Yes the Teana is quite comfortable. Nissan is known for its comfort. EVen the Sylphy is quite spacious and comfortable. But besides comfort, Nissan cars have little else going for them. Teana has a slight advantage with the Xtronic CVT but spec wise they are behind. Designs (especially interior) are quite outdated and Nissan is well known as the 'old man's car.

But you should have tested the Optima. Its really good. Handling is quite impressive and specs much better than the Teana. Design really impressive. The only drawback is probably the after sales service and the resale value to a certain extent.

I agree that Nissan is towards comfort, but the Teana rides and handling is much better then the Toyota Camry, as for the interior design, I quite like it, at least it is not as complicate as the Sonata and Optima, which given me a feeling of "too much" buttons that did not properly place. For Optima K5, actually I have tested it once even the showroom still di not have any test unit, honestly, I felt the interior design for Kia Optima is kinda outdated, just look back the 90s' Camry, it is quite identical if you see carefully the dashboard design. As for the rides and handling, I think you should test drive the Teana again and you will find the difference, people told me that the K5 handling like European cars, but I honestly tell you that I found the Teana rides and handling is the most close to the European cars, maybe it is because Nissan share the platform with Renault, and this Teana platform actually is designed by Renault. Just Nissan tune it to softer side for more comfortable, but not as soft as the Camry. The engine output on paper for K5 actually beaten the Teana hands down for the 2.0, but when you drive it in real world test, the result will be in opposite direction. So please do not bash me or what, I just write out what I have gathered so far for these D-segments vehicle, especially those new K5 owner. And now I'm eager to test the all new Camry and see what Toyota able to improve since it is using back the same platform, engine and gearbox for the 2.0 version.

already mention to those people regarding the sonata before.. teana on paper less 29BHP.. but acceleration is way better...

This new Camry looks awesome

Yes ive driven the Teana and found its acceleration to be marginally better than the Optima. Probably due to the Xtronic CVT. But i think the Optima is more value for money for sure. The amount of specs you get for RM143K+ is amazing. Plus it has that wow factor which is lacking in most Jap D segment cars including the Teana.

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Added on March 1, 2012, 2:41 pmU must be either blind or really old fashioned.

This post has been edited by cybermaster98: Mar 1 2012, 02:41 PM

Yup, if based on the spec sheet, the Optima and Sonata is a killer, those Japs car maker will never offer such spec in this price range.

Hey hi. I notice that u mentioned that the new Camry 2liter version will be using the old engine and gearbox. Is this true or just based on Toyota's trend? If this is for real, it certainly not worth it especially compared to cars like Optima. Of course uncles who dont really care about the gearbox n stuff will still get em but younger generation buyers. I personally like the Optima. But like some of us here im waiting to see what would the Japanese offer since most of the Koreans are being very generous and in a way forcing the Japs to do the same.

This post has been edited by Eclipse80: Mar 1 2012, 03:37 PM

Yeah, based on the China and Taiwan version which they already launched repectively. Toyota only focus on the 2.5 version, which is using a new 6-speed GB and new 2.5L Dual VVT-i engine, while the 2.0 remain the same. I think it is because they don't want to kill the Altis 2.0V sales since from spec sheet, the Altis offered 2.0 Dual VVT-i and CVT GB with 7-speed manual shift and the price also not cheap, almost reach the Camry 2.0 price range. If right now Camry offer a new engine and new GB and the price remain, it will cause the Altis 2.0V a "dead" model. So if you are a person that need good interior space, better noise insulation and lower spec, than Camry is the one. If you don't care much of the interior space, normal noise insulation but higher spec, then Altis 2.0V is the choice.

I dun think Altis 2.0V is the same segment car to compare at first.... they have different market targeted.

And if it is real that toyota dun do anything to their 2.0 Camry then they will really be killing Camry..... 70% of camry on the road are 2.0 in Malaysia.... you want to pass this market to others 2.0 D segment car is it?

I agree with what you said, but because UMW Toyota placed the Altis 2.0V price to close to the Camry 2.0 due to more gadgets, and Toyota have that kind of arrogant attitude, you can see the Camry sales hardly affected after so many new D-segment model launched, so you know what Toyoa is thinking.

tat right 2.0V Altis is more like aim for the enthusiast Corrolla Kaki (like me) which is a niche market even after launching since 2010 October till now u dun see a lot of 2.0V on the road..... but u still see a lot of new 2.0 Camry on the road.


But anyway Toyota cars from Thailand side usually sucks more compare to those from Japan market.... just look at their Wish 2.0G compare to the Japan Wish 2.0Z, the Thailand one used cheap 4 gear where the japan one is CVT. And their rear suspension also different.

I managed to get a 2nd test drive today on the Optima K5. Im more impressed now. Here is my take on the car:

Acceleration & pickup

I had 4 adults in the car including the salesman. Managed to get a straight clear road and floored the pedal. The acceleration was sluggish for the first 2 secs and then the power kicked in. I must say its very much comparable to the Teana with its Xtronic unlike what i mentioned earlier. The engine has got a certain vroom to it more like a rumbling tiger when the RPM passes the 2000 mark. Some might love it but i think it didnt sound too refined for my taste. The Teana and Camry were a tad more refined. But the power was there and the pickup was really impressive despite its heavier weight. I would think the harshness of the engine will improve over time since i was the 1st to test this car when it arrived yesterday.

Handling & Road Grip

I chose a deserted roundabout and did about 7 rounds at about 80kmph with the full load of passengers. I must say i am quite impressed with its cornering ability and road grip. There was only marginal body roll (much better than the Camry at lower speeds). The 18 inch tyres and probably traction control really kept the car stable. Not sure if 80kmph was fast enough for a roundabout but its certainly the fastest ive been on one. Its a small roundabout so turns would have been sharper.

Brakes

The brakes are quite good and stopping power was quite evident. I even tried cornering braking while taking the roundabout and the stopping power was really good. I hit about 110kmph before i came up to a traffic light and slammed the brakes (not enough to engage the ABS though). It surely has a confident feel.

NVH & Wind Noise

As mentioned earlier, i hit 110kmph and tried different scenarios with the sunroof just to gauge the NVH of the sunroof. I tried with the ceiling panel open but with the glass closed and also with both closed. The effect was the same. Virtually no wind noise even at high speeds. Not sure if it will hold up at around 140-150kmph though. Didnt feel any windo noise coming from the doors or windows as well which mean the door seals are quite good. Hope they last though. But during hard acceleration, the engine could be heard and it does sound a bit harsh. But once you reach cruising speed, the engine is virtually silent.

The whole test drive lasted about 1 hour (longest ive been). I must say im more impressed now. Im almost certain to get the Optima K5 now. Have started asking around to get the best deals. Best i got so far was a RM700 rebate.

Yes, agree bro. Me too...

already see the all new camry in china lately even took photo when the car in in parking bay. hardly to tell it is a new car. with conservative exterior. for me it is more or less the same size as current gen. side view is totally boring even compare with current gen. front view is lexus looks. rear view is going back the previous gen design.

btw, camry is gonna sell well i think. in china they having huge advertisement even in airport, roadside, newspaper all about the all new camry. besides, i saw advertisement for all new honda CRV also in newspaper in a very small corner lol.

i love this, forte 2.0 vs camry.

it all depends what you all are looking for. I myself have driven a nissan sylphy for almost 4 years now and i told myself never ever going back to a nissan no matter how nice and cheap it is! QC and RV will kill you!! I have more than 20 problem both big and small issues with the car within this short period of time. It includes:

1. Paint chip all over the car after less than 2 month old getting the car (resprayed whole car!)
2. Dashboard "pimple" prob (whole dashboard changed)
3. Gearbox gear changing pin broke and lost power while driving along NSE resulting GB jam
4. Seat belt sensor kong
5. Steering coupling knocking sound (replaced twice and yet the prob came back less than 1 month time!)
6. Boot water leaking
7. Spare tyre rusty
8. Undercarriage cover got 4 missing pin (don't ask me how it happened)
9. etc etc

I've just booked a Camry 2.0G over the weekend with 8k discount and 5k overtrade because my 2nd kid is coming (bigger space), reliability (hopefully no more camping at SC) and RV. Sorry but i find the new camry FUGLY and like an oversized forte or altis only...

This post has been edited by kkkw80: Mar 5 2012, 10:19 AM

Yes good move. But i think u should have waited 2 months till the new Camry is launched. They will then push off the current Camry for much less. When the discounts started for the Camry, it was RM2k. Now its RM8k. It will be much more as time goes by. I think by the time the new Camry is launched, the discounts would be easily RM15K or above.

Or people will see the new Camry and think... wtf? I'm getting the old one.

Bro, how is sonata compared to teana/camry? Is it worth considering ?

no need to wait cause apparently they've already stop ordering from Thailand and once all stock at hand sold off, there isn't anymore. They will stop selling Camry all together once all gone. Stock at hand already selling up fast with 2011 almost all gone and 2012 going fast..

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Added on March 5, 2012, 4:21 pmpeugeot/ kia/ hyundai if u notice tend to give better accessories compared to Jap cars which is more reserve. They have to in order to attract ppl to buy due to ppl's perception in their low resale value. Bear in mind, more accessories=potential more problem. So depends what you want. I myself is looking at reliability. No right or wrong here.

This post has been edited by kkkw80: Mar 5 2012, 04:21 PM