Compare the2024 Honda AccordVS 2024 Nissan Altima

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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With its standard Collision Mitigation Braking System, the Honda Accord is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Nissan Altima, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

	Accord	Altima
Overall Evaluation	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL
	Crossing Child - DAY
12 MPH	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH	-23 MPH	-11 MPH
	Crossing Adult - NIGHT
12 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-5 MPH
12 MPH Low beams	-3 MPH	-1 MPH
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-7 MPH
	Parallel Adult - NIGHT
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-11 MPH
25 MPH Low beams	-19 MPH	-5 MPH
37 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-9 MPH
Warning Issued-Brights	2.5 sec	1.3 sec
37 MPH Low beams	No Slowing	No Slowing

Both the Accord and the Altima 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, driver alert monitors, available blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the Accord is much safer than the Altima:

	Accord	Altima
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Leg Forces L/R	337/382 pounds	517/517 pounds
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Chest Rating	GOOD	MARGINAL
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	GOOD	POOR

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Honda Accord is much safer than the Altima:

	Accord	Altima
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	POOR
Structure	GOOD	POOR
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	MARGINAL
Head Injury Criterion	216	562
Head Peak Forces	no contact	109 G’s
Neck Tension	178 lbs.	625 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	POOR
Shoulder Deflection	1.14 in	2.09 in
Shoulder Force	245 lbs.	402 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.26 in	2.2 in
Torso Deflection Rate	10 MPH	11 MPH
Pelvis	ACCEPTABLE	POOR
Pelvis Force	1026 lbs.	1339 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	MARGINAL
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Neck Tension	112 lbs.	201 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis Force	669 lbs.	892 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

The Honda Accord has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2024 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and an “Acceptable” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Altima is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2024.

Warranty

Honda pays for scheduled maintenance on the Accord for 2 years and 24,000 miles. Honda will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Nissan doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Altima.

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Honda Accord Hybrid’s reliability 15 points higher than the Altima.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Nissan vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Honda 12 places higher in reliability than Nissan.

Engine

The Accord has more powerful engines than the Altima:

	Horsepower	Torque
Accord 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder	192 HP	192 lbs.-ft.
Accord Hybrid 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid	204 HP	247 lbs.-ft.
Altima AWD 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder	182 HP	178 lbs.-ft.
Altima 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder	188 HP	180 lbs.-ft.

As tested in Car and Driver the Honda Accord turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the Altima AWD 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder:

	Accord	Altima
Zero to 60 MPH	7.3 sec	7.6 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	18.2 sec	20.7 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	4 sec	4.6 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	5.1 sec	5.5 sec
Quarter Mile	15.7 sec	15.9 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	93 MPH	89 MPH

As tested in Motor Trend the Accord Hybrid 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Nissan Altima 2.5:

	Accord	Altima
Zero to 60 MPH	6.6 sec	7.4 sec
Quarter Mile	15.2 sec	15.7 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	91.1 MPH	90.2 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Accord gets better mileage than the Altima:

			MPG
Accord
	FWD	EX-L 2.0 4-cyl. Hybrid	51 city/44 hwy
		Sport/Touring 2.0 4-cyl. Hybrid	46 city/41 hwy
		1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	29 city/37 hwy
Altima
	FWD	S/SV 2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	27 city/39 hwy
		SL/SR 2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	27 city/37 hwy
		2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	25 city/34 hwy
	AWD	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	26 city/36 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the Accord Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Altima doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Accord’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip (1.5T only). The Altima doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Honda Accord uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Altima SR requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The Accord has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Altima doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Honda Accord higher (7 out of 10) than the Nissan Altima (6 to 7). This means the Accord produces up to 1.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Altima every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Accord Hybrid	Altima
Front Rotors	12.3 inches	11.65 inches

The Accord stops shorter than the Altima:

	Accord	Altima
70 to 0 MPH	173 feet	176 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	128 feet	131 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	137 feet	140 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Accord has larger standard tires than the Altima (225/50R17 vs. 215/60R16).

The Accord LX/EX/EX-L’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Altima S’ standard 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Accord LX/EX/EX-L has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Altima S.

Suspension and Handling

The Accord Touring Hybrid handles at .87 G’s, while the Altima SV AWD pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Accord Touring Hybrid executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Altima SV AWD (27.1 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 27.7 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

Chassis

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Accord Touring Hybrid is quieter than the Altima SR AWD:

	Accord	Altima
At idle	29 dB	45 dB
Full-Throttle	71 dB	77 dB
70 MPH Cruising	66 dB	70 dB

Passenger Space

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Accord a Large car, while the Altima is rated a Mid-size.

The Accord has 5.1 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Altima (105.7 vs. 100.6).

The Accord has .4 inches more front headroom, .7 inches more front hip room, .4 inches more rear headroom, 5.6 inches more rear legroom and .9 inches more rear hip room than the Altima.

Cargo Capacity

The Accord has a much larger trunk than the Altima (16.7 vs. 15.4 cubic feet).

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the Accord offers cargo security. The Altima’s non-lockable remote release defeats cargo security.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Accord EX/Sport/EX-L/Touring. The Altima doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Servicing Ease

The Accord uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Altima uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the Accord Sport-L/EX-L/Touring, the memory system makes it convenient for both. Each keyless remote activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, outside mirror angle and climate settings. The Altima doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Accord Sport-L/EX-L/Touring’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Altima doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Accord Touring has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, navigation instruction and driver assistance information readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Altima doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Accord’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Altima’s parking brake has to be released manually.

The power windows standard on both the Accord and the Altima have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Accord is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Altima prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Accord’s front power windows open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Altima’s passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

On a hot day the Accord’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance with the keyless remote or at the outside door handle. The driver of the Altima can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Accord has standard Smart Entry that allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the trunk, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Only the Altima SR/SV/SL offers an Intelligent Key.

The Accord’s power window, power lock and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Altima’s power window (except driver window) switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Accord Touring’s standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The Altima’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Accord’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Altima’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

When the Accord Touring is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Altima’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

Both the Accord and the Altima offer available heated front seats. The Accord Touring also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Altima.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Accord Touring keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Altima doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

Recommendations

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

The Accord was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2024 and 25 more times in the last 26 years. The Altima has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

The Honda Accord outsold the Nissan Altima by 55% during 2023.