With the new Toyota Camry entering the ring, the feud between Honda and Toyota in the executive sedan segment has just returned and gotten stronger. In a lonely market that used to be dominated by the Toyota Camry, it was a welcome change to see the new Honda Accord put up a strong fight. However, with the facelift Camry, Toyota seems to be hitting all the right spots. You may say Toyota was a little slow in introducing the current generation of Camry, but hey, it’s better late than never right? So, with these two strong contenders in the ring, we are ready for a side by side comparison between all the variants of the two best-selling models in the executive sedan categories. We』ll be comparing the Accord 2.0 VTi and Camry 2.0 E, Accord 2.0 VTi-L vs Camry 2.0 G and lastly, the top of the range Accord 2.4 VTi and Camry 2.5 HV.

Accord 2.0 VTi VS Camry 2.0 E

Honda Accord 2.0 VTi Price (West Malaysia): RM 133,293.93

Toyota Camry 2.0 E Price (West Malaysia): RM 145,561.91

Both the Accord 2.0 VTi and Camry 2.0 E are the base variant for both models. As expected from base variants, we』re left with the bare bones of the cars. We lack equipment such as electric seats and navigation as well as a lower number of airbags to keep the price low.

1) Engine and Fuel Efficiency

Toyota has beefed up the facelifted Camry with the introduction of the all-new 2.0 liter engine with VVT-iW and D-4S paired with 6 speed automatic gearbox. The engine provides better fuel efficiency compared to the pre-facelift 2.0 liter engine with VVT-i and multi point injection paired to a 4 speed automatic gearbox.

On the Honda side, the 2013 Accord (the latest model) has the previous generation R-Series 2.0 liter engine with i-VTEC and multi-point fuel injection paired to a 5 speed automatic gearbox lying under the hood. Whilst it’s two years behind its Toyota counterpart, it still packs one heck of a punch on the roads.

In the fuel efficiency department, the Camry takes the round with 7.2 liters per 100km compared to the Accord’s 8.2 liters per 100km thanks to its all new engine with direct injection and 6 speed automatic gearbox. In terms of power, the Camry 2.0 engine produces 165 bhp @ 6500 RPM and 199 Nm of torque @ 4600 RPM whereas the Accord produces 152 bhp @ 6500 RPM and 190 Nm of torque at 4300 RPM.

Camry bags the first trophy for this round.

2) Interior Design

In terms of space, both cars offer huge interior space to its passengers. You have huge boot space, spacious legroom and shoulder space to its passengers. However, the Accord has roomier interior space for passengers especially in the rear in comparison to the Camry.

Honda Accord’s dashboard design gives off a sleek, modern look with 2 LCD in dash display (both displaying multimedia information) whereas Camry only offers a 2-DIN CD Player. The Toyota Camry doesn』t offer any touchscreen display, being only reserved to the top of the line Camry Hybrid. The Camry dashboard is as plain and subtle as it gets for an executive sedan at that range.

This round goes to the Honda Accord.

3) Comfort and Handling

One of the key selling points in the executive sedan segment is the comfort level. It’s one of the Camry’s strength as it is well known to soak up all the bumps and uneven roads making every drive a comfortable ride.

Whilst the older models of the Accord had a stiff ride, the engineers have reworked the suspension setup of the new model to provide a more comfortable ride without sacrificing handling. Where the Accord loses in comfort, it wins in the handling department to provide sharper handling versus the Camry’s dull handling.

Another key note worth highlighting on the Accord is that it comes standard with Active Noise Control (ANC) and Active Sound Control (ASC) across all ranges to further counter the road noise. This system creates a sound wave to counter road noise, bringing down the NVH level to provide a quiet and smooth ride.

The Camry comes back with a win on the comfort and handling.

4) Gadgets

Both of these variants are as basic as it gets without creature comforts such as electric seats, cruise control, auto wipers, sunshades, which are standard in top of line models. Of course, while most of us would appreciate having at least some stuff to play with, this is what we get when the price is lowered.

Honda has been considerate enough to offer 7」 TFT display across all ranges which enhances the car with a premium touch. On Toyota’s side, they』re offering only a 2-DIN CD player for the base Camry 2.0 E and mid spec Camry 2.0 G. Honda has also thrown in the automatic headlamp in the base spec Accord so you don』t have to move your hands away from the steering wheel, ever. You』d still have to do flick the indicators on your own though.

Honda Accord grabs the title for Gadgets with its offerings in the equipment.

5) Safety

Safety is also one of the key features which determines a car’s popularity. In terms of safety, the Camry 2.0 E only comes with ABS and 2 SRS Airbags for the front passenger and driver. Unfortunately, there is no traction control and no hill start assist as standard for the Camry 2.0 E. Considering the RM140,000 price tag, they could be offering a lot more to help their drivers stay alive long enough to buy a second car. With the amount of money a person could be throwing in, it’s expected to at least be fitted with 2 airbags, ABS, traction control and hill start assist as standard.

Where the Camry lacks in safety, The Accord 2.0 VTi manages to shine with traction control, hill start assist, 2 SRS Airbags and ABS.

Accord 2.0 VTi-L VS Camry 2.0 G

Honda Accord 2.0 VTi-L Price (West Malaysia): RM 143,917.03

Toyota Camry 2.0 G Price (West Malaysia): RM 155,313.87

Moving up the variant, the Accord 2.0 VTi-L and Camry 2.0 G are the mid-range variant for both of the models where it offers more equipment than the base model.

1) Engine and Fuel Efficiency

Both of these models offer the same engine as the base model, so we』re placing the Camry in the winner’s seat for this round.

2) Interior Design

Both of these models offer the same interior design as the base model. However, we have leather seats for both of the mid-range variant which offers passenger more luxurious feel when they sit the cars. So our bums can feel more posh.

While the Accord still retains its black color scheme on the dashboard, Toyota has chosen to use wood grain aesthetics design on the dashboard to give a luxurious touch to the dashboard. So you have two very different styles of aesthetics on the inside.

Although the wooden grain does show luxury and classic beauty within the Camry, we』d go with the Accord for bringing sleek modernity to day-to-day driving.

3) Comfort and Handling

Both the mid-range variants offer the same equipment in the comfort and handling department. However, the leather material used by Toyota in the Camry 2.0 G offers smoother and softer touch for a more comfortable ride during journeys.

4) Gadgets

The Accord 2.0 VTi-L and Camry 2.0 G comes with more gadgets to bridge the gap between the base variants and top of the line variants.

Both models come with cruise control, keyless entry, and leather seats. Honda is more generous where they have also thrown in navigation system, hard drive audio storage and reverse camera into the car multimedia head unit. It also comes with Bluetooth connectivity which allows the driver to hook up their phone for wireless communication. In the Toyota, the multimedia head unit only comes as an optional extra where buyer will have to fork out additional cash to get this feature.

We also have the electric adjustable seats in the Camry 2.0 G for the driver’s and front passenger comfort and convenience. However, as an added bonus, Toyota also has a shoulder adjustment button for the front passenger seats as well so rear passengers can adjust the front passenger seat for better leg room. With this tech comes the end to awkward adjustments for both rear and front passenger. Sadly, the Accord 2.0 VTi-L only comes with electric adjustment for the driver only.

The Accord 2.0 VTi-L comes with a rear manual sunshade to provide better privacy to the rear passenger should the need arise. You know, when you need that extra legroom for emergency purposes. As a conclusion, we give this round to Honda for their generosity with gadgets, despite their lower price tag.

5) Safety

The Camry 2.0 G introduces traction control with hill start assist into the mid-range variant to be more competitive with Accord 2.0 VTi-L. However, both models still only come with 2 SRS Airbags.

Accord 2.4 VTi-L and Camry 2.5 HV

Honda Accord 2.4 VTi-L Price (West Malaysia): RM 168,378.52

Toyota Camry 2.5 HV Price (West Malaysia): RM 169,892.52

1) Engine and Fuel Efficiency

The newly introduced Camry 2.5 HV comes with a 2.5 L engine with hybrid motor paired with a 7 speed CVT gearbox to provide more power and more fuel efficiency. The new engine features the Atkinson cycle which can run purely on electricity at low speeds.

Honda has also introduced the all new Earth Dreams Technology 2.4 L engine paired to a 5 speed automatic gearbox in the new Accord which provides better performance and at the same time better fuel efficiency than the previous generation Accord 2.4 VTi.

The Camry 2.5 HV has a fuel efficiency of 5.2 liter per 100 km whereas the Accord 2.4 VTi only manages about 9.8 liter per 100 km. Power is rated 172 bhp @ 6200 RPM and 225 Nm @ 4800 RPM for the Honda Accord 2.4 VTi and power is rated @ 202 bhp @ 5700 RPM.

We』d say that the Camry beats the Accord 2.4 VTi.

2) Interior Design

As both of these variants are the top of the line, you can expect your fancy posh needs to be fulfilled. We have a black wood grain trim on the dashboard for the Camry 2.5 HV for more premium touch.

3) Comfort and Handling

For the top of the line range, Honda has chosen to pair the Accord 2.4 VTi with the 235/45/18 profile tires. However, the ride is stiff compared to the Camry 2.5 HV (215/55/17 profile tires) as the thinner side walls will not absorb the bumps effectively.

The Camry 2.5 HV’s boot space is the smallest in its class as the boot compartment now houses the battery pack which is used to power the hybrid drivetrain system.

4) Gadgets

In terms of gadgetry, the Accord 2.4 VTi and Camry 2.5 HV are comparable with both providing similar equipment. Both models come with touchscreen display with navigation, reverse camera, a DVD player, and Bluetooth multimedia head unit.

Toyota has also thrown in the Qi Wireless Charging capability in the Camry 2.5 HV which allows the driver or passengers to charge smartphones which support this feature. Also worth taking note, the Camry 2.5 HV is also equipped with nano E ionizer to ensure that the air in cabin is fresh. So, you won』t have to worry about your car smelling like last night’s dinner when you pick your date up.

In the gadgetry corner, Toyota would seem to have the slight edge with their added features.

5) Safety

Toyota has fitted the Camry 2.5 HV with 7 SRS airbags versus Accord’s 2.4 VTi 6 SRS airbags. It would seem that Toyota has understands the harm of taking an arrow to the knee, as the additional airbag is installed at the driver’s knee area.

Both Accord 2.4 VTi and Camry 2.5 HV comes with a blind spot monitoring system to warn driver that there are vehicles in their blind spot, in case you still drive like a 「P driver」. While Honda’s WatchLane system has only a camera on the left side mirror, Toyota Blind Spot Monitor offers sensors at both side mirrors to monitor blind spots.

Safety wise, the Camry 2.5 HV beats the Accord 2.4 VTi by offering more airbags and a more effective blind spot monitoring system.

Overall Conclusion

As a conclusion, Honda Accord seems to have the edge over Toyota Camry as it offers a complete package as a whole. It handles better than the Camry as the suspension setup for Accord is tuned more has more attractive looking dashboard design and better safety equipment overall. And as a bonus, the electronic stability control is standard across all ranges in the Honda Accord while the Toyota Camry 2.0 E has no electronic stability control as standard.

However, we give credit where credit’s due. The Toyota Camry is no slouch either. The Camry 2.5 HV package comes in a hybrid form and is priced at RM 175,000 which is cheaper than the previous generation Camry 2.5 G. With the introduction of the hybrid drivetrain system, the Camry 2.5 HV seems to be the wiser choice in the premium range section.

For our final verdict, we』d give the fight to the Honda Accord. Whilst the Toyota Camry has redefined itself with the recent facelift, the lower range models seem lacking in features that should be basic at that price range.

轉載請註明來源：今天頭條