2025 Honda Accord e:HEV RS vs Toyota Camry SL: Spec Battle

The standard family automobile has modified quite a bit during the last 20 years.

Today, SUVs have taken over from conventional three-box sedans because the default option for Australian recent automobile consumers.

Consequently – and even long after the demise of keystone vehicles just like the Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon – the selection of mainstream mid-size passenger sedans has diminished dramatically. Only a couple of legacy models remain, similar to the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry we’re comparing here.

And even then, these two are playing in a distinct league to their predecessors by attempting to lure empty-nesters away from luxury brands, quite than attracting budget-conscious families.

How well do they do this, and which one is probably the most attractive proposition? Well, let’s discover.

Dive into an in depth side-by-side evaluation

Including price, detailed specifications and features

How much?

The Honda Accord has been a mainstay for the Japanese brand because it first arrived in 1977. Now in its Eleventh-generation, it acts as the corporate’s flagship model with a single variant – the fully-loaded, hybrid-only e:HEV RS that commands an eye-watering $64,900 drive-away pricetag.

The Toyota Camry, however, is more accessible with a three-variant lineup that starts at $39,990 (plus on-road costs) for the entry-level Ascent, with the mid-range Ascent Sport asking $3000 more.

The range-topping SL that we’re comparing here against the Accord RS is priced from $53,990 plus on-roads.

The worth gap closes considerably when bearing in mind the extra statutory charges, however the Camry still comes out in front by around $5000.

What do you get?

So far as on-paper specifications are concerned, each the Accord RS and Camry SL are loaded with lots of standard equipment. And there’s not much to separate them.

They each ride on 18-inch alloy wheels, have LED headlights, panoramic sunroofs and keyless entry, while their cabins are cloaked in leather trim and have twin digital screens, power-adjustable front seats, head-up displays, and dual-zone climate control with rear vents.

The Camry has two 12.3-inch units for the instrument cluster and infotainment system, while the screen in front of the motive force within the Accord is barely smaller at 10.2 inches.

Each have wireless smartphone mirroring and Bluetooth connectivity, in addition to multiple USB power outlets, embedded satellite navigation, DAB+ digital radio and wireless phone chargers. However the Accord has integrated Google Maps, Google Assistant and Google Play, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system , while the Camry’s JBL system has nine speakers.

The Honda uses the audio system to cut back unwanted exterior noises via Energetic Noise Control technology, and has adjustable multi-coloured ambient interior lighting.

Are they secure?

The Toyota Camry has a maximum five-star ANCAP rating under the most recent (2024) testing protocols, whereas the Accord has yet to be assessed by the independent safety authority.

Nonetheless, each are equipped with a comprehensive array of advanced safety systems that features:

• Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Blind spot warning
• Lane departure warning
• Lane keeping assistance
• Traffic sign recognition
• Driver monitoring
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Eight airbags
• Automatic high-beam
• Reverse camera
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Head-up display

The one minor variations are that the Camry has a digital rear-view mirror, while the Accord has a 360-degree parking camera.

What are they like inside?

When it comes to the space they take up on the road, the Accord and Camry have an almost similar footprint.

The Honda is fractionally longer, wider and taller – and in addition has a bit of extra between the front and rear axles – but we’re talking millimetre differences here.

What that equates to contained in the cabin is that each have generous amounts of interior space with excellent headroom for all, and enough room for 3 across the rear bench.

The Accord has more cargo space within the boot than the Camry (570 litres in comparison with 524L), but each provide enough room to handle the weekly duties of a full family, in addition to holiday getaways.

The Honda looks and feels a bit of more modern in its design with the central touchscreen placed like a tablet on the highest of the dash, whereas the Camry’s is integrated into the sweeping air vents which looks a bit bulkier.

It also has some nice touches just like the digital display within the centre rotary controller, which may show a myriad of functions including the time, temperature controls and current audio output, and there’s a cross-hatched pattern across the air vents that divides the dashboard.

There’s two large cupholders within the centre console and a big tray with a wireless phone charger at the bottom of the dash, a covered bin between the seats and deep door pockets large enough for water bottles.

The front seats are super comfortable and offer loads of adjustment, and all of the touch points are nice and tactile with top quality materials.

The Camry looks and feels a bit of more dressed-up than the Accord and, due to this fact, can’t hide its entry-level roots as well with cheaper plastics covering the dash and door cards.

But even still, it’s a genuinely nice place to be, with front seats which might be equally supple and offer barely more lateral support, plus heating and ventilation, which is a noticeable omission from the Accord, especially considering its price premium.

What’s under the bonnet?

On face value, there are lots of similarities about what powers the Accord and Camry. Each have a lean-burning petrol engine assisted by an electrical motor (or two within the case of the Accord), which drive the front wheels through a constantly variable automatic transmission (CVT).

Nonetheless, they do act barely different in the best way each of them combines the 2 propulsion sources.

The Camry, for starters, has a larger-capacity four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 138kW of power and 221Nm of torque, plus a single electric motor linked to the gearbox that gives a further 100kW and 208Nm of assistance, powered by a 4Ahr lithium-ion battery pack mounted behind the rear seats.

That is a standard parallel hybrid system in that the electrical motor is barely used by itself when moving away from a standstill, after which assists the petrol engine when on the move.

The web result’s a combined maximum power output of 170kW (Toyota doesn’t provide a claimed maximum torque figure) and memorable combined fuel consumption of just 4.0L/100km.

The Honda, however, is a bit of more advanced. It has two electric motors sandwiched inside its CVT transmission, a generator that primarily recharges the battery through regenerative braking, and a traction motor that helps the smaller-capacity 2.0-litre petrol engine that produces 108kW and 182Nm.

Nonetheless, each electric motors can work together under acceleration and the petrol engine will be completely decoupled from the drivetrain when cruising, almost reversing the connection between the 2 in comparison with the Camry.

This implies the Accord can drive more often – and at any speed – on battery power alone.

Yet, despite its slight weight advantage, at 4.3L/100km the Accord can’t beat the Camry’s claimed fuel consumption, even though it is tuned to make use of cheaper standard unleaded (91RON) petrol, where Toyota recommends a minimum 95RON Premium for the Camry.

Cost of ownership

Toyota and Honda are renowned for his or her long-term reliability, and each Japanese brands provide aftersales coverage for five years or unlimited kilometres. Each offer extensions if the vehicle is maintained in line with the prescribed service schedule inside their authorised dealer networks; Honda for an additional three years and Toyota for 2, but just for the engine.

Additionally they provide free roadside assistance (as much as eight years at Honda and 7 years at Toyota) and are amongst probably the most inexpensive to take care of through capped price servicing schemes. The Accord costs just $199 every year for the primary five years, while the Camry is fractionally pricier to service at $255 annually over the identical time period.

CarExpert’s Pick

It’s bewildering that these two sedans aren’t more popular because, for all of the automobile things they do, they’re bloody good.

Each are exceptionally nice to drive due to a snug ride and sure-footed on-road dynamics, and each have genuinely spacious back seats, luxurious appointments and the most recent in safety and convenience tech.

But greater than anything, they’re remarkably efficient for such large cars, especially in comparison with their mid-size SUV equivalents, that are dearer to own.

Really, the one thing that separates them is their price tags, and in that regard the Camry comes out barely ahead of the Accord.