Toyota Camry vs Honda Accord: Which Should You Buy?

The Toyota Camry and Honda Accord have been the two default answers for a reliable midsize sedan for decades, and both are still excellent. The short version: choose the Camry if you want the best fuel economy and available all-wheel drive, and choose the Accord if you want more rear seat and trunk space and a sportier drive. Both are among the safest bets in the used market too.

Below we compare the current models on the things that actually decide the purchase, then cover what changes if you are buying used, since the older generations offered different engines.

Quick Comparison of the Current Models

The newest Camry, redesigned for the 2025 model year, is sold only as a hybrid. Every version uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid system making about 225 horsepower with front-wheel drive, or about 232 horsepower with the available all-wheel drive. Toyota rates the most efficient versions at around 50 mpg combined.

The current Accord, redesigned for 2023, comes two ways. The lower trims use a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with about 192 horsepower, rated around 32 mpg combined. Most trims use a hybrid with about 204 horsepower and ratings in the mid to high 40s mpg combined. The Accord is front-wheel drive only.

Both start at roughly $28,000 to $30,000 before destination, and both climb toward the high $30,000s in their top trims. Exact pricing changes by year and region, so compare real listings when you search cars for sale.

Fuel Economy and Performance

Fuel economy is where the Camry has the clearest edge. Because every Camry is a hybrid, even the base model gets the kind of mileage that used to be reserved for a Prius. The Accord hybrid comes close in its most efficient trims, but the gas-only Accord trims are well behind on fuel use.

How They Drive

The Accord has long been the more engaging of the two, with quick steering and a well-controlled ride that feels settled on curvy roads. The hybrid Accord also feels responsive from a stop, because its electric motor does much of the work at low speeds.

The latest Camry is quicker and sportier than many people expect, especially in the SE and XSE trims, but its tuning still leans toward comfort. If you want a calm, quiet commuter, the Camry is easy to live with. If you enjoy driving, the Accord usually feels a little more connected.

All-Wheel Drive

This is a simple deciding factor for many buyers. The Camry offers all-wheel drive across its lineup, while the Accord does not offer it at all. If you deal with snow, ice or steep wet roads and want a sedan rather than an SUV, the Camry is the one to look at.

Interior Space and Comfort

The Accord is the roomier car. It offers around 40 inches of rear legroom, a couple of inches more than the Camry, and its trunk is also larger at roughly 16.7 cubic feet against about 15 in the Camry. If you regularly carry adults in the back seat or haul luggage and sports gear, that extra room is noticeable.

Both cabins are quiet and well built. The Camry focuses on soft materials and a calm ride, while the Accord has a cleaner, more minimal dashboard. Sitting in both back to back is the best way to judge which seat position and visibility you prefer, so use our guide on what to look for when test driving a car before you go.

Technology and Safety Features

Both sedans come standard with a full set of driver-assistance features. The Camry includes Toyota Safety Sense, with adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and automatic high beams. The Accord includes Honda Sensing, with a very similar list of features. Neither has a clear safety advantage on paper, and both have earned strong crash test results.

For infotainment, both offer Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the higher trims add larger touchscreens, wireless charging and premium audio. Higher Accord trims also include Google built-in, which brings Google Maps and the Google Assistant directly into the car without a phone. If voice control and built-in navigation matter to you, that is worth trying on a test drive.

Reliability, Resale Value and Ownership Costs

Both cars have long reputations for reliability and both hold their value well, which is a big part of why they stay at the top of so many shopping lists. Historically, the Camry has had a slight edge in resale value and in low repair costs, while the Accord is close behind.

The hybrid systems in both have proven durable over many years. Toyota in particular has decades of hybrid experience, and its hybrid parts have a strong long-term track record. Insurance costs are usually similar, but they vary a lot by driver and location, so get quotes on the exact trims you are considering. Our guide to understanding your car's true cost of ownership walks through the costs that add up after purchase.

Buying a Used Camry or Accord

If you are shopping used, the older generations give you more engine choices. Camrys from 2018 to 2024 were offered with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, a hybrid, and a powerful 3.5-liter V6 in the sportier trims. Accords from 2018 to 2022 came with a 1.5-liter turbo, a stronger 2.0-liter turbo, or a hybrid. That means a used car can offer more power for the money than a new one.

With any used sedan, the car's own history matters more than the badge. Check the service records, especially oil changes on the turbo Accord engines, and read the vehicle history report for accidents and title problems. Before you sign, go through our list of the top things to check before buying a used car.

Where you buy matters as well. A well-reviewed dealer is more likely to sell a clean car at a fair price and stand behind it, so compare trusted dealerships and their reviews before you visit.

Which Trims Offer the Best Value

For most shoppers, the sweet spot is in the middle of each lineup. On the Camry, the LE gives you the best fuel economy and all the core safety features, while the SE adds sportier styling and suspension for a small step up in price. The XLE is the one to look at if you want leather, more comfort features and a quieter, more upscale feel.

On the Accord, the hybrid trims are where the value is, because they combine the best fuel economy with the strongest acceleration in the lineup. The Sport hybrid is a good entry point, while the EX-L adds leather and more convenience features. The base gas trims make sense mainly if you want the lowest price and drive fewer miles each year.

Feature packages change from year to year, so check the window sticker or listing for the exact equipment rather than relying on the trim name alone. When comparing used examples, a higher trim with average miles is often a better buy than a base model with very low miles.

Which One Should You Buy?

Buy the Toyota Camry if fuel economy is your top priority, if you want all-wheel drive in a sedan, or if you plan to keep the car for many years and value its strong resale record. It is the more practical, set-it-and-forget-it choice.

Buy the Honda Accord if you want more space for passengers and cargo, a more engaging drive and features like Google built-in. Its hybrid trims still deliver excellent mileage, so you give up very little at the pump by choosing it.

Whichever you lean toward, drive both on the same day if you can. The differences in seat comfort, road noise and steering feel are easier to judge back to back, and prices on both move with the time of year, as we explain in the best time of year to buy a car.