Ask me for a reliable used sedan and you'll get the same two names everybody gives you: Camry or Accord. I get this question constantly, and for years my answer was a shrug and "you really can't go wrong." True enough. But that's a cop-out, so I finally pulled our data and let the numbers pick a side.
Here's the head to head on the stuff that actually matters when you're buying used:
| Spec | Toyota Camry | Honda Accord | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| ForCar reliability score | 4.0 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 | Tie |
| Lifetime owner complaints | 20,067 | 24,024 | Camry |
| Total recalls | 161 | 415 | Camry |
| Top fuel economy (hybrid) | 52 mpg | 48 mpg | Camry |
| NHTSA safety (overall) | 5 stars | 5 stars | Tie |
| Passenger volume | 103 cu ft | 106 cu ft | Accord |
| Cargo (trunk) | 42 cu ft | 34 cu ft | Camry |
| Typical 2024 used price | $25,995 | $25,985 | Tie |
They tie on reliability score and safety, which is no surprise. Both are cars you can hand to your kid and forget about. The gaps show up in the details.
Reliability and recalls
This is where the Camry quietly pulls ahead. Across their full histories the Accord carries 415 recalls to the Camry's 161. Neither is fragile, we're splitting hairs between two of the most dependable cars ever built, but if I'm keeping it ten years, fewer recalls means fewer trips back to the dealer.
Fuel and space
The Camry Hybrid sips down to 52 mpg against the Accord's 48, which adds up over years of driving. Inside they trade punches: the Accord's got more back-seat room and, honestly, it's the better car to actually drive. The Camry swallows more cargo. Haulers lean Camry, back-seat passengers lean Accord.
| Your top priority | Better pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Long-term reliability | Camry | Far fewer recalls (161 vs 415) |
| Best fuel economy | Camry | 52 vs 48 mpg hybrid |
| Maximum cargo | Camry | 42 vs 34 cu ft trunk |
| Rear-seat room | Accord | 106 vs 103 cu ft, roomier back seat |
| Engaging drive | Accord | Sharper handling, enthusiast favorite |
| Resale & price | Tie | Both ~$26k, top-of-class value retention |
So which one
Here's me actually picking, since that's what you came for. Want maximum peace of mind, better mpg and a bigger trunk? The Camry edges it. Want the roomier back seat and a car that's genuinely fun to drive? The Accord, and it's every bit as reliable. There's no wrong answer here. There's only the one that fits how you drive.
Before you buy either
Whichever badge wins for you, the individual car matters more than the model. Run its VIN through our free VIN check, see how they stack on our best MPG and safest cars rankings, and compare real prices with the Camry and Accord value estimators.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Toyota Camry or Honda Accord more reliable?
Both earn a 4.0 ForCar reliability score and regularly exceed 200,000 miles. The Camry has an edge on recalls (161 vs the Accord's 415) and fewer lifetime complaints, making it slightly safer for long-term ownership.
Which is more fuel efficient, Camry or Accord?
The Camry Hybrid is more efficient, rated up to 52 mpg combined versus about 48 mpg for the Accord Hybrid.
Is the Accord bigger than the Camry?
The Accord has slightly more passenger room (106 vs 103 cu ft), while the Camry has a larger trunk (42 vs 34 cu ft). The Accord feels roomier for people; the Camry carries more cargo.
Camry or Accord — which should I buy used?
Choose the Camry for fewer recalls, better hybrid MPG and more cargo space. Choose the Accord for more rear-seat room and a more engaging drive. Both are excellent, hold value well and cost around the same used.
Denis Kataev is a serial solopreneur and the founder of ForCar. With 15+ years in software engineering and 10 years in SEO, he builds data-driven products end to end — backed by a sharp eye for design. At ForCar he mines proprietary vehicle datasets, turning raw numbers into buying advice you can actually trust.