Finding ways to save money on gas is more important than ever these days. It feels like every time you look at gas prices, they’ve gone up. That’s why more and more people are appreciating hybrid options today. They give drivers the option to use gas when they want to, or rely on the battery when they don’t. When looking into affordable hybrid vehicles, many drivers may consider the 2022 Honda Accord vs. the 2022 Toyota Camry.
Each of these vehicles offers an impressive amount of storage and passenger space for cars in their class. They’re great for city driving, the stop-and-go nature of which can be hard on fuel economy, and they handle nimbly to make sharp turns and dart around congested streets.
Each can be categorized as a budget-friendly option, too. They save you money on sticker prices and at the gas pump (thanks to their hybrid powertrains). As the world becomes more environmentally conscious and our wallets can’t handle the gas price inflation, you can expect to see more of each of these vehicles on the road. But for now, we’ve compared them closely to determine which one comes out on top.
The competition was tough, as each of these vehicle manufacturers brought some impressive features to these 2022 vehicles. Ultimately, we found that the 2022 Honda Accord offers a bit more in the way of passenger comfort, with more leg and head room, slightly more storage, and better handling. Let’s dive into the specifics of each of these contenders.
Fuel Economy and Performance
Both of these vehicles offer turbocharged engine options along with an excellent hybrid powertrain. For those who are unfamiliar with hybrid powertrains, they allow the battery to self-charge, eliminating the need to plug it in. Because finding a charging station can be difficult in some areas, and waiting for a vehicle to charge can be time-consuming, these self-charging batteries are very popular today. For sedans, the Accord and Camry both offer a good deal of power—and drivers will enjoy impressive acceleration and nimble handling.
It is worth noting that the 2022 Honda Accord has a 10-speed automatic transmission, while the 2022 Toyota Camry only goes up to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The more transmission speeds, the smoother and more responsive shifting will be. (There are exceptions across the auto industry, but this is usually the case.) Drivers might experience a bit of a lag when shifting in the 2022 Toyota Camry compared to the Honda for this reason.
When it comes to fuel efficiency, each of these vehicles are undeniable stars. Anyone concerned with how often they have to stop for gas or how much they’ll have to spend will do well in either of these vehicles. The 2022 Honda Accord enjoys 48 mpg city and 47 highway; the 2022 Toyota Camry reaches 51 mpg city and 53 mpg highway.
As you can see, the Toyota gets a bit better mileage on city roads than the Honda. With these being such popular cars for urban and cosmopolitan environments, that figure might push buyers towards the Toyota. All of the stopping and going and idling on city roads can put fuel economy to the test, and the 2022 Camry Hybrid will do a bit better under those conditions.
Each vehicle does boast eco mode, for those times you’re concerned with fuel efficiency, as well as sport mode for better acceleration. All in all, both cars prove that going hybrid doesn’t have to mean giving up on a high-performing vehicle and a fun behind-the-wheel experience.
Cargo and Comfort
When it comes to hybrid vehicles, there can be concern about cargo space because their batteries tend to consume precious trunk area. Sedans also come with cargo space worries as well. So, hybrid sedans in general get a bad reputation in this category. All of that said, both the 2022 Honda Accord and the 2022 Toyota Camry once again disprove some of the myths about their vehicle type. Each boasts a generous amount of cargo space.
First, the manufacturers of each of these vehicles did a smart thing: they moved the battery under the seats, so it doesn’t monopolize trunk space. And speaking of trunk space, the Honda Accord has 16.7 cu.ft. and the Toyota Camry has 15.1 cu.ft. to utilize. The Honda does have the Toyota beat by a little over a foot and a half in this case; this makes a big difference when packing up the car for a road trip or transporting all of your kids’ gear from soccer practice. If and when you don’t need to use the back seats for passengers, the back seats of each of these options fold down for added storage space.
Passengers should be comfortable in both of these cars, even when they’re at full capacity. The 2022 Honda Accord has a generous 105.6 cu.ft. of passenger space and the 2022 Toyota Camry has 100.4 cu.ft. of passenger space. The Honda does have the Camry beat here again, with over five cu.ft. more area for passengers to spread out. It also has slightly more leg and shoulder room for second-row passengers. These details make a difference on long car rides when all seats are full. Overall, the 2022 Honda Accord will keep everyone more comfortable than the 2022 Toyota Camry.
Entertainment
Drivers and passengers alike have come to expect a certain level of entertainment and technology systems from new vehicles today. People like to remain connected and up to date on everything going on in their lives (and devices) even while on the road. A car that can’t deliver in this area might not be up to today’s standards for many drivers. Both the 2022 Honda Accord and the 2022 Toyota Camry have some admirable features in the entertainment and technology department.
All new Toyota vehicles come standard with Entune, the in-car entertainment and information system. It has apps that give you live updates on things like weather, traffic reports, and gas prices, along with access to music and entertainment. However, Entune is only free for the first three years, at which point drivers must switch to a paid subscription. This might not be an issue for those leasing the car for just three years, but could be a nuisance for buyers hoping to drive the car much longer.
Both cars are compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so users of either of these smartphones can connect to their favorite apps right in their vehicle. The base infotainment screen on the 2022 Toyota Camry is 7 in., but you can pay for a larger one. All 2022 Honda Accords come standard with an 8-in. infotainment screen. Drivers have noted that the Honda Accord’s touchscreen is particularly user-friendly and intuitive, even for those who aren’t great with technology. Head up display is available for both vehicles, placing important information in the driver’s line of view—making it easier to keep both eyes on the road.
Now, what about the critical matter of music, audiobooks, podcasts, and the like? You’ll hear these more clearly in the 2022 Honda Accord, which has a 10-speaker premium audio system on the EX-L model. Lower trims of the Honda will have between four and eight speakers. You’ll only get six speakers in the 2022 Toyota Camry.
Keep Passengers + Your Wallet Happy in a Honda Hybrid
Both the 2022 Honda Accord and the 2022 Toyota Camry are excellent contenders in the hybrid vehicle market. With gas prices on the rise and sustainability crucial to many drivers, these are both great picks. In the end, Honda offers superior passenger comfort and cushier tech features than the Camry, even if the latter gets better fuel economy on city roads. Overall, I deem the 2022 Accord the winner in this comparison.
