Honda Accord VTi-L vs Toyota Camry Hybrid HL

The Accord range-topper has leather-wrapped steering wheel (with a raft of control buttons), two screens, seven-speaker Bluetooth and USB equipped audio, satnav, keyless entry and ignition, power/heated front seats, 18-inch alloy wheels and full-size spare.

The HL gets power seats, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry and ignition, reversing camera and rear parking sensors, 17-inch alloy wheels (and full-size spare), fog lights, leather-wrapped steering wheel with controls for phone and 10-speaker digital sound and power rear-window shade.

Propelled by a new 2.4-litre i-VTEC alloy engine (129kW/225Nm ), the Accord claims 8.1L/100km (previous model, 8.7L). Honda retains the five-speed automatic. Active engine mounts reduce vibration and active noise cancelling cuts low-end drivetrain noise.

The petrol-electric drivetrain packs a punch without drinking heavily. It goes about metro mundanities with minimal fuss. The 2.5-litre four-cylinder (118kW/213Nm) teams up with electric motor (105kW/270Nm), which under battery power alone covers short distances at low speed.

Styling is not polarising, nor is it unattractive. The interior continues the low-key theme, with quality feel and good cabin space for four adults plus baggage. Boot space is a claimed 457L (a Commodore has 496L, petrol-only Camry 515L). The Honda has folding rear seat backs for flexible lugging.

No more whitegoods on wheels, said Toyota, but it's a slow process. The Camry is getting better looking but the real gains are in cabin and boot space, although the latter yields a little to electric gear. Longer, wider, taller and heavier, the Camry has room for a family of four and gear to the tune of 421L.

Only four ANCAP stars but it has six airbags, trailer sway control, automatic adaptive LED headlights (with auto high beam). Add front and rear parking sensors and blind spot monitor. Cameras enable multi-view from rear and, from left-hand mirror, an 80-degree view.

ANCAP awards the Camry five stars thanks to seven airbags (dual front, side, full-length curtain and driver's knee), seat belt reminder for all occupants, stability and traction control and ABS. There's also a blind spot monitor and auto-dipping high beam.

It's a calm and relaxed journey, with a comfortable cabin, decent ride quality and non-taxing drive. The little four is smooth and willing but is a little light-on for torque when teamed with only a five-speed auto. It works well through the bends, too, although steering is light.

Thanks to electric components at the rear, the hybrid Camry has a balanced feel. Motive outputs are smooth, linear and ample, endowing effortless pace. The lack of decent towing capacity is a minus — it's just 300kg. It's a quiet conveyor of families that's not as mundane as its ancestors.