A Tale of 2 Kings: The 2012 TOYOTA CAMRY versus The 2013 HONDA ACCORD - The Battle continues…

This is an age-old battle for sales supremacy in the midsize sedan segment that has been raging on for the past 30 years… HERE are the latest entries from the 2 giants who have been skirmishing for the top spot.

The 2012 Toyota Camry and the 2013 Honda Accord

Interestingly, both Japanese, both offering amazing build quality, great 2^nd hand values, low repair/maintenance costs, and mid-level pricing.  These 2 car makers seem to have gotten the perfect mix to keep these models flying out the dealerships more quickly than anything else the competition has to offer.  Both the Camry and the Accord also, especially here in Nigeria have a loyal fanbase that have either owned an earlier model or have been loyal repeat-customers to either the Toyota or Honda sedan. 

Let’s see what the latest entrants have to offer

Really - it's the little details that matter. Subtle things that an ordinary person might overlook are everything to a car guy/girl who would live with his/her brand new pride-and-joy over the next 3-4years.  The truth is, that these cars are not really designed from a spare-no-expenses standpoint, such as the high-end luxury flagships that automakers produce to show how far they can go technologically. No. These cars are designed by committee. They are designed, manufactured to save costs on production processes, and marketed to appeal to as wide a category of people as possible,. Priority, here is to sell as many units as possible, and increase profit margins. 

Interiors: (Left) The 2012 Toyota Camry and (Right) The 2013 Honda Accord

In the largest automobile market in the world, the U.S. market, last year alone (in 2011) the Camry sold 308,510 units while the Accord moved 235,625 units. Very impressive numbers - by any standard.

 

The Camry and Accord have grown significantly over the years and become serious sales threats to the native American automakers. Only very recently has the Chevrolet Malibu overtaken the Honda Accord sales-wise, but experts say that the introduction of the 2013 Accord will change that.   Other cars competing in the mid-size sedan segment? The Nissan Altima, the Ford Fusion, Volkswagen Passat, Chevrolet Malibu, and the only-recently-competitive superstars from Korea – the Kia Optima, and Hyundai Sonata. 

The Honda Accord, which was introduced to American audiences in 1976 (Seven years before the Camry was introduced in 1983)  held a 14 year sales lead over the Camry until 1996. Since then the Camry has taken the lead and hardly ever looked back…. Gaining the top spot for 14 out of the past 15 years (The Accord managed a lead in 2001) – the Camry maintaining an unbroken lead the last ten years straight 2002 – 2011.

Toyota Camry - All 7 generations - Which have you owned/driven?

The Honda Accord - All 9 Generations - Which have you owned/driven?

The Camry and Accord always try to edge each other out by squeezing in that little bit of extra refinement, creature comfort options, and equipment to surpass the other. It’s the little details that matter.  Honda has made dozens of small improvements to the Accord for 2013, they really changed the car for the better. The earlier released 2012 Camry, the dominant sales leader, is still fresh and leading the pack.

So Whats New?

This article is Looooong enough as it is, so for the purpose of this text, I’ll consider the mid-range 4-Cylinder options (the highest volume sellers) of both cars. Drop a comment if you’d like to see a comparison on the high-end V6 options.

Now, the Accord, for the 1^st time ever – offers a CVT transmission (Transmission technology that employs an expandable drivebelt rather than the progressive use of cogs to gain speed), as an optional extra on 4-Cylinder models, and has more standard features on lower trim levels compared to the Camry – Handsfree calls on Bluetooth enabled phones, plus keyless ignition, yes, you can start the car with the key fob in your pocket, back-up camera, plus passenger-side mirror camera to help check your blind spot, and Dual zone climate – all standard on the mid-range EX model.  To get most of these features on the Camry, you may need to go up to the higher XLE model.

Rear Views - (Left) 2012 Camry, (Right) 2013 Accord

The Newer 2013 Accord Handles Slightly better, Is Slightly Quicker and Slightly More Fuel Efficient
There's plenty going on between the 2013 Honda Accord and 2012 Toyota Camry. Honda has replaced its usual automatic with a CVT that surprisingly performs really very good.  Also, Honda's new direct-injected, 185 horsepower, 2.4-liter 4-cylinder has a smooth power delivery. This makes the 2013 Accord one of the quickest non-turbocharged four-cylinder models in the class with its 7.8-second sprint from 0 - 100kph.

Meanwhile, the Camry's 178 horsepower, port-injected 2.5-liter engine with its 6-speed automatic is capable of a 0 – 100kph acceleration time of 8.4 seconds. Quick, respectable, but a few tenths of a second below the Accord. 

Handling still matters in a front-drive midsize sedan. A well-damped suspension will keep the journey that little bit more exciting and the Honda Accord has always been known to possess a slightly stiffer, slightly sportier ride than the Toyota Camry. Toyota has always been more interested in providing a slightly softer ride for the Camry with more emphasis on comfort than sporty handling. But for 2012, Toyota have stiffened things up a bit, with a tighter, more sporty drive, especially on the SE model, but still, the Accord has the upper hand here if your preference is a sporty drive.  If you’re a fan of a smoother, more comfy ride, the Camry wins it. They both utilize new electric power steering systems. 

Honda has also gained the upper hand in fuel economy, as the 2013 Accord has a 30 mpg combined EPA rating to the Camry's 28 mpg combined rating.  Mpg means miles-per-gallon, and a gallon is estimated at 4 litres (translations for the non-motoring elite… Ha!)

2012 Camry Front and Rear Seats

2013 Accord Front and Rear Seats

Same Interior Dimensions, Different Interior Decorators
In terms of functionality, the 2013 Honda Accord and 2012 Toyota Camry are equally good. They have the same wheelbase and track, and their passenger volume and trunk capacity are within 1 cubic foot of each other. They even have the same size fuel tank. So if you're looking for plenty of rear legroom or an easy car seat installation, they've both got you covered.

In terms of design, this is subjective and purely down to individual preferences, but the stitching on the Camry’s dashboard, as well as it’s multi-layer design seems fantastic too.  It’s down to your tastes on this one.

Stylish Sheetmetal? Exterior Design.

The 2013 Honda Accord is definitely the most sculpted Accord ever, carrying more creases, lines and curves than ever before. It has a very similar silhouette to the outgoing model, but just like the Camry, both companies didn’t want to mess with an already winning formula and didn’t deviate too far from the already successful designs of the predecessors. 

The 2012 Toyota Camry, on the other hand appears edgier, with more corners than curves and more muscular than the outgoing model.  Both are particularly handsome cars and should continue to appeal to plenty of customers.  Which design do I prefer? Personally I’d go with the Camry, but that’s just me.

Final Word
Toyota Camry, continues to lead in popularity, and seems to have the best overall customer appeal as evidenced by annual sales figures… lets see how the market reacts to these two ultra popular sedans with the introduction of the all-new Accord. You have all the info. Check these images out, or go to a dealer to see for yourself, take a test drive, then comment here for further discussions.

Whew!!!