Comparing vehicles is always fun to do, and we have selected three 2018 models for the battle. All of these cars are new midsize sedans, and this will give you a better idea of how they perform and which aspects the carmakers focused on.
We present you 2018 Honda Accord, 2018 Toyota Camry, and 2018 Hyundai Sonata. These vehicles have just been announced, so we don’t have all the details, plus none of these have been tested yet, so we have to rule out driving experience. That being said, we will focus purely on facts, and there is plenty to work with. Let’s dive in.
Size and Space
The Camry and Accord models don’t come with a moonroof, unlike the Sonata which even though it incorporates one, still offers the most headroom. However, the Accord is the one with the longest wheelbase, with the Camry just 0.2 inches behind it. Both the Accord and Camry are longer than the Sonata by one inch only, with the Sonata being the tallest and the widest vehicle out of the three. We don’t have the information on ground clearance of the Honda, but the Sonata is 0.4 inches closer to the ground than the Camry.
The Larger vehicle doesn’t necessarily mean that it has an advantage. But to be honest, size is important in the cabin and more room there is, more comfortable you are going to feel. The Sonata dominates when it comes to the front and rear headroom, front legroom, rear shoulder room, rear hip room and passenger volume. The Accord is the second with the best rear legroom, front shoulder room, trunk space and rear shoulder room, while the Camry is the smallest and it only wins in rear headroom and front hip room.
Engines and Gas-Tank Capacity
The 2018 Hyundai Sonata has the biggest fuel tank at 18.5 gallons, and it is followed by the Camry and the Accord with 16.0 and 14.8 gallons respectively. When it comes to the engines, all three cars use gasoline I4s for the entry-level models. The Camry’s is the most powerful one with 203 hp, while the Accord’s has the highest torque output – 192 lb-ft. Honda is yet to release fuel economy estimates, and until it does, the Camry is our winner with 28 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway.
The 2018 Honda Accord has the best choice of transmissions, and its buyers can opt for a CVT or a six-speed manual. The Camry uses an eight-speed gearbox while Sonata’s transmission has only six-speeds.
Upper Trims
If you have additional money to spend, all three carmakers offer more powerful engines. The Sonata and Accord use 4-cylinders, while Toyota decided to introduce a 3.5-liter V6. The 2018 Toyota Camry is once again the most powerful with 301 ponies, and it is followed by the Accord which powerplant delivers 252. The Sonata’s unit generates just ten hp fewer than the Accord’s. Honda is the first on the list when it comes to torque, and its engine produces 273 lb-ft.
Once again, Honda offers two different transmission options – a six-speed manual and a 10-speed automatic, whereas the Camry and the Sonata are featured with an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
Eco-Friendly Powertrains
Both Honda and Toyota have confirmed hybrid version, but Hyundai is keeping its mouth shut. That is why we will use the Sonata Eco for this part because we expect something similar.
We know little about the 2018 Honda Accord Hybrid except that it will use a 2.0-liter I4 and a CVT. Power and torque outputs remain unknown. The 2018 Camry Hybrid will combine a 2.5-liter I4 with an electric motor to generate 176 hp and 163 lb-ft of torque. According to EPA estimates, this hybrid will be rated at 51 mpg city and 53 mpg highway. The Sonata Eco is the last one with a 1.6-liter I4 good for 178 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque combined with a seven-speed dual-clutch. Unfortunately, it achieves only 28 mpg city and 37 mpg highway, but hopefully, we will see hybrid also.
