The Toyota Camry and Honda Accord are two of the best-selling midsize vehicles of all time. For 2012, both models return with handsome styling, long-term reliability and competitive pricing.
Trim Levels and Pricing
Accord Sedan: LX, LX-P, SE, EX/EX-V6, EX-L/EX-L V6, EX-L/EX-L V6 w/navigation
Camry: L, LE, SE 4-Cylinder, SE V6, XLE 4-Cylinder, XLE V6, Hybrid LE, Hybrid XLE
Prices for these competitors will be the following:
Base Price MSRP (price includes destination fee)
2012 Honda Accord: $22,150
2012 Toyota Camry: $22,715
With Automatic Transmission
Accord: $22,950
Camry: $22,715
With V6 Engine
Accord: $28,050
Camry: $27,400
As you can see the pricing and trim levels are very similar so the differences are negligible. In this category the Accord pulls out ahead for the simple reason that it is offered as a Sedan, a Coupe and a Crosstour (which is a wagon). This means that all types of drivers can find the accord that fits their life style and needs. However the Camry is offered as a Hybrid which is not available on the Accord, so for this category the Accord barely inches out the Camry, but takes the lead.
So far the Honda Accord is ahead of the game.
Camry: 0
Accord: 1
Styling and Interior 
As far as size goes the Honda Accord has bigger dimensions, giving the vehicle a larger interior than the Camry, which is great if rear seat comfort is a priority to you. However at the end of the day the Accord’s larger size hinders maneuverability, making it harder to drive than the Camry.
Toyota’s redesign of the Camry brought its interior quality up substantially to edge out the Honda Accord. Without the available wood-grain accents, the Accord’s interior looks plain, meanwhile the Camry’s cabin materials have nicely textured surfaces and visually appealing faux metal or wood trim. The 2012 Camry offers 15.4 cubic feet of storage, while the Accord delivers 14.7 cubic feet.
The Accord offers you more leg room, but the Toyota Camry offers an easier car to drive, more storage space and better styled interior design. For this the 2012 Toyota Camry takes the point in this category.
Camry: 1
Accord: 1
Features
If you are in line for one of these vehicles one of the deciding factors will be the features. The 2012 Honda Accord has the following standard features: 16-inch wheels, height-adjustable driver's seat, full power accessories, a tilt and telescopic steering wheel, cruise control, a six-speaker stereo, CD player, auxiliary audio input and iPod/USB interface. The Camry's starting package very close but it adds Bluetooth and subtracts power locks.
Both models have some nice available upgrades, but the Camry edges out the Accord by offering some exclusive upgrades such as 18 inch wheels, a 10-speaker stereo, 18-inch and Toyota’s Entune smart phone integration.
While the standard features are virtually a draw, the 2012 Toyota Camry’s upgrades edge out the Honda Accords, putting the Camry in the lead.
Camry: 2
Accord: 1
Performance
Under the hood the 2012 Toyota Camry comes standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that pushes out 178 horsepower and 170 lb-ft. of torque. The Honda Accord is equipped with a very similar 2.4-liter engine that pushes 177 horsepower and 161 lb-ft. of torque.
As far as gas mileage, The EPA estimated that the Honda Accord gets 23 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway (27 mpg combined) , while the 2012 Toyota Camry comes out with an estimated 25 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway (28 mpg combined).
Both models have an available V6 engine upgrade. The Camry's 3.5-liter V6 gets 268 horsepower and delivers 21 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway (25 mpg combined). While the 3.5-liter V6 Accord is able to push 271 horsepower and gets up to 20 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway (24 mpg combined).
This is a really tough category to judge. While the Camry’s 2.4-liter engine edges out the Accord in performance and MPG’s, the Accord’s 3.5-liter V6 barely edges out the Camry’s in performance and MPG’s. Sorry to both teams but we must declare this category a Draw.
Draw- Both models get a point
Camry: 3
Accord: 2
Safety Features
Everybody knows that safety is very important, so in order to truly put these cars to the test we have to see how safe they are.
Standard safety features available on the 2012 Honda Accord include antilock disc brakes, traction control, stability control, front side airbags, side curtain airbags and active front head restraints.
The Camry comes out ahead by taking out active front head restraints but adding rear-seat side airbags, two knee airbags, brake assist and an available blind-spot monitoring system.
In crash tests performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Honda Accord rating of "Good", the best possible safety rating, for frontal-offset and side-impact collisions and a rating of "Acceptable" in roof strength tests. The Camry earned a rating of "Good" in all categories tested.
This one is fairly easy to judge. The 2012 Toyota Camry has more safety features and a better performance in safety tests.
Camry: 4
Accord: 2
Conclusion
This has to be the toughest Car Battle to date. Every category was very close, making it very hard to pick a winner, however in the end the 2012 Toyota Camry was able to edge out the 2012 Honda Accord, making the Toyota Camry the official winner of this edition of “Car Battles”.
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