Honda Accord vs.

Toyota Camry
The Honda Accord and the Toyota Camry are the most popular family sedans. Indeed,
when discerning shoppers do their homework, they inevitably narrow the list to these
automobiles.

In typical Japanese tradition both players are built with great Integrity and extend
exceptional Quality of Manufacturing and Efficiency, Topping off with a very high level of
reliability all of which ultimately translates into user satisfaction.

Both are supplied with space-age Quadra-valve all-aluminum engines--as opposed to the
antiquated cast iron pushrod stuff GM palms off in this price-range. Both come with all-
independent suspensions and neat features like 60/40 split rear seats. But each car has its
own personality and each has appealed to millions.

The Honda Accord, owing to its slightly lower cost, outsells the Camry--by a
reciprocal margin, but that statistic has been tackled in this manner: Toyota
announced a $1000 price reduction a scheme, that to many, still does not make the newest
of Camry’s affordable. Despite the sticker, the older Camry managed to race up the charts
as word spread of its Elysian ways. The replacement is expected to blaze that familiar trail
since no manufacturer, other than Honda and Nissan, have anything on the files to match
the Camry bolt for bolt.

First, let's get the Nomenclature out of the way:

Accords are formed in 2-doors, 4- doors, and wagons. Any of these can be obtained in
three trims: DX, LX, and EX. The last two are also available with the 2.7 V6. Camry’s
now come in 4-doors only and are designated CE, LE, XLE, with the latter two available
with the sixes. Accord gives out the VTEC (variable valve timing and lift system) stuff
strictly with the EX and I have used it in the comparison. Toyota keeps matters simple and
has only one four on the menu.
Styling
The outgoing Camry offered decidedly more cachet than the Accord. Its dramatic curves
and scaled-down, Lexus LS 400 brawny good-looks out-classed the Accord's blue-blooded
profile. The 1997 Camry is much, much different. However, now it is so much more
Accordish, with a Peugeot 505 front, an angular silhouette, and a rear that is Alfa Romeo if
nothing. Toyota's penmanship seems to have set the design trend for the late nineties which
gets my vote, although both cars are exquisitely finished and blessed with a timeless
beauty.

Interior
The Camry's interior has been modeled along the Lexus ES 300's so it is understandably
opulent. It is also more expressive and spontaneous than before: the gear indicator, which,
previously, nestled symmetrically between the Tacho and the Speedo, is now aligned off-
center. Needles lose the orange in favor of a sophisticated blue-white and the display lights
up splendidly at dusk. Everything from seatbacks to door handles move as if on ball-
bearings. Quality switch gear and communicative controls are Toyota's forte and one
particular gadget absolutely reels the mind: the cruise control lever for which Toyota holds
the patent. The little toggle stem that sprouts from the right of the steering column, is
simple to master and divine in function--push up to accelerate/resume, down to set/coast; it
even turns with the wheel allowing the driver to discipline velocity during bends. No
messing around with hub mounted switches as in the Honda. Ergonomically, the Camry is
impossible to find fault with.

In direct antithesis to Toyota's methods, the Honda's insides are more animated. The
chrome on the door handles and gear knob would be right at home in a Jaguar. The elegant
lettering on the dials is vintage Honda as is the black steering wheel and gear shifter. In
terms of ergonomics, the Accord matches the Camry and outdoes it for flair. However,
Honda gummed up in interior planning. Hip, leg, and shoulder space is extremely
reasonable for its dimensions and entirely world-class, but then, it is the impossible Camry
it is up against and the latter squeaks out more--both in front and aft. When it comes to
designing interiors for room, Toyota is top-drawer. The Camry has more inches in some
planes than most domestic sedans that are a foot longer--like the Taurus, Intrepid, Regal,
and Lumina. Visibility through the rear view mirror is poorer in the Accord. The swoopy
C-pillar and a high deck lid, leaves a comparatively narrower breach; more noticeable after
a drive in the Camry. The Accord's side-view mirrors fold or break away--a feature for the
spatially impeded, however, they are not as large and well-positioned as the Camry's and
require greater head movement during lane swaps. The Toyota is more cabin forward now,
and the vertically challenged will cheer in gratitude at the enhanced frontal view.
Performance
This is where the comparison becomes
cagey. The two are so diverse, it was
imperative that I thumb the Bias Switch into
the "off" mode. Here is how it went:

The Accord is the closest thing to a low-end

BMW. I know, I know that singed a lot of
the Ultimate Machine’s out there, but face it
chumps--you dwindled away a lot of the
sweat and blood when the Accord was all
that the hormones needed. I don't say this
lightly. The Honda takes off with the Bimmer's bluntness (and even stops not unlike a 318
on a pinch of Nyquil). Mark it down to the 145 bhp 2.2 VTEC (or even the un-VTEC--
both are decent power plants and provide little by way of discernible variance in
performance). The 2.7 six squirts out with 170 bhp but its deportment is not as sunny as the
Camry's six. Honda's "grade logic" four speed automatic, blast it, is an embarrassing
shifter, owing to its using very little of the logic stuff. It jerks with abandon and up shifts
and downshifts run through the occupants with little reserve. I recommend the dreamy
five-speed which instantly changes the car's aura.

Stiff shock settings, an on the ball steering, and grippy Michelins keep the Accord honest,
especially on sharp exit ramps, not unlike a BMW. Potholes, however, are greeted with
needless intimacy and I found myself bracing every time one drew near. The structure--and
I don't know if this was restricted to my specimen--twitched in distaste over abrasive
surfaces. Brake pedal feel brought back memories. As a child, I formed the habit of
sticking the tongue out, in moments of adversity, and squeezing the twin handles on the old
cycle to remain upright. The hard-core, no-nonsense brakes served with loyalty and the
Accord's brakes faithfully duplicate that simple, gratifying feeling of retarding momentum.

Toyota okayed power and torque increases to both the 2.2 in-line four (now 133 bhp) and
the 3.0 V6 (up to 194 bhp with 209 lb-ft of torque). From rest, the Camry plows
hydraulically--especially with the V6. There is an almost disconnected feel while the pedal
is down and the car feels bigger--in an expensive kind of way. State of the art fluid-filled
engine mounts keep an eye skinned for power plant vibrations. The damping is better than
in a Mercedes E320--while advanced sound-deadening measures keep it serene and, yet,
verbal. Analysis engineers will acknowledge the immense skill that goes into providing
such mutable isolation.
The electronically- controlled four speed transmission is a stark contrast to the Accord's--
slick, furtive-- among the best in the world. Successive pedal prods are saluted with
perpetual responses, and the increasing intensity of the engine's moans politely convey that
the appropriate gear has now been picked. In the battle of the sixes, the Camry's ultra-
refined, seductive 3.0 drubs the Accord's somewhat wan and gruff 2.7 V6.
Toyota's engineers have also gone to great lengths to promote a consistency that most
manufacturers reserve for high-end flagships. The chief components--the engine,
transmission, suspension, and brakes are finely tuned to each other's bandwidths and they
communicate with a fluency never experienced in this class.

With its mind on luxury, the Toyota has the bearing of a grand tourer. Since '92, the car
maker has been installing two sub-frames, one at either end, and they make all the
difference. The Camry blows down interstates with unequaled aplomb and rallies around
with dignity if submitted to a sordid curve. 195/70SR-14 tires on the four are distinctly
more subdued than the 205/65HR-15s on the six. Nevertheless, with either set, dips and
ruts are dispensed with a touch of hauteur.

With the V-6, the Camry's clearest advantage is its ability to run up slopes without
breaking into a sweat. The Toyota handles proclivities with barely a murmur and even has
a little extra for passing uphill while its rival fairly gasps after a bit of the steep stuff.
Thanks to a 209-165 lb-ft torque advantage, the Camry tools around the city with little
effort. Indeed, the throttle rarely requires a deep thrust to obtain rosy results.

Safety
Both have dual air-bags and side impact steel beams in the doors. The Camry now has
standard ABS; they are still optional on the Accord. Toyota offers additional safety
features: auto-off lights and tow-down hooks. The latter prevent the hood from slamming
into the cockpit in case of a frontal collision. Also, the liquid-filled engine damper turns
and drops the Camry power-train under the car rather than in your lap in the event of a
head-on impact. Toyota's front bumpers are now rated at 5 mph; the Accord's are of the 2.5
mph variety.

Verdict
Despite the differences in philosophy behind each car, the Camry embodies the best of all
possible virtues. And it emerges as the more addictive. On paper, its four appears
somewhat anemic, yet, it more than outdoes the VTEC in terms of plush ness and finesse.
Similarly, the Toyota 3.0 V6 is cutting edge material and the twenty four extra ponies tell
the tale. More power, room, and safety features leave the Toyota with the medal.

Accord Camry
Engine 8 10
Transmission 6 10
Brakes 9 10
Ride 8 10
Handling 10 9
Ergonomics/ Visibility 9 10
Interior Accommodations 9 10
Structures 9 10
Exterior Styling 10 10
Fun To Drive 9 10
Total 87 99
Comparisons
ACCORD
Six Cylinder:
Acceleration (0-60 mph): 8.8 sec.
8.3 sec (5-spd)
Braking Distance (60-0 mph): 137 ft.
Road-holding Index: 0.78
Engine Size: 2.7 liters
Compression Ratio: 9
Horsepower: 170 hp @ 5600 rpm
Torque: 165 lbs./ft. @ 4500 rpm
Four Cylinder:
Acceleration (0-60 mph): 9.4 sec (auto)
8.9 sec (5-spd)
Braking Distance (60-0 mph): 136 ft.
Road holding Index: 0.79
Engine Size: 2.2 liters
Compression Ratio: 8.8
Horsepower: 145 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque: 147 lbs./ft. @ 4500 rpm
WARRANTIES
Basic: 3 yr./36000 mi.
Drive-train: 3 yr./36000 mi.
Rust: 3 yr./unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance: NA
CAMRY
Six Cylinder:
Acceleration (0-60 mph): 8.3 sec (auto)
7.6 sec (5-spd)
Braking Distance (60-0 mph): 124 ft.
Road-holding Index: 0.78
Engine Size: 3 liters
Compression Ratio: 10.5
Horsepower: 194 hp @ 5200 rpm
Torque: 209 lbs./ft. @ 4400 rpm
Four Cylinder:
Acceleration (0-60 mph): 9.4 sec.
8.9 sec (5-spd)
Braking Distance (60-0 mph): 142 ft.
Road holding Index: 0.78
Engine Size: 2.2 liters
Compression Ratio: 9.5
Horsepower: 133 hp @ 5400 rpm
Torque: 147 lbs./ft. @ 4400 rpm
WARRANTIES
Basic: 3 yr./36000 mi.
Drive-train: 5 yr./60000 mi.
Rust: 5 yr./unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance: NA