Mid-Size Face Off: 2020 Honda Accord VS. 2020 Toyota Camry

There are numerous midsize sedans on the market. The 2020 Honda Accord and 2020 Toyota Camry stand out from the pack.  These best-sellers have a strong hold on the market with their incredible value, safety, and reliability. Their consumers include anyone and everyone that can drive.

The base trim of the 2020 Toyota Camry has a starting MSRP of $23,070 tops out at around $31,370 for the highest trim.  It ranked #1 on the 2019 American-Made Index by cars.com, and Kelly Blue Book has named it a Best Buy Award Finalist.

The 2020 Honda Accord is one of the cars on the Car and Driver 10 Best list and has been a best-selling car in America for over 40 years. Its MSRP starts at $22,455 and increases to $34,940 for the top of the line model. Choosing between the Camry and the Accord depends largely on the little differences in their details.

Performance Specs

These two cars each offer two engine options. The 2020 Camry comes standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that yields 178 horsepower, and there is also the optional 3.5-liter V6 engine that yields 268 horsepower. They are both paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The 2.5-liter engine gets an EPA of 24/33 mpg city/highway, while the latter earns a 21/30 mpg.

The Accord is a bit more powerful than the Camry, with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that yields 185 horsepower and is paired with a standard six-speed manual transmission or the optional automatic transmission (CVT) . There is also the 3.5-liter V6 engine that yields 278 horsepower and is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. You can choose the six-speed manual transmission if you opt for the sporty two-door coupe.

The V6 engine comes standard with the Accord’s top two models and isn’t offered as an option for the lower trims, but the Camry offers it as an upgrade on most of its trims.  The four-cylinder with CVT gets 27/36 mpg city/highway while the V6 gets 21/33 mpg.

Trim Packages

The Toyota Camry offers four trim levels and a separate hybrid edition. The LE, being the base model, comes with numerous entertainment and convenience features like the eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat, USB, and Bluetooth connectivity, 6.1-inch touch-screen infotainment system with voice recognition, rearview camera and iPhone integration via Siri Eyes Free. All trims come standard with Toyota’s Safety Sense suite of driver assistance technology. The sportier SE has additional features like the sport-tuned suspension, 17-inch graphite alloy wheels and leather-trimmed tilt/telescopic steering wheel with paddle shifter.

If you opt for the XSE with a four-cylinder engine, you’ll get the sporty features of the SE alongside larger wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, wireless smartphone charging and leather seats with faux-suede inserts. The option of upgrading to a V6 starts with this model. On upgrading, you get the powerful engine, a moonroof, LED headlights, acoustic windshield, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. The XLE is only different from the XLE in that it is fitted with all-leather seats and an attractive wood-grain trim.

The Honda Accord offers six trim levels, each available as either a sedan or coupe. The LX is the base model, and it comes with a dual-zone automatic climate control, Bluetooth, a USB port, a rearview camera and an eight-inch display. The sports upgrade adds a 64/40 split-folding rear seats, larger wheels and a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. Even better is the new 2020 Sports SE which improves the Sport with soft leather upholstery and heated front seats.  The EX includes a push-start button, Moonroof, HD and satellite radio, and a 7-inch touch-screen (added to the already existing 8-inch display). The EX also has both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as well as Honda’s LaneWatch blind spot camera.

The EX-L adds leather upholstery, a premium audio system, and heated front seats. It can also be upgraded to the V6 engine, which is standard in the jam-packed Touring model. This top-of-the-line Accord adds front and rear parking sensors, smart windshield wipers and navigation.

Safety Ratings And Features

Both the 2017 Camry and Accord received a five-star crash test rating from the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration. They also got a designation as a Top Safety Pick+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. But the Accord scores a bit more than the Camry in rollover tests.

The Camry however, beats the Accord in terms of standard safety features as it makes the Safety Sense suite standard on all trims. The features include lane departure alert, adaptive Cruise control and blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert. On the Accord, features such as the front and rear parking sensors, lane keep assisting, adaptive Cruise control, automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning are optional add-ons.

Camry Pros:

• Spacious backseat
• Exceptional reliability
• Smooth and confident ride
• High durability

Camry Cons:

• High price tag
• Outdated infotainment system
• Lack of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functionality

Accord Pros:

• Exceptional handling
• Spacious interior
• Outstanding fuel economy
• Versatile

Accord Cons:

• Small cargo space
• Average reliability rating