Honda Accord vs Toyota Camry Hybrid

The 2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid's design was a point of debate. Six years after launching the eighth-generation Camry, people had gotten used to its polarizing styling. The introduction of the Nightshade Edition, with its matte-bronze 19-inch wheels and striking new Reservoir Blue paint, added some flair that captured attention. The Nightshade Edition was available only with SE trim, which could be paired with either a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine or a hybrid powertrain, and with front-wheel drive for the hybrid model. It featured stylish black-trimmed headlights and taillights, a TRD mesh grille, black side mirror caps, a black rear spoiler, and black badges. Three color choices—Reservoir Blue, Ice Cap, or Midnight Black—added to its visual appeal.

Once inside the Camry, the SE-spec interior remained unremarkable but functional, largely unchanged over the past six years. Despite Toyota’s claim of "impeccable fit and finish," the use of inexpensive-looking plastics detracted from the overall quality. There were practical issues too—closing the trunk resulted in a license plate rattle, and shutting the doors produced a tinny sound, both contributing to a sense of cheapness.

The 2023 Honda Accord underwent a redesign aimed at giving it a more technical, modern look, though it ended up looking conservative. It abandoned the previous model's shiny chrome and intricate character lines for a simpler design. Though opinions varied about the aesthetic shift, the Canyon River Blue paint garnered compliments, and the EX trim's pewter finish wheels were seen as an agreeable middle ground.

The Accord's interior boasted stylish metal mesh dashboard trim integrating the air conditioning vents, durable cloth seats with contrast stitching, and digital instrumentation paired with a touchscreen infotainment system. The switchgear reflected a level of detail and refinement that was impressive for the price, making the cabin a pleasant place to be.

The 2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid offered multiple powertrain options. The most common was a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing between 202 and 206 horsepower, depending on the trim and whether the car had front-wheel or all-wheel drive. For those seeking more power, a 301-hp 3.5-liter V6 was available in certain trims, but only with front-wheel drive.

The hybrid model featured a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor and lithium-ion battery, generating a net power output of 208 horsepower. The hybrid system simulated a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with six programmed ratios to feel more like a traditional automatic. The Hybrid SE and XSE included paddle shifters and offered driving modes like Normal, Eco, EV, and Sport, as well as an Auto Glide Control for enhanced fuel efficiency. However, actual fuel economy was disappointing; the test car achieved only 33.4 mpg, well below the EPA rating of 46 mpg. Despite these issues, the electric assist motor provided good torque and acceleration, and regenerative braking was smooth.

The Camry Hybrid SE Nightshade featured sport suspension tuning that offered a decent balance between comfort and handling. The car cornered predictably and handled well, but its stability control was overly sensitive during aggressive driving.

On the performance front, the 2023 Honda Accord LX and EX trims came with a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 192 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque. This engine, though familiar, was improved from the previous generation. Equipped with remote engine start and an automatic engine start/stop system, the Accord's powertrain was adequate for its 3,280-pound weight. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) tried to mimic a traditional automatic transmission with programmed ratio changes but was only partially successful. The EX's P225/50R17 Michelin Energy tires limited traction and overall handling.

Handling wise, the Accord's MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension worked well with its front-heavy weight distribution. The dual-pinion, variable-ratio steering system offered good response and feedback, while the ventilated front and solid rear disc brakes provided effective stopping power. However, the test car only achieved 28.7 mpg, lower than the EPA's 32 mpg combined estimate, due to high temperatures and frequent use of air conditioning.

In day-to-day driving, the Accord felt nimble and responsive. It handled urban and suburban environments with ease due to its excellent outward visibility and tactile ride quality. Despite some noise on the highway, the Accord offered a comfortable and enjoyable driving experience, particularly on curvier roads like Mulholland Highway. The EX trim’s brakes delivered solid performance even under extreme conditions, though the tires struggled in more demanding scenarios.

The 2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid offered a straightforward and durable interior, though it lacked some refinements. Almost every version featured a dual-zone automatic climate control system, with options for heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The test car had eight-way power adjustment for the driver’s seat and manual adjustment for the passenger, including manual height adjustability.

One drawback was the relatively tight rear seat space, especially when compared to the Honda Accord. The absence of rear air vents further compounded comfort issues for backseat passengers. Storage within the cabin was practical but could cause items to rattle. Trunk space measured 15.1 cubic feet, smaller than the Accord's but still capable of holding full-sized suitcases on their sides.

In contrast, upgrading to the EX trim in the Accord added several convenient features like heated exterior mirrors, dual-zone automatic climate control, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and heated front seats. However, it lacked a height-adjustable front passenger seat, rear air conditioning vents, and rear USB charging ports. The rear seat was comfortable and provided excellent leg support, with ample legroom making it easy for passengers to enter and exit. Storage options were decent for a midsize sedan.

The Accord's trunk significantly outclassed the Camry's, offering 16.7 cubic feet of cargo space. The wide opening and ability to place full-sized suitcases on their sides maximized utility. A handle to easily close the trunk lid was a thoughtful addition.

Toyota gave the Camry a choice between a 7-inch or 9-inch touchscreen infotainment display. Both systems featured smartphone connectivity with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto compatibility. The larger 9-inch system included options for connected navigation and a 9-speaker JBL premium sound system. Amazon Alexa compatibility, SiriusXM satellite radio, and various connected service plans came standard.

The test car had the basic 7-inch touchscreen. The physical knobs and buttons around the screen were user-friendly, though the knobs could have been more prominent for easier use. Voice recognition was hit-and-miss; it struggled to understand some commands but could tune specific SiriusXM stations when asked correctly.

The Accord LX and EX received a standard 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, both of which worked effectively, although they were not exceptionally large. The system supported Bluetooth connectivity, wired Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, as well as HondaLink connected services. Two USB-C ports were available in the EX trim, along with an eight-speaker audio system.

Notably, the Accord did not include SiriusXM satellite radio. Users had to rely on smartphone integration for streaming services. The physical controls were appreciated, though the misleading function knob was a downside. Overall, the tech package in the Accord was satisfactory but not groundbreaking.

The 2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid came with 10 airbags, a rear-seat reminder system, and the Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 (TSS 2.5) suite, which included features like forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and adaptive cruise control. Intersection Support was another useful feature. Optional safety features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

During testing, TSS 2.5 showed a lack of refinement. Adaptive cruise control braked too aggressively in curves, and lane-keeping systems struggled with varying road conditions. These issues led to a preference for driving without many of the safety features enabled.

However, in crash tests, the Camry shone brightly. It received five-star ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), although the latter could change based on updated testing protocols.

Honda equipped every 2023 Accord with the Honda Sensing suite, which included adaptive cruise control with traffic-jam assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. Other standard features included a reversing camera with three views, automatic high-beam headlights, traffic sign recognition, and a driver monitoring system. An optional package for the EX model added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert for $550.

Honda Sensing impressed with its accuracy and sophistication. The lane-departure warning and lane-centering systems were more refined than those in previous models. The adaptive cruise control adjusted speed smoothly on curves, and the intuitive graphics communicated system statuses effectively.

The Accord also earned high marks in crash tests, securing a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS for the 2023 calendar year.