2021 Toyota Camry vs. 2021 Honda Accord Comparison

The Camry is no longer the drivable appliance it once was. The car’s most recent updates have made it downright aggressive-looking in some trims, and all models feature strong lines.

The Accord is sharp but friendly outside and comfy but tidy inside. The car’s fastback shape gives it a speedy look and muscular stance, while tasteful chrome trim lends an upscale feel to the exterior.

The base four-cylinder engine may win on fuel economy, but it lacks the power to make it memorable. The uprated V6 engine is a much better choice for folks wanting a little spice with their Camry, and the Hybrid is one of the smoother options on the market today.

The base engine is no slacker, but things don’t really get interesting until the 2.0-liter engine is optioned in. That said, all versions of the Accord, no matter the engine, are fun to drive and handle like sports sedans on twisty roads.

Despite a misstep with materials quality in the base LE model, Toyota made the Camry a lovely place to spend time. The XLE trim impresses with its plush new leather and most models carry excellent sound deadening.

The Accord’s trunk is huge, but interior storage isn’t as conveniently located or as intuitively shaped as some of its competition and there’s a little more road noise too. However, passengers in all of the Accord’s five seats are treated to a comfortable and accommodating space.

The Camry is more than decent on fuel economy, even with the V6 engine equipped. Four-cylinder and Hybrid models win the day, though, with up to 33 mpg and 53 mpg highway, respectively.

All versions of the Accord are frugal, with the hybrid being the most efficient, rated at up to an EPA-estimated 48 mpg combined, though the Sport and Touring hybrid trims achieve only 43. Base 1.5-liter models achieve 33 combined, with Sport and Touring versions at 32 mpg. The larger 2.0-liter models return 26 mpg combined.

Toyota hasn’t placed a foot wrong with the Camry and its safety equipment in 2021. It earned a Top Safety Pick + award from the IIHS and five stars from the NHTSA, and that’s on top of a generous list of standard safety gear.

Standard Honda Sensing brings adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and more, which helped boost the Accord’s crash-test scores. It earned a Top Safety Pick + designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and picked up five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.