Contrary to popular belief, automobiles still make up roughly 20% of new automobile purchases. The diverse range of Toyota Camry models continues to eclipse the sales of many other favored crossovers, with the exception of the Toyota RAV4. With the freshly reimagined Honda Accord, it’s evident that Honda isn’t surrendering to the crossover trend either. The historic competition among the top-selling standard sedans continues, persisting into the age of electrification.
The 2024 Honda Accord debuts with a more understated redesign and an eco-friendly hybrid variant, representing nearly half of its sales. The top-selling 2025 Toyota Camry also shines in the hybrid space, as it’s transitioned to exclusively offer hybrids, including an all-wheel-drive variant not available for the Accord.
Despite some distinct differences, the two are more alike than not, boasting initial costs under $30,000 and an array of standard features aimed at reducing collisions. Each offers a reliable option, but for distinct considerations. We compare these models head-to-head and examine their relative strengths.
Which Honda Accord model should you purchase?
Honda’s preference is the Accord Hybrid. The LX and EX trims with the turbo-4 are more budget-friendly, but the approximately $4,000 premium for the Hybrid is justified by numerous additional features. For close to $29,000 including destination fees, the base model LX comes outfitted with standard new-car necessities like fabric upholstery, a 7.0-inch touchscreen compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 10.2-inch digital gauge display, and dual USB-C outlets.
Advancing to the entry-level Sport Hybrid for less than $34,000 adds perks like a 12.3-inch touchscreen with no-strings-attached smartphone compatibility and optional inductive charging, alongside a moonroof, an adjustable driver’s seat, two-zone climate management, and a steering wheel wrapped in leather. For an additional $1,500, our attention goes to the EX-L as the pinnacle pick for the Accord Hybrid. It maintains its fuel-conscious 17-inch wheels and tires contrary to the 19-inch variants on other Hybrids and includes leather seating, an adjustable passenger seat, plus heated front seats and mirrors.
Which Toyota Camry model should you select?
The Camry is available in LE, SE, XLE, and XSE trims, each equipped with the hybrid engine. Priced just below $30,000, the baseline Camry LE furnishes a suite of amenities akin to that of the Accord, including an 8.0-inch touchscreen for smartphone interaction. However, the infotainment system seems a step behind the Accord’s newest iteration. The all-wheel-drive feature comes at an additional $1,525.
The intermediate XLE model, priced at $34,495, appeals to us with its motorized leather front seats with heating functionality, a cordless smartphone charge point, twin 12.3-inch digital screens for gauge clusters and infotainment, as well as optional extras like an expansive moonroof and a 9-speaker JBL sound system.
Which sedan possesses the superior guarantee?
The warranty offerings of the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry are almost indistinguishable, both presenting a three-year/36,000-mile standard warranty, with the first two years or 24,000 miles (Accord; Camry stretches to 25,000 miles) of scheduled service included. The Camry Hybrid, however, narrowly outshines the competition due to Toyota’s commitment to a 10-year or 150,000-mile battery guarantee, compared to the eight-year/100,000-mile battery component warranty provided by Honda.
Does the Honda Accord boast a pleasing appearance?
It does, albeit it’s less eye-catching compared to its previous iteration, which had a notable edge against the Camry with its sleek fastback form. Honda has tempered its current design to emanate a more classic air; moving from an Audi-esque aesthetic to something resembling a VW Passat. With a growth of 2.7 inches, the Accord now portrays an elongated and low silhouette, featuring a dipping front bonnet over a prominent dual-section grille.
Interiorly, it embraces the Civic’s mesh ventilation trim and a minimalist dashboard design. Honda has omitted more elaborate elements like simulated wood accents and push-button gears in favor of a traditional mechanical gear selector, but the shallow dashboard effectively integrates the optional 12.3-inch touchscreen. An array of dials and switches for the audio and climate systems reduces touchscreen dependency for common operations, and overall, it boasts a tidy, uncluttered space.
What’s the Accord’s driving experience like?
The Accord lacks rapid acceleration, yet compensates with assured, well-balanced maneuvering, owing to its sturdy chassis, even as a solely front-wheel-drive vehicle. The standard 1.5-liter turbocharged engine produces 192 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque and is mated to a CVT. Its operation is often imperceptible. The Accord is notable for its precise yet agile steering. Although its powertrain isn’t as robust as the Camry’s, the Accord’s handling and steering sensations exceed its competitor’s.
A dual-motor hybrid configuration is paired with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder in the Accord to generate 204 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque. There’s a slight delay in power delivery upon initial acceleration, but the transition between the motors and combustion engine is quiet, smooth, and effortlessly maintained. Mimicking electric vehicles, shift paddles offer six stages of regenerative deceleration, promoting a nearly one-pedal operation. However, it retains the characteristic crawl of traditional internal combustion engine vehicles in gear.
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