Toyota Camry

The Camry was last redesigned for the 2008 model year. Some material used in this review may refer to earlier model years that are substantially similar. The Camry is available in a stripped-down base model, a better-equipped LE edition, a sport-tuned SE model and a top-of-the-line XLE trim level. The 2011 Toyota Camry Hybrid, a close variant of the gas-only Camry, is reviewed separately.

Shoppers might want to note that 2007 through 2010 Camry sedans were included in a pair of massive and highly-publicized recalls due to allegations that a Camry, under certain conditions, could accelerate even when its driver wasn’t touching the gas pedal. A Toyota spokesperson tells us that the 2011 Camry’s accelerator pedal is a new design that's not affected by the recalls. The 2011 Toyota Camry is also one of the first Toyotas to feature a new brake override system, which ensures that the engine can’t cause the car to accelerate while the brake pedal is being pressed. There have been no allegations of unintended acceleration regarding the 2011 Toyota Camry, but it has only been on the market for a very short time.

Camry Performance - 7.6 (Good)

The 2011 Toyota Camry is built to serve as a comfortable daily driver. Those looking for a family car or commuter with a gentle ride will be satisfied with what the 2011 Camry has to offer. But auto writers are generally unimpressed, calling it one of the least exciting rides in its class.

Camry Exterior - 7.9 (Good)

Auto critics aren’t impressed with the look of the 2011 Toyota Camry. Terms like “dull” and “conservative” appear again and again in reviews. In fairness to Toyota designers, the Toyota Camry has been the best-selling car in America for eight straight years. It's hard for it to look distinctive when it’s such a common sight.

Camry Interior - 8.4 (Very Good)

The Toyota Camry has always been known for its exceptionally comfortable cabin, and that remains true with the 2011 Camry. Reviewers say it is spacious and thoughtfully designed. With the 2011 model, however, we’ve seen a number of reports of problems pertaining to build quality. 

Camry Safety- 7.4 (Good)

The 2011 Camry has not been crash-tested yet. However, the mechanically-similar 2010 model did very well in both government and insurance industry crash tests. The 2011 Camry is one of the first vehicles Toyota has produced since its series of high-profile recalls involving unintended acceleration. Toyota sources tell us it features a redesigned throttle system. 

Camry Reliability - 7.0 (Good)

The 2011 Toyota Camry reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). The 2011 Toyota Camry is covered by a three-year or 36,000-mile basic warranty, and a five-year or 60,000-mile powertrain warranty. 

2011 Ford F-150

The 2011 Ford F-150 is available in 11 different trims, not including the different cab configurations (regular, extended or crew), bed lengths (5.5 feet, 6.5 feet, or 8 feet), or engine choices (two V6’s and two V8’s).

For 2011 the F-150 comes with a slew of new engines. A base 3.7-liter V6 produces 302-horsepower and a 5.0-liter V8 with 360-horsepower are the two bottom rung engines. Surprisingly positioned above the 5.0-liter V8, Ford is introducing a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 with 365 horsepower. F-150s equipped with the twin-turbo mill are capable of towing 11,300 pounds, just as much as the top line 411-horsepower 6.2-liter V8. Off-road oriented SVT Raptor, luxurious Lariat Limited and special Harley-Davidson edition F-150s come standard with the 6.2-liter V8. All models receive a six-speed automatic transmission.

Other changes include a 4.2-inch LCD display in the gauge cluster that displays information about fuel economy, towing and off-roading. A new three-point safety belt now rests in the middle passenger position of bench-seat equipped F-150’s. Driver’s also benefit from integrated spotters mirrors in the side mirrors.

Renault Meganne Cabriolet

The Coupe-Cabriolet is, on average, an astonishing 25% heavier than the Megane hatch. This has serious implications when it comes to performance. Take the most popular 128bhp 1.4-litre petrol turbo (TCe 130.) It has to cope with a hefty, big-car 1.5-tonne kerbweight. Against the clock it takes 10.7 seconds to complete the 0-62mph dash and it tops out at 124mph. That doesn’t sound too bad even though it is a whole second slower than the hatch. On the road it’s a different story. Quite frankly the little turbo struggles and has to be worked very hard, which is completely at odds with the relaxed nature of the droptop Megane. We would avoid it and the 2.0-litre CVT petrol (0-62mph 11.7 seconds) and consider the 178bhp TCe 180 instead. That engine helps reduce the 0-62mph to 8.6 seconds and has far more low-down punch. A better bet still is the 128bhp dCi 130 and the 158bhp dCi 160 diesels. Although even then, the most powerful 2.0-litre diesel, still feels underwhelming in the performance department. Despite plenty of torque, 0-62mph takes 9.4 seconds topping out at 134mph. The firm’s new double-clutch auto is also available, but only on the base 109bhp dCi 110. The new auto offers smooth changes, but again, weight blunts its best efforts.

2012 Ford Focus

ExteriorThe Focus is an exceptionally stylish vehicle in this historically conservative class. It offers body-colored door handles and side mirrors, with integrated turn signals. Standard wheels range from 15-inch steel rims on the Focus S to 17-inch alloys on the Titanium trim level. There are many optional alloy wheels as well, topping out at 18 inches for the Titanium.

A rear spoiler comes on the sedan's optional SE Sport Package. Ford also offers a wide selection of graphics packages that can be applied to either body style at the dealership.
InteriorTwo cubic feet smaller than the 2011 model, the 2012 Focus' interior compares to the 2011 Civic and Corolla, with less backseat room than more recent introductions like the Cruze. The interior quality is notably higher than in the 2011, with standard cloth and, in higher trim levels, optional leather upholstery. Heated front seats are also optional.

The two lower trim levels come with a one-piece, folding bench backseat, and a 60/40-split version is optional on the SE and standard on the two higher trims. At 13.2 cubic feet, the 2012's trunk is 0.6 cubic foot smaller than last year's model. The hatchback, which hasn't been offered since the 2007 model year, offers 23.8 cubic feet behind the backseat and a total of 44.8 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded flat.

Standard and optional features include heated side mirrors, remote start, a keyless-entry keypad, satellite radio, a navigation system, a backup camera, a moonroof, Sync and MyFord Touch. An automatic parallel-parking option will come later in the model year.
Under the HoodThe Focus' engine is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that can team with a five-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic, which is a fast-acting dual-clutch automated manual. (It has no clutch pedal and operates as an automatic from the driver's perspective.)

According to Ford, the Focus will achieve as high as 38 mpg on the highway with the automatic and 36 mpg with the manual. The best efficiency will come with the Super Fuel Economy option later in the model year, which for $495 will deliver 40-mpg highway with the automatic.

The Focus offers two suspension tunings, tied to wheel size. The base covers all wheel sizes from 15 to 17 inches. The Titanium's optional 18-inchers come with a firmer, sportier suspension and pricey Michelin Pilot Sport 3 summer performance tires.

Volkswagen Golf Mk5

The fifth incarnation of the Golf went on sale in February 2004. There was a choice of 1.4, 1.6 or 2.0-litre petrol engines, and 1.9 or 2.0 TDI diesels, along with a normally aspirated 2.0 SDI unit. The GTI didn’t arrive until January 2005, followed by the 247bhp R32 within the year.
In June 2005 the taller Golf Plus appeared, and in the same month in 2006 the 138bhp 1.4 TSI replaced the 2.0 GT. A year later, the estate was launched, alongside a 170bhp 1.4 TSI.
What to look forALL MkVs had a variable service indicator, but only buyers who opted for it had it activated. You can get it switched on no matter how old the car is – vital if you do high miles, as it can allow you to go twice as far between checks.
A squeaky clutch on 1.9 TDI points to weak release bearings. Also, high oil levels on TDI PDs could mean diesel has got into the injectors, ruining the engine.