Comparison of Toyota Camry and Volkswagen Passat. Ford Mondeo, Toyota Camry, Volkswagen Passat: comparative test Comparative test drive Toyota Camry Volkswagen Passat

Large sedans in Russia it is, first of all, Toyota Camry and Volkswagen Passat. Sales volumes of Korean or French cars are minimal, and premium sedans are left out of the test. Still, only these cars can boast of more or less serious figures in the sales volume graphs.

Globally Volkswagen concerns and Toyota are bitter competitors. From year to year, both companies beat sales records, pulling the title of the largest in the world from each other, but in the local confrontation of two specific brands on Russian market is driven by Toyota. And this is largely due to the success of the localized four-door Camry, which has been holding the title of the most popular business sedan on the Russian market for many years in a row. The secret of success is simple and simple: the reputation of a reliable car, customer loyalty to the brand and, most importantly, a very attractive price tag, thanks to which the model has long become a familiar attribute of an average civil servant and a fully formed private trader.

Almost the same could be said about the Volkswagen Passat, but one would have to make an adjustment for the price and, as a result, sales volumes. We have loved the Passat for generations, starting with the famous B3 of the late 1980s. A reference car by the standards of the middle class, the car has always been prevented from becoming an absolute bestseller only by the higher price tag compared to the Japanese, but also on the streets and in corporate garages, Passat has always been known as a very worthy car. It is a pity that the current eighth entered the market at such an unfortunate time, when the euro rate skyrocketed, the organization local build turned out to be meaningless, and the credibility of the brand was noticeably crippled by the diesel scandal. However, it doesn't smell like a failure - the Russian price tag is no worse than that of competitors from Korea, and with careful handling of the configurator, the new Passat may well compete even with the Camry. The only question is what exactly he will be able to offer for this money in a segment where all the options seem to be scheduled by the Japanese for years to come.

We are used to considering the Passat an overgrown European class "D", and Camry has always been recorded in the "E" segment, and visually, the Japanese sedan seems larger. But the concept of a mid-size sedan has long been blurred, and in terms of numbers, the Passat of the eighth generation even slightly surpasses the Camry in both length and wheelbase. Even the Camry's huge stern contains less than the reported VDA-liters in the luggage compartment. The Passat hides its volume under the elegant body lines, framed by discreet chrome and chiseled LED optics. There is a charisma in these almost straight designer strokes that the model, perhaps, has not yet had. Volkswagen cars can be considered boring, but the eighth generation sedan is spectacular. The strict lines make the look solid, and the stern frowning face hints that the owner is not up to jokes. Probably, this is how the new Phaeton should have looked, but so far it is the Passat that is visually perceived as the most representative car of the brand.

The updated Toyota Camry doesn't seem easy either. With the stretched smile of the narrow radiator grille and the wide mouth of the front bumper air intake, the appearance of the sedan has become more interesting and visually more expensive. Camry, of course, is not a beauty, but the car is not without ambition - deliberately large and in places awkward sedan, it seems, just screams about its high position. Although the interior with an abundance of leather and wood seems expensive only at first glance. In fact, everything is simpler: plastic wood-like lining looks naive, leather upholstery is simple, and hands now and then stumble upon simple plastic parts. However, everything was done soundly, albeit without any trick. Optitronic devices are clear and understandable, on the steering wheel there is an arsenal of buttons for controlling on-board electronics, and on the tunnel there is a tray for wireless charging of gadgets - an almost ingenious thing, which, alas, has been implemented so far only in a dozen expensive smartphones.

The interior of the Passat is gorgeous even without all the luxury tinsel. It is drawn so neatly and precisely that for the first time it seems like it was in one of the new Audi models. Although there are actually more elements from the younger Golf. And no flirting with pseudo-wood: lacquered panels, strict chrome and aluminum, well-made leather. The top of the panel is skillfully styled as ventilation deflectors, the console is slightly turned towards the driver with a slight hint, and the embossed steering wheel is slightly truncated in a sporty way at the bottom. It is clear that in simple versions, traditional scales with a small screen in the middle are installed, but such devices look very good too.

Both the basic Passat seats and the more expensive ones with a dozen electric drives grip the riders equally well and are easily adjusted to almost any figure. And on the back couch you don't have to think about your own dimensions at all. Passengers taller than 180 cm in the rear seats of the Passat do not have to bend their heads at all. There is also an indecent amount of knee room - in terms of the amount of space between the rows, the Passat will lose only to the Skoda Superb liftback with its long base.

There may not be more space in the second row of the Camry, but there is also a lot of it, and for representative purposes this is a definite plus. In addition, the top version of the Camry is equipped with separate back seats with electrically adjustable backrests and a separate climate control panel, which is a rarity even in the premium segment. The front seats are not at all the amorphous sofas that were known before. Perforated leather hides precise electric drives and adequate waist support. But the sportiness in the seats is zero - the position obliges to have wide-spaced and unobtrusive lateral support rollers. The slender driver is too spacious here, the fuller one is just right. Ergonomics are appropriate: soft padded seats, relaxed seating position, large steering wheel.

An interesting detail: the Japanese sedan in the version with separate rear seats has a less capacious trunk, and the seats themselves do not fold - only a modest hatch for long vehicles is at the owner's disposal. The simpler versions offer a standard set of transformations - the back of the rear sofa can be reclined in parts into the salon. The Camry's wide luggage compartment is simple, but spacious. Roof rack Passat It's a pity to load, like an expensive wardrobe with good finishes, convenient hooks and compartments for small things, where you don't want to put your street shoes at all. Here, the lid also rises by itself, you just have to wave your foot under rear bumper... Of course, for a surcharge.

The character of the 1.8-liter Volkswagen turbo engine is well-known, and in the modern 180-horsepower version it is even more incendiary. With such a large torque shelf, it can be used for lazy relaxed driving too, but this style is not for the Passat owner. Juicy acceleration in each gear, instant DSG shifts - for intense acceleration, you don't even have to twist the engine to the red zone. It is clear that at low revs, when the turbine barely moves, the engine is weak, but the smart DSG gearbox does not allow the turbo engine to work in such modes. Unless, with a quiet ride, she prefers higher gears too much.

The Camry does not have incendiary turbo engines, but in the case of a 2.5-liter aspirated engine, this is neither good nor bad: the average engine in the lineup spins up smoothly and confidently, delighting with a decent supply of traction at almost any speed. One has only to press down the gas, as the sedan gratefully responds with strong acceleration. The elasticity of this engine does not occupy. The Camry six-speed automatic transmission does not have an honest manual mode (the lever can only limit the gear range), but it is not required. Camry 2.5 fits into city traffic without annoying box lags, and this is quite enough for a confident drive. The ragged rhythm is not for her - the “automatic” is tuned for comfort and switches calmly and accurately.

From generation to generation, the Camry has become more responsive, and after the last update, the suspension seems almost European elastic. But the car did not become a driver car. The Camry chassis imperceptibly sorts out road trifles, but the suspension lets more defects into the cabin. On a straight line, the sedan is very stable and predictable, but there is no excitement in the corners. Just overspeed, and the car slides safely out of the corner. And at the same time, the steering wheel is, one might say, empty.

The Passat is a different matter: precise, fast and responsive, it reacts almost instantly to the driver's actions, giving a feeling of complete control over the car. And all this despite the fact that the eighth generation sedan has become even more comfortable than the Camry. He walks along the highway, gently swaying and carefully filtering all road ripples. Irregularities are collected, but comfortable. And in turns it gives the steering wheel a correct and understandable effort, with light rolls prescribing turns, so much so that you want to do it again and again. Reference handling without any adjustments for comfort.

An even more refined eighth Passat gropingly enters the market, where the updated Camry sits as a strong owner and does not see a competitor at close range. Camry has been the leader in its segment since 2002, and the model recently survived from the market of even the nearest competitor Nissan Teana. In business, as it often happens, the economy again intervened - Toyota's simple and understandable pricing policy helped Camry to become the undisputed leader of the segment.

The most democratic Camry in the "Standard" version with a 2.0-liter engine costs 1,284,000 rubles, but it makes sense to focus on the "Standard Plus" version with an LCD display of the media system and a price of 1,339,000 rubles. The less powerful 122-horsepower Passat Trendline with manual gearbox costs exactly the same - the input version, the equipment of which looks quite a compromise. DSG box already equipped with a Passat with a 150-horsepower engine in the Comfortline version, and this is at least 1,579,000 rubles. against 1,543,000 rubles. for the 181-horsepower Camry 2.5 in the advanced Elegance Plus package. Prices for a comparable in power Passat 1.8 just start at 1,779,000 rubles, for which you can already take a Camry with a 3.5 V6 engine in a fairly packaged configuration.

At the same time, it cannot be said that the base Passat Comfortline is empty: there is a dual-zone climate control, heating windshield, tire pressure monitoring system and LED headlights. But the test sedan, equipped with adaptive headlights, a dashboard display, all-round cameras, a navigator and an electric trunk drive, is already worth almost indecent 2.4 million rubles. Passat can be customized for yourself subtly and for a long time. But a wide choice, as you know, often only gets in the way. The Japanese approach with fixed configurations is not to everyone's liking, but the law of large numbers in a crisis works especially clearly: the one who has fewer numbers in the price lists turns out to be more successful. That is why Russians will continue to dream of Volkswagen Passat counting bills in Toyota showrooms.

Japanese reliability or German attention to detail, Toyota Camry or Volkswagen Passat? Let's make a comparison and find out which is better.

It is difficult to imagine more popular business-class sedans on the Russian market than these two cars. Each of them fell in love with drivers, and it seems that no matter what manufacturers put on their cars, no matter how they modernize, they will still be bought.

In 2015, the companies released new versions of the legends: VW Passat B8 and Toyota Camry V50 restyling. What changed? Which car is the best? And the main question: are they worth the money? Let's take a closer look at the models and, as usual, start with the exterior.

Exterior

The new Passat has remained recognizable, although the manufacturers have introduced new lines to the design. It was assembled on the same platform as the Passat B7. A significant difference in height - the roof of the new generation of sedans has become lower.

Thinking over the body, the engineers wanted to create a more sporty style. The lines have become sharper, and the "muzzle" more aggressive. A chrome-plated horizontal trim shines at the front, which runs along the false grille and is continued in the head optics.

By the way, the headlights of the new VW are LED. Fully LED optics including turn signals are available for an additional fee.

In general, the car looks more modern, but German conservatism inevitably catches the eye. Volkswagen is extremely reluctant to make changes to its models, so there is no need to wait for cardinal innovations.

The new model is very similar to the Volkswagen Passat B7. Despite this, the car looks simple, tasteful and with a note of sporty enthusiasm.

Separately, I would like to note the Volkswagen Passat SS, which was created specifically for the North American market. It was developed on the basis of the standard Passat, but became lower, wider and longer than its brother.

This appearance made the car more aggressive, but it negatively affected the practicality of the model. However, it is worth mentioning that the car achieved its goal - the Passat began to be successfully sold in America.

The restyling of the Toyota Camry was also received positively. Compared to Camry V40 new model became sharper and more defiant. Although this can not be said at all in terms of handling.

On the front bumper there is a huge air intake that instills fear in drivers who barely noticed the car in the rear-view mirror.

But unlike the Passat, the new Camry looks simpler. Although the German is conservative, even he could not surpass Toyota in terms of design restraint. A minimum of lines and stampings on body parts. All charisma is concentrated exclusively in the front. The rest of the Toyota body is very simple and minimalistic. However, this does not prevent the updated sedan from looking more attractive.

And although both cars are no longer young - the models were released in 2015 - their appearance can and continues to compete with the already new sedans in their class. This is evidenced by the number of sales.

Interior

Toyota Camry and Volkswagen Passat are very similar in their purpose, but differ in its implementation. Both cars aimed to create a comfortable, presentable, but not pretentious, premium interior.

Sitting in the new Passat B8, you immediately realize 2 important things. First: VAG's conservatism can be traced even inside.

The manufacturer practically did not change anything and used the proven layout of the controls, slightly improving them. And secondly: Volkswagen Passat B8 is no longer Skoda, but not yet Audi! And this thought will help you when answering the question, is it worth buying this model.

Pride new Volkswagen Passat is a huge 12-inch display in place on-board computer... All data on speed, engine speed, temperature, fuel consumption and other indicators are now on the display, which changes its design and functionality at your request.

If you wish, you can even display the navigation map on the on-board computer screen, although the monitor on the central panel is intended for this. Although this option is very convenient and interesting, it can be purchased only in the maximum configuration.

In Toyota Camry, everything is simple, but ergonomic and functional. If we compare with the opponent, the quality of finishing materials "sags" a little. In the interior, there was a cutting eye plastic made under a tree.

However, the Camry also has its advantages. On the armrest of the second row, there are JBL multimedia control buttons, which the competitor does not have.

There is more space in the back row inside the Camry. This is especially true for the space above your head.

In the German, by lowering the roof level, tall passengers will have to comb their hair along the ceiling. And if you sit in the back row in the Passat SS, then you risk not standing up straight at all.

The ergonomics and seating comfort in both cars are equally good. But in terms of the trunk, Toyota is seriously losing: 506 liters. useful volume against 586 liters. from VW.

In addition, the German has an electric boot with a virtual pedal under the bumper. Both have a full-size wheel and a tool box under the floor.

Controllability

The 2017 Camry is renowned for its softness. Smooth and energy-intensive suspension successfully “swallows” any irregularities. But in comparison with the opponent, the Japanese lacks steering clarity. The reaction to the driver's movements is delayed, so over long distances you will get tired, constantly returning the car to the desired trajectory. The car is certainly comfortable, but slow in feedback. You will not be able to experience thrills on it.

Despite its sporty look, the 2015 Volkswagen Passat also doesn't sparkle with drive. The car is quite calm and does not differ in explosive dynamics. But in the stream, you definitely will not lag behind. The steering wheel of the German is sharper and sharper. It is not the best in the class, but in comparison with Toyota it is more responsive.

The Passat SS can boast of greater sharpness of control. There are no special technical innovations that would distinguish it from the standard Passat, but due to the lower roof and center of gravity, as well as the wheels on low-profile rubber, the steering wheel in the car is clearer.

Toyota vs Volkswagen: who won?

Starting with the Passat B6 and Camry 40 models, there has been fierce competition between the cars. Many buyers have spent more than one sleepless night wondering which car is the best. However, both 15 years ago and today, Toyota is the key to reliability, and Volkswagen emphasizes the status of the owner.

One of the most controversial points in VAG-group cars is the box. DSG transmission which is also installed on the 2018 models. Volkswagen offers customers 4 types of engines and 3 types of gearboxes - 6MKPP, 6DSG and 7DSG.

The new Passat can be purchased with the following engine types:

1. 1.4 l. (125 hp);
2. 1.4 l. (150 hp);
3. 1.8 l. (180 hp);
4. 2.0 l. TDI (150 hp).

The Toyota Camry can be ordered with 2.0 liter, 2.5 liter and 3.5 liter engines. Complete with 3.5 liter V6 engine. will cost you 2 million rubles. Maximum equipment for the Passat Highline with diesel engine will cost about 1,990 thousand rubles.

If we take similar configurations of both models, their average price tag will be approximately the same. Therefore, the cost will not significantly affect the choice of the buyer. What remains is the purpose and the matter of taste.

VW is more conservative, but in terms of interior design, it looks more attractive and technologically advanced than its Japanese competitor. As for the driving style, it is more comfortable to sit in the back seat in the Camry, and in the front seat in the Passat. The cost of maintenance is about the same, since at Toyota the replacement of some units, although it costs less, is required more often according to the regulations. Reliability remains! There are no equals to Toyota in this parameter yet. And the availability of used spare parts for secondary market make Camry repairs more affordable. But this is only dry statistics and secondary arguments. Both cars are good in their own way. Therefore, choose a car according to character, not numbers!

The fans of these cars are different and sometimes irreconcilable. But this fact does not prevent us from comparing the German and Japanese sedans and assessing them.

You may not like Camry, consider this car insipid or too conservative, in any case your private opinion will drown in the love of its fans. From 2015 to 2017, sales of the Japanese sedan in Russia accounted for almost half of the entire business segment. It turns out that there is Toyota and everyone else. Moreover, none of its buyers are embarrassed that as many as three generations of the model - XV30, XV40 and XV50 - have shared one platform for seventeen years.

Therefore, the "move" to the new global architecture of TNGA can be considered a revolutionary event. Not only has the car's length and wheelbase increased by 35 and 50 mm, respectively, it has never looked so bright, if not bold, before. But now it is extremely difficult not to notice it, while the Passat with its smooth-shaven, impassive face practically does not stand out in the car mass.

Toyota Сamry is slightly squat and wider than the German sedan. LED lights are available for both

What the new "Japanese woman" carefully inherited from its predecessor is a wide variety of trim levels. There are already seven of them at the start of sales. Moreover, even the basic version of the model for 1,399,000 rubles is equipped with automatic transmission, separate climate control and alloy wheels, and starting from the version "Elegance Safety" from 1 818 000 rubles - a complete package of systems active safety including adaptive cruise control.

Three supercharged engines are available to buyers, as before. The most powerful 3.5-liter V6 and 8-speed automatic transmission are all new. But they are put only the most expensive configurations"Lux" and "Executive". The rest are armed with 6-band gearboxes known from the previous generation car and in-line "fours" with a working volume of 2 and 2.5 liters. The latter, due to its evidently greater popularity, became our choice for this comparative test.

For a long time now, there has been a dispute between fans of the Japanese and German car industry about which model is better suited for Russian roads, and which one provides more comfort - Volkswagen Passat or Toyota Camry. Both cars belong to the business class (E), and also have a wide choice of engines and the ability to additional equipment a variety of optional equipment. An unequivocal decision cannot be made in this dispute, since both cars are sold more than well, although Toyota is still ahead of its German competitor in terms of the amount of funds for last years... Therefore, it will be very interesting to find out what attracts consumers to cars, and who is still better adapted to Russian roads- Camry or Passat.

Volkswagen Passat or Toyota Camry - which car has best performance for our roads

Stylistic preferences

If you choose between Passat and Camry appearance, then it will not be possible to determine an unambiguous leader. Although it is still more solid - which is only a massive metal arch on the front bumper, which emphasizes large headlights and fog lamps, which use diode light sources. But when viewed from the side, the Volkswagen Passat loses its severity somewhat - smooth roof lines become visible, which have remained almost unchanged since the times of the legendary generation of B5 cars, the power of the engines used, as well as the quality of the finish. But once you walk around the car, all the impressions come back again - this is facilitated by the extended lights on the trunk lid, large rear roof pillars and sloping glass. In general, the Volkswagen Passat gives the impression of a truly premium car, although not devoid of some controversial details in the exterior design.

But the Camry against the Passat is unlikely to resist - it is too comfortable, beautiful and elegant german car... The eye is immediately attracted by the large silver panels - of course, it is plastic that imitates aluminum, but Volkswagen designers have tried to make it look like real metal and cause an equally pleasant tactile sensation when touched. The Passat devices are also beautiful, separated by a large display of the trip computer - they are perfectly readable and do not cause any eye irritation due to the use of soft backlighting in a neutral shade. In the middle of the lower part of the center console rises a large selector lever for operating modes DSG, which not only gives the interior a solid appearance, but is also extremely comfortable to operate. Complaints can be made only for the small round clock on the front panel, which does not go well with the rest of the design elements, as well as for narrow deflectors that have to be adjusted for a long time to obtain the optimal air flow direction.

When choosing or Volkswagen Passat, many people will give preference to exactly Japanese car, which looks larger not only due to the additional ten centimeters in length, but also due to the use of a specific body shape with more straight lines. In the front part of the exterior there is a bit of catchy "Asian chic", represented by a massive grille and extended headlights, but Toyota Camry resembles more than other representatives lineup companies, and cars Lexus brand... From the side, the car looks even more solid than the Volkswagen Passat due to the straight roof and extended C-pillars. At the rear, one cannot make any claims to the Toyota Camry, because the large lights and massive bumper used give solidity to the entire vehicle.

But here's an internal comparison of the Camry and the Passat makes it possible to unambiguously lean towards the choice in favor of Volkswagen. In the Toyota Camry interior, plastic is also abundantly used, but it does not imitate aluminum, but wood, and the material does not cause particularly pleasant sensations both when looking at it and when touching it. The massive four-spoke steering wheel, the winding groove of the automatic transmission lever, with simple graphics do not allow the Camry to be called a modern car unambiguously. Of course, there are also advantages here - in particular, the massive center console makes the car look even more solid, and the center armrest will be comfortable for people of any size. However, the overall impression can be only one thing - Toyota Camry is not too keen on innovation, offering its admirers a classic style, which may seem somewhat old-fashioned to many.

Feelings on the go

However, to determine which is better: Passat or Camry, only driving tests will help. If we discuss the Volkswagen Passat engine, then we can only speak positively about it. The time-tested unit with a volume of 1.8 liters has an even, confident thrust, which allows you to forget about the failure at low speeds, which is usual for other turbo engines. Despite the far from, Volkswagen Passat not only moves confidently in the stream, but also, if desired, bypasses most of its neighbors on the suburban highway. Robotic box DSG transmission makes driving a car a real pleasure - it moves to the desired stage almost without delay and allows you to constantly maintain optimal revs, guided by the driver's style of behavior.

But it is worth comparing the Camry and Passat in the work of the suspension in order to find a controversial point in the functionality of the car. It is tough enough that it makes riders flinch when driving through large and medium bumps. And even small waves on the road surface of the Volkswagen Passat cannot pass without indicating such defects to the people inside. In addition, one cannot but pay attention to the ground clearance of 135 millimeters - parking is prohibited not only on the curbs, but also on the usual snowdrifts in the yard.

Test drive a Volkswagen Passat car:

But the Volkswagen Passat is fashionable to forgive a lot for the incredible, which can please any driver thanks to a wide range of adjustments. Their profile perfectly supports the back, and the shape of the backrest does not let you get tired even on a long journey. The trim is made of high-quality leather, not only pleasant to the touch, but also very durable, which is confirmed by numerous reviews of such a vehicle from Volkswagen.

It is also definitely impossible to say which car is better on the move - Toyota Camry or Volkswagen Passat - they create too different sensations for the driver. The Toyota Camry is not only much slower, but also uses more fuel under the same conditions. And all this - despite great power and comparable weight. The point here is not in some subtle features of the engine, but in the settings of the automatic transmission, which significantly reduces the potential of the engine at the start, and is also not too prone to economical driving. There is no need to talk about for the driver, so it is worth changing to back seat to understand how comfortable this car is.

IN Camry comparison vs. Passat, on the work of the suspension, it is the "Japanese" who wins. Chassis is configured in such a way that the car simply flies through most of the irregularities, completely without transferring their profile to the salon. In this case, we are also talking about small waves of the road surface, which do not cause any vibrations on the steering wheel, or other decrease in the cleanliness of the car's handling. A good addition to this advantage is the large ground clearance of the Toyota Camry, which allows you not to worry about the integrity of the plastic body kit, even in a snowy yard.

Test Drive Toyota car Camry:

Despite the rather outdated design, the Toyota Camry is very comfortable in the cabin - soft seats support the driver's back well and front passenger, although they are forced to change posture quite often on long trips. Therefore, the comparison of Passat vs. Camry still does not lose the second car. Moreover, he offers:

• Increased;
• Considerable space in the cabin;
• More efficient airflow due to larger deflectors.

Business in different ways

The comparison of these two sedans is more reminiscent of those adopted in certain countries. Volkswagen Passat is a real European, as straightforward, tough and self-confident as possible. But Toyota Camry is similar to all Asians - it is courteous, friendly, although somewhat old-fashioned, but has its own characteristics, a collision with which will not always be unambiguously pleasant. Therefore, each of the advantages of these machines will please to different people... Although when buying such cars, you can be guided by more simple principle selection - Volkswagen Passat is more suitable for those who plan to get behind the wheel on their own, but Toyota Camry will require to fork out for the services of a hired driver.

What strategy did the firms choose for us to pay our hard-earned money specifically for their product?

TARGET CONSUMERS

It's not enough to create a good product - you need to immediately think about its completion. The internet is already filled with sketches of the next generation Ford Mondeo, and I'm staring at the 2012 sedan. LED daytime running light strips in the bumper, slightly different lights, a modified radiator grille, turn signals in the mirrors, and not on the fenders ... Perhaps that's all.

There are even fewer changes in the cabin. The monitor on the console is now large, the fuel gauge is digital. It became impossible to find out the engine temperature - the device disappeared. Is this good for us buyers? But the interior is illuminated with LEDs, and a good seat is equipped not only with heating, but also with ventilation. "Mondeo" still has tangible trump cards, in particular, a spacious rear sofa. It's a pity, the back is too overwhelmed and the pillow is hard. But the tunnel on the floor is almost invisible, you can at least three go.

But there is still some kind of inconsistency in the car. Take climate control: adjusting the temperature via the touch screen is inconvenient - you cannot change it without leaving the blowing mode, and vice versa. Is it worth stubbornly holding on to the specific scheme of the washer with a button on the end of the lever? Why are these difficulties?

Toyota meets an Asian-style rich interior - light bottom, dark top. In clothes, such a combination is less common - perhaps that is why an interesting ensemble appears? "Camry" seems to roll out a soft carpet in front of you: no sharpness in style. And there was no room for bold experiments. You are seated in a soft leather chair, like a sultan on a mountain of pillows. A seat profile without pronounced lateral support is not for active driving, but in the East it is not customary to fuss.

Of course, there is something to complain about in Toyota. The climate control unit that migrated from the previous generation car looks archaic, the mirror adjustment buttons do not have backlighting, and the seat heating knobs do not have a multi-level degree of heating, as in Ford.

How's the harem doing on the back couch? Like cheese in butter! In rich trim levels, you get some premium elements: a separate climate and audio control unit, separate electric adjustment of the angle of inclination of the seat backs. But the main thing is space! The seat is not molded for two, there is enough space both above the head and in the legs. If you have five of you, then the Camry.

Volkswagen is a non-photogenic vehicle. In the sense that a live car leaves a more pleasant impression. Is it the notorious tactile sensations? Maybe. The aluminum on the front panel is pleasantly cool, and the skin is soft and comfortable, may animal defenders forgive me. Everything is in order before the eyes and on the console. The rectangular keys for climate control and audio systems are recessed with a pleasant effort, the pictograms are clear.

If nature has endowed you with above average growth, then the Passat will allow you to find the optimal fit without compromise thanks to a huge longitudinal adjustment range driver's seat and the adjustment of the steering wheel in height and reach.

Behind, alas, the picture is not so optimistic. Three "Passat" shakes in the shoulders, like "Mondeo", but you can put up with it. But a huge rectangular tunnel, similar to a shoebox, forces the average passenger to shove their feet under the front seats, crowding neighbors.

In general, the target audience of the machines is clear in terms of convenience and aesthetics. What about ride comfort?

DAMPING ON ASSETS

Ford is the only one of the trinity to provide a choice of chassis settings through electronically controlled shock absorbers. In the city "Mondeo" softly spreads in "comfort", not noticing neither small nor large irregularities. With an increase in speed, it begins to sway strongly, on short waves the wheels practically break away from the asphalt. There is a feeling of driving not on a sedan, but on a heavy pickup truck with a spring suspension - here both tremors and vibrations. Switching to "normal" mode is a completely different matter. The suspension is gathering, the storm is abating. True, now all the road "dirt" comes to the steering wheel, and on strong potholes the suspension works noisily.

Let's try "sport"? Not on winter tracks near Moscow! It looks like cars with cold oil shock absorbers drive in 35-degree frost. It was as if all the rubber joints had been removed from the suspension. Moreover, the rolling noise of the tires also increases. So is it worth overpaying for this option? In our opinion, it is still worth it: it gives a certain degree of freedom.

I remember that the previous generation Camry left an impression of being soothingly soft. In suspension new car stiffer springs and shock absorbers with progressive compression and rebound characteristics. And what? From now on, Toyota does not hover over the road, like on an air cushion. Yes, it is still more comfortable than a Ford with its "three-stage" suspension and still perfectly smooths out minor irregularities. But if you hit something bigger, feel a short jolt with your whole body. Well, the "shock resistance" is still at its best: for several hundred kilometers, we have never brought the suspension to a breakdown. Noise isolation is just great! Additional mats have appeared in the wheel arches, trunk and even sills, so from time to time you hear only a slight rustle of "sandblasting".

Volkswagen resembles a manager who first came to winter Moscow from somewhere from Bavaria: boots with thin soles sink in a slush, the wind ruffles the floors of a demi-season coat ... It freezes, but does not admit it. "Passat" fearlessly shines cold xenon on the sand-stained lines and rushes towards adventure. Alas, his suspension was drawn with the expectation of a different asphalt. Therefore, we flinched several times, stating the breakdown. However, there is a cure for this, and it is definitely not worth saving on it - order a car with a package for bad roads... But even on the road, which my colleague calls nothing other than "dribbling", "Passat" convinces by the complete absence of squeaks in the cabin.

And which of the trinity will be faster and more reckless?

FLOW OF FUNDS

The Ford should be boldly tucked into a corner, but only if the suspension is in sport mode. The sedan is certainly not a sports car, but you feel quite confident thanks to the responsive steering wheel. The stabilization system is also insured, which can be turned off ... at the nearest shop. Because the computer allows you to do this only in statics. The same hassle with traction control: stuck in the snow, do you want to add gas? - you are welcome to look through the menu and put a tick, where it should be. Where the automotive world is heading!

The turbo engine "Mondeo" is excellent in elasticity: it has the greatest torque among its rivals - 300 Nm, the "shelf" of which extends from 1750 to 4500 rpm. But if you're racing at full speed, there will soon be complaints about the PowerShift dual-clutch transmission. Its "brains" are tuned to efficiency, so the box tends to go to an increased one at the earliest opportunity. But when you want to accelerate sharply, the unit does not have time to quickly jump down. We also didn't like the brakes - a short and stale pedal gives rise to uncertainty, especially in the city, where accuracy is so important.

To compensate for the denser Toyota suspension, we expected more gambling handling. Alas, the Camry is still bland to the driver. A sedan with a pronounced understeer is prone to roll.

The place of the former hydraulic booster was taken by an electric unit, and the connection between the driver and the car was lost, forgive the pun, irrevocably. The steering wheel is overly light even at solid speeds and does not give the driver enough information about the position of the wheels. One hope for the vestibular apparatus. The VSC stability system is still non-deactivable, which is not bad considering the tendency to skid. To be fair, I will note: she is not set up as uncompromisingly as before.

According to the passport "Toyota" is inferior to "Ford" and "Volkswagen" 19 and 29 forces, respectively. But compared to its predecessor, the 2.5-liter engine is just a song! "Japanese" is noticeably faster in acceleration, however, in terms of elasticity, it cannot compete with turbo engines. The six-speed automatic is unhurried in kickdown, but soft on normal gear changes. In manual mode, you can play with the lever, but if the tachometer needle reaches the limiter, the overdrive will turn on without asking. Sport mode primitively disables two upshifts. It's simple ... But it's logical.

"Passat" shoots faster than opponents as expected - it is 87 kg (according to our measurements) lighter than the "Ford", although heavier than the less powerful "Toyota" by 75 kg. In combination with a 2-liter turbo engine, a 6-speed automatic with two clutches DSG, therefore, a duel with "Ford" suggests itself. The Volkswagen unit also tends to run into higher gears, but it comes back down much more readily than PowerShift. I did not like the sharp reaction to the gas: it was not always possible to move smoothly. But worse, when starting slowly, there are unpleasant vibrations, like on a car with a burnt clutch. By the way, when driving onto a low curb in vnatyag, I smelled a characteristic smell ... Did you really burn the clutch on the machine? It turns out that it happens.

But for the way the "German" drives, he can be forgiven for everything! Absolute transparency on the steering wheel, pleasant increase in cornering effort, instant response to correction allow you to rush (on the ice!) Confidently, as if it were May. The stabilization system intervenes just at the moment when you are waiting for her help, and works most efficiently and at the same time delicately. The brakes are filigree.

So, the commercial plans are laid out. What product should you invest your honestly earned money into? In business, it is not accepted to make decisions with the heart. Choose wisely based on what is more important - versatility, comfort or controllability. Well, the price, of course, is worth paying attention to!

SPEAKS AND SHOWS

All test cars are equipped with standard navigation systems. Of course, they know the capital quite well, but the “geography” of Ford, if you take a word for it, is the widest and covers the entire territory of Russia. However, its interface is not the best. Trying to find locality head-on, through a search, was unsuccessful. It turns out that you need to enter the POI submenu.

"Toyota" conquered with the possibility of voice control. The competitors also have it, but only in "Camry" you can pronounce the command in Russian. Say: "Home" - and the car will pave the route to the address stored in the memory. Of course, the navigator will help you find the nearest restaurant, you will contact him by saying the phone number. You get used to it so quickly that you wonder how it could be otherwise.