Neither the Honda Accord or Toyota Camry really need an introduction because it’s a safe bet that everyone watching this has either owned one or knows someone who owns one. Since the 1980’s, these two have been locked in an intense battle for the hearts of American families, and that battle has been renewed with the introduction of an all-new Honda Accord! So, who is the victor in the 2023 Accord vs. 2023 Camry battle? Let’s go ahead and find out!
Pricing and Equipment
Today, we have fully loaded examples of both models, so for Camry that is the XSE. With the options required for feature-parity with the Accord, the total rings in at $39,041.
MSRP (Camry XSE AWD): $32,920 | Options: $5,026 | Destination: $1,095 | Total: $39,041
Now for the all-new Accord, we have the Touring trim level. It starts out more expensive, but Honda’s don’t offer option packages, so the grand total is ever so slightly less, at $38,995.
MSRP (Accord Touring): $37,890 | Options: $0 | Destination: $1,095 | Total: $38,995
So with a price difference of only $46, let’s get into the comparison!
Exterior Design
The Camry recently got a mild refresh but by and large it has looked pretty much the same way since 2018. However, it has really aged gracefully and still has a sporty look, up front in particular. Now the Accord is all-new this year, and its design has taken a big step from sporty toward mature. Its front end has a simplified trapezoidal shape, punctuated by narrow LED headlights. The Camry also has LED lights but they are the more premium projector style.
Now heading to the side, the new Accord has grown over 2-inches which means it’s now longer than the Camry. Both of them have pronounced bodylines and 19-inch alloy wheels. The Camry continues to stand out for its available blacked out roof option which gives it a sportier and more dynamic design.
The same deal applies in the rear as well, with the Camry looking aggressive and the Accord going for the new mature and sophisticated design that many recent Honda’s have been adopting. Part of that look involves deleting exposed exhaust outlets from all trims, which the Camry retains, and both have full-LED taillights.
Length: 192.7-in (Camry) | 195.7-in (Accord)
Additional Features
Now heading on to some of the other features, both models have heated mirrors with blind spot monitoring. Now, let’s talk about the other important safety features.
Honda and Toyota both include their models include their entire safety suites as standard equipment, so all models will have full-speed adaptive cruise control systems, auto high beam headlights, lane keeping assist and automatic emergency braking systems.
Warranties (both): Basic: 3yr/36k mi | Powertrain: 5yr/60k mi | Complimentary Maintenance: 2yrs
Alright, so that’s it for the exteriors, which means it’s now time to check out the cabins before we compare them on the road!
Interior Design
So first walking up to the cars, both cars include Smart Entry systems but only Accord has remote start on the fob included free for life. Remote start on the Camry requires a subscription after the trial period.
Once we actually reach the interiors, we have very different designs. Camry was updated a couple years ago, and the new Accord doesn’t radically reinvent the look that the previous generation had. Starting with the seats, both have black leather with 10-way power adjustment. Both have heating but only the Accord includes ventilation at this price point. Additional options are required to have vented seats on the Camry.
Once inside, we can talk about the cabin materials. In this regard, both are good and about equal with soft touch plastics and leatherette in all the commonly touched areas. We will give partial credit to the Accord for having leather padding on the console in the Touring trim.
After starting up the vehicles, you’ll find a more traditional gauge setup in the Camry with a 7-inch multi-function display, and a full-digital one in the Accord.
However, the Honda fights back by having a head-up display which is not available on the Camry unless you add the pricy Drivers Assist package.
And coming back to the steering wheels, they are both leather-wrapped and manual adjusting, but only the Camry has heating.
Storage and Technology
The next thing to talk about is interior storage. Honestly, the two are pretty much neck-in-neck, both having giant center consoles and plenty of storage up front.
Heading to the shifters, both have the traditional kind, and when in reverse, neither of them have 360-degree camera systems as equipped.
The next stop are the climate controls, where both sedans have dual-zone automatic functionality. When it comes to the audio systems, the Camry’s JBL is fine but the Bose system on the Accord has the more detailed sound and base from its additional 3 speakers.
Camry: 9-speaker JBL sound system
Accord: 12-speaker Bose sound system
And now that brings us to the displays and infotainment. The Toyota’s screen is 9-inches but the new Accord has leapfrogged it this year with a 12.3-inch one. Additionally, the Honda has moved to a new Google-based infotainment system which means it has Google Maps, Assistant and other services built right into the system. This makes the software much more robust and speedier than the Camry’s which has not yet been updated past the old Entune system.
If you don’t want to use the built in software, both have AA and ACP but its only wireless on the Accord.
And wrapping up the front of the cabin, Toyota fights back with HomeLink universal remotes on the auto-dimming mirror, and it also has a panoramic sunroof which is something still not offered on the Accord.
Rear Seats and Cargo
Alright but now let’s move on to the rear areas, which are also very important since a lot of executives like to be in the back and have someone else drive them around. Both of these two are only sold in long wheelbase form in the U.S, so they have absolutely prodigious rear legroom and headroom measures. In this regard, they are also within 5% of each other.
- S-Class: Legroom: 43.8-inches | Headroom: 39.4-inches.
- 7-Series: Legroom: 43.3-inches | Headroom: 38.6-inches.
Now these two can be fully kitted out to basically be limos if you have the right equipment, but the ones we have today are more modest. That’s not to say there aren’t still more than enough features to keep you comfortable, with things like rear vents, plugs and power sunshades.
As I mentioned in the front, the rear doesn’t have its own climate zone or controls in the S-Class, but both of them have heated rear seats. Our S-class furthermore has ventilated rear seats and power recline.
Additionally, it’s worth noting that the 7-Series does have the option of getting a BMW Theater system. This 31-inch display pops down from the roof and is something Mercedes doesn’t offer at this time.
Interestingly, the trunks are not nearly as cavernous as the back seats, but the 7-Series does give 6% more space than the S-Class.
- S-Class: 9 cubic feet
- 7-Series: 13.7 cubic feet
That’s it for the interior, so now let’s take this tight race out on the road to see who will come out on top!
Powertrain
For such close competitors, they have very different powertrain strategies. For all but the lowest two trims, the new Accord is only available as a Hybrid, which includes the Touring of course. In comparison, the XSE Camry is available with 3 powertrain choices, the 2.5L 4-cylinder we have today, a hybrid or even a V-6. Giving people the option to pick what’s best suited to them is point worthy, although it must be noted that as equipped the Accord does have a huge torque advantage.
Camry: 2.5L I-4: 206 hp | 186 lb.ft
Accord: 2.0L I-4 + dual electric motors: 204 hp | 247 hp
With totally different powertrain arrangements it’s not surprising that the transmissions are also different, eCVT vs. 8-speed automatic. The Camry Hybrid also utilizes an eCVT in Hybrid form, but only the Camry has available AWD.
Driving Impressions and fuel economy
As far as the experience driving these two, it is pleasant, if a bit different. Ride quality wise, the Camry is softer and more comfortable, part which might be due to the fact that the adaptive dampers Accord Touring used to have are no longer offered. On the flip side though, Honda definitely emphasizes driving dynamics more, so the Accord has balanced steering and a more buttoned down chassis.
Finally, as far as fuel economy, the hybrid Accord obviously has a big advantage. We will score them as equipped but I will note that the Camry Hybrid does get slightly better fuel economy.
Camry AWD: 25/34/28 MPG
Accord Hybrid: 46/41/44 MPG
The New accord hits a home run!
Honda wasn’t kidding when they said they wanted the new Accord to be better than ever. When it comes to features and driving dynamics, the Accord crushes the current Camry. However, with rumors of a new Camry on the horizon, the Accord’s reign may not last very long.
So, there you have it; that’s the end of another competitive race between two heavyweight mid-size sedans. Based on comments we have seen from you guys, many people feel strongly that one is better than the other, but as you can see from the scores, they are both excellent choices. We want to know your opinions so make sure to head to comment section and let us know which one you would pick!
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