The Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord have been battling for the best midsize sedan spot since their introduction toward the beginning of the 1980s. Both Toyota and Honda have invested billions of dollars in development to ensure that its vehicle is the best. A recent ranking from Consumer Reports placed the Camry above the Accord, making it one of the very best in its segment. While the difference in points is minimal, the Camry manages to beat the Accord in critical areas. 

The Camry has more reliable in-car electronics

The Toyota Camry scored a near-perfect score for reliability in Consumer Reports scoring scale. Both the Honda Accord and the Camry received top marks for its significant components, such as the engine, transmission, and suspension. The best part of the reliability report is that it allows potential buyers to compare different model years for faults. The Camry has an almost perfect track record across various generations, whereas the Accord seems to be struggling in recent years. 

The significant areas of concern highlighted by the report for the Accord were the in-car electronics. The in-car electronics section covers items such as the infotainment screen, Bluetooth connectivity, and the backup camera. The score has been consistently low for almost four years in a row, meaning that tech-related problems are not new. On the other hand, the Camry had in-car electronic issues for the 2018 model year but have since been fixed with the 2019 model and beyond. 

The Toyota Camry’s optional extras are more affordable

There is no denying that the Honda Accord has a lower base price than the Toyota Camry. However, buyers seldom purchase base models without options. In the case of customizing your car to your specifications, the Camry begins to offer more value for money. For $24,270, buyers can get the base model Accord and its 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 192 hp. For $24,425, the Camry offers a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 203 hp. 

From there, the price of the Accord balloons up to the range-topping Accord Touring for around $42,000. The top of the line Toyota Camry XSE V6 with comparable options comes in just above $38,000. The result is that getting the best of the Accord requires an additional $4,000 over the Camry.

The same is true for the other 12 trim levels available for the Camry than the six available for the Accord. The extra trim levels mean that buyers will be able to option their Camry to their specifications for a more affordable price. 

The Camry makes for a better daily driver

During their testing of the Honda Accord, Consumer Reports noted that while the suspension was decently compliant, it was not as supple as that of the Toyota Camry. One consequence of the Accord using a CVT transmission as opposed to a traditional automatic is extra noise.

The Accord’s CVT allows the engine to rev very high, generating in-cabin noise. In contrast, the Toyota Camry’s eight-speed automatic transmission can keep the revs low enough to not only improve fuel efficiency but also reduce noise. 

The range-topping engine available in the Honda Accord is a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine producing 252 hp. For less money, the Camry comes equipped with a 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6. Aside from being more powerful with 301 hp, the Camry’s engine is also more efficient. It was capable of achieving a higher mpg average during Consumer Reports’ testing.