Large sedans in Russia are, 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 columns.

Globally, Volkswagen and Toyota are sworn competitors. From year to year, both companies beat sales records, pulling the title of the largest in the world from each other, but Toyota is leading in the local confrontation between two specific brands in the Russian market. And this is largely due to the success of the localized four-door Camry, which has held 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 owner.

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 a 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 of local assembly turned out to be meaningless, and the diesel scandal noticeably crippled the brand's credibility. 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 midsize 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 volumes 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 simple 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 - the deliberately large and sometimes 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 bump into 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 the 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 Passat's interior 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 also look very good.

Both the basic Passat seats and the more expensive ones with a dozen electric drives are equally good for riders and can be 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 too much of it, and for representative purposes this is a definite plus. In addition, in the top version, the Camry is equipped with separate rear 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 with separate rear seats has a less capacious trunk, and the seats themselves do not fold - only a modest hatch for long cars is at the owner's disposal. The simpler versions offer a standard set of transformations - the back of the rear sofa reclines in parts into the salon. The wide luggage compartment of the Camry is simple, but you will not deny it spaciousness. It's a pity to load the Passat trunk, like an expensive wardrobe with good finishes, convenient hooks and compartments for small things, where you don't want to put street shoes at all. Here, the lid also rises by itself, you just have to wave your foot under the 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 every 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 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. Only 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 the steering wheel is, one might say, empty.

The Passat is another matter: precise, quick 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 comfort adjustments.

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 even of the closest competitor Nissan Teana. In business, as it often happens, the economy again intervened - Toyota's simple and understandable pricing policy helped Camry 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. The DSG box is already equipped with a Passat with a 150-horsepower engine in the Comfortline design, 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.

It cannot be said that the base Passat Comfortline is empty: there is dual-zone climate control, heated windshield, a 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, already costs an almost indecent 2.4 million rubles. Passat can be customized for yourself subtly and for a long time. But a rich 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 with fewer numbers in the price lists turns out to be more successful. This 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 brought 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 fundamental 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.

I would also like to mention 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 the Camry V40, the new model is sharper and more defiant. Although this can not be said at all in terms of handling.

The front bumper houses a huge air intake that instills fear in drivers who barely spot the car in the rearview 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 end. 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.

The pride of the new Volkswagen Passat is a huge 12-inch display in place of the 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 a 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.

Everything in Toyota Camry 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, due to the lowering of the roof level, tall passengers will have to comb the ceiling with their hair. 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, of course, 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 in it that would distinguish it from the standard Passat, but due to the lower roof and center of gravity, as well as 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 customers have spent many sleepless nights 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 aspects of the VAG group is the DSG gearbox, 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 a 2.0 liter, 2.5 liter and 3.5 liter engine. Complete with 3.5 liter V6 engine. will cost you 2 million rubles. The maximum configuration of the Passat Highline with a 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, in the Camry it is more comfortable to sit in the back seat, and in the Passat - in the front. The cost of maintenance is about the same, since the replacement of some units at Toyota, 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 parts in the aftermarket makes 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!

What strategy did the firms choose for us to pay our hard-earned money 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 of 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 imperceptible, you can at least three go.

But there is still a certain lack of coordination 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. Should I stubbornly hold 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 - maybe that's 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 place for bold experiments. You are seated in a soft leather chair like a sultan on a mountain of pillows. The seat profile without pronounced lateral support is not for active driving, but in the East it is not accepted 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 there are five of you to go, then the Camry.

Volkswagen is a non-photogenic vehicle. In the sense that a live car leaves a more pleasant impression. Is it about 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. Rectangular keys for climate control and audio systems recessed with a pleasant effort, 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 the huge longitudinal adjustment range of the 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?

DEPRECIATION BY ASSETS

Ford is the only one of the trinity to provide a choice of chassis settings via 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 with a leaf 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 the winter tracks near Moscow! It looks like cars with cold oil shock absorbers drive in 35-degree frost. It was as if all rubber joints had been removed from the suspension. Moreover, the tire rolling noise is also increasing. 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. The suspension of the new car has stiffer springs and shock absorbers with a progressive characteristic for compression and rebound. And what? From now on, Toyota does not hover over the road, as if on an air cushion. Yes, it is still more comfortable than Ford with its "three-stage" suspension and still smoothes out minor irregularities. But if you hit something bigger, feel a short jolt with your whole body. Well, the "impact 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. The Passat fearlessly shines cold xenon on the sand-stained rails and rushes towards adventure. Alas, its 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 exciting?

FLOW OF FUNDS

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 very 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 first 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 previous 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 stabilization system is still non-disconnectable, which is not bad considering the tendency to skid. For the sake of fairness, 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, an overdrive will turn on without asking. Sport mode primitively disables two higher gears. 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 works, so a duel with "Ford" arises. The Volkswagen unit also tends to run into higher gears, but comes back down much more willingly 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, you feel unpleasant vibrations, like on a car with a burnt clutch. By the way, when driving onto a low curb vnatyag, I smelled a characteristic smell ... Did the clutch on the machine really burn? 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, like it's 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. An attempt to find a settlement in the forehead, 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 lay a route to the address stored in 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.

M we, of course, did everything wrong. That is, the idea is brilliance, but here is a Toyota Camry as an alternative to Solaris ... But 835 thousand rubles plus a drop of imagination and a little patience would help to find a fresh golf hatchback or a compact crossover on the secondary market. Or maybe even a young German "premium". Anything but Camry, which is already driving teeth.

Some of the responses we received after the start sounded something like this. We ourselves are worried that choosing a Toyota for a multi-part resource detective is about the same as throwing Moriarty into a waterfall on the first page of Etude in Crimson. And then - the most boring series ...

But who if not Toyota? Statistics show that in terms of the number of re-registrations in the traffic police, Camry is second only to Ladas, Focuses, Logans, Chevy Niva and Solaris. The most running large sedan in Russia!

But in case the reports from the landfill suddenly look like a journalist's worst nightmare - news without events! - we have a safety net. In parallel with the durability tests, we will be running sprint tests with cars that could take the Camry's place in our comparison. That is, these will be used cars of different classes with a price of about 800 thousand rubles.

The test program for such tests, of course, will be shorter and easier than for the "pass" duo, but it will still help to find the answer: is it worth buying a used car instead of a new car? And which?

We'll start with the Volkswagen Passat sedan, and this is the case when the alternative is also uncontested. Because if Camry is the champion in sale and purchase transactions in the secondary market, then Passat is number one in the number of offers among used cars of classes D and E. The website auto.ru gives 6450 variants! Even the Camry has 600 fewer ads.

The most running Passat is a sedan of the B7 generation with a 1.8 TSI engine (152 hp) and a DSG "robot" (84% of proposals among the "BE-seventh"). Such a Volkswagen has already converged with Toyota in our comparative tests, and the last time it was when the Passat B7 outplayed the Camry of the XV50 series with a solid margin: 875 points against 845. But five years have not passed without a trace for everyone, and today the alignment ...

However, first things first.

In the announcement

To tell the truth, it's hard to imagine a person who in turn clogs in a search engine the queries "buy Camry" and "buy Passat". Cars, which were originally antagonists, have become even more distanced with age. They are not an alternative to each other, they are like yin and yang, opposing elements, two forms of life, whose representatives even smell and taste differently. Just open the ads and compare what you can get for the same amount.

Anyone who has collected 800 with a tail of thousands of rubles and wants, like us, to find a "healthy" Camry XV50 with a 2.5 engine should attend a seminar in advance on the benefits of modesty and self-restraint. Firstly, most likely, you will have to forget about the leather interior: only sedans in the Comfort starter configuration with fabric seats usually fit into such a budget, and "leather" is at least 30-40 thousand more expensive. At the same time, our "resource" car is a clear example of how carefully fabric Toyota chairs can store the wealth of their years right down to every speck and hair.

Secondly, you have to put up with the simplest audio system. Or, as in our case, with a non-standard two-din multimedia Alpine, which the previous owner enriched Toyota, but did not take into account that the “music” control panel on the steering wheel would not make friends with the new “head”.

The Alpine touchscreen with navigation in place of the standard multimedia is crooked, and of all the buttons on the steering wheel, only the one that is responsible for the trip computer works

Thirdly, do not count on special amenities and a wide arsenal of driver electronics: equipment for cars for this amount, in fact, boils down to dual-zone climate control, heated seats, parking sensors and ESP. Rear View Camera? Its former owner screwed it on himself.

Hardest of all with age suffered the left sidewalls of the driver's seat, which now resemble a deflated ball. However, time has no power over the spaciousness of the rear sofa, and simple cleaning will return business-class comfort to the cabin.

Add to this the greasy armrests, a polished steering wheel, a body painted in a circle and 172 thousand on the odometer - and you will understand what a treasure we got for 835 thousand rubles. And what were they thinking about when a snow-white Volkswagen Passat with a cream combined interior, a color touchscreen, a CD changer, keyless entry and an electric heated windshield arrived at the test site.

A sedan with a 1.8 TSI engine and a DSG "robot" was helped by our reader Andrey, who bought his Volkswagen in the spring of 2012, but during this time only drove 88 thousand kilometers on it. It seems that you just need to clean the chairs, dust off the pedals - and the interior will shine like new.