Head to Head: 2008 Honda Accord vs. 2007 Toyota Camry

bankhead submitted on 08/21/2007 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 12:21 PM
from: www.motortrend.com

Tags: 2008 Honda Accord 2007 Toyota Camry

2008 Honda Accord 2007 Toyota Camry

Head to Head: 2008 Honda Accord vs. 2007 Toyota Camry

In the automotive world, there's no shortage of archrivals-two major players that battle for supremacy, day in and day out. Whether it's for sales titles, track times, or magazine comparison-test victories, being number one is an automaker's ultimate goal. From Camaro versus Mustang and Evo versus Sti to S-Class versus 7 Series and Supra versus Z, these combats of style, power, and agility have defined competitors throughout history. Today, no clash is more significant than...Accord versus Camry? You bet.Over the past decade, the Honda Accord and the Toyota Camry have waged war over "bestseller" bragging rights, with each moving around 400,000 per year. Camry has taken the title nine of the last 10 years, but Accord has always been right on its tail, even grabbing the title in 2001. For greater perspective, since Toyota introduced the Camry to the U.S. in 1983, it has sold nearly seven million copies; the Accord, which bowed in 1976, has found almost 10 million buyers.

Last year when Toyota introduced its seventh-generation Camry, the SE V-6 version -- mightiest of the lineup -- promptly laid claim as the most powerful (268 horses) and quickest (0 to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds and the quarter mile in 14.6 at 97.0 mph) Camry ever sold in America. Not only did it possess more horsepower than a Porsche Cayman, but it was also just as hasty to 60 and through the quarter mile as a 300-horse 2007 Jaguar XK. The new benchmark? Absolutely. Read Article

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Will_ - 8/21/2007 1:32:55 PM

+7 Boost

This makes the Accord a better value than the 3-Series. If any Japanese automaker is capable of engineering "magic feel," it's Honda.

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SHOWTIME - 8/21/2007 2:42:35 PMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

You couldn't get a magician to get a magical feel from the Accord.

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auto_master - 8/22/2007 3:54:33 PM

-1 Boost

Both are bland, but I think Toyota's reliability and reputation have been knocked down a couple pegs lately. Additionally, the Honda at least pretends to be sporty with their higher revving engines.

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montyz81 - 8/21/2007 1:32:32 PM

+6 Boost

I'll continue to say it.. Where is the Altima!

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lexusis350 - 8/21/2007 5:15:01 PM

-1 Boost

montyz81-
I thought that would have been pretty obvious. The Camry and Accord are the two highest selling cars in America. The Altima can't even compete with these two as far as sales go.

montyz81 - 8/21/2007 5:43:25 PM

0 Boost

Yeah, they aren't talking sales here. Nonenthusiast type folks in this world think they are getting everything for their money when they buy a Toyota or Honda. For the most part they are. This time around however, they are getting so much more then the Camary and Accord for their money in the new Altima. It is a better car period!

lexusis350 - 8/22/2007 2:06:21 PM

+2 Boost

They are too talking sales. Remember at the beginning of the article it was saying that Accord and Camry have been competing for the most sold car? This comparison has everything to do with sales. They're comparing the #1 and #2 most sold car with each other.

montyz81 - 8/23/2007 3:50:43 PM

+2 Boost

Fine. I am wrong it is about sales. That said, the Altima is the number 3 seller "in that class" At 25k/month it is still a pretty formidable competitor in sales and value. I seriously think the Altima will be a 30k+ seller before the end of the decade.

EL34 - 8/21/2007 1:51:42 PM

-14 Boost

Damn, just like usual I can hardly tell them apart!

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STJ88 - 8/21/2007 1:56:02 PM

+10 Boost

@EL34

Even stevie wonder wouldnt say that these too look similar.

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TauronB2G - 8/21/2007 2:00:36 PM

+2 Boost

My only problem is that we are talking about $30,000 accords and camry's. Thats insane to me. I guess that maybe i'm just cheap.
T

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TauronB2G - 8/21/2007 3:03:24 PM

-1 Boost

You missed the point all together (as usual) I remember when accords cost 16-17K. Cars are just more expensive thats all.
T

TauronB2G - 8/21/2007 5:03:03 PM

+2 Boost

GS I bought a new Benz this year. My point is that car prices have gotten out of whack. Typical family car prices are nearing entry level luxury car prices. Don't you find that interesting at all. 43LE...I work in finance so yes I do know the concept of inflation very well. By the way...I didn't miss the point...I made it.
T

atomicbri - 8/21/2007 2:04:47 PMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

I bet the new Honda drives great, a shame on the design... it is a horrible mesh of BMW Tail design with a bit of Scion tC and Hyundai Sonota up front.

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huu76 - 8/21/2007 2:10:58 PM

-1 Boost

I agree, from certain angles, the new Accord's tail looks too much like the 5-series.

Camry easily wins hands down on looks, to me, it actually looks sportier.

The Civic gave me really high hopes that the Accord would be a winner too. Count me as disappointed.

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Designer1 - 8/21/2007 2:20:52 PM

-3 Boost

The has sportier driving than the Camry, but this new Accord is ugly, the current model is nicer. And I would take the Camry over it, cleaner and much nicer design.

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porsche911 - 8/21/2007 3:11:30 PM

+5 Boost

This will not only compete against the Camry, but also the Avalon. This is really a great car. I love it.

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1970toyotamarc - 8/21/2007 3:30:36 PM

-2 Boost

There's a great sidebar article in the MT forums about Accords (like 3 series) getting passes from auto journalists. It's like, no matter what, they can do no wrong. For the purposes of this, I wont add any more about the 3, although it's a good analogy.

The Accord took longer than the Camry to get a V-6, then when it did it was still underpowered. The Accord took a long time to move up from compact to mid-sized. Its style has never been consistent, some generations have been hits (86), others have been staid and boring (90), others have been just plain ugly (current). And I could never figure out what was with those metal interior door handles that matched nothing else.

Now we have an Accord whose flaws will be overlooked again. The same flaws that will be used to vilify a Toyota. The Hoffmeister kink demonstrates a bold design direction. The size gain results in improved space for passengers. On a Toyota, those 2 traits would result in the press saying the Toyota was derivative and bloated. And so it goes. The winner is, of course, a foregone conclusion.

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mitchatlexusofmarin - 8/21/2007 4:45:26 PM

+6 Boost

Exceptionally well thought out and written- although I prefer the Accord.

S4cabriofoxone - 8/21/2007 11:55:37 PMView My AgentSpace

+4 Boost

Oh, please, they're always praising new Camrys to be comfortable, easy cars with good drivetrains. They are. The press isn't biased- you have to face it. Some like the Camry better, some like the Accord better. I, too, prefer the Accord.

1970toyotamarc - 8/22/2007 11:48:31 AM

-2 Boost

It's not about personal preferences. I happen to prefer this Camry over the current or soon to be released Accord, but I did not care for the past 2 Camrys. It's about the free pass that ALL Accords and 3 series get in the press.

A couple other points about this comparo... Why was the Camry SE criticized for its firm ride? Arent they always criticized for too soft a ride? It also had better straight line acceleration, which apparently doesn't matter when you dont want it to. So the Camry has a more sporty ride and is faster, but loses to the Accord. Oh yeah it loses because of the great styling (Hoffmeister kink) and more space (bloated). That's my point.

cktoo - 8/22/2007 4:07:56 PM

+5 Boost

I'm not sure they get a "free pass", but these cars, like any other good cars, get a certain reputation. In the case of the 3 Series, Accords, Camry's, they've earned it, so they will inevitably start out with somewhat higher "marks".

The Accord has traditionally had a better drive/feel than the Camry. Just because the SE has a firm or sporty suspension and is slightly faster, doesn't mean it drives/feels better on the road. Also, they even said they were testing on some pretty rough roads, so the SE was probably harsher. I would have preferred them to compare to Camry XLE, at least until (or if) Honda ever brings an Accord Si. Again, that may not be fair, but they are clear the chassis/powertrain are much more to their liking on the Accord than Camry...not just the kink. And let's face it, they are both "bloated" cars to where they used to be.

mikeydred20 - 8/21/2007 8:36:53 PM

+6 Boost

I this a real picture, looking at it next to the Camry the Accord actually looks good. Maybe Honda does know what they are doing, after all the interior is better and it has more horsepower than the Camry. All jokes aside time will tell, let the cunsumers decide.

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mikeydred20 - 8/21/2007 8:41:00 PM

+2 Boost

I did not read the article before I asked if this is a real photo. Guess I have to wait for my new Motor Trend. That was a good write up by the way bankhead.

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mikeydred20 - 8/21/2007 8:49:12 PM

+1 Boost

The 94- 97 series was the best looking Accords!

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tireskid - 8/21/2007 10:35:45 PM

+1 Boost

I don't know if anybody care but i got an email to the new accord site. http://automobiles.honda.com/2008-accord/?modelname=accord+coupe

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S4cabriofoxone - 8/21/2007 11:53:43 PMView My AgentSpace

+5 Boost

I'm really liking the front and side profile of the new Accord; I'll just have to wait and see the rear in person. I'm sure the performance will be impressive in this segment.

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minimalist - 8/22/2007 4:21:15 AM

+6 Boost

hmm... for some reason, the camry has a sleeker & better looking design yet the honda has a more unique & bold presence to it. both interiors are very nice and much improved over past iterations although the camry is a little more simple in design yet more "timeless." the accord appears to be put together much more nicely & efficiently as evident in the engine compartant. honda does have more distinctive design between its models while the camry has the same as toyota's other models.

very nice work on the part of honda; vast imrovements by both makers; both very nice choices for the price.

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XYZZ - 8/22/2007 4:40:28 AM

+1 Boost

...

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XYZZ - 8/22/2007 8:09:29 AM

-1 Boost

why does EVERYONE have to copy the so-called hoffmeister kink?

it is now DATED. passe. overdone. ugly.

the camry looks MUCH CLASSIER. and actually handles better too, in the comparo.

does the overdone H-kinky, by making the accord look sorta like a beemer, automatically make it a "better" car? LOL!

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Kinger - 8/22/2007 12:09:11 PM

+3 Boost

Ugly? Nah, its a BMW trademark, their cars wouldn't look to same without it.

XYZZ - 8/22/2007 8:15:49 AM

+1 Boost

the H-Kinky, btw, was NOT original to bmw. among others, toyota had it in the 1970s, and gm in the 1950s, late '40s even. kaiser also had a weird version in that same era.

SOME versions were clean. ('70s) some cluttered. (late '50s) some downright UGLY. (back then, and now again!)

the more things change, the more they stay the same.

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r15mohd - 8/22/2007 12:31:52 PM

-4 Boost

i'm not to fond of the styling of the Honda Accord...it looks like a mix between a saturn and the galant.

the article is kinda misleading when you actually compare the facts on the last page. first they boast about the hughe trunk space the accord has gained, making you think the car beats the camry when the camry's trunk is still bigger by .5 cu/ft

then the significant increase in wheelbases and length. the camry still is within tenths of inches when it comes to interior room. again they rate the accord better.

they mention which would you ratehr your in-laws be picked up in. the facts brought up is the attributes the accord has inside. but the camry is their sports edition. could of done better judgement here IMO.

both cars are well made and that you cant knock. they are both top sellers in the US and really have no one in their site to alter it.

one thing i was really skepticle on was Honda only offering a 5yr/36k mile warranty on power train. Honda has had numerous issues with their v6 tranny's since 1998. and still does to this day. i felt they could have at least given some more room on the warranty side.

my pick, still the camry!

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cktoo - 8/22/2007 3:55:52 PM

+5 Boost

Well, you're nitpicking just like I'm sure the writers did. These are two very well built cars and the numbers are within easy reach of one another. These writers just happent to prefer the Accord...this time. Traditionally, the Accord has always had a slight advantage when it comes to "fun to drive" in this segment, so not surprising a car mag chooses it based on that.
I actually would have preferred them to compare to a Camry XLE (or whatever the top Camry is..non SE) because that seems like more of a direct comparison. Unless or until the Accord gets an Si version, that's when you throw in the SE.
And Honda/Acura has had one design issue with the v6 tranny with respect from 98 to 03, which by the way they've extended the warranty to 100k miles...voluntarily. Yes it sucks if you have that issue, but it was about 1% of cars with the v6. Haven't heard any of the same problems since 04.
Nevertheless, both cars will do quite well and it probably boils down to whether you are a Toyota or Honda fan on which u prefer...at least on this site.

bmwdrvr - 8/22/2007 12:36:41 PM

+4 Boost

both of these cars are irrelevant to me but i guess out of these 2 it would be the accord the styling is cleaner, more sleek, with a few hints of bmw. the toyota looks odd and bloated. and fast 0-60 doesnt mean anything for a bland car. if i was going after one of these affordable family cars it would be either the altima, or the legacy.these 2 are just 2 boring, staid and bland. but i like that honda did actually give the new accord an all new direction if they did this with the accord, im interested to see what the new tl looks like the best honda in my opinion

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zoom_zoom - 8/22/2007 4:57:23 PM

-4 Boost

get a mazda6 instead. these two bland cars aren't worth a look

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dbrebel - 8/22/2007 8:07:16 PM

+4 Boost

No thanks... the mazda6 was way overrated to begin with, and it hasn't aged well at all.

chr34 - 4/20/2008 2:13:07 AM

+1 Boost

When I think of Toyota or Lexus - I think of maturity, high class and originality. When I think of Honda or Acura - I think of something new, inexperience, kid cars.

Camry is more classy looking than the Accord, hands down. The Accord however becomes more weird looking with each passing generation...

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