Everyone knows that Toyota always rounds off very well with Consumer Report.  They publish a "recommended" list which always has its fair share of Toyotas.  This in turn drives up the demand and value of pre-owned Toyotas, and ensures plenty of showroom traffic for new Toyotas. 

This year, the 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid has already earned the title of "Best Family Sedan" from Consumer Reports.  It seems that with the new redesign, significantly improved fuel economy, and upgraded trim levels, the capturing of the title "Best" was a goal of Toyota.

"The Camry has a nicer interior, more responsive handling, and better fuel economy than previous models," the magazine says in a statement. And the gas mileage in the hybrid? an "amazing" 38 miles a gallon.

Even the lower trim levels (L, LE, and SE) had significant improvements in both styling and economy.

"The Camry rides well and is quiet. Handling has improved, with quick steering and appropriate response and heft, but is not sporty" according to Consumer Reports. The magazine praises the stitched and padded dashboard. 

Among other models, Consumer Reports wasn't as kind to the Volkswagen Passat, which it says has "grown larger and softer." It doesn't handle as well and the interior seems more ordinary compared to previous Passats.  "Volkswagen has made the redesigned Passat surprisingly similar to the Camry, but with so-so results," said David Champion, senior director of Consumer Reports' Auto Test Center.

In anticipation of the high marks of the Camry Hybrid, Toyota of Braintree has beenn allocated a large number of Hybrids. At the time of this writing, there are a dozen Camry Hybrid LEs that have an MSRP of just $26,660.