Is Honda Accord or Toyota Camry better?

• Toyota Camry gets updated with a new 2.5-litre Dynamic Force engine
• Honda Accord offers a downsized 1.5-litre turbo engine, lower road tax
• Camry has better seats, but Accord's ride is more resolved

As recent as 5 years ago, Malaysia’s D-segment sedan market was once brimming with no less than 10 very capable rivals, but fast forward to 2022, less than half of the competitors remain.

Out of which, the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry remain as the two best-selling models, with the latter recently receiving a mid-life update.

Also Read: Review: New 2022 Toyota Camry – how the Dynamic Force and 8AT combo changes the car?

For the purpose of this comparison, we will put the top-spec Honda Accord 1.5 TC-P against the Toyota Camry 2.5V.

Also Read: Review: 2020 Honda Accord 1.5 TC-P - 7 Series space and tech for under RM 200k

Powertrain – Malaysian-spec Camry finally gets Dynamic Force

Despite being a mid-life facelift, the 2022 Toyota Camry now gets a completely revamped powertrain, in the form of Toyota’s Dynamic Force engine.

In the new Camry, the Dynamic Force engine comes in at 2.5-litres, outputting 209 PS and 253 Nm.

Out goes the dated 6-speed automatic, as it has been replaced by an equally-new 8-speed unit, mirroring a similar powertrain configuration in the Lexus ES and Toyota RAV4.

With the new Dynamic Force engine under the hood, the Camry’s total output is toe-to-toe with the turbocharged Accord. The downsized-but-turbocharged 1.5-litre engine in the Accord outputs 201 PS and 260 Nm, mated to a CVT transmission.

Also Read: Pros and Cons: 2020 Honda Accord – Big on space, small on driving excitement

While low-end grunt of the Camry loses out to the turbocharged Accord, the Camry claws back with superior mid-range acceleration, pulling harder than the Accord’s tiny engine. At such speeds, where the Accord’s turbocharged engine runs out of breath, the Camry continues to surge ahead.

That said, although prices of road tax is irrelevant for buyers of D-segment sedans, the Accord offers a lower road tax (RM 90 vs RM 867) compared to the Camry.

Also Read: Why can't we have the cheaper 2.0L NA Camry or Accord in Malaysia?

Exterior – Looks may be subjective, but the Camry is regal

Changes to the updated Camry’s exterior aren’t as drastic as the powertrain improvements.

The most noticeable change are the new dual-tone 18-inch alloy wheels, mildly resculptured front bumper, and dark tint on the tail lights.

But the most appreciated update isn’t the new looks, but rather the inclusion of keyless entry on the front passenger door. It was a sore point of the pre-facelift Camry, and we’re pleased to see that Toyota has addressed that shortcoming.

The Honda Accord on the other hand, offers a sleeker fastback design compared to the traditional three box-shaped Camry.

Like the Camry, the Accord also gets 18-inch alloy wheels, albeit with a blockier design.

Interior – Lots of quality-of-life updates for the Camry

Improvements to the Camry continues inside – a new floating-style infotainment system replaces the previous unit. Along with it comes support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, putting the Camry on par with the Accord.

Further separating itself from the Accord is the inclusion of an automatic tri-zone air-conditioning system. Yes, tri-zone, as passengers behind can now control the Camry’s air-conditioning system via a central control system, mimicking the Lexus LS.

The downside is that the Camry’s infotainment system is surprisingly sluggish, very uncharacteristic for a Camry. Music playback via Spotify was lagging whilst Google Maps was running, further detracting point from an overall pleasant cabin.

No such issue in the Accord, as the infotainment system is reasonably snappy and devoid of any incompatibility issues.

Despite having one speaker less than the Accord, the Camry's JBL sound system sounds better than the Accord, though not much a wide margin. 

Safety – They’re on par

Being the flagship sedan for both brands, safety kit is nicely decked out to the brim on both the Camry and Accord.

Both D-segment contenders offer autonomous emergency braking, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane keeping assist. While both the Camry and Accord offer rear cross traffic alert, the Camry adds Auto Brake feature to its RCTA suite, preventing a rear-ward collision when reversing out of a parking lot.

In place of the Camry’s blind spot monitor, the Accord offers the slightly more ingenious LaneWatch camera instead, which feeds a live video stream onto the infotainment display, eliminating potential accidents involving blind spots.

Also Read: 45 years and 10 generations later, we pick the best Honda Accord

In real-world driving conditions, as part of the Accord's Sensing ADAS suite, its Adaptive Cruise Control and Low Speed Follow offers far smoother braking and acceleration compared to the Camry's TSS. 

Ride and Handling – There’s no match for TNGA, but..

Make no mistake about it, the Toyota Camry and its TNGA platform makes for a very formidable pair.

During our colleague’s time with the updated Camry, they noted that the Camry offers a very surefooted handling prowess, with the ability to track corners better than most D-segment sedans. The Camry also offers far more comfortable seats than the Accord.

Also Read: Pros and Cons: Toyota Camry - Brilliant to drive, but is that enough?

However, as impressive as that may sound, corner carving isn’t what Camry owners are looking for, and that’s where the Accord has the edge.

The rear axle of the Camry can feel a tad bit busy, especially when compare to the Accord. The Accord may lack the sharpness of the Camry, but in return, the Accord offers a more resolved ride.

Between the Camry and Accord, the latter gets our vote for soaking up highway kilometers, as it offers a better ride comfort. 

Also Read: Ratings: 2020 Honda Accord 1.5 TC-P - High score in most areas, 192/250 pts overall

Prices – Accord still has the edge

Due to its imported (CBU) natured, the updated 2022 Toyota Camry is priced from RM 199,109, a tad bit more than the pre-facelift model’s sub RM 190k price point.

If you’re looking for a bargain, perhaps the locally-assembled (CKD) Honda Accord might be a better option, as it is priced from RM 187,390.

Both prices are on-the-road, without insurance.

Also Read: Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, VW Passat: Which D-sedan has the best resale value in Malaysia?

Conclusion

Even before the update, the Toyota Camry was the best-selling D-segment sedan in 2021. With the new Dynamic Force engine and enhanced feature set, the updated 2022 Toyota Camry will certainly continue its momentum as the de-facto D-segment sedan in Malaysia.

Granted, there are still areas in which the Camry could have been better. Its sluggish infotainment system and somewhat busy ride detracts from an otherwise excellent sedan. 

If the updated Camry isn't your cup of tea, perhaps you should give the Honda Accord another look. With its turbocharged engine and smooth CVT transmission, the Accord is ideal for those who wants to adopt a forced-induction lifestyle. 

Sealing the deal for the Accord is its impeccable ride comfort. Surprising as it may sound, the Accord is still our choice to be ferried in. 

Also Read: 2020 Honda Accord 1.5 TC-P vs 2019 Toyota Camry 2.5V - Which should you buy?