Only 2 Cars Outrank the 2023 Toyota Camry as U.S. News’ Best Midsize Car to Buy Right Now
The famed Toyota Camry has sat atop many midsize sedan rankings over the years. With a new aggressive look, stunning driver-assistance tech, and renowned reliability, the most recent iteration of the Camry impresses many. Yet, times have changed. U.S. News & World Report ranks the 2023 Toyota Camry third in its class, below the 2023 Kia K5 and 2022 Honda Accord. Here’s how they stack up with each other.
2022 Honda Accord vs. 2023 Kia K5 vs. 2023 Toyota Camry: Performance and fuel economy
Although speed and acceleration aren’t the benchmarks of standard, midsize sedans, it’s still good to know if the car will get out of its own way. The 2022 Honda Accord has a perfectly capable, 192-horsepower turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder in the base model. With a continuously variable automatic transmission and front-wheel drive (FWD), the powertrain is smooth and fine for everyday driving.
U.S. News estimates an eco-friendly 30 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway. For those who want more boot in their scoot, a 252-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder is available, paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission. Although it provides swift acceleration and seamless gear changes, fuel economy falls to just 22 and 32 mpg city and highway, respectively. Unfortunately, there’s no all-wheel drive (AWD) option.
The base Kia K5 comes with a 180-horsepower 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder mated with an eight-speed automatic transmission powering the front wheels. Sufficient for commuting, the EPA estimates 27 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway. Higher-priced trim levels with AWD drop mpg figures to 25 in the city and 33 on the highway. If driving beckons sportiness, a 290-horsepower 2.5-liter turbo-four with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic and AWD can be had. Only one mpg is lost with the power increase, and drivers can experience a shockingly quick zero-60 mph time of 5.2 seconds, Car and Driver says.
Toyota’s Camry will beat the Accord in acceleration, but not the K5. Despite its 301-horsepower 3.5-Liter V6, the Toyota’s 267 lb-ft of torque doesn’t stand up to the Kia’s 311 lb-ft. If the Camry’s 208-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder is picked, however, it can hang with the Accord in fuel efficiency. With its slick eight-speed auto, the EPA estimates 28 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway. With AWD, these estimates drop to 25 and 34 mpg city and highway, correspondingly. Models with FWD and the peppy V6 get 22 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway.
2022 Honda Accord vs. 2023 Kia K5 vs. 2023 Toyota Camry: Interior features
Inside the cabin, while the Camry is slightly dull, there’s more than enough room for passengers and some carry-ons. This is ideal because its trunk is somewhat small for cars in the midsize segment. Although any trim level provides a comfortable ride and composed handling, U.S. News reviewers say, “wind and road noise permeate the cabin.” Regardless, the Camry’s intuitive infotainment system can keep customers distracted. The standard unit is a 7-inch touchscreen paired with a six-speaker stereo. Pricier trim levels gain a 9-inch touchscreen with navigation and a nine-speaker JBL stereo.
Given its athletic styling, rear seat headroom in the K5 isn’t ideal for larger-than-average adults. Despite the K5’s sporty exterior, the Kia prioritizes comfort over performance. Though less upscale than what some competitors offer, the K5’s modern cabin provides adequate relief and satisfaction. An eight-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a six-speaker audio system are standard on the K5. A 10.25-inch unit with a 12-speaker Bose stereo is available on upper trim levels, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto require a wired connection. Yet, so do all Camry models.
Offering Acura-esque luxury, Honda’s Accord has a premium, spacious, and quiet interior with comfortable seating. With 16.7 cu-ft of cargo space, the Accord has one of the largest trunks in the segment. It offers about a countertop microwave-worth of space more than the K5 and a small washing machine load more than the Camry. Standard tech features include an 8-inch touchscreen and a four-speaker stereo. Although Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available, it’s wireless on higher-priced trim levels. Ordering up with also introduce an eight or ten-speaker audio system with navigation and a Wi-Fi hotspot.
2022 Honda Accord vs. 2023 Kia K5 vs. 2023 Toyota Camry: Driver assistance equipment
Toyota has been one of the best in the business when it comes to driver assistance and safety features. Camrys with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 now come standard with standard automatic high-beam headlights and road sign recognition. However, there’s no driver drowsiness monitor included. U.S. News asserts that the Kia and the Honda are base model attributes.
However, blind-spot monitoring with Rear cross-traffic alert is not standard on the Accord. But it is on the K5. Toyota and Kia have the Honda licked further as the Accord doesn’t have a surround-view parking camera. While the K5 offers a slightly better-stocked driver assistance package than the Toyota, it still doesn’t have a head-up display, whereas the others do.
Which midsize sedan is worth buying?
U.S. News rated the Accord, K5, and Camry one, two, and three because they are all the best- three midsize cars available today. It’s tough to choose between the ever-popular Camry, the surprisingly sporty K5, and the best-looking Honda Accord ever made. Regarding price, the Accord has both the highest starting and top-of-the-line price points at $26,120 and $38,050. The Toyota Camry begins at $25,945, but a more expensive trim level must be selected for the standard interior trimmings Accord offers. The premier Camry starts at $36,370, which is equal to the top-spec Accord.
The K5 has the lowest starting price at $25,090 and the lowest upper trim level price at $31,490. The top-level GT trim loses a few of the EX trim’s features, such as ventilated front seats and a few driver-assistance aids. However, the optional GT1 Package includes these lost features and the smorgasbord of contents in the EX Premium package for an extra $4,200. Overall, the top trim K5 GT is more than $3,000 below the segment average.
