Toyota Camry test drive since 2011 sedan

Comparative test: New Honda Accord against the new Toyota Camry

We changed the coffee shop in the same week when tested Honda Accord Ex and Toyota Camry LE. In the new coffee shop, a double espresso ristretto is served at the same price, and I can swear that the milk foam here is thicker and fragrant.

In fact, we support two coffee houses offering about the same assortment. Honda with Toyota, who are trying to sell to me, your father, your boss’s niece and another 300,000 other people, about the same family sedans at the same price.

But, as in the case of ordinary latt, it is the details that matter when it comes to choosing a medium -sized sedan. Such subtleties that an ordinary buyer may not notice, play a decisive role for an expert using the car every day.

Honda changed a thousand small details for the 2013 of the model year, and during the full test we managed to find out that these changes are for the better. But we already have a new Toyota Camry, and we like to go to work on it. And despite our suspicions that these family sedans are one and the same, we will probably not say, without the results of a comparative test.

So you want to spend $ 25,000
An ordinary buyer of a medium -sized sedan most often plans to spend about $ 25,000 (before tax). Such frames imply a 4-cylinder engine rather than V6, and a certain self-control when choosing a configuration.

Our Honda Accord Ex from additions has only a variator that will cost $ 800, so its cost, taking into account delivery to your dealership, is $ 26 195.

This is $ 320 more than the Accord ex 2012 cost that participated in our previous comparative test ($ 25,875), but there are more amenities. Finally, you can make calls without additionally purchased headset or other Hands-Free devices, start the engine even without a key fob (yes, now there is a launch of an engine without a key). We would not object to the rear view camera (even taking into account a good review of Accord), as well as against another, on the rear view mirror from the passenger, which would help to monitor the situation in the blind area.

To look for Toyota Camry 2012 (the 2013 model has not yet been released), which would correspond to the Accord 2013 configuration, turned out to be a rather meaningless occupation. In general, such a car exists, it should be a SE set with a package of Convenence options, a hatch, an electric drive of a driver’s seat and floor rugs, with a theoretical cost of $ 26,755. Toyota did not have such a car, and our own Camry SE with navigation is too expensive ($ 28 ($ 28 658). As a result, we opted for Camry LE with an electric drive of a driver's seat ($ 440) for $ 23,925 in the tested configuration. It would be possible to add a hatch ($ 915) and 17-inch cast discs ($ 799), but it did not work out.

Despite the lack of cameras, Camry LE, however, the equipment of the car corresponds to the main requests. Yes, there is no two-zone climate control that is present in Accord (such luxury is available only in the Xle configuration), although no one has canceled our interpersonal relationships with the best half, but we are happy in marriage and therefore are quite capable of agreeing on the fan comfortable for both speeds of operation . We do not have a trial subscription on the HM radio or an integrated Pandora system, but even in this situation we can well use Bluetooth and USB in our Camry. Radio for poor in the AM-band works great both in Accord and Camry, although the dictator's voice sounds more vividly and deep in Honda.

One is faster and more efficient
Usually, our friends begin to laugh softly when we begin to describe the adequate dynamics of medium -sized sedans with four -cylinder engines.

And yet, when comparing Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, a lot of interesting things are happening. The fact is that Honda replaced the traditional machine gun. But this should not be scared. When you recover the accelerator pedal to the floor, the turns grow as it should, but as soon as you let it go, reaching the desired speed, the engine speed falls without a characteristic springiness, as if the usual automatic transmission has passed at one speed up. In addition, a new 2.4-liter engine with four cylinders and a direct injection system works smoothly and smoothly, and although its sound cannot be called memorable, unpleasant one can also not be called it.

Despite the fact that Honda Accord Ex has at his disposal 185 hp, that 5 horses are less than last year’s model, it feels more powerful. The reason lies in the torque, since EX 2013 develops 245 Nm at 3,900 revolutions per minute against 220 nm for 4,400 revolutions in the 2012 model. This makes Accord 2013 one of the most dynamic sedans with a four -cylinder engine in its class (without a supercharger) with acceleration of up to 96 km/h (60 miles/hour) in 7.8 seconds and a quoter in 15.8 seconds (speed at the finish line is 147 km /h).

Meanwhile, a 2.5-liter Camry engine with a capacity of 178 hp It provides more traction at the start, and this is with a smaller torque of only 230 nm at 4,100 rpm. But it is worth going on the highway or a winding serpentine, and a six -speed automatic will begin to hesitate with transitions to a reduced one. This is a well-tuned machine, without any objection, but against the background of an unexpectedly good Honda variator, it seems somewhat slow in processing your requests. Camry Le exchange the first hundred in 8.4 seconds, and a quarter mile passes in 16.1 seconds, accelerating at the finish to 142 km/h.

Honda also turns out to be a leader in the issue of efficiency, since the Accord, according to ERA estimates in mixed mode, should consume about 9.4 liters per 100 km, while for Camry their forecast is 10 liters. During our comparative test, Accord showed the average consumption of 10.7 liters, and Camry 11.3 liters.

You are interested in handling
For a front-wheel drive sedan, handling still matters, if only for the reason that a well-minded suspension will protect you from naps on the road.

And if the goal is just that, then Honda Accord Ex your choice. He behaves perfectly on the highway, and even if you turn on a secondary road with a bunch of turns, Honda will be able to give you a lot of pleasure. Its new electric power amplifier can at first take you by surprise with its unexpected lightness, but you quickly get used to it, and then an awareness of its accuracy and amazing informativeness comes.

On the contrary, the Camry LE electric amplifier is neither particular accuracy, nor any adequate informativeness. The same can be said about the steering wheel of the steering wheel of Camry, participating in our long -term test, although our SE generally turns quite willingly. But with LE the situation is different, since it has a softer suspension and wings of a smaller diameter with soft all -season tires P205/65 R16 Firestone Affinity Touring S4. The machine changes the direction of movement extremely reluctantly, and the turns does not delight it.

With the passage of slalom and the test for lateral acceleration, these differences are especially clearly visible. Accord passes by slalom at an impressive speed of 105 km/h, while Camry manages to accelerate in such conditions only to 98 km/h. By the way, Camry SE with a four -cylinder engine passes a route at a speed of 104 km/h. In the test for lateral acceleration, the Accord result is 0.83G on the Michelin Primacy MXV4 215/55 R17, the best result Camry LE 0.77G.

With the brakes, the situation is as follows. The Toyota brake pedal is tougher that we like, unlike the brake route at a speed of 96 km/h, which is 39.3 meters. For this class, this is a lot. Accord is no better than 39 meters.

If you are extremely scrupulous about driving quality, then give preference to Camry LE, which is much more comfortable than Accord or our Camry Se. Like the predecessor, the Accord Ex rides smoothly, but there is a certain rigidity in it, which your dad may not like. The noise insulation of the cabin at the proper level, at a speed of 110 km /h in the Accord cabin, the noise level is 62 dB, and the Camry 62.5 dB.

The same cabin, new sorts of decor
At the functional level, Honda Accord and Toyota Camry are equally good. They have the same in size (both in length and in width) wheeled bases, and almost the same salons and luggage compartments in volume. They even have an identical volume. So if you need a place for the legs in the back seat or you are important to install a children's car seat, both cars will fully satisfy you.

And yet we would prefer Accord Ex. Honda pays more attention to the quality of materials and design used in the interior (especially concerns the central console) in the 2013 model, as a result of which an atmosphere of sophistication and comfort is created in the Accord salon, even in the simplest performance (with tissue upholstery). Honda driver's seat has a more convenient shape and offers more support.

We have no significant claims to the Camry cabin, but, as in the case of our SE, the combination of materials seems non -harmonious, and some plastic panels are clearly lower than the necessary level in quality. The interface for controlling the audio system of the touch monitor is not very convenient, and we would like separate buttons for switching between AM and FM ranges issued outside the monitor.

A matter of taste
Many car manufacturers are ready to go for the murder so that their novelty is so good at the beginning of their life cycle, the Accord is in its completion.

We made this entry in our on -board journal during the previous test of medium -sized sedans. Yes, we are still sure that Accord 2012 is a good car. He behaves perfectly on the road, even very high passengers are placed on his spacious rear seat without any problems, and he is nice, lines of his body outside of time and trends. But for his class, he turned out to be slow, and his dull salon is scarcely equipped. So in that test he did not win.

Now, Honda Accord began with the beginning, and in this test he easily won. As usual, this car makes its equipment specially special. The new four -cylinder engine and the variator work unusually harmoniously, providing excellent dynamics and quite attractive fuel consumption. Honda also worked on the style and quality of the cabin, diversified it with numerous technical devices, without which there is nothing to do in this class. At the same time, the developers did not forget about the controllability of one of the key components of the character of Accord at all times.

Against the background of Accord Toyota Camry Le, it has a fresh look. It is just as practical as Honda, but only from the inside, since on the road it is slower and more apathetic, all that she knows how to take you comfortably to work, preferably in a straight line. For some this, it will be quite enough, especially if you take into account a fairly humane price for the LE model.

But we are ready to pay a little for a delicious Honda Accord. At the moment, this is the best offer among medium -sized sedans with four -cylinder engines.

Fast facts
1st place: Honda Accord Ex
Accord again shows an example of good taste in the class of medium -sized sedans with four -cylinder engines. It is agile, economical and generally more pleasant in management than Toyota, and his salon is more interesting.

2nd place: Toyota Camry LE
We will not dissuade you from buying Camry, especially if you need a plush sofa on wheels. But its automatic transmission is not as responsive as the Honda variator, but a salon from the category of economy class.





 
 

Source: Insideline