by Gabrielle DeSantis

The Toyota Camry has had a successful history, and that trend continues in 2021. That’s because the Camry has been a safe, reliable, and affordable car for a long time. Here’s a look at this midsize sedan’s continued dominance in its segment. 

Toyota dominates Consumer Reports’ list

Consumer Reports recently released its list of the 10 best cars of the year, and, unsurprisingly, Asian automakers dominated the list. They make nine of those 10 cars. The lone exception is the Tesla Model 3. The brands that created the nine other models are Toyota, Honda, Kia, Subaru, Mazda, and Lexus. 

However, the automaker with the strongest showing overall is Toyota. When it comes to sedans, it dominates Consumer Reports’ list. Toyota has the best small sedan with the Corolla, the best midsize sedan with the Camry, and the best hybrid sedan with the Prius. The only sedan category Toyota didn’t win is electric sedan, thanks to Tesla.

And, of course, because Toyota also owns Lexus, it’s fair to say the automaker represents four of the 10 best cars of 2021 on Consumer Reports’ list. For reference, CR says the Lexus RX is the best midsize SUV.

Why the 2021 Toyota Camry is so successful

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Consumers and reviewers alike love the Camry, but Consumer Reports says Toyota has made some timely upgrades to the 2021 model. For example, for folks who want or need all-wheel drive, the new Camry offers it as an option. That builds on the sedan’s already impressive specs.

CR says in its full review of the Camry that it’s “one of the quickest” sedans in its class. This is largely due to its standard 2.5-liter inline-four engine that gets just over 200 hp. That standard engine allows the Camry to go from 0 to 60 mph in under eight seconds. That’s pretty quick for an affordable midsize sedan equipped with other great standard features.

And that’s the real selling point of the Camry. Like any other Toyota model, it’s extremely reliable and safe, thanks to its suite of standard advanced safety features. Furthermore, it’s fuel-efficient, getting 32 mpg overall, CR says. And despite offering all of those great standard features, the Camry starts around a reasonable $25,000.

An overview of the 2021 Camry

Along with excellent crash test ratings, one of the best things about the Camry is its driver assists via Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+. This suite provides the usual features that most Camry owners already know, such as adaptive cruise control and forward-collision warning. However, for 2021, it has some new features, including low-light pedestrian detection and daytime bicyclist detection.

Toyota also made some upgrades to the Camry’s infotainment system. Though a 7.0-inch touchscreen is still standard, it now offers a larger, 9.0-inch touchscreen as an option. And as far as options go, the Camry has plenty that will suit various consumers’ needs.

For example, a hybrid model gets 47 mpg overall. Consumer Reports says the Camry hybrid has the best fuel efficiency of all the other midsize hybrid sedans. For drivers with a need for speed, the Camry offers a 3.5-liter V6 engine. This powerful, “punchy” V6 harnesses just over 300 hp, Consumer Reports says.

The post Consumer Reports Confirms the Toyota Camry Is Still the Midsize Sedan to Beat appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

When car buying, it’s important to take time to find the right vehicle. For some, that means a truck that can handle big towing jobs or an SUV for a big family and all their gear. For those who are shorter than average, the vehicle’s driving position is also an important consideration. And according to Consumer Reports, two Subarus are great for short drivers.

A tale of two Subarus

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The folks at Consumer Reports recently released a list of the best and worst cars for tall and short drivers. They explain that to help their members find vehicles with a good driving position, they evaluated vehicles’ seat comfort and position. They also assessed how easy each was to get in and out of for varying heights. Their shortest tester stood 5 feet 1 inch tall. 

Two of the best vehicles for shorter drivers are Subarus. The 2021 Subaru Forester also earned a coveted CR Recommended badge. This well-executed compact SUV gets good gas mileage, offers loads of standard safety features, and boasts a roomy cabin. 

For shorter drivers, the 2021 Forester offers some of the best visibility found in a new vehicle, the CR team reported. The driver’s position gives them a better-than-average view of the road with plenty of headroom too. The controls are intuitive and arranged around the driver for easy access. Most models have a power seat with adjustable lumbar support for great comfort.

Consumer Reports also recommends the 2021 Subaru Outback. More of a raised wagon with standard all-wheel drive than a traditional SUV, the Outback offers great comfort in a vehicle that can meet most people’s needs as a daily driver. 

The CR team also liked its slightly raised driving position, giving short drivers a commanding view. The 2021 Outback offers plenty of headroom and a center console that’s wide but isn’t obtrusive. The only drawback is the left footrest, with a strange protrusion at the top. It meddles with the driver’s foot space for some people. 

Honorable mentions for short drivers

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Other vehicles the CR testers recommended for short drivers are the 2021 BMW 7 Series, with its great seat articulation, Lexus ES, and Volvo XC90. They also liked the BMW X5, Volkswagen Tiguan, Honda Odyssey, BMW X3, and Lexus RX.

Though tall drivers didn’t have a lot of headroom in the 2021 Lexus ES, it wasn’t a problem for short drivers. The left footrest was just out of reach, though. The latest ES also has well-placed center and door armrests with good padding. The power steering wheel is well-placed too.

Vehicles short drivers should avoid

There was a small selection of cars that worked for both tall and short drivers. Likewise, some cars didn’t work for either camp, including the Jeep Wrangler, Mazda MX-5 Miata, and Toyota Tacoma.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler received a dismal overall rating from CR, and there are many reasons for that. There’s no left footrest in the latest Wrangler, which is a drawback in an off-roading vehicle. And the steering wheel, with its tilt-and-telescope functionality, offers a limited range of movement. 

The 2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata also works better for short drivers than tall ones. Still, it’s a small car with a narrow cabin, and the legroom is a little tight. 

Finally, as for the 2021 Toyota Tacoma, the driver’s seat sits pretty low with a low-looming overhead that can make front occupants feel boxed in. Though it now offers an available power-adjustable driver’s seat, it’s tight enough that some tall drivers’ knees still bump the dash’s hard plastic.

The post Scoot Into These 2 Subarus Consumer Reports Rates High for Short Drivers appeared first on MotorBiscuit.