Nice try. Sales are up, and the car gets rave reviews on Toyota forums. Only sites like this where everyone pretends to own Bimmers does the Camry get such hate spewed at it.

rocker - 11/22/2006 2:24:57 PM

-4 Boost

Toyota boy, open your eyes.

1970toyotamarc - 11/22/2006 2:34:18 PM

+6 Boost

open them to what, exactly? They are wide open every time I see an attractive Camry drive by, or every time I look at that stunning blue and silver dash.

kart1 - 11/22/2006 6:13:15 PM

+5 Boost

Yeah sure, whenever Toyota wins something or dominates something the Toyota haters always say that they paid off the magazine. Have you ever noticed how many times Toyota hasn't won a Motor Trend award, or how many times Toyota looses comparison tests in Motor Trend. But then again those things don't matter right???

rocker - 11/22/2006 8:52:46 PM

0 Boost

kart1, I made the comment on several other posts that all car mags are biased toward one company or another. It is usually the editor. I agree that the Camry is a great car but does it give everyone or even a majority goosebumps. Think not.

Bill - 11/22/2006 11:23:29 AM

-2 Boost

No offense to the Toyota fans, but what is so special about the Camry? It's got a powerful V6 mated to a soft unsporty suspension, doesn't get that good fuel economy as the last generation and styling wise is boring as hell.

The same deal with the Mercedes GL450. A nice SUV, but nothing special or innovative, except perhaps with that improved AWD system.

Homer008 - 11/22/2006 2:19:14 PM

+2 Boost

good.

Homer008 - 11/22/2006 2:20:21 PM

+3 Boost

So don't buy a Camry. There are plenty of others who will.

kart1 - 11/22/2006 6:14:39 PM

+2 Boost

Yeah but whatever Toyota offers with the Camry pleases its customer base quite well.

OneOfOne - 11/23/2006 2:40:23 AM

+2 Boost

whats so special? I dont know, but ask the people who will make it the best selling car in america.

S4cabriofoxone - 11/22/2006 11:26:03 AM

-3 Boost

They must have not been thinking very much.

The Camry really isn't that great, Bill is right.

I mean, it sells very well, but that doesn't mean it's the best car of 2007.

The best car of 2007 should be something exciting- or Motor Trend isn't an enthusiast magazine at all. I could've seen the 335i win, the RS4, the S550, even the LS460, but this?

Bill - 11/22/2006 11:36:00 AM

-2 Boost

100% agree.

1970toyotamarc - 11/22/2006 1:52:25 PM

+2 Boost

Exciting is hardly what I would choose to describe Civics, Impalas, and myriad other COTY winners in the past. I dont put much stock in the award, but it does have to win based on several criteria, not just exciting. You know what, it probably doesnt have "magical feel" or "soul" either.

OneOfOne - 11/23/2006 2:41:22 AM

+1 Boost

hello? car enthusiasts like cars not just sports cars.

audiot - 11/22/2006 11:42:22 AM

-2 Boost

Audiot names Motor Trend Irrelevant Magazine Of The Year.

kart1 - 11/22/2006 6:16:47 PM

+3 Boost

Sure, just because a Toyota wins it is irrelevant. Isn't C&D irrelevant, wait that changed after BMW 335i posted the best numbers.

I'd rather take the opinions of reviewers from these magazines than bias people.

audiot - 11/22/2006 9:40:07 PM

-1 Boost

No, it's because there are so many other cars that showcase the best in automobiles. Others have mentioned them here. The Camry is the bland choice.

EL34 - 11/22/2006 11:44:49 AM

-1 Boost

How many different cars does Toyota use from the Camry platform?

ES350 and Highlander, are there anymore?

So yes Toyota puts a ton of money into the Camry because there are so many off shoots of the car.

S4cabriofoxone - 11/22/2006 11:51:35 AM

-3 Boost

There are also the Solara (obviously), the RX, and... well, yeah, that's it.

But both the GX and LX are also based off of Toyota platforms.

The only Lexuses that aren't are the "sporty" models, if you would count the SC as "sporty".

99gs400 - 11/22/2006 11:46:33 AM

+3 Boost

Dont hate the player, hate the game . MT know what is best for consumers !!!! And smart average amercians know what is best for the money. GRATS TO TOYOTA .

S4cabriofoxone - 11/22/2006 11:52:11 AM

0 Boost

"And smart average amercians know what is best for the money."

That would be the Hyundai Sonata. The Camry is now the most expensive car in this class.

1970toyotamarc - 11/22/2006 1:57:22 PM

+2 Boost

S4, not every model is the most expensive in its class. Plus, anyone shopping with price in mind needs to keep resale value in mind too, which will make the true cost of onership often cheaper than the competition. (hopefully this link works...granted it's for the 2006 Camry, but resale values have not been calculated on 2007 models yet)
http://www.edmunds.com/new/2006/toyota/camry/100566040/cto.html?step=2&setzip=90069

Homer008 - 11/22/2006 6:17:31 PM

+1 Boost

houstoncutie, i'll have to buy you a beer one of these days! You are very smart, aint cha?

kart1 - 11/22/2006 6:18:50 PM

+1 Boost

Yes Hyundai is the best value for its money, but you'll be crying when you trade that value in.

2JZSoarer - 11/22/2006 8:58:11 PM

+1 Boost

Houston are you talking about DENSO??
Because I think Toyota owns a part of Denso.

99gs400 - 11/22/2006 12:54:29 PM

+5 Boost

^^^^^ fewer visit to the repair shop is well worth the money
!!!!

99gs400 - 11/22/2006 1:21:53 PM

+5 Boost

BMW = 38k-130k
MB = 35k- 140k
( Camry ) fewer visit to repair shop = PRICELESS

Rupert - 11/23/2006 11:20:55 AM

-1 Boost

i have to admit that was quite funny

1970toyotamarc - 11/22/2006 2:15:25 PM

+4 Boost

I think it's obvious how happy this makes me!!! The Camry Hybrid is the only mid szie family sedan I would actually aspire to own. Good to see the recognition continue to pour in.

JUGNU - 11/22/2006 2:33:57 PM

+3 Boost

The New Camry is Great.I'll choose it over the A4 and C class.

BTW congrats to TOYOTA.

JUGNU

MercBasher - 11/22/2006 2:49:33 PM

0 Boost

Congratulations to Toyota, who have managed to continually update and evolve the Camry. Whatever happened to the Ford Taurus - barely an update in a decade.

That said I expect the next Honda Accord to overtake the Camry in the US. The current styling of the Camry will age very quickly in my opinion.

1970toyotamarc - 11/22/2006 3:01:13 PM

+1 Boost

The last 2 Accords always followed Camry by a year. Presumablt then the logic would be the newer, perhaps better Accord should take over the lead for a while. But this actuall only resulted in the Accord overtaking the sales lead for one year (out of the 10?).

Homer008 - 11/23/2006 6:58:22 PM

+1 Boost

you asked about what happened w/Taurus? Its discontinued.

jt716 - 11/22/2006 4:41:21 PM

-1 Boost

Doesn't deserve it btw "MercBasher" the fusion is replacing the taurus. Nothing is great abt the camry its boring on the outside its more expensive then a friggin murano with all options.

chewy - 11/22/2006 5:13:43 PM

+1 Boost

Motor Trend gave the Car of the Year award to the Ford Thunderbird couple of years ago and the Lincold LS. Can I say bellyflop. They took the easy choice with this one. A car that offers nothign extra special but is decent for many buyers.

BMW530i - 11/22/2006 5:32:43 PM

-1 Boost

Some folks here have already stated the obvious. The Camry is nothing revolutionary. All Toyota did was add a more powerful engine, a cushier suspension and made the interior look more upscale. That hardly warrants a car of the year award.

Here are some contenders I can think off: Lexus LS450, Mercedes CL and the Audi S8.

BMW530i - 11/22/2006 5:51:25 PM

-1 Boost

Whoops, LS450 should be LS460.

Homer008 - 11/22/2006 6:16:20 PM

-3 Boost

Camry is evolutionary, correct. Why fix something unbroken? I agree w/you on the car of the year award..I think it should have went to the TESLA. But not LexusLS460, Mercedes CL and the Audi S7.

Homer008 - 11/22/2006 6:16:48 PM

-3 Boost

Whoops, Audi S7 should be S8.

2JZSoarer - 11/22/2006 8:55:05 PM

+2 Boost

Damn these hating TROLLS!!!
Stop hating on the success of Toyota.The Camry has come a long way from just being reliable,to now being stylish,powerful,and reliable!

EL34 - 11/22/2006 9:23:20 PM

0 Boost

But, it's such an ugly car.

The front end looks like an attacking squid.

blueice4589 - 11/22/2006 9:00:19 PM

+1 Boost

Umm...Couldn't their be a chance that MotorTrend actually LIKED the 2007 Camry, and they were NOT paid off...I mean give them the benefit of the doubt. I can't see anyone, even die hard big three lovers, saying that Toyota is a horrible company with statistics that say otherwise.

EL34 - 11/22/2006 10:04:14 PM

+2 Boost

I like everything about the car except the body.

I'm just not a fan of Toyota styling, but they do make nice engines.

BMW_DRVR - 11/23/2006 8:30:43 AM

-2 Boost

Why would they give a boat car of the year? LOL

M53R - 11/24/2006 10:22:56 AM

+1 Boost

wow they have gd taste! Car and driver choose the camry as the worst change of the year along with some other cars!

StickShiftCamry - 11/26/2006 7:45:12 PM

+1 Boost

Car of the Year for a reason. For all u haterz. U know u can get a 2007 Camry SE with a 5-SPEED MANUAL Transmission, Leather, Light weight TRD 18's, Moonroof, Navigation & Bluetooth all of which actually work flawlessly. Few of those things did not work well in a 2006 BMW 325i LOLOL. I do like the RWD in a 325i thou. Not as fast as a 2007 Camry V6 SE.

StickShiftCamry - 11/26/2006 7:55:33 PM

+1 Boost

Toyota knows how to make motors, theres nothin like the sound of the 2.4L motor in the Camry SE with a Manual Transmission when you rev match a downshift @ 5k RPM and not worry about it breakin down or visiting a shop everytime u redline/cut-off it. All of that while using your bluetooth. The 3.5 V6 SE sounds more aggressive, but no manual and no way to rev match the downshifts. Camry 3.5V6 is faster than 325, A6 3.2, A4. And more prestigious looking than rental quality Fusion, and skinny looking Mazda 6.