Let's talk about ergonomics.
I've been driving the Pontiac Solstice a lot lately and my left elbow is black and blue. The driver's side arm rest is hard plastic and, if you try to use your left arm to hit the window switch you drive your elbow into hard plastic. Now cut to me in the Camry: "Hey, the arm rest is not only covered in soft material, but there's room to move your arm to press the windows button!" I was so excited I took this action photo of me, performing the maneuver...
There are other differences between the Solstice and Camry too, of course. The Solstice is a sports car and the Camry is a roomy sedan (I noticed that almost right away). As I bored my wife with these observations she commented: "Maybe they feel that a sports car is supposed to be uncomfortable." I can always count on her for a different point of view. There was a time, I think, when they assumed lack of comfort just came with the sports car territory. But in the modern world of cars we want it all, all the time. So, no, the Solstice was just poorly designed. The Camry is comfortable but soul-less, as the other blog entries attest. But I can tolerate the lack of personality since it gives me the creature comfort I want on my nightly commute.
Phil Reed, Consumer Advice Editor @ 7188 miles
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