Compare the2026 Nissan AltimaVS 2025 Honda Accord

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Nissan Altima achieved an “Acceptable” rating - the second highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Honda Accord has not been tested.

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 SR offers an optional 360-degree Surround View Camera 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.

The Altima has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. Only the Accord SE/Sport/EX-L/Touring offers a blind spot warning system.

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 SE/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.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Nissan Altima is safer than the Honda Accord:

	Altima	Accord
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	171	202
Leg Forces (l/r)	114/342 lbs.	245/270 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Nissan Altima is safer than the Honda Accord:

	Altima	Accord
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	185	204
Spine Acceleration	46 G’s	50 G’s
Hip Force	544 lbs.	722 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Hip Force	769 lbs.	805 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Reliability

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Altima has a standard 510-amp battery. The Accord’s 450-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Altima first among midsize cars in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The Accord isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 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 second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 10 more problems per 100 vehicles, Honda is ranked 6th.

Engine

As tested in Motor Trend the Altima AWD is faster than the Honda Accord turbo 4 cyl.:

	Altima	Accord
Zero to 60 MPH	7.6 sec	7.9 sec
Quarter Mile	15.9 sec	16.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	89.5 MPH	87.9 MPH

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

	Altima	Accord
Zero to 60 MPH	7.6 sec	8 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	4.5 sec	5 sec
Quarter Mile	15.9 sec	16.4 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	92 MPH	87 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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).

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Altima	Accord
Front Rotors	11.65 inches	11.5 inches

The Altima stops much shorter than the Accord:

	Altima	Accord
70 to 0 MPH	164 feet	184 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	115 feet	133 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	140 feet	147 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

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.

Suspension and Handling

The Altima SR handles at .90 G’s, while the Accord pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Altima executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.6 seconds quicker than the Accord Sport-L Hybrid (26.3 seconds @ .68 average G’s vs. 27.9 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Altima’s turning circle is 1 foot tighter than the Accord’s (37.4 feet vs. 38.4 feet).

Passenger Space

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.

Cargo Capacity

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.

Ergonomics

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

Compared to the Honda Accord, the Nissan Altima eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries with its optional integrated Homelink® universal remote controlled from the rear view mirror.

Compared to the Honda Accord’s traditional radio, the Nissan Altima equipped with standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks.

Recommendations

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

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