Wired

I love Wired magazine.  It has a ton of articles in it that interest me.  However this month they had a review of the mid-size hybrids, the Altima, the Accord and the Camry.  They shit all over the Camry, calling it dull and lacking gadgets.  When I looked at the price of the compared vehicles it became clear that they compared a bare bone Camry hybrid with loaded Altima and Accord models, there was a 5-6k price difference between them!  It annoyed me so much that I fired off this letter to them.  Perhaps it will show up in next month’s issue.

Wow, as a 6 month owner of a Camry hybrid, I strongly disagree with your review on many levels.  You didn’t do a very fair comparison.  Let me pick it apart for you.

You start off by calling the Camry dull.  I would agree that up until this model year, the Camry styling was it’s weak point, it was very plain.  However the 2007 model is a HUGE improvement in style.  The Altima design is very ho-hum as it has been out there for over a half decade.  The Accord looks basically the same as it has for the last 10 years. 

You described the interior of the Camry hybrid as plain, lacking “bells and whistles” .  Well perhaps if you ordered a Camry with the optional $1200 voice activated navigation package you would have changed your mind.  With that simple addition you get all the bells and whistles you could ask for and still come in significantly under the price of the Altima.

Your mileage numbers aren’t even close to what we have been getting using the car as a daily driver.  We average no less than 37 mpg per tank and if we are careful with our driving habits have clicked in over 40 mpg on several occasions.  To achieve the mileage numbers posted for a hybrid you need to modify your driving style a bit.   If you do find a need for immediate power, the car will pin you in your seat if you drop the pedal.

Pretty much the only part of your article I would agree with is there is a surge that can be felt at times when going from electric to gas mode.  It is a very minor gripe.

 Your review is highly inaccurate as you are comparing a bare bones Camry hybrid with loaded Nissan and Honda hybrids, costing 5k-6k more.  Next time I would suggest reviewing cars with similar equipment levels so you can provide the public with a more meaningful review.