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RYAN ZUMMALLEN: If you're looking at mid-sized sedans,
there are two names that will pop up right away,
the Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord.
Both of these cars are spacious, have smooth rides,
and come with lots of tech.
They also get strong EPA estimated fuel economy ratings.
Now here's where things get a little awkward.
After hours and hours of our testing,
it's become clear that one of these cars
is simply better than the other one.
But which one?
And what if you decide to get the other car anyway?
I'm here to help you with all of that and more.
Hi.
I'm Ryan from Edmunds.
Each year, we painstakingly test hundreds of cars,
while CarMax experts buy, sell, and appraise
thousands and thousands.
We're combining our car testing knowledge
with their experience to help you make the right choice
on your next car.
Hey, before we get started, be sure to click Like
and click Subscribe to see more CarMax videos like this one.
If you'd like to read a full, in-depth article about both
of these vehicles, click the link in the description below.
Is there really that much difference
between an Accord and a Camry?
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.
And I'll show you exactly what I mean by that.
First up, we have the 2020 Toyota Camry XSE.
And I know what you're thinking.
Whoa, that face.
Yeah, it's a lot.
But the Camry has always had a reputation for being sleepy,
and I appreciate that beginning in 2018,
they tried to pump up the attitude.
On average, CarMax sells 2020 Camry for about $24,000,
depending on things like the trim level, mileage, options,
and other factors.
And then we have a 2020 Honda Accord Sport.
This generation of the Accord also came out in 2018,
and they didn't try to go all out there with the styling.
The truth is, they didn't need to.
Honda engineers the Accord's engines,
suspension, and steering to feel exciting and responsive.
The Accord doesn't need to shout.
It does all its showboating on the road.
CarMax sells the 2020 Accord for an average around $27,000,
again, depending on trim level, mileage, options,
and other factors.
You're going to be spending a lot of time inside,
so let's take a peek into both of these cruise ships.
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There is a reason so many people feel
comfortable inside of the Camry, figuratively and literally.
First of all, there's a lot of space in here,
and it's easy to get in and out.
Because of the big windshield and windows,
you also have really good visibility of the road ahead.
Now the materials in the Camry are not
going to wow anybody, even when they're covered in red,
like this one is.
But all of the controls are clearly
labeled and perfectly placed where
you would expect them to be.
Base versions of the Camry come with a 7-inch touch screen,
and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also standard.
On this XSE trim, you get a 9-inch touchscreen.
There are also driver aides that come standard on the Camry,
like forward collision mitigation
and adaptive cruise control.
And it's great that they're included.
But in our testing, we found that they're a little bit too
sensitive.
In keeping with the easy theme, this climate control system
is pretty powerful.
So you should be able to get to a comfortable temperature
quickly.
Also, these seats are big and wide, with lots
of cushy padding.
And we think that will be a great fit for folks
of all sizes.
Now let's check out the Accord.
At first glance, the Accord could fool you
for a luxury car.
But does it hold up to a closer inspection?
Let's find out.
Just like the Camry, up front, you have lots of room
and great visibility of the road ahead.
Getting into the back, though, taller folks
will probably have to duck to get under that roof line.
However, once they're there, they'll enjoy lots of legroom.
The materials inside the cabin are better
quality than in the Camry.
The rub is that these controls are pretty thin
and there's a steeper learning curve
to using the infotainment system.
So it's a matter of preference.
Which one is more important to you, better quality materials
or overall ease of use?
Base versions of the Accord get a 7-inch touch screen,
but they don't get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
For that, you need an Accord Sport, like this one.
There, you get an 8-inch screen, and Apple CarPlay and Android
Auto are standard.
More standard equipment on the Accord
is dual-zone climate control, which is very nice.
And there's a similar suite of driver aides,
like adaptive cruise control and forward collision mitigation.
In our testing, the Accord's system is better than that
of the Camry's.
But they're still pretty sensitive,
so just be aware of that when youi shop.
The seats in the Accord have less cushy padding
than the Camry, but there's more support.
It's a really nice shape that feels like it will
hold up well for long drives.
So again, a matter of preference-- big and cushy,
tighter and more supportive.
It's cushy to a fault, but there's no doubt
the Camry is practical.
It's just not exciting.
Comparing these cabins may be kind of a wash.
But the Accord definitely feels more grown up
in its materials and graphics.
So far, these sedans have been pretty much neck and neck.
But that ends now, because we're about to hit the road.
I could really use an iced coffee or something.
You guys?
Anybody else?
What would happen if you put seatbelts on a cloud?
The Toyota Camry.
The Camry has a smooth ride.
But like a cloud, it's exposed to the elements.
There's lots of outside noise from the engine, from the road,
and from the wind.
But the Camry's cushy nature is its main feature on the road.
Under the hood, you have a choice
of a 4-cylinder engine or a V6.
My advice?
The 4-cylinder is plenty.
It's a sleepy drive that likes to amble along.
But I like the smooth gearshifts.
Ultimately, though, driving the Camry just
feels too vague, which saps some confidence.
And it doesn't match the flashy design outside.
The Camry is a cloud, but the Accord
is a stylish, comfortable piece of vintage furniture
with seatbelts.
It's naturally responsive and easy to use,
and it's a step ahead of the Camry on the road.
There are not one but two turbo engines to choose from.
There's a 1.5-liter and a 2.0-liter.
The latter can cost more, but that engine
has the power for sporty driving and the refinement of a luxury
car.
Really.
The Accord feels great to the pedal.
It's happy to play, and the brakes have good feedback.
The steering balance is fun and comfort.
I enjoy it more the longer I drive it.
There's also a good ride, but you
can feel the suspension working underneath you on the road.
Here's a pro tip.
If you get the Touring model, it has upgraded dampers
for even more comfort.
It's also impressively quiet inside.
There's very little traffic noise,
and you only get road noise at highway speeds.
This Camry feels miles better than Camrys of the past,
but it has a long way to go to reach Accord levels.
You think it, the Accord does it.
This is among the very best midsize sedans on the road.
The Camry is practical above all,
but is that enough to beat out the Accord?
In the back of the Camry, you get
15.1 cubic feet of trunk space, and that's
very large for the class.
You also get this really wide opening.
Look at how wide this thing is.
If you need to load things that are even larger than that,
you can fold down the rear seats by pulling these levers.
The back seat also has a lot of space for bulky child seats.
Just try not to lose those little plastic covers.
When it comes to fuel economy, this XSE trim with
the 2.5-liter engine is rated at an estimated 31 MPG combined,
which is good for the class.
And even better, we've backed it up in our testing.
If you need even more efficiency,
base versions of the Camry get an estimated 34 MPG combined.
Get out of here, Camry.
The Accord has even more trunk space at 16.7 cubic feet,
which is a lot for the class.
Just like in the Camry, there are levers back here so
that you can fold down the rear seats while you're
standing at the trunk.
And in that back seat, there's plenty
of space for bulky child seats.
Plus, these little flaps make it easy to find the anchors.
And you're not going to lose them.
They're attached to the seat.
As for fuel economy, this Sport model with the 2-liter engine
gets an EPA estimated 26 MPG combined, which is not
that impressive for the class.
And worse still, it underperformed that rating
in our testing.
If you need more efficiency, you can find an Accord with
the 1.5-liter engine and CVT transmission.
That will get 33 MPG combined.
The Camry provides a great package
with loads of space and accurate fuel economy estimates.
The Accord goes above and beyond when it comes to storage,
but that 2-liter turbo is thirsty.
The Toyota Camry and Honda Accord
are two of the most sensible used cars you can buy.
They just appeal to very different customers.
The Camry provides a stress-free experience,
with a lower average price, better fuel economy ratings,
and more intuitive tech.
It's for cruising around and hauling your family and friends
in those supremely cushy seats.
It is not for shaking you awake in the morning.
You're going to need to stock up on coffee.
The Accord makes you feel more alive.
You will likely pay a little more for it,
but at Edmunds, we think it's worth the extra coin
for the feeling you get behind the wheel.
There's a precision and punch to the driving experience.
Plus, you actually get more leg room and trunk space.
It's a sedan that simply goes above and beyond.
You're just going to use a little more gas.
So which one is for you?
We recommend the Accord for the majority of buyers,
but there are plenty of reasons to love the Camry.
One thing's for sure.
There's a lot of value in these midsize sedans.
Thanks so much for watching.
Leave us a comment below to let us know
which sedan you would pick.
And don't forget to subscribe to see more CarMax
videos like this one.
If you'd like to read a full, in-depth article about both
of these cars, click the link in the description below.
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