How things change. Compare our latest impressions to our verdict in our last December 2002 luxury-car comparison test, where the Accord was near the bottom of the heap, edged out even by the Sonata.
Now, however, the Korean, though not a bad car, has been outshone — quite comprehensively. It's smaller than the others, especially inside, and isn't quite as comfortable. The Sonata's performance and road manners are a step behind, and it just doesn't feel as rich. The good bits are the V6 engine, glitzy styling, plenty of equipment, and the price — especially considering the generous discounts available. Look at it as a large, good-value family car and it works, not as a premium sedan — is it time for the new one already?
The Camry is the car you want to be in at the end of a long day — as soothing and effortless as a champagne jacuzzi. It's comfortable and spacious, with superb seats and ride, a silent, silky engine and a solid feel. It does most things well, and if you want a pain-free driving and ownership experience, nothing beats the Camry, especially given its awesome reliability record. However, the squashy, American nature of the car means it doesn't like enthusiastic driving, and is a touch too big to manoeuvre in cities. It's also a bit colourless — in trying to make it effortless and efficient, Toyota has scrubbed it clean of character. What really kicks it out of contention, though, is the Rs 19.62 lakh sticker price.
The Accord's price is its trump card, but what makes it the winner is the combination of talents it gives you for that. True, it's not as well-built or comfy inside as the Camry, and has a fairly firm ride, but look for other flaws and you'll have a hard time. It's a surprisingly enthusiastic handler, with superb performance, a very classy-looking interior and sharp styling. It sparks more passion than the Camry, and is a more rounded car than the Sonata, and it's one of the most respected brands in the world. At Rs 17.53 lakh, it couldn't help but win .