2026 Honda Accord vs 2026 Toyota Camry: Which Midsize Sedan Fits NYC Drivers?
Published October 6, 2026 · Last updated October 6, 2026
The Honda Accord vs Toyota Camry rivalry is the classic midsize sedan matchup, and both are smart choices for New York City drivers. The 2026 Toyota Camry is hybrid-only, rated up to 51 mpg combined, and is the only one of the two with available all-wheel drive. The 2026 Honda Accord starts lower at $28,395, offers a turbo gas engine or a hybrid rated up to 48 mpg combined, and has a bigger 16.7-cubic-foot trunk. The short answer: Camry for efficiency and AWD, Accord for value, space and a sportier drive.
Accord or Camry: The Short Answer
- Choose the 2026 Toyota Camry if you want a hybrid on every trim, up to 51 mpg combined, available all-wheel drive and the cheapest way into a midsize hybrid sedan at $29,600.
- Choose the 2026 Honda Accord if you want the lower $28,395 starting price, a choice of gas turbo or hybrid, more rear legroom, a bigger trunk, a 9-inch touchscreen on every trim and a power moonroof from the SE up.
- Bottom line for NYC: commuters who want maximum mpg and winter traction lean Camry; drivers who want more room and a sportier feel lean Accord.
Model-year timing: The 2026 Toyota Camry carries over from its 2025 redesign, which made every Camry a hybrid. The 2026 Honda Accord adds a standard 9-inch touchscreen on every trim and larger 19-inch wheels on the SE.
Honda Accord vs Toyota Camry Specs at a Glance
| Spec | 2026 Honda Accord | 2026 Toyota Camry | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $28,395 (LX). Destination $1,195 | $29,600 (LE FWD) | Accord |
| Hybrid from | $33,795 (Sport Hybrid) | $29,600 (every Camry is a hybrid) | Camry |
| Powertrains | 1.5L turbo, 192 hp; or two-motor hybrid, 204 hp | 2.5L hybrid, 225 hp FWD / 232 hp AWD | Camry |
| EPA mpg (combined) | 32 LX / 31 SE / 44–48 Hybrid | 51 LE FWD / 46 most trims / 43 XSE AWD | Camry |
| All-wheel drive | Not offered | Available on every trim | Camry |
| Trunk | 16.7 cu ft | 15.1 cu ft | Accord |
| Rear legroom | About 2 in more than Camry | — | Accord |
| Touchscreen | 9-inch standard; 12.3-inch on every hybrid | 8-inch standard; 12.3-inch on XLE and XSE | Accord |
| Connected services | Amazon Alexa built-in on hybrids; Google built-in on Touring Hybrid | Not offered | Accord |
| Power moonroof | Standard from SE up | Extra cost on every trim | Accord |
| Base wheels | 17-inch alloys (LX) | 16-inch alloys (LE) | Accord |
| Warranty | 3 yr/36,000 mi basic; 5 yr/60,000 mi powertrain | 3 yr/36,000 mi basic; 5 yr/60,000 mi powertrain; 10 yr/150,000 mi hybrid battery | Camry (hybrid) |
Price and Value
The Honda Accord starts lower. The 2026 Accord LX begins at $28,395, $1,205 below the 2026 Toyota Camry LE at $29,600. The picture flips for hybrids: every Camry is a hybrid from $29,600, while the cheapest Accord Hybrid, the Sport Hybrid, starts at $33,795. At the top, the Accord Touring Hybrid costs $39,495 and the Camry XSE with AWD $37,525.
2026 Honda Accord trims
Gas: LX $28,395 and SE $30,695. Hybrid: Sport Hybrid $33,795, EX-L Hybrid $35,095, Sport-L Hybrid $35,495 and Touring Hybrid $39,495. Honda adds a $1,195 destination charge. Browse the Plaza Honda new Accord inventory.
2026 Toyota Camry trims
LE $29,600 ($31,125 AWD), SE $32,100 ($33,625 AWD), Nightshade $33,100 ($34,625 AWD), XLE $34,800 ($36,325 AWD) and XSE $36,000 ($37,525 AWD), plus destination. Browse the Plaza Toyota new Camry inventory.
Lease specials are updated every month, so check the current Honda lease specials (updated monthly) and Honda manufacturer incentives and rebates, plus the current Toyota lease specials (updated monthly) and Toyota manufacturer incentives and rebates. Trading in? Get a Kelley Blue Book Instant Cash Offer on your current car before you visit.
Performance and Fuel Economy
The Camry is all hybrid. Its 2.5-liter hybrid system makes 225 hp with front-wheel drive and 232 hp with all-wheel drive, and the Camry LE is EPA-rated 51 mpg combined, with most other trims at 46. That is a big advantage in stop-and-go traffic on Flatbush Avenue or the BQE.
The Accord gives you a choice. The 1.5-liter turbo in the LX and SE makes 192 hp and is rated 32 and 31 mpg combined. The two-motor hybrid makes 204 hp and is rated 44 mpg combined in most trims and 48 in the EX-L Hybrid. Its electric motor does most of the driving while the engine mostly acts as a generator, so in city traffic the Accord Hybrid feels smooth and quiet, much like an EV. Only the Camry offers all-wheel drive, which matters if you head upstate on snowy weekends.
Space and Comfort
Both seat five, but the Accord is the roomier of the two. It offers about 2 inches more rear legroom than the Camry and more rear shoulder room (56.5 versus 55.7 inches), which makes a real difference with rear-facing car seats or three across on the way to JFK. The Accord also has the bigger trunk, at 16.7 cubic feet versus 15.1 cubic feet in the Camry, which helps with strollers, airport bags and big grocery runs. If you are weighing a smaller, cheaper sedan from the same two brands, see our Honda Civic vs Toyota Corolla comparison.
Interior and Technology
For 2026, every Accord gets a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a wireless phone charger, and every Accord Hybrid steps up to a 12.3-inch touchscreen with Amazon Alexa built-in. The Touring Hybrid adds Google built-in, a head-up display, a 12-speaker Bose system and ventilated front seats, and a power moonroof is standard from the SE up. The Camry does not offer Google or Alexa built-in, and its moonroof costs extra on every trim. For its part, the Camry starts with an 8-inch touchscreen and a 7-inch digital cluster, and the XLE and XSE upgrade to a 12.3-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. Both include standard driver-assistance suites: Honda Sensing and Toyota Safety Sense.
Ownership Costs and Reliability
Both carry 3-year/36,000-mile basic and 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranties. For hybrids, Toyota covers the hybrid battery for 10 years or 150,000 miles, while Honda covers hybrid components for 8 years or 100,000 miles. Both models have long records for reliability and strong resale value, so either is a safe long-term buy.
Which One Should You Buy?
Maximum mpg
Every Camry is a hybrid, and the LE is rated 51 mpg combined.
Winter traction
All-wheel drive is available on every Camry trim; the Accord is front-wheel drive only.
Lowest price
The Accord LX starts at $28,395, the lowest entry price of the two.
Back-seat passengers
About 2 inches more rear legroom and a bigger 16.7-cubic-foot trunk.
Tech and features
A 12.3-inch screen on every hybrid, Google built-in on the Touring and a moonroof from the SE up.
Final Scorecard
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Accord | $28,395 vs $29,600 |
| Hybrid price | Camry | $29,600 vs $33,795 |
| Fuel economy | Camry | Up to 51 vs 48 mpg combined |
| All-wheel drive | Camry | Available on every trim |
| Rear-seat room | Accord | About 2 in more rear legroom |
| Trunk space | Accord | 16.7 vs 15.1 cu ft |
| Standard features and tech | Accord | 9-in screen standard; moonroof from SE; Google and Alexa built-in |
| Overall for NYC drivers | Split | Camry for mpg and AWD; Accord for value, space and features |
Still deciding? Compare the smaller sedans from the same two brands in Honda Civic vs Toyota Corolla, or see how Honda and Toyota match up in compact SUVs in Honda CR-V vs Toyota RAV4.
Free home delivery within 25 miles. Plaza Auto Mall delivers your new or pre-owned vehicle to your door — free within a 25-mile radius, which covers all five NYC boroughs and much of Nassau County. Farther away? Delivery is available on request.
Ask Our Team About DeliveryHonda Accord vs Toyota Camry: Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Honda Accord or Toyota Camry better for NYC driving?
It depends on your priorities. The 2026 Toyota Camry is hybrid-only, rated up to 51 mpg combined, and offers all-wheel drive on every trim. The 2026 Honda Accord starts lower, offers a gas turbo or a hybrid rated up to 48 mpg combined, and has a bigger trunk and a sportier, roomier feel.
Which is cheaper, the Accord or the Camry?
The Honda Accord. The 2026 Accord LX starts at $28,395 MSRP, while the 2026 Camry LE starts at $29,600. The cheapest Accord Hybrid, the Sport Hybrid, starts at $33,795, so the Camry is the less expensive way to get a hybrid. Honda adds a $1,195 destination charge.
Is every Camry a hybrid?
Yes. Since the redesigned 2025 model, every Toyota Camry sold in the U.S. is a hybrid. It makes 225 hp with front-wheel drive and 232 hp with all-wheel drive, and the LE is rated 51 mpg combined. The Accord offers a 192-hp 1.5-liter turbo or a 204-hp two-motor hybrid.
Does the Accord or Camry come with all-wheel drive?
Only the Camry. All-wheel drive is available on every 2026 Camry trim for about $1,525 more, which adds traction for snowy New York winters. Every 2026 Honda Accord is front-wheel drive. With good winter tires, either sedan handles most city driving well.
Which is roomier, the Accord or the Camry?
The Honda Accord. It offers about 2 inches more rear legroom than the 2026 Camry and more rear shoulder room, so adults and teens ride more comfortably in back. Its trunk is also bigger, at 16.7 cubic feet versus 15.1, which helps with strollers, airport luggage or a big grocery run.
Which has more standard tech, the Accord or the Camry?
The Honda Accord. Every 2026 Accord has a 9-inch touchscreen, and every Accord Hybrid gets a 12.3-inch screen with Amazon Alexa built-in. The Touring Hybrid adds Google built-in, which the Camry does not offer. The Camry starts with an 8-inch screen and reserves its 12.3-inch screen for the XLE and XSE.
What warranty do the Accord and Camry come with?
The basic warranties are the same: 3 years or 36,000 miles of basic coverage and 5 years or 60,000 miles on the powertrain. For hybrids, Toyota covers the hybrid battery for 10 years or 150,000 miles, while Honda covers hybrid components for 8 years or 100,000 miles.
Test-Drive the Accord and Camry at Plaza Auto Mall
Plaza Honda (2740 Nostrand Ave) and Plaza Toyota (2721 Nostrand Ave) are a short walk apart on Nostrand Avenue, so you can drive the 2026 Honda Accord and 2026 Toyota Camry back to back in one visit. Family-owned since 1975, Plaza Auto Mall serves drivers from Queens, Staten Island and Manhattan, with free delivery within 25 miles. See the full Plaza Honda inventory and Plaza Toyota inventory, or call Plaza Honda at (855) 528-6785 or Plaza Toyota at (855) 529-1806.
*MSRP excludes destination, taxes, title and registration fees. Specifications and pricing are based on manufacturer information available as of October 6, 2026 and are subject to change. EPA ratings are estimates; actual mileage will vary. See dealer for details.
