Inside Line: 2013 Honda Accord vs. 2012 Toyota Camry Comparison Test

[CP1]

1st Place: 2013 Honda Accord EX
The Accord is once again the epitome of good taste in the four-cylinder midsize sedan class. It's quicker, more fuel-efficient and overall more enjoyable to drive than the Toyota, and it has a nicer cabin to boot.

2nd Place: 2012 Toyota Camry LE
We won't stop you from buying a Camry, especially if you like a compliant ride. But its automatic transmission isn't as responsive as Honda's CVT, and its interior belongs to a lower income bracket.

http://www.insideline.com/honda/acco...ison-test.html

[mike02467]

link fail

[baljet]

Incredible how an Accord is now more premium than a Camry. It has always been the other way around, but Toyota has really screwed over the Camry by moving it down market.

[CP1]

^ I'd say the previous Camry was more downmarket (truly had a cheap interior).

Seems like the new Accord has gone more upscale as it likely will be a "world" model w/ the Euro Accord going away.

[Impeccable]

^ I'd say the previous Camry was more downmarket (truly had a cheap interior).

Seems like the new Accord has gone more upscale as it likely will be a "world" model w/ the Euro Accord going away.

Previous camry exterior did look more upscale though, New camry looks econo car from some angles.

[Egz]

Sadly, Camry will still outsell Accord.

[Mazda 3s]

Honda has found its way

[Swallow Doretti]

In other news, the sky is still blue.

Does ANYONE seriously think the results would have been different? I'd be much more interested in Accord vs. Altima to see who will go up against the Fusion.

[AKADriver]

In other news, the sky is still blue.

Does ANYONE seriously think the results would have been different? I'd be much more interested in Accord vs. Altima to see who will go up against the Fusion.

Eh, I think articles like this are worthwhile for the non-enthusiasts. They know that Honda and Toyota build good cars but this might get someone who is browsing Edmunds for Camry pricing to think "oh! maybe I should look at an Accord instead."

[Robski92]

The Accord just looks so much better.

[Swallow Doretti]

Eh, I think articles like this are worthwhile for the non-enthusiasts. They know that Honda and Toyota build good cars but this might get someone who is browsing Edmunds for Camry pricing to think "oh! maybe I should look at an Accord instead."

That being the case, a three-way comparison would make more sense.

[Hajduk]

I'd be much more interested in Accord vs. Altima to see who will go up against the Fusion.

That's next months issue

[Lwize]

But sleekness?

[BLK9GEN]

Not shocking: The Accord is a better drivers car than the Camry.
Somewhat shocking: The Accord is as quiet as the Camry at speed.

I really want to see a comparison of the Accord Sport up against the sportiest trim levels of the competition.

[MrKevkevL]

Accord > Camry. Always.


...but I'd never buy either of them. I am a Toyonda marketer's worst nightmare

Sent from my Galaxy S3 using Tapatalk 2

[rlaltiowner05]

Not shocking: The Accord is a better drivers car than the Camry.
Somewhat shocking: The Accord is as quiet as the Camry at speed.

I really want to see a comparison of the Accord Sport up against the sportiest trim levels of the competition.

I think the Accord sport will lose ground to the SE when it comes to equipment...I think Honda is stupid to limit the Sport to a trim level between the LX and EX instead of either making the Sport a trim between the EX and EX-L or offering the "Sport" as an extension of trim levels.

LX-Sport, EX-sport, EX-L Sport so that those of us who LIKE the "Sport" look can get the equipment in the EX or EX-L...seems really stupid to me.

I'd want either a Touring I4 or a Sport (loaded) the regular EX just looks a bit too...spartan for my taste.

[maskedSONY]

I think the Accord sport will lose ground to the SE when it comes to equipment...I think Honda is stupid to limit the Sport to a trim level between the LX and EX instead of either making the Sport a trim between the EX and EX-L or offering the "Sport" as an extension of trim levels.

The Accord Sport will be more of a drivers car regardless of what Toyota does to the Camry SE.

[rlaltiowner05]

That's obvious my point is Honda limits the appeal of tye sport trim by bot offering more trims or more equipment on the sport model...tye camry se can be optuoned with all kinds of stuff...kinda sad you cans do that with the accord sport

[Fritz27]

But the Camry is much more "grounded to the ground."

[madmax2k1]

The Accord Sport will be more of a drivers car regardless of what Toyota does to the Camry SE.

I love how people think that there is such a thing as a driver's car in that category of cars (Accord, Camry, Altima, Fusion), these are sedans built for commuting in comfort first.

If you want driver involvement in a sedan, keep looking.

[2.0T_Convert]

That's obvious my point is Honda limits the appeal of tye sport trim by bot offering more trims or more equipment on the sport model...tye camry se can be optuoned with all kinds of stuff...kinda sad you cans do that with the accord sport

Honda always offers accessory wheels, body pieces, and spoilers which can be added to any trim.

[Dr. Woo]

26.3 mpg observed is no small feat in a car this size and weight, but surprisingly isn't quite as good as my wife's observed fuel economy in her '05 Accord Hybrid.

[above8k]

beating Camry is no big deal.

[2.0T_Convert]

beating Camry is no big deal.

It is a big deal when Honda dealers can take a clipping of this article and show them to customers. The Camry is the best selling car is this segment and the traditional arch rival of the Accord.

[maskedSONY]

I love how people think that there is such a thing as a driver's car in that category of cars (Accord, Camry, Altima, Fusion), these are sedans built for commuting in comfort first.

If you want driver involvement in a sedan, keep looking.

Your point is valid, but just because you want a practical car doesn't mean the car should totally sacrifice the fundamentals of what makes for a rewarding drive. The Accord is not incredibly rewarding to drive but it's balanced and well-behaved, two factors that make highway driving and the occasional spirited drive in a family car a pleasant experience. Not everybody wants their family car to be the family boat and dull of all responses, but a majority do and they buy Camry's.

Obviously, if you want driver involvement, you fork up an addition $7K-$10K and find a reasonable BMW 3-series to buy. But that's another thread.

[above8k]

It is a big deal when Honda dealers can take a clipping of this article and show them to customers. The Camry is the best selling car is this segment and the traditional arch rival of the Accord.

Eh!...I dont care about sales. Sales doesnt make the car better, if this is the case then Corolla with 4A is better than Focus and Cruze.

Also, last gen Accord have already beaten the new Camry in C&D comparo thats why I am not that thrilled with this comparo. The real competition for Accord is Fusion, Altima and Mazda6.

[rlaltiowner05]

Honda always offers accessory wheels, body pieces, and spoilers which can be added to any trim.

All automakers do...I've already seen the set of accessory 17 inch wheels for the 2013 accord...small and ugly...ditto for the body kit. I own an accord, even worked for a Honda dealer briefly so I'm aware of what Honda does and doesn't offer...its still silky of Honda to limit the sport models appeal.

[a2a4raddo]

. The real competition for Accord is Fusion, Altima and Mazda6.

Sure...to an enthusiast....although....none of these cars would be an enthusiasts first choice in automobile...they buy family sedans because they need to, not because they want to. That said...for the majority of people shopping cars in this class....the Accord's real competition is without a doubt....the Camry. They are the bar. Everyone is chasing the Camry and Accord in this segment, not the other way around. They own it...and have for many years....decades even.

Today, all these vehicles are so close...that it really comes down to subjective preferences. If you are an enthusiast...you will likely prefer the Mazda or Accord. But they all do something really well.....better yet...they all do everything really well. And they all do something better then the other. There is no bad choice. And there is no clear winner.

[juice]

Not really fair that they tested a cheap LE model, but I doubt that would have made much difference.

Is Honda poised for a come back?

Let's see Accord vs. Altima vs. Fusion.

[too_slow]

I am pleasantly surprised (in a positive way) with the Accord. I am hoping Honda can do the same with the Civic. I personally think they should just rebadge the ILX back to a Civic and stick the newer R18 (or whatever the replacement engine is) in it and sell it as is. In terms of amenities and perceived luxury on the ILX , it's not even on par with the Focus Titantium.

[2.0T_Convert]

All automakers do...I've already seen the set of accessory 17 inch wheels for the 2013 accord...small and ugly...ditto for the body kit. I own an accord, even worked for a Honda dealer briefly so I'm aware of what Honda does and doesn't offer...its still silky of Honda to limit the sport models appeal.

You've seen them?

Per Honda.com website the current Accord sedan offers 2 choices of 18" wheels for the sedan and coupe.

Sonata doesn't offer heated seats on the SE trim and neither does the Camry SE. I'm sure Honda is so stupid for not offering 3-4 additional trim levels just for those few "sporty" enthusiasts who would rather drive a 4 door sedan instead of a Mustang.

[a2a4raddo]

In terms of amenities and perceived luxury on the ILX , it's not even on par with the Focus Titantium.

Same can be said for the 35K CT200h & A3.

[Impeccable]

I love how people think that there is such a thing as a driver's car in that category of cars (Accord, Camry, Altima, Fusion), these are sedans built for commuting in comfort first.

If you want driver involvement in a sedan, keep looking.

Honda was always very good at making a good handling car, after all back in the day they were the only ones with lively steering, double wishbone suspension(now gone from what i hear), and a damn great shifting manual tranny.

[Saintor]

Sadly, Camry will still outsell Accord.

Not that sales matter that much, but all recent Accord sales to retail customers (excluding fleets) were higher than the Camry.

[Ross1013]

Your point is valid, but just because you want a practical car doesn't mean the car should totally sacrifice the fundamentals of what makes for a rewarding drive. The Accord is not incredibly rewarding to drive but it's balanced and well-behaved, two factors that make highway driving and the occasional spirited drive in a family car a pleasant experience. Not everybody wants their family car to be the family boat and dull of all responses, but a majority do and they buy Camry's.

Obviously, if you want driver involvement, you fork up an addition $7K-$10K and find a reasonable BMW 3-series to buy. But that's another thread.

I agree 100% with the bolded. However, the Accord has always been a rewarding car to drive, and has always been the best driver's car in its class.

You don't need to buy a RWD German car to get driver involvement. You can get driver involvement from any well-engineered car, at any price.

A car that simply behaves predictably with a satisfying mechanical response, and allows the driver to supply the fireworks, can be just as rewarding as a car that brings the fireworks to the driver.

Honda was always very good at making a good handling car, after all back in the day they were the only ones with lively steering, double wishbone suspension(now gone from what i hear), and a damn great shifting manual tranny.

QFT

All of their cars handle well and are generally better-engineered than any Asian or American competitors.