Accord vs Crown
Few matchups in the midsize sedan class come up as often as the Accord against the Crown. The Accord is up against it here: the Crown wins 3 of the 5 areas on our scorecard, with fuel economy & range as its standout. Money matters here as well, since the Crown started out $13,045 above the Accord.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance Crown wins
- Fuel Economy & Range Crown wins
- Space & Practicality Accord wins
- Off-road & Towing Crown wins
- Safety & Tech Tie
- Price Accord wins
- Fuel Economy & Range1.7
- Fuel Economy & Range6.4
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The Crown has better fuel economy
Among all the differences on this page, 41 mpg against 32 mpg is one of the most meaningful, and it favors the Crown. The Crown uses less fuel on the standard combined cycle, which matters most if you drive a lot.
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The Crown has 44 hp more power
The Accord gives up a lot on total system output: 192 hp, compared with 236 hp on the Crown. Power is only part of the story; weight, gearing and torque delivery shape how quick a car feels.
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The Accord has 9.9% more cargo space
Don’t expect a night-and-day difference here. 16.7 cu ft against 15.2 cu ft is a small but genuine lead for the Accord. Cargo figures are measured in different ways by different makers, so small gaps may not show in practice.
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The Crown has better city fuel economy
Few buyers will miss this one. The Crown brings 42 mpg to the table; the Accord brings 29 mpg. In town, driving style has a big effect, but the Crown starts from a better baseline.
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The Crown has
We don’t score this one. The Crown lists 60.6 in and the Accord 57.1 in, and the better choice depends on your needs. Neither is better in general; it depends on your garage and your preferences.
Design & Size
- Accord 195.7 in × 73.3 in × 57.1 in
- Crown 196.1 in × 72.4 in × 60.6 in
By the manufacturer’s measurements, the Accord is the more compact car, and the Crown the larger one.
Dimensions
| Spec | Accord | Crown |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 195.7 in | 196.1 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | 73.3 in | 72.4 in |
| Height | 57.1 in | 60.6 in |
| Wheelbase | 111.4 in | 112.2 in |
Engine & Performance
Crown leads
The Crown dominates the engine & performance section, and the gaps are large enough to matter in daily use. The Crown wins here with 44 hp more power. The Crown’s extra output gives it more in reserve when you need to get up to speed. The takeaway: on engine & performance, the Crown is the stronger car.
Total system output
Accord: 192 hp Crown: 236 hp More power helps with merging, overtaking and climbing hills, especially with passengers and luggage on board.
Fuel Economy & Range
Crown leads
This section belongs to the Crown. In fuel economy & range, it leads the Accord by a margin that’s hard to ignore. The Crown brings better fuel economy. Better combined fuel economy lowers your running costs every week, and the savings add up over years of ownership. On fuel economy & range alone, the Crown gets the nod.
Fuel economy (combined)
Accord: 32 mpg Crown: 41 mpg Official figures rarely match real-world driving exactly, but the ranking between two cars tends to hold.
Fuel economy (city)
Accord: 29 mpg Crown: 42 mpg City fuel economy matters most if your driving is mostly short trips, traffic and stop-and-go commutes.
Space & Practicality
Accord leads
In the space & practicality category, the Accord is a step ahead rather than a leap ahead. The Accord takes this one with 9.9% more cargo space. The Accord’s larger cargo area makes family trips and big shopping runs easier. For space & practicality, the Accord is the one to beat.
Cargo (behind rear seats)
Accord: 16.7 cu ft Crown: 15.2 cu ft Cargo space behind the rear seats is what you use every day for groceries, strollers and luggage.
Off-road & Towing
Crown leads
Slight edge to the Crown on off-road & towing. Most buyers could live happily with either. The Crown makes its case with available all-wheel drive. All-wheel drive helps you get going on slippery roads, but good tires matter just as much for stopping and turning. Weighing only off-road & towing, the Crown comes out ahead.
AWD / 4WD available
Accord: no Crown: yes The Crown offers all-wheel drive; the Accord doesn’t, which matters if you face harsh winters.
Safety & Tech
Too close to call
If safety & tech matters most to you, this section won’t make the decision for you: they’re level. Neither car gives you a reason to choose it on safety & tech.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | Accord | Crown |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Hybrid |
| Engine | 1.5L turbo I4 | 2.5L I4 hybrid |
| Total system output | 192 hp | 236 hp (winner) Most powerful in class |
| Torque | 192 lb-ft | N/A (not specified) |
| Transmission | CVT | eCVT |
| Drivetrain | FWD | AWD |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | Accord | Crown |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 32 mpg | 41 mpg (winner) |
| Fuel economy (city) | 29 mpg | 42 mpg (winner) |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 37 mpg | 41 mpg (winner) |
| Fuel tank | 14.8 gal | 14.5 gal |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | Accord | Crown |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Cargo (behind rear seats) | 16.7 cu ft (winner) Biggest cargo area | 15.2 cu ft |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | Accord | Crown |
|---|---|---|
| AWD / 4WD available | No | Yes (winner) |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | Accord | Crown |
|---|---|---|
| Largest touchscreen | 12.3 in | 12.3 in |
| Driver-assist suite | Honda Sensing | N/A (not specified) |
| Basic warranty | 3 yr / 36,000 mi | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
Dimensions
| Spec | Accord | Crown |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 195.7 in | 196.1 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | 73.3 in | 72.4 in |
| Height | 57.1 in | 60.6 in |
| Wheelbase | 111.4 in | 112.2 in |
Price
| Spec | Accord | Crown |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $28,395 (winner) | $41,440 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
Money is a real factor here: the launch prices are 46% apart, a difference of $13,045. The Crown costs $13,045 more, and for that you get better fuel economy and 44 hp more power.
Prices shown are US launch prices as of launch. Retail prices change often, so it’s worth checking current offers.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Accord if…
- you haul strollers, luggage or sports gear every week (16.7 cu ft vs 15.2 cu ft)
- you want more value for your money ($13,045 less at launch)
- you want the more compact car
Choose the Crown if…
- you want better combined fuel economy (41 mpg vs 32 mpg)
- you want more power (236 hp vs 192 hp)
- you mostly drive in town (42 mpg vs 29 mpg in the city)
- you cover long highway distances (41 mpg vs 37 mpg on the highway)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the Accord or the Crown?
The Crown makes more sense overall. Consider the alternative only if you value 9.9% more cargo space above everything else.
Which is larger, the Accord or the Crown?
Going by the official dimensions, the Crown is the larger one: 196.1 × 72.4 × 60.6 in against the Accord’s 195.7 × 73.3 × 57.1 in.
Is the Accord cheaper than the Crown?
At launch, the Accord undercut the Crown by $13,045. These figures are as of launch, and street prices can change.
Executive Summary
I’ll be upfront: I have no stake in whether you buy Honda or Toyota. I only care that you end up with the right one of the Accord and the Crown. My main argument for the Crown? It comes with better fuel economy. It also helps that the Crown has 44 hp more power. That said, the Accord answers with 9.9% more cargo space, which some people will value more.
The way I see it, people who prioritize space & practicality will be happier with the Accord, and those who prioritize engine & performance with the Crown.
My pick: if it were my money, the Crown, unless you need 9.9% more cargo space, which only the Accord offers.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.