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Honda Accord versus Toyota Camry: The Info You Need to Make the Right Choice
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The Honda Accord versus the Toyota Camry: Coming up with an answer about which outranks the other is almost on par with the age-old riddle: Which came first, the chicken or the egg?
Both the Accord and the Camry are undeniably two of the most iconic cars to hail from Japan. Both came as a response to the global oil crisis of the 1970s when the world's petroleum costs soared to record-breaking highs. Consumers felt the burn – at the pumps, specifically – and the need to shift away from the monstrous gas-guzzling land yachts that dominated the roads of North America up until then became apparent. And both Honda and Toyota responded.
For the record, the Honda Accord debuted in 1976, six years before Toyota released the Camry in 1983. Honda has sold approximately 18 million Accords worldwide since its release, compared to roughly 13 million global Camry sales since 1983. Considering the Accord has a seven-year headstart on the Camry, a quick tally of the numbers shows that it's essentially a tie as far as winning popularity contests goes.
Both the Accord and Camry are solid, reliable sedans. Both underwent a complete redesign in 2018, and both offer stellar safety ratings and fuel economy. Both were once sold as four-door sedans and two-door coupes, although they’re now offered only as sedans. And these days, both the Accord and Camry are available as hybrids.
And both, at one point, have reigned as the best-selling model of their respective brands. Even though sedan sales are lagging in general as crossover SUVs become increasingly popular, the Camry continues to hold its spot as the most popular Toyota, while these days the CR-V has taken pole position among Honda's portfolio.
And when it comes to awards, both are decorated. The Accord was the first import to win the title of best-selling car in the United States, in 1989 specifically. The Camry held the same title for more than 20 years, from 1997 to 2018, save for 2001.
Best yet, both are two of the most popular make and models of cars around the globe, so if you're in the market for a solid used car, both are contenders. Shift's inventory includes hundreds of Accords and Camrys from which to choose, all of which you can buy directly online from the comfort of your home, know it has no hidden issues thanks to their 150-point inspection, and get a fair, up-front price from the start.
Whichever way you ultimately go – Accord or Camry – the chances are likely that you'll be happy with your decision for years to come.
What trim levels are available on the Accord and Camry?
The Accord comes in five trim levels: the LX base model, the Sport, the Sport Special Edition, the EX-L, and the Touring. The Camry also offers five different trim options: the LE base model, the SE, the XLE, the XSE and the TRD.
Fun fact: Honda says it chose the Accord's name specifically to showcase the company's dedication to seeking accord – or agreement – between humankind and the automobile. The Camry's name is inspired by the word for "crown" in Japanese – "kanmuri" – keeping with Toyota's coronal-themed naming system that applies to the majority of its lineup of sedans.
How do the Accord and Camry compare when it comes to fuel economy?
The Accord comes with two engine options: a 1.5-liter or 2.0-liter, both turbocharged four-cylinders. The former churns out 192 horsepower and a fuel efficiency of 30 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the freeway. In comparison, the latter reaches up to 252 horsepower, with a fuel efficiency of 22 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the freeway.
Under the hood the Camry's equipment makes for a spunkier experience on the road, with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that puts out up to 206 horsepower or a 3.5-liter, 301 horsepower V6.
Which is more reliable, the Accord or Camry?
Both the Accord and Camry have received equally stellar safety ratings from both the Institute for Highway Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
In addition to its standard front-wheel-drive powertrain, the Camry also comes with an all-wheel-drive option, whereas all Accords are FWD only.
Generally speaking, vehicles equipped with AWD perform better on wet, snowy, and icy roads. That's to say, if you live in an area that experiences heavy rainfall and freezing temperatures with frequency, an AWD Camry may be the wiser choice of vehicle for you.
2018 Honda Accord Sport 1.5T (from $22,750)
Which offers more bang for your buck, the Accord or Camry?
In terms of pricing, it should come as no surprise that the Accord and Camry are essentially identical as well. These days, new base model Camrys flaunt a slightly higher MSRP of $25,045, some $7,000 less than the TRD editions, which start at $32,000. New base model Accords – the LX – start at $24,770, while the top-tier Touring editions go for $36,900.
Used models bring significant savings on both cars. Base Accord LX models hovering between $12,000-$15,000 and Touring models as little as $23,000. Used Camrys are comparable, be a base or upper-trim model.
How do the interiors of the Accord and Camry compare?
Both sedans seat up to five passengers and feature roomy interiors that measure up comparably, differing only an inch or so in every dimension. The Accord's 16.7 cubic feet of cargo space is slightly more spacious than the Camry's 15.1 cubic feet.
As far as driver-assist safety features go, both the Accord and Camry offer a similar lineup: lane-trace and lane-keep assist, lane-departure and forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, traffic-sign recognition, rearview cameras, and adaptive cruise control. Additional upgrade options include blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross traffic alert, reverse automatic emergency braking, and a surround-view parking camera system.
The Camry outdoes the Accord only slightly, thanks to its pedestrian-detection feature and automatic high-beam headlights.
When it comes to the tech department, both cars come equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard features. Amazon Alexa comes standard on the Camry, too, which is not the case with the Accord.
The Accord's touchscreen is slightly larger – eight inches compared to the Camry's 7-incher – but Toyota offers a 9-inch upgrade for an additional cost.
2018 Toyota Camry SE (from $22,300)
If they're so similar, how do I choose between the Accord and Camry?
To sum up, while both the Accord and Camry feature nearly identical base and lower-trim models, the significant differences between both cars lie in their upper-trim variants. Specifically, the Camry offers a peppier engine upgrade than the Accord, and it comes with an AWD drivetrain option, too.
If you're still on the fence about whether you're Team Honda or Team Toyota, our recommendation would be to try out both models before making your final decision. Depending on the region you live in, Shift offers complimentary test drives that you can easily schedule via their website.
Ready to buy now? You can buy any of Shift's cars directly online from the comfort of your home and know it has no hidden issues, thanks to Shift's certified mechanics who perform 150-point inspections on every model in their inventory and get a fair, up-front price from the start.
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The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of the author or Shift Technologies, Inc. Shift does not endorse or evaluate the accuracy of any claims made or data provided by third party sources referenced herein.
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All prices are based on vehicle availability and pricing as of
April 15, 2022
.
Pricing shown is not guaranteed and does not include taxes or other product fees.
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