A comparison of the Honda Accord and the Toyota Camry is a clash of the titans. These two midsize sedans are perennial sales leaders not only in their segment but also in the overall market. The combination of size, comfort, interior space, style, and dependability that these two models have brought to the market continues to resonate with American buyers just as it has for decades. Now, the comparison is even more pointed because Honda is launching an all-new version of the Accord.
The new Honda sedan surprises in several areas. Perhaps the most startling change is under the hood. In previous years, Honda demonstrated a distinct lack of interest in hybrid powertrains even as its arch-rival, Toyota, was intent on installing them in virtually all of its models—including the Camry. For 2023, Honda has done an about-face and made a hybrid the top powertrain in its flagship sedan. When production and sales are "annualized" at expected levels, Honda executives believe hybrid-powered vehicles will represent 50 percent of the model's sales. Adding a hybrid drivetrain permits the Accord to go head-to-head with the 2023 Toyota Camry, which has its own well-regarded hybrid-powered models.
The similarities between these two models don't stop there. Both the Camry and Accord are 5-passenger midsize sedans. Both offer impressive arrays of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and electronic safety gear. And both have positive reputations for reliability, dependability, and high resale value.
The sales of these two stalwart vehicles demonstrate that, even in a world filled with crossover SUVs, there is still a place for a good, well-built 4-door sedan… or two. To help you decide between this pair of cars, here is a detailed comparison of the 2023 Honda Accord versus the 2023 Toyota Camry.
2023 Honda Accord Touring
The new 2023 Honda Accord represents the eleventh generation of the model. Honda makes it in six trim levels—two with a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and four with a hybrid powertrain. The entry-level LX and value-oriented EX trims get the 1.5-liter turbo. The Sport, EX-L, Sport L, and Touring get a more robust and fuel-efficient hybrid setup.
With a base price of $28,390, including the $1,095 destination charge, the Accord LX is the lowest-priced trim for 2023. Honda teams its turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Heated seats and a moonroof add to the EX's appeal. Its base price before the destination charge is $29,610.
The Accord Sport is the least expensive of the hybrid trims, with a starting price of $32,990, including destination. The Touring, at $38,985, sets itself apart from the other Accords with its unique infotainment system, head-up display, and 12.3-inch touchscreen. If Honda's luxury brand partner, Acura, seeks a vehicle to go mano-a-mano with the Lexus ES, the Accord Touring would be a great place to start.
The 2023 Toyota Camry presents its customers with 18 trim and configuration choices. Divided by engine type, the 2023 Camry comes in 10 different 4-cylinder trims, three V6 trims, and five hybrid trims. You can buy 4-cylinder Camrys in LE, XLE, SE, SE Nightshade, and XSE grades in both front-wheel-drive (FWD) and all-wheel-drive (AWD) forms. The V6 trims are XLE, XSE, and TRD. And the Camry hybrids give buyers the choice of LE, XLE, SE, SE Nightshade, and XSE.
The 4-cylinder LE is the least expensive Camry trim. The three XLE trims emphasize luxury, while the three XSE trims feature performance styling. Available only with a V6 engine, the Camry TRD carries the sport-performance mantle for the Camry lineup. It includes significant mechanical differences from other Camrys.
The LE is the least expensive 2023 Camry trim with a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $27,315, including the $1,095 destination charge. The least costly Camry Hybrid, also an LE trim, has an MSRP of $29,450. At the other end of the lineup, the Camry XSE Hybrid is the highest priced of the hybrid trims at $34,890. The performance-tuned Camry TRD ($34,380) carries the lowest price of the three V6-powered models. At $37,740, the XSE V6 is the Camry trim with the highest base price.
Advantage: Toyota Camry
2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid SE
The Honda Accord does not rank among the top three models in the Midsize Car segment in the JD Power 2023 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS), which assesses owner-reported problems during the third year of ownership. The Accord also does not rank among the top three models in its segment in the JD Power 2022 U.S. Initial Quality Study (IQS), which tracks problems experienced by owners during the first 90 days.
The 2023 Honda Accord has the following warranty, roadside assistance, and scheduled maintenance coverage:
The Toyota Camry does not rank among the top three models in its segment in either the 2023 VDS or the 2022 IQS.
The 2023 Toyota Camry has the following warranty, roadside assistance, and scheduled maintenance coverage:
Advantage: Toyota Camry
2023 Honda Accord Touring
Honda equips the 2023 Accord LX and EX with an updated version of the turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that powers the compact Civic. In the Accord, it produces 192 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque. Honda engineers tuned the engine to deliver that peak torque over a wide span of engine revolutions, making the engine feel strong in most situations. Honda matches it to a CVT.
The Accord Hybrids deliver even more performance plus better fuel economy. For 2023, Honda engineers retuned the "two-motor" hybrid system specially for the new Accord. It employs a 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle 4-cylinder engine in tandem with an electric motor. The combined system produces 203 hp and 247 pound-feet of torque.
Buyers of the 2023 Honda Accord can choose among as many as four selectable drive modes. The LX and EX offer Econ and Normal. Hybrids add Sport and a customizable Individual mode. The added power and torque of the hybrid powertrain give the Accord robust and quiet acceleration. All 2023 Honda Accords use FWD; AWD is not available.
The hybrids are the fuel economy leaders among the Accord trims. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the 2023 Accord EX-L Hybrid will deliver an estimated 48 mpg in combined city/highway driving. The other Accord Hybrids check in at 44 mpg combined. According to the EPA, the turbocharged Accord LX and EX sedans get 32 mpg combined.
Toyota engineers fitted the 2023 Camry with several powertrain options: conventional V6, conventional 4-cylinder, and gasoline-electric hybrid. The standard Camry configuration is FWD, but the 4-cylinder trims offer the option of AWD. The base engine is a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder that delivers 203 hp and 184 pound-feet of torque in most installations. While the 4-cylinder provides a hearty dose of power, those who desire even swifter acceleration will appreciate the giant leap in power offered by the V6. The 3.5-liter V6 engine produces 301 hp and 267 pound-feet of torque.
The available hybrid system provides a nice blend of added horsepower (over the base engine) plus enhanced fuel economy. The Camry Hybrid combines a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine with an electric drive motor. The total system produces 208 hp. Toyota teams the conventional gasoline engines with an 8-speed automatic transmission, while the hybrids employ a CVT. In the SE and XSE trims, drivers can "shift" the CVT using paddle shifters mounted on the steering wheel.
The fuel economy for the 2023 Toyota Camry varies widely, depending on the drivetrain. The Camry Hybrid LE gets a 52-mpg combined mark from the EPA, leading the model line. The other hybrid trims deliver 46 mpg combined. The EPA rates the base 2.5-liter 4-cylinder at 32 mpg combined; with AWD, that rating dips to 29 mpg. The 301-hp V6-equipped Camrys are the thirstiest. According to the EPA, a 2023 Camry with a 3.5-liter V6 engine and FWD will deliver an estimated 26 mpg overall. The federal agency rates the performance-oriented TRD trim at 25 mpg combined.
Advantage: Toyota Camry
2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid SE
Honda is an industry leader in extending electronic safety and driver-assistance systems to an extensive cross-section of models and trims. Individual systems that are optional equipment on some luxury-brand models are standard on Honda vehicles, even in less-expensive trim levels. That is the case with the 2023 Honda Accord.
Honda equips all 2023 Accord trims with its Honda Sensing suite of ADAS. Included are forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance (Honda calls their system Road Departure Mitigation), traffic-jam assist, traffic-sign recognition, a driver monitoring system, automatic high-beam headlights, and adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow. Blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warnings come standard on all but the base LX trim. A rear-seat reminder system is also standard.
For the 2023 model year, the Accord employs a camera with a 90-degree field of view and a radar with a 120-degree field of view to provide real-time data to its safety systems. The camera and radar sensors help the systems recognize vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, road markings, curbs, and road signs. Also, for 2023, Honda engineers improved the range of the available blind-spot warning system, giving additional coverage to the side and rear of the vehicle. Engineers also tweaked the adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance systems to be less intrusive.
As of this writing, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) have yet to rate the crashworthiness of the 2023 Honda Accord.
Like Honda, Toyota has been a leader in spreading sophisticated electronic safety equipment across its lineup. As part of this philosophy, the 2023 Toyota Camry has standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+. The array includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, traffic-sign recognition, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic high-beam headlights.
In addition to those systems, the 2023 Camry offers blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warnings as standard on TRD, XLE, and XSE trims. Both systems are optionally available on some LE and SE trims as well. Additionally, all 2023 Camrys come equipped with a rear-seat reminder.
The NHTSA gave the 2023 Camry a 5-star overall safety rating in crash tests. Meanwhile, the IIHS designated the 2023 Camry as a Top Safety Pick+ (TSP+)—its highest accolade.
Advantage: Neither
Both the Accord and Camry offer a comprehensive suite of standard ADAS. While neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS had tested the 2023 Accord when we published this comparison, Honda has targeted a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a TSP+ rating from the IIHS.
2023 Honda Accord Touring
Honda's first application of Google Built-in focuses attention on the all-new 2023 Accord's infotainment system. It comes complete with Google Assistant, Google Maps, and other apps that owners can obtain from the integrated Google Play store. Google Assistant enables Accord occupants to use voice commands to control various functions. Google Maps gives quick access to directions informed by live traffic information. And occupants can easily obtain music, podcast, and audiobook downloads through Google Play.
The system features a 12.3-inch touchscreen display. The only disappointing aspect is this system is just available on the up-level Touring trim. The infotainment in the mid-level 2023 Honda Accords also features a 12.3-inch touchscreen. It offers wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and Alexa Built-in. Designers gave the 12.3-inch display a physical volume knob, but it lacks a tuning knob.
The LX and EX trims get a 7-inch touchscreen audio system with physical knobs for volume and tuning, plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Honda simplified its menu structure compared to previous Accord systems. The base audio in the LX is a 160-watt 4-speaker system. Most Accords get a 180-watt 8-speaker audio system, and the Touring has a 12-speaker Bose audio system with a subwoofer.
Two illuminated USB-C ports are standard on Accord LX, EX, and Sport trims. The EX-L and Touring trims also offer a pair of rear-seat USB-C charging ports. All 2023 Accords can receive over-the-air (OTA) software updates to nearly all vehicle computer modules. HondaLink subscription connected services and Wi-Fi hotspot capability are standard across the lineup. Somewhat surprisingly, SiriusXM satellite radio isn't available at all.
The 2023 Toyota Camry isn't all-new like the Accord, but its infotainment system is new. After weathering criticism for its previous infotainment offerings, Toyota took the bull by the horns and created a Texas-based infotainment and tech design arm that produced the new system. In base form, it features a 7-inch touchscreen display mounted high in the center of the dash. Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa compatibility, AM/FM, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and hands-free phone capability are all parts of its extensive list of features.
The Camry XLE and XSE get an enhanced version called Toyota Audio Plus with a 9-inch touchscreen display and the abovementioned features. The automaker also offers Audio Plus in tandem with JBL 800-watt 9-speaker premium audio on the XLE and XSE V6 trims. The optional top-of-line Premium Audio with integrated navigation includes the JBL audio system plus the ability to receive OTA updates.
The Camry's Remote Connect system provides remote engine start and door unlock capability, vehicle status notifications, a guest driver monitor, and a vehicle finder. The optional Wi-Fi Connect allows up to five mobile devices to hook up using 4G LTE. A 10-inch color head-up display enables drivers to keep their eyes on the road more steadily.
Advantage: Honda Accord
2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid SE
Honda Accords have been known for their interior comfort and roominess for the past several generations. The new 2023 Honda Accord takes both to a higher level and at the same time, it demonstrates a new emphasis on aesthetics and richer materials. The Accord's instrument panel uses a customizable 10.2-inch digital display. A large center touchscreen, climate controls, and smartphone connections accompany it. Not only are things well-placed, but they also demonstrate a sophistication that prior Accords lacked.
One can only describe the new Accord's interior comfort as excellent. The front and rear seats are wide enough for big American bodies. A 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat with two-way power lumbar support is standard in all but the LX trim. Heated front seats are standard on EX, EX-L, Sport-L, and Touring trims. The Touring also adds heating to the two outboard rear seating positions. Except for the LX, all 2023 Accords have 60/40 split-folding rear seatbacks that enable expanded trunk space. Rear-seat headroom, legroom, and hip room are so extensive that one could describe them as limousine-like.
As measured by the EPA, the new Accord's passenger cabin offers 105.7 cubic feet of space. The Accord sedan gives its owners 16.7 cubic feet of trunk volume to complement the generous interior space.
The 2023 Toyota Camry allows shoppers to pick a level of comfort, convenience, and design that matches their desires and bank accounts. Camry designers housed the legible instruments in a nacelle in front of the driver. And immediately to the right, the dash includes a centrally mounted infotainment screen. Between the two front seats, two cupholders accompany the conventional gearshift lever.
While the base-model Camry is plain vanilla, dark wood or patterned metal highlights the interior in mid and top trims. Heated leather seats are standard on all XLE and XSE trims, and ventilated front seats are optional. The enthusiast-oriented Camry TRD features a red-stitched instrument panel, red-stitched black leather shift knob, and aluminum pedals. Automatic dual-zone climate control is standard throughout the 2023 Camry lineup.
The 2023 Toyota Camry has 100.4 cubic feet of passenger volume. While that is a full 5 cubic feet less than the new Accord, the Camry still feels roomy and accommodating. It has 15.1 cubic feet of trunk space—also smaller than the Accord but still roomy.
Advantage: Honda Accord
If you'd like to learn more about these midsize cars, be sure to read our expert reviews of the 2023 Honda Accord and the Toyota Camry. To find out how people like you rate models in this segment, check out our ratings from verified vehicle owners.
Also, please keep in mind that while the information in this article was accurate and valid on March 14, 2023, it may have changed since that date. Always confirm product details and availability with the automaker's website or your local dealership.
Jack R. Nerad has reviewed cars, trucks, vans, and sport utilities for over three decades. He managed the editorial efforts of Motor Trend magazine and Kelley Blue Book and is currently the host of the SportsMap Radio Network program America on the Road, available on Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Spotify, Stitcher, and other outlets.
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