The 10th-generation 2018 Honda Accord is a completely new car redesigned from the ground up. It’s fighting for the same discerning midsize sedan customer against the perennial favorite Toyota Camry. The 2018 Camry is also all new and just recently went on sale. The two cars have some similarities, but also some stuck differences in philosophy. These are the top way in which the two cars are different. The biggest difference is under the hood.

All About Fun

[Photo: Honda]Both the Accord and the Camry are redesigned to be more sporty and exciting. Both cars are wider, lower, and have a four-door coupe profile. There is a definite agreement that making a car sporty and more exciting will make it more appealing. Honda engineers made the new Accord a fraction of an inch wider, shortened the overall length just a little, but stretched the wheelbase by 2.16 inches to create a cavernous passenger cabin. The car’s center of gravity is lower, the overall chassis is more rigid than before due to the increased use of ultra high strength steel, new welding techniques, and increased use of structural adhesives. The 2018 Accord is up to 180 lbs lighter than previous generation, depending on the trim level.

Interior Design / Infotainment

[Photo: Honda]There is a clear difference in strategy between Accord and Camry when it comes to interior design and infotainment. Accord’s interior has a simple angular design, while Camry’s interior is more flowing. Toyota’s interior materials feel just a little more premium than in the Accord, but the Accord’s higher-resolution center screen and fool-proof A/C and audio controls win the comparison.

The most significant different is the fact that the Accord supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which the Camry does not. Toyota continues to use the Entune Infotainment system that is based on an open-source platform that it shares with some other manufactures.

Safety / Driver Assistance

These two family sedans are all-new for 2018. Don’t confuse it with a refresh or an update. The 2018 Accord has a new chassis, suspension, design, and powertrains. Both cars include their respective safety/driver assistance technologies as standard, however the Accord has a few additional tricks up its sleeve (Honda Sensing technology) as as standard across all trims. Every Accord includes low-speed follow, road departure mitigation, traffic sign recognition, and driver attention monitor. These additional features are options on the Camry.

Utility / Comfort

[Photo: Honda]The Accord is a little taller and wider than the Toyota, but the biggest difference is in the interior volume.
Rear Seat Legroom: Accord: 40.4 in, Camry; 38.0 in
Interior Volume: Accord: 105.6 cu-ft, Camry: 100.4 cu-ft
Trunk Volume: Accord: 16.7 cu-ft, Camry: 15.1 cu-ft

I am about 6’2” and I can confirm that there is more than enough room for me in the 2018 Accord. Although, when I sit all the way straight in the back, my head hair just touches the ceiling. Interior comfort is impressive in the new Accord.

Power Options

2018 Honda Accord Sport 1.5L Turbo 6-speed manual2018 Honda Accord Sport 1.5L Turbo 6-speed manual

First, a quick refresher on the gas engine options in the new Camry. Toyota is using a more traditional approach to powertrains.  There is the 2.5L four-cylinder (206 hp / 186 lb-ft) with an 8-speed automatic. and the 3.5L V6 (301 hp / 267 lb-ft)  with an 8-speed automatic.

Honda took a completely different approach with the new Accord and a choice of two turbocharged engines.
– 1.5L DI 16-valve Turbo DOHC Dual Variable Timing Control (192 hp @ 5500 rpm) 192 lb-ft @ 1500-5000 rpm. [Previous Accord: 2.4L I4 185 hp @ 6400 and 181 lb-ft @ 3900 rpm.] The new 1.5T is mated to a CVT or to an optional 6-speed Manual in Sport trim.
– 2.0L DI 16-valve Turbo DOHC with i-VTEC (252 hp @ 6500 rpm) and 273 lb-ft @ 1500-4000 rpm. [Previous Accord: 3.5L V6 278 hp @ 6200 & 252 lb-ft @ 4900]  The bigger turbo engine can be had with either a 10-speed auto or an optional 6-speed Manual in Sport trim. This 2.0L turbo and 6-speed manual transmission are closely related to the 2017 Civic Type R. The 10-speed automatic or the CVT are controlled via Honda’s push-button system on the center console.

Price, fuel economy, and driving impressions for the 2018 Accord are embargoed until Oct 2, 2017 at 12:01am EST.  Stay tuned to TFLcar.com as we bring you all the latest information.

The video comparison between the 2018 Accord and the 2018 Camry will be published very soon.