2021 Toyota Camry vs 2020 Honda Accord

The 2020 Honda Accord was recognized for its stylish design, which stood out among family sedans. Despite some mixed opinions on its front styling and rounded roofline, it was considered one of the most attractive Accords in history. The car's upscale appearance was particularly enhanced when equipped with 19-inch alloy wheels available on the Touring, Sport 2.0, and Touring 2.0 trims. While 17-inch wheels were standard on other trims, offering a more economical choice for tire replacement, they did not provide the same visual impact. The Accord was available in several trims, including LX, Sport, EX-L, and Touring, with prices ranging from $28,705 to $40,405. Inside, the Accord boasted high-quality materials, with soft touchpoints, premium leather, and realistic matte-finish simulated wood, making it a comfortable and luxurious environment.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Camry aimed to break away from its past conservative image by incorporating bold styling elements. While some features like flared wheel arches and sleek headlights were successful, others, such as the fake vents on SE and XSE trims, added unnecessary visual clutter. The Camry's design was built on the TNGA-K platform, shared with other Toyota models. The 2021 model year introduced subtle changes to the front fascia, with the TRD performance package offering unique styling elements. The Nightshade Edition, based on the SE trim, featured blacked-out exterior trim and wheels. The Camry's interior mirrored its exterior's chaotic styling, with a mix of contrasting materials and a lack of cohesive design. Despite this, the Camry offered a comfortable and supportive seating experience, with excellent outward visibility.

The 2020 Honda Accord offered a range of powertrains, starting with a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 192 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT and front-wheel drive. For those seeking efficiency, the Accord Hybrid delivered an impressive 212 horsepower and averaged 5.5 litres per 100 kilometres. Enthusiasts could opt for the turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, generating 252 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, mated to a ten-speed automatic transmission. The Accord 2.0T was known for its quick acceleration, though it struggled with traction due to its front-wheel-drive layout. The car featured adaptive dampers, providing a balance between comfort and handling, while the steering was accurate and well-weighted. However, the braking system could benefit from improvements, as it tended to warm up and grumble during extended use.

The 2021 Toyota Camry offered a base 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque in FWD, and slightly lower figures in AWD. The XSE trim featured a dual-exhaust system, increasing output slightly. Toyota also offered a 3.5-litre V6 engine with 301 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque, as well as a hybrid powertrain with a total output of 208 horsepower. The Camry's chassis provided a good balance between handling and ride quality, making it enjoyable to drive. The steering was responsive and precise, though it lacked feedback. The TRD package, available since 2020, added performance enhancements like stiffer suspension and larger brakes. The AWD system, derived from the RAV4, could send up to 50% of torque to the rear wheels, enhancing traction without compromising interior space.

The 2020 Honda Accord was essentially a full-size sedan, offering more rear-seat legroom and cargo space than the Toyota Camry. The Accord's 12-way power driver's seat provided excellent comfort, with heating and ventilation available on the Touring trim. However, the front passenger seat lacked a height adjuster. The rear seats were spacious and comfortable, with heated outboard positions and rear air conditioning vents on higher trims. The trunk offered 473 litres of space, accommodating full-size suitcases with ease. The interior featured ample storage, clear instrumentation, and ergonomic controls, creating a pleasant environment for occupants.

The 2021 Toyota Camry provided generous rear headroom and legroom, though front space was slightly compromised. The front seats were adjustable and comfortable, with excellent visibility. Cargo space was average at 428 litres, falling short of the Accord's capacity. In-cabin storage was limited, with small cupholders and door bottle holders. The Camry's controls were user-friendly, with analog knobs for audio and climate functions, though some were difficult to reach from the driver's seat. Dual-zone automatic climate control was available on higher trims.

The 2020 Honda Accord featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with volume and tuning knobs, main menu shortcut buttons, and clear graphics. It included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and text-messaging support. A ten-speaker premium audio system was standard on Sport trims, with additional features like HondaLink, a Wi-Fi hotspot, navigation, and wireless charging on the Touring trim. The system lacked natural voice recognition, requiring specific prompts for accurate responses. A head-up display was exclusive to the Touring trim, and the car offered good visibility with a reversing camera.

The 2021 Toyota Camry came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth. Higher trims offered a 9-inch touchscreen, navigation, and a nine-speaker JBL audio system. A 10-inch head-up display was available on XSE and XLE trims. The Camry included a single USB media port, two USB charge ports, and a 12-volt outlet. The infotainment system was functional, with easy-to-navigate menus, though the graphics were plain.

The 2020 Honda Accord was a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS and received five stars from the NHTSA. It came standard with Honda Sensing, which included forward collision warning, collision mitigation braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and traffic sign recognition. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was reserved for the Touring trim. The system could benefit from refinement, as it occasionally gave false alerts.

The 2021 Toyota Camry earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and five stars from the NHTSA. It featured the TSS 2.5+ package, with adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and traffic-sign recognition. The adaptive cruise control offered enhanced capabilities, and the forward-collision warning could detect cyclists and pedestrians. The Camry also introduced a Rear Seat Reminder and offered blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert as options.