Toyota Camry And Honda Accord Battle For The Highest-Rated Sedan Of 2026
Trucks and SUVs may be more popular, but a good old sedan still has its place in the modern automotive landscape. And mid-size sedans offer a blend of space, value and usability that makes them a great alternative to yet another SUV. But while an attractive base price and plenty of standard kit are what sells a new car, it is the overall competence of the vehicle that most influences long-term owner satisfaction and residual values. We picked the five highest rated sedans for 2026 as tested by Consumer Reports (CR).
The overall score you will see below is a result of exhaustive, independent testing covering road-test performance, predicted reliability, owner satisfaction, and safety performance data from the IIHs and NHTSA. To provide better insight into each vehicle's score, we have also looked into how it scored in some of the individual metrics, and this year was closer than most. Especially at the top of the field. Remember that these individual scores receive a different weighing so poor results in one area may outweigh strong performance in less crucial metrics. All vehicle data was sourced from the relevant manufacturer.
5. Nissan Altima | 75/100
- Model Years: 2019 on
- Base MSRP:$27,580
- Road Test Score: 80/100
- Predicted Reliability: 80/100
- Predicted Owner Satisfaction: 52/100
The Altima has been on sale in the US for 33 years and in that time, it's become a practical family car that's affordable to buy and run. The current generation has been around since 2019, but regular updates have kept it fresh and while it is not as engaging as a Camry or Accord, it is very fuel efficient and offers a comfortable ride. The availability of all-wheel drive is also a plus, and the Altima's predicted reliability score is the highest here. Despite this its predicted owner satisfaction score is one of the lowest, due partly to its lackluster Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) and below par resale values.
4. Hyundai Sonata | 76/100
- Model Years:
- Base MSRP:$27,450
- Road Test Score: 80/100
- Predicted Reliability: 58/100
- Predicted Owner Satisfaction: 47/100
The Hyundai Sonata may not sell in the kind of numbers that would worry the Toyota Camry or Honda Accord, but it's certainly a lot of car for the money for those in the know. It has a stylish design inside and out and offers a premium feel at a very affordable base price. For not much more than $36,000 you can also opt for the high-performance N Line trim which delivers a serious 290-hp, and will leave most of its competitors in the dust.
But while the driving experience is well above average, the predicated reliability result is the lowest here, as is the owner satisfaction rating. Some of this is attributable to owner frustrations with the push-button shifter and occasional software gremlins in the infotainment system. That aside, it remains a top choice in the mid-size sedan segment.
3. Honda Accord | 80/100
- Model Years: 2023 on
- Base MSRP: $28,395
- Road Test Score: 82/100
- Predicted Reliability: 74/100
- Predicted Owner Satisfaction: 54/100
The non-hybrid Accord remains a benchmark in terms of handling and driving enjoyment. The base 192-hp 1.5-liter turbocharged engine is punchy and feels capable in the city and on the highway.
There is no all-wheel drive option, though, and some owners weren't all that pleased about the average levels of fit and finish and the lack of a more potent engine option. This could account for the comparatively low predicted owner satisfaction score here, but that can change if Honda addresses a few minor issues.
2. Honda Accord Hybrid | 87/100
- Model Years: 2023 on
- Base MSRP:$33,795
- Road Test Score: 93/100
- Predicted Reliability: 64/100
- Predicted Owner Satisfaction: 68/100
Underlining the overall competence of the Accord, the Hybrid variant scored 93/100 for the road test section, which is the highest of all the vehicles here. Part of its additional appeal over the regular Accord is the smooth hybrid power delivery and better fuel economy.
It also retains the comfortable ride quality of the regular model and is just as spacious inside. Its predicted reliability is a bit lower though, most likely due to the added complexity of its hybrid-electric system. That said, it remains an excellent mid-size sedan that deserves to do better in the sales charts.
1. Toyota Camry Hybrid | 88/100
- Model Years: 2025 on
- Base MSRP:$29,300
- Road Test Score: 89/100
- Predicted Reliability: 74/100
- Predicted Owner Satisfaction: 74/100
Unlike in some previous matchups, there are no surprises when it comes to the pointy end of the grid. The Toyota Camry may have only just relegated the Accord Hybrid into second place, but a win is a win, and it does it in typical understated Toyota style. It may not be the best in any one category, but it performed well in every segment and proved once again that consistency and overall competence win the day.
The Camry is now hybrid only, but it can be had in both FWD and AWD layouts, and its overall performance is on par with its rivals while offering above average fuel economy. Factor in the great value for money, and it is not hard to see why the Camry is the best-selling sedan out there.
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This story was originally published May 22, 2026 at 10:00 AM.