Toyota Camry vs Honda Accord: Which Should You Buy?

Both are about as inexpensive to keep as midsize sedans get at independent shops. The Camry usually holds a little more value at resale for equal condition. The Accord's extra line items are CVT fluid services on four-cylinder cars and, on V6 cars, eventual engine mounts; the Camry's are a water pump that can seep on higher-mileage 2012 to 2017 cars and, on 2012 to 2014 four-cylinders, the torque-converter shudder check. Compare EPA ratings for the exact engines at fueleconomy.gov (the 2013 to 2017 four-cylinder Accord's CVT is rated slightly better than the Camry's 6-speed), and get insurance quotes on both.

Both sit in the top tier, with different asterisks. Camry: torque-converter shudder on some 2012 to 2014 four-cylinder cars (Toyota bulletin T-SB-0312-17 replaces the converter and reprograms the engine computer; ask whether it was done), water pump seepage with age, and the Denso fuel pump recall on some 2018 to 2019 cars (free fix, check the VIN). The oil-burning 2.4-liter (2AZ-FE) you may read about was the four-cylinder in 2007 to 2009 gas Camrys, before these years. Accord: low-speed CVT judder on early cars (often cured by Honda's software update plus fresh HCF-2 fluid) and V6 VCM oil consumption with its companion worn engine mounts. A well-documented example of either outlasts a neglected example of the other.

The Accord wins the drive: quicker steering, better body control, and more willing powertrains, it's the midsize that remembers driving can be enjoyable. The Camry counters with a softer, quieter ride tuned for commuting serenity, and its V6 models deliver effortless muscle with a long-life reputation. Highway noise is similar; back-road composure belongs to the Honda.

Trim-for-trim the Accord usually offers the nicer cabin, materials and seat comfort, and from 2018 a much better infotainment system. Both made automatic emergency braking standard on every trim for 2018 (Toyota Safety Sense P on the Camry, Honda Sensing on the Accord); before that it was optional, limited to upper trims, or unavailable, depending on the year. Base infotainment in the earlier years is dated; target EX-L/Touring or XLE/XSE trims for the equipment that aged best.

This is the used market's classic coin flip, and the honest answer is that both are excellent, so buy the difference. The Camry is the conservative choice with stronger resale; the Accord is genuinely better to drive, and from 2018 roomier too, at the cost of a CVT that needs fluid discipline or a V6 that needs the oil-consumption question asked. Pick the Camry to own an appliance that rarely surprises you; pick the Accord if the driving feel is worth a slightly longer inspection checklist.

Both sit in the top tier, with different asterisks. Camry: torque-converter shudder on some 2012 to 2014 four-cylinder cars (Toyota bulletin T-SB-0312-17 replaces the converter and reprograms the engine computer; ask whether it was done), water pump seepage with age, and the Denso fuel pump recall on some 2018 to 2019 cars (free fix, check the VIN). The oil-burning 2.4-liter (2AZ-FE) you may read about was the four-cylinder in 2007 to 2009 gas Camrys, before these years. Accord: low-speed CVT judder on early cars (often cured by Honda's software update plus fresh HCF-2 fluid) and V6 VCM oil consumption with its companion worn engine mounts. A well-documented example of either outlasts a neglected example of the other.

Both are about as inexpensive to keep as midsize sedans get at independent shops. The Camry usually holds a little more value at resale for equal condition. The Accord's extra line items are CVT fluid services on four-cylinder cars and, on V6 cars, eventual engine mounts; the Camry's are a water pump that can seep on higher-mileage 2012 to 2017 cars and, on 2012 to 2014 four-cylinders, the torque-converter shudder check. Compare EPA ratings for the exact engines at fueleconomy.gov (the 2013 to 2017 four-cylinder Accord's CVT is rated slightly better than the Camry's 6-speed), and get insurance quotes on both.