You want to get in and keep driving it? Please do.

Dude, some of your statements is correct, but some seem like is totally opposite from the real. The NVH, no doubt, it has improved quite a lot, can say it is comparable to the Teana now, but handling, no doubt, better than the previous version, but still the body roll is too much and the steering feel is totally none. Pickup, this is what I found pretty funny from your test result, but maybe you have been cheated by the 4-speed gearbox, which the first gear is quite low and causing you to feel the car is powerful, but when shift to 2nd gear, you can feel the car suddenly lost the power slightly and from there you can feel the under power, especially when you climbing a steep slope, when you kick the pedal harder, you will feel the gearbox seem like hang a while to decide whether to shift up or shift down gear. But afterall the refinement and quality is still better than Korean the K5 or the Sonata.

Its not a BMW or an Alfa or even a Porsche.

So reaching 170kmph is a benchmark these days? 

My previous Vios 1.5E could reach even 200kmph (with some effort of course). Does that make it a sports car? Surely not.

My Optima K5 can easily hit 170kmph as well. Does that make it a great car on par with luxury makes? Surely not.

Your Camry 2.5L should easily hit 170kmph not because its a great car but because its a higher capacity engine. Nothing more. 

overall, if they bring the new mazda in, it would be the best choice within the D segment.

Both is 2l Engine, but:

146HP VS 240HP
190Nm (Only at 4000+ rpm) VS 340Nm (start from 1750 rpm till 4000+ rpm)
NA Engine vs Turbocharged Engine

Multipoint Fuel Injection vs Direct Injection
No ESP vs ESP included
4 speed auto (torque converter) gearbox vs 6 speed auto (dual clutch)

Not worth 40k difference? 

he mention about 2.0l engine camry version vs mondeo 2.0 engine model

not 2.5v.

Mondeo imported from Belgium ma. No wonder is much higher than camry.

I dont think there is anything wrong with Kia's programming. When i said the gear upshift didnt take place unless i manually shifted myself, i didnt of course push it to the red line which is somewhere at 6500 if im not mistaken. So in actual fact, the gear might have upshifted automatically had i pushed it to the redline.

Performance of the hp and torque is dependant on the RPM at which you achieve the max torque. Its also dependent on the weight of the car as power to weight ratio comes into play. I too have test drove many cars before deciding on the Optima and i find the power as expected which was a bit sluggish due to the weight of the car.

if perform dyno also, is pointless. of course the figure will be lower that claimed because the figure was actualy measured on the crankshafts not on wheels. that is why when u check out youtube for 'dyno test inside line', most of the cars tested will show lower figure than it claimed. there are rare manufacture that measure the figure from the wheels. the mazda new 'skyactiv' are measured from the wheels. thats why many of the reviewer said the engine offer great performance for a non force-inducted engine n the powertrain also are nominated for the international engine award.although the hp and torque figure are just adequate, the performance is beyond expectation  based on the new cx5 that i tested.

Honestly, the latest Camry looks Ugly Squarish and Boring. The Hyundai Sonata wins hands-down in terms of looks. I'd prefer the previous Camry much much more!

... I also think his decision might have been different if he had spent the time to test drive other makes before making his decision rather than merely going for the brand name. ...

We too live in the real world. Space and power are 2 criterias that many other D segment cars have and are cheaper too not just the Camry. So thats not a valid point in my opinion. believe me, i think ive done more analysis and taken more aspects into consideration that most ppl out there before i purchased my car. But if u say u dont like futuristic designs then u have made a valid choice by choosing the Camry.

I think it's a good car that meets your requirements

- SC is near your home, so convenient to get car serviced and fixed and even once warranty ends, most local mechanics have more experience with Japanese cars, and particularly since you're living outside of KL - I'd think this is even more so
- Decent fuel consumption
- NVH is one of the best in this segment of cars
- RSV is probably highest among all D-segment but this won't really matter if you intend to keep the car over 5 years or longer

The S40 is actually a cheaper car btw compared to your 180k Camry.

Only true enthusiast will buy a Volvo here in Malaysia. This brand here is so cold and 冷門, problems will surely arise when you sell it or when problems start to come in.

Smaller in what sense? Just cuz a car is shorter doesnt mean its interior space is smaller. And the S40 is about RM5K cheaper than the Camry. Although its design is quite outdated but its dashboard layout is better than the Camry. But comparing between the S40 and the 2.5V Camry only, ill take the Camry. but i gave some serious thought to the S60 before i decided on the Optima.

Seems that automotive safety has taken another step forward in Europe. Starting 2014, all new vehicles in Europe must be fitted with AEB (Automatic Emergency Braking) systems. It will form part of the Euro NCAP assessments for 2014 onwards. Seems that Honda had already started offering AEB systems as an optional item the Civic and Accord since 2010 in Europe.

I can't imagine how the rest of the developing world is moving towards such high standards of automotive safety but here in Malaysia, Toyota removes the VSC system which is already considered a basic necessity in many parts of the world the same as safety belts. 

It's the government again.
We  get what the gov ...

He needs to be clearer with his statements. Not everybody can mind read.

What are the other 2 makes ure looking at? That would make it easier to compare. But keep in mind that kepala pening didnt test drive other makes much so he doesnt really have a benchmark to compare with. So his replies to most of the criterias above would be 'good'. 

kepala pening, whats your actual fuel mileage for a full tank in 100% town driving? I did ask you before but didnt quite get an answer i think.

I didnt say the gauge cannot be trusted. Im asking about your full tank mileage. Uve only told us the fuel consumption but u havent told us the actual mileage uve travelled on a full tank.

Ive provided figures many times for fuel consumption. But generally i get about 750km for about 73L of fuel. This is in mixed driving (60% highway at approx 160-180kmph and 40% in stop start KL traffic). Both without the eco mode switched on. I think its quite ok for a heavy car like the Optima considering that the 2.0L is a bit underpowered.

Hmmm. My XV40 (2.0G) does 8.7km/l 100% town driving & 11.5km/l 100% highway driving. My method of measuring: fill up tank til 'click' sound on pump, reset trip meter, run d car, then refill til 'click'. Take trip meter reading (distance in km) divide by fuel pumped into tank (liter). I feel my fuel consumption is very high. D gauge meter is pretty crap and it displays a much higher mileage (9.5km/l for town & 12+km/l for highway).

I feel the XV50 shortchanges our Msian public and it's time for us to make them wake up. Koreans are catching up and so too are the continentals. If only Ford has a better after sales service, we will be seeing more Focus on the road.

Naza Ria SE (2005) 

I feel you bro