Sedans
Toyota Camry vs Honda Accord
Two of the most dependable sedans sold in the US. The Camry rides softer and offers AWD; the Accord has more rear room and drives better.
Quick answer
Side by side
| Toyota Camry | Honda Accord | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical 2021 used price, ~40,000 miles | $23,000–$27,500 | $23,500–$28,000 |
| Base engine | 2.5L four-cylinder, about 203 hp | 1.5L turbocharged four, about 192 hp |
| EPA combined, base engine | About 32 mpg | About 33 mpg |
| Hybrid option | Yes — among the best in the class at roughly 50+ mpg combined | Yes — roughly high 40s mpg combined |
| All-wheel drive | Available on the four-cylinder | Not offered |
| Reliability read | Excellent, with a very long track record on the 2.5L | Excellent, with a turbo engine that needs its oil changes on time |
| Typical annual maintenance and repairs | $450–$700 | $500–$750 |
| Front brake pads and rotors, per axle | $250–$500 | $260–$520 |
| Rear legroom and trunk | About 38 in; roughly 15 cu ft trunk | About 40 in; roughly 17 cu ft trunk |
Toyota Camry
Best for: Best for drivers who want the quietest highway ride, the strongest hybrid economy, or all-wheel drive in a snow state.
Honda Accord
Best for: Best for drivers who carry adults in back regularly and want a sedan that still feels good to steer.
How they actually differ to live with
On a spec sheet these two look nearly identical. In daily use the difference is character. Toyota tuned the Camry for isolation — soft initial suspension travel, a quiet cabin, and a naturally aspirated engine that behaves the same every time. Honda tuned the Accord for control — firmer damping, quicker steering, and a small turbo engine that pulls hard from low revs.
- Rear seat. The Accord's rear legroom advantage is roughly two inches and it is immediately obvious with an adult behind an adult.
- Trunk. The Accord's trunk is meaningfully larger and squarer, which matters for luggage more than the number suggests.
- Powertrain feel. The Camry's 2.5L uses a conventional eight-speed automatic. The Accord's 1.5L uses a CVT, which is efficient and smooth but sounds strained under hard acceleration.
- Winter. All-wheel drive on the Camry is the single decisive spec difference if you live somewhere it snows and do not want a crossover.
Reliability and what tends to go wrong
Both sit near the top of the midsize segment. What differs is the failure profile, not the failure rate.
- Camry, 2.5L four
- A very well-proven engine. Watch for water pump seepage at higher mileage and the usual suspension bushings past 100,000 miles.
- Camry V6 (where fitted)
- Strong and durable. Slightly higher fuel and insurance costs, and marginally more expensive to service.
- Accord, 1.5L turbo
- Generally durable, but sensitive to extended oil intervals and to short-trip use, which can allow fuel dilution of the oil in cold climates. Change the oil on schedule.
- Accord, 2.0L turbo (where fitted)
- A strong engine with a 10-speed automatic. More expensive to service and to insure.
- Both
- Brakes, tires and 12-volt batteries are the ordinary running costs. Nothing about either car makes those unusual.
What each costs to run
| Service | Camry | Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Synthetic oil change | $70–$110 | $75–$115 |
| Front pads and rotors | $250–$500 | $260–$520 |
| Battery replacement | $180–$300 | $180–$320 |
| Set of four tires | $600–$950 | $620–$1,000 |
| Cabin and engine air filters | $60–$120 | $60–$120 |
| Transmission fluid service | $150–$280 | $160–$300 |
Parts availability is excellent for both and every independent shop in the country works on them, which is a real cost advantage over European alternatives in the same price bracket. Compare against oil change cost and brake pad replacement cost for your region.
Which one to buy
- You want AWD
- Camry. The Accord does not offer it at all.
- You carry adults in the back
- Accord, comfortably.
- Fuel economy is the priority
- Camry Hybrid, which is the strongest in the segment.
- You enjoy driving
- Accord, especially with the larger turbo engine.
- You keep cars 12 years
- Either, but the Camry's naturally aspirated four has the longest and most boring service record — which is exactly what you want.
- You are buying used
- Whichever specific car has better records and a cleaner inspection. Condition beats badge at this level of parity.
Whichever you choose, run the used car inspection checklist and pay for the pre-purchase inspection. Two cars this similar means the individual car's history is the deciding factor, not the model.