The better choice: Toyota Camry vs Honda Accord

Man U is better than Chelsea, DC is interesting than Marvel or is the Toyota Camry better than the Honda Accord? These questions have and continue to plague the universe. While we wouldn’t want to comment on the other two, we are here to settle the Camry vs Accord debate once and for all. Let’s dig into details, shall we?

Looks

Both the competitors have a new look. Both have gone under the knife for the model year 2018 and look all the sleeker than before. The Honda Accord 2018 brings along with it an unabashed attitude, typical of cars from the big H. Needless to say, this time around, Honda has sharpened the knife even more. The all-LED headlamps, LED fog lamps, the wide grille, the 17-inch wheels and LED tail lamps all add to the visual drama. The Honda Accord will get you noticed more than the Camry. That’s not to say that the new Toyota Camry, especially for Malaysia, looks any worse than the wear. While the new Camry in the USA looks more like an EV, this one signals its IC engine with a wider grille with fog lamps mounted on the inner edge and HID lights. We kind of like the new Camry’s rear. It has slightly more character than the Accord’s. However,  the new Honda Accord wins this round solely on its bling factor.

Features and interior

All being said, its the interior where one will be spending more time with either of these cars. The Toyota Camry offers a grey-ish cabin and it is interspersed by a plum upholstery. There is the touchscreen infotainment system replete with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, various storage spaces, powered front seats, reclining rear seat, sunroof and more. The Honda Accord, on the other hand, brings in the same grey theme to the cabin but has wooden inserts on the dashboard. Now, while few may think them to be cool, they definitely will polarise opinion. The Honda offers all the features to match the Camry but we like the 7-inch touchscreen better here. It is fluid and doesn’t lag.

More often than not, the Camry, as well as Accord, are brought for their back seat comfort. Here the Camry has the upper hand as one can slide the front passenger seat ahead with a rotary knob. What’s more, the rear seat reclines as well. The Honda Accord 2018 isn’t too bad in this regard but the certain missing comforts do relegate it to the back seat in this war. Both the cars come with huge safety dragnets but again, the Camry inches ahead with seven airbags as opposed to the six on the Honda.

Engines and performance

Both the cars here are offered with a S 2.0-litre as well as 2.4-litre engines. The difference is that the Camry’s bigger engine is a hybrid unit. It makes 215 PS of combined power and has a way better efficiency than the Accord. The 167 PS smaller engined Camry in the meanwhile is the starting point in the range. Honda’s 2.0-litre engine makes 157 PS of power while the bigger turbo motor makes 175 PS. Both the engines are mated to old-school 5-speed auto transmissions. The turbo motor, of course, receives paddle shifters too. Toyota in the meanwhile has opted for a 6-speed automatic in the Camry and an e-CVT for the hybrid. Its a mystery as to why Honda isn’t offering the Accord Hybrid in Malaysia.

Want a slightly more efficient ride? The Camry it is. Want a more punchy and enthusiastic motor, its the Honda all the way.

Ride and handling

In the handling department, its the Honda Accord that wins. The car is more enthusiastic to tuck into corners, has a steering wheel with much better feedback and has sharper brakes. The Toyota Camry 2018 meanwhile comes back with a much quieter cabin and sorted ride quality. There is no question here. If you want the driving pleasure, its the Accord and for a chauffeur-driven experience,  Camry that takes the cake.

Verdict

The Toyota Camry range starts from RM 1.4 lakh and goes up to RM 1.6 lakh. Honda has priced the Accord at RM 1.4 lakh and RM 1.68 lakh. Both the prices are exclusive of GST. At this point, the Toyota Camry is the one that makes sense. Especially the Hybrid trim. Its more fuel efficient and is the better car when it comes to back seat comfort. Choose the one in grey colour if you are buying it. The car looks sinister in that palette