Honda Accord vs Toyota Camry

COMPARING THE 2018 HONDA ACCORD
2018 TOYOTA CAMRY

MODELS

L, LE, SE, XLE, XSE, XLE V6, XSE V6

Eight generations is a long time to stick with the status quo, so Toyota chose to go a different route when introducing the all-new 2018 Camry. Now underpinned by the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA), it vows to deliver markedly improved driving dynamics while offering a more comfortable ride befitting its newfound, self-proclaimed status as a "premium" intermediate entrant. Beneath the veneer of its sharply creased sheetmetal, new powertrains await, including an all-new 4-cylinder promising new levels of thermal efficiency and a new V6, both paired to a new 8-speed automatic transmission. In the safety department, Camry now benefits from the full suite of Toyota Safety Sense™ technologies, bringing it more in line with the feature set of competitive offerings. A completely redesigned interior "ups" the comfort and convenience ante, with a more driver-oriented feel and soft-touch materials throughout. It also ushers in Toyota's new Entune™ infotainment system featuring an open-source operating system and associated Entune™ connected services apps offering conveniences such as enhanced roadside assistance, stolen vehicle locator, and more.

2018 HONDA ACCORD TOURING VS 2018 TOYOTA CAMRY XLE

2018 HONDA ACCORD TOURING

Engine:
1.5-litre direct-injected DOHC i-VTEC®
turbocharged 4-cylinder
Engine Torque:
192 lb.-ft. @ 1,600-5,000 rpm
Agile Handling Assist:
Standard
Standard Wheels:
19-inch alloy
Head-Up Display:
Standard 6" full-colour display
Fuel economy, L/100km (city/hwy/combined):
8.2/6.8/7.6

2018 TOYOTA CAMRY XLE

Engine:
2.5-litre DOHC direct- and port-injected
4-cylinder
Engine Torque:
184 lb.-ft. @ 5,000 rpm
Agile Handling Assist:
Not Available
Standard Wheels:
18-inch alloy
Head-Up Display:
Not Available
Fuel economy, L/100km (city/hwy/combined):
8.5/6.1/7.4

"Toyota built a better Camry, but Honda built a better car."
- Motor Trend, October 9, 2017

COMPARING THE 2018 HONDA ACCORD
HONDA ACCORD TOURING VS. TOYOTA CAMRY XLE: EXTERIOR

STYLING

Viewed from any angle, Accord is a sleek, sophisticated stunner, its fastback-like silhouette lending a look reminiscent of a four-door coupe. Perhaps its best attribute is the restraint that its exterior designers showed in keeping its lines and surfacing clean and uncluttered. Toyota's designers gave the Camry more of a wild-child look that's as likely to put off some buyers as it is to garner attention.

DUAL EXHAUST OUTLETS

Cleanly and seamlessly integrated into Accord's rear bumper, the dual exhaust outlets feature a chrome finisher that completes the look set off by the chrome flying-wing grille, chrome exterior door handles, and chrome side sill garnish. Toyota restricts the dual exhaust to V6 models, meaning Camry 4-cylinder buyers have to settle for a single exhaust outlet.

REMOTE ENGINE START

Accord owners enjoy the ability to preheat or precool their vehicle, thanks to standard remote engine start. And, since every Accord comes with two key fobs, buyers enjoy its benefits no matter who's driving. Camry customers must pay more to enjoy such convenience, as a long-range remote starter is only available as a dealer-installed accessory.

CAPLESS FUELING SYSTEM

With Accord's capless fueling system, there's no worry about losing the cap or inadvertently emitting harmful vapours. Camry's conventional fuel-filler cap is tethered to the fuel door to prevent misplacement, but it can release noxious fumes or trigger the check-engine light if not securely tightened.

CHROME EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLES

Thanks to the stylish chrome exterior door handles, Accord buyers are reminded of the vehicle's premium nature every time they enter. They have a look to them and a weight about them that makes the vehicle feel more expensive than it is. By contrast, Camry's body-colour door handles simply don't give off the same vibes, serving as a persistent reminder of their vehicle's economy-car roots.

"The new Accord maintains the tradition of looking elegant without being overdone or dull."- Driving.ca on Accord

COMPARING THE 2018 HONDA ACCORD
HONDA ACCORD TOURING VS. TOYOTA CAMRY XLE: UNDER THE HOOD

TURBO TORQUE

Maximum torque arrives as low as 1,600 rpm in the rev range, thanks to Accord's 1.5L turbocharged engine with its low-inertia mono-scroll turbo. This small-displacement gem dishes out slightly less horsepower but more torque than Camry's naturally aspirated 2.5L engine - 192 lb.-ft. vs. 184. And, since it develops peak torque lower in the powerband, it offers a decisive edge when it comes to responsiveness.

CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (CVT)

Accord's CVT is reinforced to manage the 1.5L turbo engine's output, while its turbine twin-damper torque converter helps mitigate turbo lag as the vehicle accelerates. It also has a dedicated Sport mode that uses aggressive transmission mapping, and its 2.0 G-Design Shift Logic offers more immediate acceleration response than conventional automatic transmissions, including Camry's 8-speed.

PADDLE SHIFTERS

Accord comes with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters to give the driver more complete control over gear selection. They not only keep the driver's hands on the steering wheel, they also keep the engine in the sweet spot of the rev range. While Camry XLE's 8-speed direct-shift automatic transmission offers a manual-shift mode, it lacks the tactile feel of the paddles, and the driver must remove a hand from the wheel every time they want to manually shift.

AGILE HANDLING ASSIST

This simple yet effective brake vectoring system uses components of Accord's Vehicle Stability Assist to selectively apply the brakes to aid cornering precision, enhancing vehicle stability and helping the driver more easily trace their desired line through a corner. It's imperceptible to the driver but subtly improves the vehicle's initial turn-in response, and Camry offers no comparable feature.

DUAL-PINION VARIABLE-RATIO ELECTRICPOWER STEERING (EPS)

Accord's dual-pinion variable-ratio EPS can modify the steering ratio for improved steering feel and manoeuvrability. Using the driver's physical steering input, it determines the appropriate amount of electric assist necessary, and adjusts accordingly using an electric motor. Its final full off-centre ratio of 11.8:1 offers a quick 2.3 turns lock-to-lock. Camry's steering ratio, meanwhile, is locked in at a relatively high 13.8:1, with 2.6 turns lock-to-lock, for a less precise steering feel.

"The 1.5L pulls with enough force to satisfy all but the most demanding drivers."- Driving.ca on Accord

COMPARING THE 2018 HONDA ACCORD
HONDA ACCORD TOURING VS. TOYOTA CAMRY XLE: INTERIOR

INTERIOR DESIGN

When it comes to interior design, it's easy to speak about luxury-like build quality and material choices. But it's not an exaggeration to say that Accord's interior will quickly become the yardstick against which other intermediate sedans will be measured. Quality, soft-touch materials warmly greet hands, and available contrasting colours lend an airiness to the cabin. Camry's interior is nice enough in its own right, but it certainly won't be mistaken for a luxury car's.

DISPLAY AUDIO SYSTEM

Accord's centre stack features an all-new interface with a larger, 8-inch high-resolution screen for crisper graphics, reconfigurable shortcuts for easy access to frequently used features, customizable app tiles for maximum customization, and much more. Camry's 8-inch Display Audio is sleek in its design, intuitive in its operation, and impressive in its feature set, but it still lacks the undeniable wow factor that Accord's system delivers.

APPLE CARPLAY®/ANDROID AUTO™

Accord customers can easily and seamlessly bring their smartphone experience right into their vehicle to make hands-free calls, stream music, get turn-by-turn directions, and much more - all while keeping their phone charged. Camry's Entune 3.0 Audio is attractive and offers a range of embedded apps via App Suite Connect, but it requires a registered account and the app installed on the user's phone, and it currently lacks Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility.

ONBOARD WI-FI HOTSPOT

With Accord's Wi-Fi hotspot capability, the vehicle's onboard data source provides owners and occupants access to the internet from the comfort of the cabin. A complimentary 3GB (or 3-month) trial is included, and the vehicle can even connect to a customer's smartphone and use its data. Toyota only offers a Wi-Fi hotspot for its U.S.-spec vehicles.

HEAD-UP DISPLAY (HUD)

A first-ever application for a Honda, Accord Touring's standard Head-Up Display projects key vehicle information onto a 6-inch display field on the windshield, within the driver's line of sight for easy viewing and minimal distraction. While Camry offers a slightly larger available HUD, it's exclusive to V6 models costing thousands more.

DRIVER INFORMATION INTERFACE (DII)

Accord's attractive, high-resolution, 7-inch meter display with Driver Information Interface delivers a unique viewing experience. The fixed right side of the display offers an analogue speedometer and a reconfigurable left side that can show everything from a digital tachometer to song information to key warnings. Camry's 7-inch Multi-Information Display is impressive in its own right, but it lacks the overall wow factor of Accord's DII.

"The all-new 2018 Honda Accord is the only midsize sedan that feels genuinely all-new."- Automobile Magazine on Accord

COMPARING THE 2018 HONDA ACCORD
HONDA ACCORD TOURING VS. TOYOTA CAMRY XLE: VERSATILITY

HEATED AND VENTILATED FRONT SEATS

Accord's front-seat passengers will relish the cold-weather relief and warm-weather respite offered by the heated and ventilated front seats, which offer three level settings. When conditions are right, they even activate to help precool the vehicle when using the remote engine start. Camry's front seats are only heated, restricting occupant relief to cold Canadian winter days

HEATED REAR SEATS

Accord's rear-seat occupants will revel in the cold-weather relief afforded by heated rear seats that include seat-bottom and seatback heating elements, plus three different heat settings. Camry doesn't extend this level of convenience to its rear occupants, restricting heated seats to those sitting up front.

REAR USB PORTS

Who says front-seat occupants get to have all the fun? With Accord's two, 2.5-amp quick-charging USB ports, those seated in back can charge their favourite devices. Camry offers two USB ports in the centre console, but they're located under the flip-up armrest, meaning they're neither easy for rear-seat passengers to access nor very convenient when it comes to cord routing.

MULTI-ANGLE REARVIEW CAMERA

Accord's Multi-Angle Rearview Camera provides three different viewing angles and its dynamic guidelines pivot based on the steering-wheel angle to ease the burden of backing up. Camry's rearview camera offers a wide-angle alternate view, but lacks the top-down view found on Accord. Camry offers an innovative bird's-eye view camera, but Toyota restricts its availability to V6-equipped models.

HONDA SENSING™

Accord's standard suite of driver-assist technology includes Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low-Speed Follow (LSF)*, Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS®), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM), and Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR). Camry's standard Toyota Safety Sense P offers a similar feature set but nothing like RDM or TSR. *Low-Speed Follow not available on models equipped with a manual transmission.

"No one does interior packaging quite as well as Honda."- Autoblog on Accord

COMPARING THE 2018 HONDA ACCORD
2018 HONDA ACCORD TOURING VS. 2018 TOYOTA CAMRY XLE

POINT

  • Camry offers a 206-hp engine and a throaty quad-tipped exhaust.
  • Camry features an eye-catching design with a sleek, stylish exterior that stands out.
  • Camry is available in sporty SE and XSE models featuring paddle shifters.
  • Camry has 10 standard airbags and features standard Toyota Safety Sense™ P with a full suite of advanced active safety systems.
  • Camry is available with the all-new Entune™ infotainment system with an open-source operating system, an available Wi-Fi hotspot, and a seamlessly integrated display screen.
  • Camry offers conveniences such as an available panoramic moonroof, a 10-inch head-up display, and a bird's-eye camera with perimeter scan.

COUNTERPOINT

  • Yes, but only on the sportiest XSE model; other trims receive a slightly detuned 203-hp engine with a single exhaust tip. Plus, remember that torque is the name of the game when it comes to getting the vehicle moving. Camry's 4-cylinder is still naturally aspirated, so there's considerably less torque down low in the powerband. Accord's 1.5L turbo engine offers its full 192 lb.-ft. of torque from as low as 1,600 rpm.
  • While Toyota certainly can't be accused of being conservative in the design department, it's equally likely that the refreshed look will have a polarizing effect amongst buyers, with some drawn in but others put off by the overly aggressively styled sheetmetal. Accord's rakish profile yields an almost fastback silhouette that gives it an even more dramatic presence without resorting to overwrought design details.
  • Despite what Toyota may say about Camry being "a true driver's car," some driver-oriented features you'll find on Accord, such as a manual transmission, aren't offered anywhere in the 2018 Camry model range. What's more, whereas Accord has been named to the Car and Driver 10Best list an unparalleled 32 times, Camry has only managed the feat three times.
  • It's great that Camry is catching up to Accord on the safety front. Accord's Honda Sensing™ suite of driver-assist systems includes a full range of advanced active safety features, such as Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), and much more. These active driver aids have been available on Accord since the 2016 model year, and the story only gets better for 2018 with the addition of Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR) and Low-Speed Follow (LSF) on select models.
  • Actually, the Wi-Fi hotspot isn't available in Canada. What's more, Camry's centre-stack ergonomics leave a lot to be desired, with a confusing array of buttons and knobs, especially since the audio and HVAC controls blend together. This invites inadvertent temperature adjustments when the user wants to turn the volume down. Also, Entune™ 3.0 currently lacks Apple CarPlay®/Android Auto™ compatibility like you'll find on every Accord.
  • Yes, but Camry customers are bound to be bummed to learn that the head-up display and bird's-eye camera are limited to V6 models. And, even then, their vehicle fails to offer some of the niceties extended to Accord buyers, such as a driver's memory system, ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats.

TOYOTA CAMRY: IN SUMMARY

The all-new Camry serves as an important turning point for the brand. Its executives rightly recognized the need to liven up their most "vanilla" offering, adding a dash of visual and dynamic excitement to an otherwise bland product. It has the requisite flair to garner attention, its interior has improved by leaps and bounds, and it feels decidedly less like your run-of-the-mill intermediate sedan. Yet despite the untold hours toiled and the wholesale changes made to inject some much-needed emotion, the end result comes across as a bit forced, a response mechanism aimed at counteracting a previously perceived weakness and atoning for past sins. Contrast that with the natural progression of graceful improvement and maturation that Accord has enjoyed over its ten generations, and it's easy to see why it remains the preferred choice for those who enjoy the journey as much as the destination.