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Why The 2025 Toyota Camry Will Be A Serious Threat To The New Honda Accord

Aug 18, 2023Aug 18, 2023

Toyota's mid-size sedan is due for an update soon, and there is plenty to be thrilled about its next-gen model.

Toyota is out testing the ninth-generation Camry. There is no official word from the brand yet on when it's going to launch the new version of its popular mid-size sedan. It'll likely break cover sometime later this year, going on sale next year as a 2025 model.

The redesigned Camry will pack a sizable list of updates over its current iteration. Expect to see a completely restyled exterior inspired by the latest crop of Toyota cars, such as the Prius and Crown.

The interior will also see a heap of revisions. It's likely to switch to a more youthful layout for the dashboard, featuring big screens for the gauge cluster and infotainment unit.

Toyota is also likely to phase out the current engine line-up of the Camry, replacing it with a fresh set of powertrains which will continue to include a hybrid setup. While it's not confirmed yet, the spicier TRD grade could switch to the GR line-up, dropping the existing 3.5-liter V6 for a punchier powertrain.

These upgrades will make the next-gen Camry a stronger adversary to the new Honda Accord. So if you are shopping for a mid-size family sedan, here are a few reasons you'd want to skip buying the 2023 Accord and instead start saving up for the new Camry.

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A 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine is standard for the current-gen Camry. In the base spec, it produces 203 hp with 184 lb-ft of torque. Hybrid versions use the same engine paired with two electric motors for a total system output of 208 hp and 163 lb-ft of torque.

These motors aren't big on performance but make the Camry one of the most fuel-efficient vehicles in its class. EPA rates the hybrid trims for 51 mpg in the city, and 53 mpg on the highway, with a combined 52 mpg. Non-hybrid versions get a rating of 28 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway, with a combined 32 mpg.

Powertrain Option

2.5L 4-cylinder Hybrid Automatic

2.5L 4-Cylinder Automatic

Fuel Type

Gas-Hybrid

Gas

EPA Estimated Fuel Economy

51 combined (51 city / 52 hwy)

32 combined (28 city / 39 hwy)

EPA Estimated Range

686 miles

490 miles

Annual Fuel Costs

$1,050

$1,150

Tank Capacity

15.8 gallons

15.8 Gallons

The redesigned Camry could switch over to the hybrid setup available in the 2023 Crown. The latter uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder Atkinson cycle engine paired with three electric motors. This hybrid system has a total system output of 236 hp with 163 lb-ft of torque.

The current version of Toyota's family sedan weighs 3,588 pounds, which is far less than the 4,250 pounds that the bigger Crown carries. This difference will likely stay true to the new Camry, leading to higher fuel economy ratings from the 2.5-liter motor. EPA rates the hybrid trims of the Crown for 42 mpg in the city, and 41 mpg on the highway, with 41 mpg combined.

Unless Toyota decides to make the revised Camry a hybrid-only model, the brand will likely carry over the non-electrified version of the existing 2.5-liter four-cylinder for the base trims. Like the current version, front-wheel drive will be standard, with the hybrid powertrain available with all-wheel-drive.

Powertrain Options

1.5L 4-Cylinder Automatic

2.0-liter 4-cylinder Hybrid Automatic

Fuel Type

Gas

Gas-Hybrid

EPA Estimated Fuel Economy

32 combined (29 city / 37 hwy)

48 combined (51 city / 44 hwy)

EPA Estimated Range

474 miles

614 miles

Annual Fuel Costs

$1,700

$1,100

Tank Capacity

14.8 gallons

14.8 gallons

An updated engine line-up will allow the redesigned Camry to fare better against the 2023 Accord. The Honda comes with a 192 horsepower 1.5-liter turbo four-cylinder in the base trims. At the same time, higher grades come standard with a 204 horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder that's paired with two electric motors.

Fuel-economy ratings for the new Accord are also impressive. According to EPA, the non-hybrid 1.5-liter engine can deliver 29 mpg in the city, and 37 mpg on the highway, with a combined 32 mpg. The Agency rates the hybrid versions equipped with the 2.0-liter engine for 51 mpg in the city and 44 mpg on the highway, with a combined 48 mpg.

The hottest version of the current-gen Camry is the TRD. It gets a 3.5-liter naturally-aspirated V6 that puts out 301 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque. Power goes to the front wheels through an 8-speed automatic transmission. Besides a spicier engine, the TRD package also includes a bunch of other go-fast upgrades over the standard version of this mid-size sedan.

Manufacturer

Toyota

Production Years

2015-present

Configuration

V6

Displacement

3.5-liter (211 ci)

Power

301 hp

Torque

267 lb-ft

Fuel

Gas

Noteworthy Applications

Toyota Camry, Toyota Tacoma, Toyota Highlander

The list includes bigger brakes at the front with TRD-tuned suspension all around. It also gets a TRD cat-back exhaust with stainless-steel tips, special 19-inch wheels, and racier trim on the bodywork, such as a front splitter, side skirts, rear diffuser, and a rear spoiler.

For 2025, the Camry TRD will likely drop the current V6 in favor of a different powertrain. It could use the 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder out of the Highlander, which produces 264 horsepower with 310 pound-feet of torque. It's a bit down on power compared to the V6 but gives a substantial bump in torque.

The previous-gen Accord was available with the mighty 252 horsepower 2.0-liter turbo. With an impressive 273 pound-feet of torque, this motor had enough grunt to leave the Camry TRD behind in a drag race. With Honda phasing out this turbo four-pot from the Accord's line-up for 2023, switching over to the 2.4-turbo would give the Camry TRD an upper hand in terms of performance.

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The previous-gen Camry's interior is well-appointed, especially in the range-topping XSE trim. There are tons of features on offer, and every model comes standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment unit. Higher grades come with a 9-inch central screen, a 7-inch MID in the gauge pod, and a 10-inch heads-up display. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard across the range.

Toyota Camry (2023)

Honda Accord (2023)

Cargo Space

15.1 cu-ft

16.7 cu-ft

Passenger Volume

99.9 cu-ft

102.8 cu-ft

Front Headroom

38.3 in

39.5 in

Front Legroom

42.1 in

42.3 in

Rear Headroom

38.0 in

37.3 in

Rear Legroom

38.0 in

40.8 in

The new-gen Camry will adopt a fresh layout for its interior. Its design could take inspiration from the Crown's cabin and share a few pieces of equipment with it too. The bigger sedan's 12.3-inch infotainment screen and its all-digital 12.3-inch gauge cluster are likely to make their way to the new version of its mid-sized sibling.

The updated Camry will continue with the same TNGA-K platform. Recent spy shots of its prototype show that its dimensions will largely remain the same as the current model. If Toyota packages the cabin as impressively as the present model, passenger (110.4 cu-ft) and cargo (15.1 cu-ft) volumes should remain equally lavish.

Improvements to the Camry's interior with the 2025 update will make it evenly matched with the new Accord's cabin. The Honda gets a rich cabin with its new-gen model that's well-equipped and roomy. All models come standard with a 7-inch infotainment unit and a 10.2-inch digital driver's display.

Higher grades get a 12.3-inch infotainment screen with wireless connectivity for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The Accord provides an impressive passenger volume of 102.8 cu-ft with a segment's best cargo capacity of 16.7 cu-ft.

Prices for the current-gen non-hybrid versions of the Camry start at $26,420 for the base LE. The top-spec XSE with the 3.5-liter V6 retails at an MSRP of $36,845. Hybrid versions kick off at $28,855 for the base trim and go up to $34,295 for the XSE Hybrid.

Costs for the ninth-gen models will remain within the same ballpark but expect a small increase with all the newly added kit and advanced powertrains. Despite the bump, they won't be a long way away from the prices of the Accord, which starts at a base MSRP of $27,295 for the non-hybrid LX and go up to $37,340 for the top-spec Hybrid Touring.

Source: Toyota / Honda / EPA

Ayush's love for all things automotive started with his grandfather's old Suzuki. This early initiation has transformed into a passion for cars that he now chooses to express through his words.

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