2019 Honda Accord vs Toyota Camry
When it comes to cars, James Murdock has the real-world experience to back it up. With an economics degree and over 20 years running the family dealership, he's managed it all - from sales to service and marketing. His role is to provide his expert opinion on vehicle performance and value. He meticulously fact checks all features and data with vehicle manufacturers to ensure the upmost accuracy.
The Toyota Camry and Honda Accord have long been top rivals in the mid-size sedan segment. It's hard to say which one will come out above the other from model year to model year since these two auto manufacturers are always competing to see who can equip their vehicle with the best safety technology and the most fuel-efficient engine.
For 2019, it's still a close call - so much so, in fact, that it warrants a close comparison. Which sedan presents the best deal for buyers? It is time to find out which vehicle comes out on top for the model year.
The Powertrain
Both Honda and Toyota are known for equipping their vehicles with fuel-efficient powertrains. It seems like they are always competing to see who can produce the most efficient powertrain. For 2019, the race is extremely close. The 2019 Honda Accord delivers 30 mpg in the city and 38 highway mpg while the 2019 Toyota Camry is able to get 29 mpg in the city and 41 mpg on the highway.
The engines on these two vehicles are not built for speedy performances, though they both put out comfortable rides. The Honda Accord is powered by a standard 1.5-L 4-cylinder that generates 192 hp and 192 lb-ft of torque. There is an option to upgrade to a turbocharged 2.0-L 4-cylinder engine capable of creating 252 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. This option is available on the Sport and EX-L and comes standard on the Touring (which cannot be equipped with the 1.5-L anymore).
The Accord's 1.5-L engine gets matched up with a continuously variable automatic transmission (which goes more commonly by the acronym CVT). The 2.0-L, however, gets a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Sport trim gives drivers the option of equipping a 6-speed manual transmission for no extra cost whatsoever.
Toyota gives the Camry a standard 2.5-L 4-cylinder engine that whips up 203 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque (or 206 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque on each of the XSE models). There is an option on the XLE and XSE trim levels for equipping a higher-powered 3.5-L V6. This engine gets 301 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque. All engine options are mated with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
Engines on both the Camry and the Honda deliver sufficient power to get them accelerating quickly. The Camry can get from 0 to 60 mph in roughly 7.9 seconds, and the Accord does so in just about the same amount of time. All operate smoothly as well, but those who really want a thrust of power will probably choose the Camry's V6 above all else.
Drivability
Since the 2019 Honda Accord and Toyota Camry have very similar powertrain options, it is reasonable to expect for them to drive a lot alike. On the Honda Accord, you will get quite a few upshifts from the CVT, but they get smoothed over quickly. This is just par for the course with a CVT, so you won't feel it as much on other types of transmissions.
When it comes to braking, the Camry's brakes have just the right amount of feel in the pedal - not too hard, not too soft. The amount of effort it takes for the driver to apply their foot is adequate, and the stopping distance of 122 feet (from 60 to 0 mph) is average for this class. This is the same stopping distance as the brakes on the Accord. The Accord's braking system is likewise solid, always keeping the vehicle straight when a stop needs to be made.
The Accord and Camry both have a few issues with steering that detract from their otherwise solid performances. The Accord's steering just feels a bit feigned and does not provide a whole lot in the way of feedback to the driver. The Camry lacks a little bit of spunk despite being an improvement over Camry models of the past, and the Sport mode makes driving feel clunky.
Handling is much better on both of these vehicles though. The Honda Accord's line-topping Touring trim has a multi-link adaptive suspension, which is so perfectly tuned that the driver will feel confident in the car's capabilities right off the bat. It can change directions with the utmost ease. Even the lower trim levels handle extremely well. The Toyota Camry has more noticeable tire howling and body roll than the Accord but is otherwise well-mannered and secure.
Now, it is time to address the overall ride quality as well as interior comfort. The 2019 Toyota Camry has seats up front that feel a bit too firm at first, but once they get worn in just a wee bit, they feel pleasantly cozy. Likewise, the Accord offers a lot of comfort with its strategically placed head-rests and lateral support. Yet, if you get a trim that has leather seats, those tend to feel too flat.
When it comes to how well these vehicles ride, the Camry does a nice job of absorbing small bumps in the road. It can even take some of the larger ones. But, on a dirt road, the Camry does feel a bit jumpy. The Accord also has a tendency to feel busy while taken off the beaten path. However, the adaptive dampers on the Touring trim level make quick work of those bigger bumps, creating a smooth and effortless ride quality.
Some wind noise will seep into the cabin of the 2019 Honda Accord when going along on the highway, but the tire noise is louder. It is not completely obstructive; drivers will be able to hear their music and have conversations with their back seat passengers. It is just noticeable; that's all. As for the Camry, it too suffers from some obvious wind and road noise. And it does get loud when the vehicle accelerates. These aren't the quietest runners in their class, but both are by far not the most obnoxious.
How does the technology on these two vehicles stack up? It is important to pay attention to what kinds of standard features are available and which options can be added onto various trim levels.
Starting with the Accord, this vehicle is densely packed with all sorts of infotainment features. In the past, the infotainment system has been somewhat problematic. However, it seems that the issues of yesteryear have been smoothed over. The system now has a more user-friendly interface and comes with either a 7-inch (on the base LX trim) or 8-inch touchscreen display. On the EX trim and above, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard and allow drivers to sync their smartphone apps with the vehicle. Drivers can opt to use their smartphone's navigation system or the one that is built into the infotainment system.
Unfortunately, the Camry does not quite stack up to the Accord in terms of available technology. Built-in navigation isn't available on most Toyota models, so drivers must connect their phones with the Entune app and use the Scout GPS Link app in order to access navigation. Sounds kind of convoluted, right?
Also, the Camry makes drivers connect to Bluetooth using a cord in order to gain access to all of the Bluetooth features. It defeats the purpose of Bluetooth and is fairly inconvenient. Also, Android Auto is not available on any trim level, and it isn't even included on most Toyota models.
As far as voice control goes, the Accord's isn't easy to use. Drivers will find that they must repeat themselves several times for the system to understand what they are trying to say. The Camry's is slightly better, but you have to go through the entire set-up process to make it work smoothly. That being said, many auto manufacturers are still working to improve voice recognition, as this is a relatively fledgling feature in vehicles.
Overall, these two cars have a very similar driving performance, but the Accord gets the slight edge over the Camry due to its superb handling abilities. In fact, the Accord is considered to be one of the best-handling vehicles in its class, making it tough to beat. They're both a little loud at times though, and technology can be hit-or-miss, though it exists in abundance.
Safety
Safety is one of the key factors that draws buyers into purchasing Toyotas and Hondas and has been for many years. These two automakers are renowned the world over for creating safe and reliable vehicles. So, as anyone with even minor knowledge of cars can begin to imagine, the 2019 Camry and Accord are designed with safety in mind.
The Camry has a good line-up of safety features equipped. The Pre-Collision system does a good job at helping to avoid crashes, and the automatic high beams can also be helpful. The lane departure warning is the vehicle's biggest downfall when it comes to safety features. It is highly sensitive and will issue warnings when none are needed. It cannot be turned off, which makes matters worse. This might do more to distract the driver than to help keep them safe on the road.
The Camry received a 5-star rating from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (otherwise known as the NHTSA). It received 5/5 stars on every test administered, showed no tip on the dynamic test, and only carried a 9.9% risk of having a rollover. The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety assigned the Camry "good" ratings on all of the tests it carried out.
The 2019 Honda Accord boasts an impressive list of standard safety features. In fact, only the lower trim levels are not equipped with standard blind spot monitoring or rear cross-traffic alert. Like the Camry, the Accord has some issues with its frontal collision warning system being too sensitive. Still, it does not issue false warnings like the Camry, making it much less irritating and distracting.
Safety ratings for the Accord are also superb. The NHTSA gave the vehicle an overall 5-star rating, and it received 5/5 stars on every test. The chance of a rollover was even smaller, coming in at 9.3%. The IIHS also assigned it "good" ratings on every test it conducted.
Both of these sedans have excellent safety ratings and an array of features that contribute to safe driving habits. The Accord does gain the edge with its less-finicky driver aid warnings, but the advantage is still slight.
Which Has the Best Value?
Both the 2019 Honda Accord and Toyota Camry are wise investments for safety-oriented drivers looking for something fuel-savvy. They both linger in the same starting MSRP range too, with the Toyota only being a few hundred dollars above the Accord.
Most of the trim levels have similar features, so it really boils down to which car has the features that work the best. Even then, it's a close race. The 2019 Honda Accord, however, wins the race by a nose. Honda has clearly worked hard to refine their technology, and their tech features and available packages really add more value to the Accord.
Which is Better?
In the battle of the 2019 Honda Accord versus the 2019 Toyota Camry, the Accord just barely beats out the Camry. The Camry loses points for its struggling technology, and the lack of certain features (like Android Auto) just makes people scratch their heads. Honda has put in a lot of effort to please their consumer base, and the consumers are happy with those changes.
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