For generations, the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord have battled it out in the midsize sedan segment for dominations and attention.
These two cars are often thought of as the top two vehicles when it comes to predictability, reliability, dependability, and capability for family driving. Fuel mileage is often very close with both of these sedans, and the major differences seen between them often arise when one is updated while the other remains the same for at least one more model year. Looking at the 2023 versions of these two admirable sedans, we can give you a better idea of which car you’ll want to drive.
The Honda Powertrain Might Leave You Wanting
For years, CVTs have been mired by terrible reputations. While this type of transmission is excellent for adding better fuel mileage to a vehicle, it’s not the most reliable. Unfortunately for the Honda Accord, this is the transmission offered. This transmission mates to either the 1.5-liter turbo or 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. The Accord offers a maximum of 252 horsepower and 273 lb.-ft. of torque, with most models giving 192 of each from the base engine. Fuel mileage is decent at 30 city/38 hwy mpg from the base engine, but you might want more from your car.
The Toyota Gives You More
Strictly based on the powertrain, you’ll want to drive the Toyota Camry and not the Honda Accord. The Camry uses an eight-speed automatic transmission for both engines, which are both larger than what the Honda brings. The base engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that delivers 202 horsepower and 182 lb.-ft. of torque. Move to the 3.5-liter V6 powertrain of the TRD model, and you’ve got 301 horsepower and 267 lb.-ft. of torque. Fuel mileage is comparable to the Accord at 28 city/39 hwy mpg.
How Are These Cars Similar?
These two midsize sedans have always been ideal candidates for the standard family to drive. For 2023, both offer hybrid versions to give you better fuel mileage, and both start at less than $30,000. Whether you choose the Camry or the Accord, you’ll know you’ve got a car you can depend on to take you wherever you need to go every day. It’s truly that simple when it comes to these two cars, but you might want to know more about them before you pick between the two unless you’re ready to flip a coin.
The Accord is Sportier and More Stylish
The 2023 version of the Honda Accord receives updates to make it more stylish and sporty. This isn’t anything new; the Accord has always been a more attractive car than the Camry. Somehow, Honda gives this midsize sedan the driving dynamics that make it more fun to drive. The TRD version of the Camry gives you plenty of power and can be the most fun version of these two sedans, but you’ll pay a lot more for it and lose some of the fuel efficiency you desire in your sedan.
The Accord is More Agile
The Honda Accord delivers a factor of fun driving, which can partially be attributed to the turbocharged engines offered. Both engines use this feature to add more power to the mix. This means Honda can get away with smaller engines and still offer some impressive power numbers. By using these smaller blocks, the Accord becomes lighter and more agile than the Camry, making the Honda the sedan that’s a lot more fun to take out on any road. Find the curving and winding roads and let the Accord toss about for you.
If it Ain’t Broke
While we do expect to see some styling tweaks in the new Accord, don’t expect anything too dramatic. This new version will likely have mostly digital updates and give us similar driving manners and qualities as what we’ve had in the past. This could mean good news for the Camry when it hits the next generational change. Is it possible we won’t see many changes to the Honda Accord or Toyota Camry until both of these automakers get their feet truly wet in the EV world? That’s hard to say, but certainly part of what the hints tell us.
Hybrids Continue for Both Cars
Both cars offer hybrid versions, which means you could buy either one and enjoy the benefits of better fuel mileage than what’s offered with the base powertrains. The Toyota Camry includes a hybrid powertrain that delivers 176 horsepower and 163 lb.-ft. of torque. This model currently returns 51 city/53 hwy mpg.
Moving to the Accord, you’ll find a hybrid powertrain that outperforms the Camry hybrid. For the Honda, you’ll enjoy 212 horsepower and 232 lb.-ft. of torque coming out of the engine. The fuel mileage offered for this hybrid isn’t quite what Toyota offers. The Honda Accord Hybrid reaches 48 city/47 hwy mpg, which is still pretty good.
When looking at the hybrid powertrains of the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, you see the Accord offers more power while the Camry delivers with better overall fuel mileage.
If Changes Aren’t Plentiful, What Should We Expect from These Two Cars
Going into 2023, we don’t expect to see a great deal of changes about either the Accord or the Camry. Even though the Accord enters its 11th generation in the market, you won’t see power differences or styling upgrades. While we don’t know exactly what changes are made, the Honda could offer better driving dynamics, improved electronics, and more safety features.
Looking at the next version of the Camry, we know there aren’t many upgrades. The 2023 model year doesn’t signify a new generation for this car, which means very few upgrades to the Camry. Of course, with this car, you’ve got a tried and trusted formula to give you an impressive package of great features for your drive.
Which Car Should You Drive?
If the next model year is when you plan to drive a new family-sized sedan, you’ve got some options in front of you. If you’re looking for fun and style, go ahead and take the Honda Accord home with you. On the other hand, if you want to avoid the CVT and enjoy more power from under the hood, the Toyota Camry is the car for you. Of course, if you’re looking for a hybrid car to drive, the Honda Accord is more powerful than the Toyota Camry, but the Camry is more efficient than the Accord.
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