Compare the2024 Nissan AltimaVS 2023 Honda Accord

The Altima AWD offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Accord doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The Altima SL/SR VC-Turbo has a standard Intelligent Around View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Accord only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Altima has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert, helping the driver avoid collisions. Only the Accord EX/Sport/EX-L/Touring offers Cross Traffic Monitor.

Both the Altima and the Accord have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and driver alert monitors.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, with its optional vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Altima its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 128 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Accord has not been tested, yet.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are better in initial quality than Honda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Nissan above average in initial quality. With 10 more problems per 100 vehicles, Honda is rated lower.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are more reliable than Honda With 25 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Nissan higher than Honda.

The Altima has more powerful engines than the Accord:

As tested in Consumer Reports the Nissan Altima 4 cyl. is faster than the Accord Hybrid 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid:

The Altima AWD’s standard fuel tank has 3.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Accord Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (16 vs. 12.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Altima FWD’s standard fuel tank has 1.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Accord’s standard fuel tank (16.2 vs. 14.8 gallons).

For better stopping power the Altima’s standard front brake rotors are larger than those on the Accord:

The Altima stops much shorter than the Accord:

The Altima has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Accord doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Altima handles at .91 G’s, while the Accord EX pulls only .85 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Altima S’ turning circle is 2.3 feet tighter than the Accord’s (36.1 feet vs. 38.4 feet). The Altima SR/SV/SL’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the Accord’s (37.4 feet vs. 38.4 feet).

The Altima has 1.5 inches more front legroom, .3 inches more front shoulder room and .6 inches more rear shoulder room than the Accord.

The Altima’s standard folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The Accord’s standard single piece folding rear seat is not as flexible; long cargo and a passenger can’t share the rear seat.

If the windows are left open on the Altima the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. The driver of the Accord can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

On extremely cold winter days, the Altima SL/SR 2.0’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The Accord doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Nissan Altima and the Honda Accord, based on reliability, safety and performance.