The Toyota Camry takes on ...

See the 2007 version of this comparison

Chrysler 300

Chrysler's latest entries have actually been ranking right up near Toyota in reliability - the PT Cruiser and Jeep Liberty have been beating most comers, and coming very close to Toyota. So we think it's fair to take the 300, which by all reports is meant to meet the Camry's repair records, and compare the two very, very different cars.

It is interesting to note that the Chrysler 300 isn't much larger than the Camry inside, with another two inches of rear leg room and two inches of hip room, but its extra weight - a stunning 3,700 to 4,000 pounds! - makes the rear-wheel-drive vehicle much less fuel-efficient with identical acceleration. However, cornering is far better, with a more balanced feel, and the expensive 300C option makes acceleration superlative.

	2004 Toyota Camry		2004 Chrysler 300
	Front	Rear	Front	Rear
Headroom	39	38	39	38
Legroom	42	38	42	40
Hip room	54	54	56	56
Shoulder room	57.5	57	59	58
Trunk space	16.7 cubic feet		15.6 cubic feet
	HP	Torque	HP	Torque
Base engine	157	162	190	190
Optional engines	210 225	225 240	250 340	250 390
	City mpg	Highway mpg	City mpg	Highway mpg
Base engine, manual trans	24	33	n/a	n/a
Base engine, automatic	23	32	21	28
Optional engine	21 (Premium)	29 (Premium)	17 17	27 (Midgrade) 25
0-60, manual / base engine	9.1 seconds		n/a
0-60, automatic / base engine	9.9 seconds		9.9 seconds
0-60, optional engines	8.3 seconds		8.3 seconds 6.4 seconds
Emissions	ULEV, both engines		[Unknown]
Base price	$19,500 (LE 4) $22,750 (LE V6) $26,000 (XLE V6)		$23,585 (base) $27,395 (Touring) $32,995 (Limited)

Dodge Neon

While Toyota has built a solid reputation for quality and reliability, Dodge has been catching up in terms of quality (though they are not there yet, not by a long shot - to be fair, neither are most Japanese automakers!). The Dodge Neon in particular offers great value to those who would like a Camry-sized sedan, but don't really have the money for a Camry. While it does not offer all the amenities of the Camry - no navigation system, etc. - it does offer a great deal of space, and is much less expensive. Because it is lighter, the smaller engine still manages to make it as faster than the Camry!

So, before you buy a Camry...unless you're really into luxury or navigation systems...at least test drive a Neon, with an open mind. You may decide that you actually prefer it; or that you'd like to save $8,000 plus interest. At least, you'll know when you buy your Camry that you looked at the alternatives!

The Dodge Neon is not up to the level of reliability of the Camry, but appears to be at the level of the Honda Civic, so, it's not too bad. Long-term Neon owners report that their cars remain "good as new."

Here, it is interesting to note that the Neon is roughly the same size as the Camry inside, save for a considerably smaller trunk and shoulder room. Of course, the Neon does not have the Camry's pleasantly soft, well-insulated ride.

All dimensions are in inches unless otherwise noted.	2002 Camry		2002 Neon
	Front	Rear	Front	Rear
Headroom	39	38	38.4	37
Legroom	41.6	38	42	35
Hip room	54	54	52.4	53
Shoulder room	57.5	56.7	53.4	53
Trunk space	16.7 cubic feet		13 cubic feet
	HP	Torque	HP	Torque
Base engine	157	162	132	130
Optional engines	192	209	150 R/T 225 SRT	135 R/T 235 SRT
	City mpg	Highway mpg	City mpg	Highway mpg
Base engine, manual trans	24	33	27	33
Base engine, automatic	23	32	24	31
Optional engine (Premium)	20	28	27*	33*
Other optional engine			Unknown	Unknown
0-60, manual / base engine	9.1 seconds		8.5 seconds
0-60, automatic / base engine	9.9 seconds		[unknown]
0-60, optional engines	8.3 seconds (V6)		8.2 seconds (C&D) - R/T 5.8 seconds (C&D) - SRT
Emissions	ULEV, both engines		[Unknown]
Base price	$19,500 (LE 4) $22,750 (LE V6)		$11,215** $14,000 (R/T)** $21,000 (SRT-4)

* Can take premium or regular. Premium recommended.
** With standard rebates available to all buyers