Honda Accord vs Toyota Crown

The 2023 Toyota Crown was distinct with its full-size sedan design and higher ride height, resembling a crossover more than a traditional sedan. The Crown sported a massive grille, mostly aesthetic, with actual air inlets in a narrow slit above, flanked by angular wraparound headlights. Its sporty aggression appealed to a broad customer base. Large wheels and a black trim piece along the door bottoms maintained its balanced look. The rear was rounded with a bold taillight strip slicing across a black trim element, although there was an odd stepped transition from the side fender to the tail section. In its Platinum trim, a two-tone color option was available, adding glossy black paint from the nose to the tail, a design choice that sparked some debate but showcased Toyota’s daring side.

Inside, the Crown featured a modern digital instrument panel and a large touchscreen atop the dash with physical buttons for climate control below. The mix of hard plastics and cushioned touchpoints was sturdy, but the overall feel could have been elevated with better surface graining. Despite this, the Crown's interior was luxurious for a Toyota, bordering on entry-level luxury.

The 2023 Honda Accord, redesigned for 2023, took a more conservative approach with a technical, modern appearance while losing the chrome and character of its predecessors. The EX trim featured a pewter wheel finish that struck a balance between the sparkly silver wheels of the LX and the overly black wheels of other models. The Canyon River Blue paint was exceptional and garnered multiple compliments.

Inside, the Accord EX impressed with durable cloth seats, contrast stitching, and stylish metal mesh dashboard trim that integrated the air conditioning vents seamlessly. The digital instrumentation paired well with the touchscreen infotainment system, while the overall switchgear reflected detailed attention and refinement. Despite the preference for the older model’s pizazz, the Accord’s new look and interior setup still managed to appeal to many.

The 2023 Toyota Crown offered two hybrid powertrains. The base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine combined with a hybrid electric motor to deliver an AWD system with 236 horsepower. This setup used a CVT which made the car feel slower due to the high-revving engine. The Platinum trim's Hybrid Max powertrain, on the other hand, featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine combined with a powerful rear electric motor, producing 340 horsepower. This version used a traditional six-speed automatic transmission and delivered full-time AWD. Toyota estimated the base hybrid’s 0-60 mph time to be 7.6 seconds, while the Hybrid Max managed a quicker 5.7 seconds. Despite this, neither felt particularly quick due to engine drone and vibrations. Ride quality aimed for comfort, and an adaptive suspension in the Platinum trim didn’t significantly enhance sporty handling.

The 2023 Honda Accord LX and EX came with a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 192 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 192 lb-ft of torque between 1,700 and 5,000 rpm. This engine, paired with a CVT, provided adequate performance for the car’s 3,280-pound weight. While the Accord no longer offered the thrilling 2.0-liter turbo of previous models, the current powertrain sufficed for typical driving. It returned 28.7 mpg in testing, slightly below its EPA rating of 32 mpg due to extreme testing conditions.

The Accord's suspension and steering systems managed the front-heavy weight distribution well, offering good response and road feel. The ride quality was both quiet and refined, with some minor scraping on severe speed bumps. The Accord’s nimbleness made it enjoyable in urban environments and on twisty roads, despite the CVT’s occasional drone. Its brakes performed admirably, even under stress, though the Michelin Energy tires lacked grip, especially during emergency maneuvers.

The 2023 Toyota Crown’s base XLE trim featured fabric upholstery with SofTex faux-leather trim, while the Limited and Platinum offered full leather, which was preferable. The front seats were comfortable for long trips but with firm cushioning that might cause discomfort over time. Visibility was generally good, with a higher ride height providing a better road view without reaching SUV-level command. The center console provided ample storage with creatively designed spaces such as a vertical phone tray with wireless charging.

Rear-seat comfort in the Crown was adequate, with good legroom and enough headroom, although the tapering roofline constrained headspace slightly. The trunk, while having a wide and low opening for easy loading, was limited to 15.2 cubic feet. In comparison, rivals like the Kia Stinger and Volkswagen Arteon offered significantly larger cargo spaces, but the Crown's trunk was still practical for everyday needs.

The 2023 Honda Accord EX featured a power sunroof, heated exterior mirrors, and an array of convenience features like dual-zone automatic climate control and power-adjustable seats. However, it lacked a height-adjustable front passenger seat, rear air conditioning vents, and USB charging ports, which seemed like notable omissions.

Rear-seat passengers in the Accord benefitted from high-mounted seats and generous legroom, making for comfortable rides, despite missing air vents and charging options. The trunk was exceptionally spacious, offering 16.7 cubic feet, which was more accommodating than the Crown’s. The Accord provided easy loading with a lid that swung up on command and ample space for large suitcases.

The 2023 Toyota Crown boasted a standard 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with sharp graphics and fast responses. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, complementing the wireless charging pad. The audio system in the base model was adequate, but higher trims featured an 11-speaker JBL premium system. The infotainment benefits included OTA software updates, enhanced voice recognition activated by saying "Hey Toyota," and a digital key feature that allowed smartphone use for unlocking the car.

Conversely, the 2023 Honda Accord came with a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system. This setup included Bluetooth, wired Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and HondaLink connected services, but lacked SiriusXM satellite radio. The EX trim’s infotainment system was basic but functional, with an eight-speaker audio setup. Voice recognition worked well for accessing digital assistants like Siri. Physical stereo controls were user-friendly, although the design could be misleading, with a function control knob where a tuning knob might be expected.

The 2023 Toyota Crown came standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features like frontal and cross-traffic collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. It also had traffic-sign recognition, a rear-seat-passenger reminder, and a semi-automated parallel parking system in the Platinum trim. Despite some annoyances with Proactive Driving Assist, the adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist offered smooth driving experiences.

For the 2023 Honda Accord, every model included Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driver assistance systems, featuring adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and traffic-sign recognition. The EX trim could be upgraded with a package that added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Honda Sensing systems provided reliable accuracy and refinement, with clear ADAS graphics for system status. The Accord maintained robust structural integrity to earn a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.