Compare the2025 Nissan AltimaVS 2025 Honda Accord

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Nissan Altima achieved a “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 SL 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.

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.

Nissan pays for scheduled maintenance (up to 3 visits) on the Altima for 1 year and 12000 miles longer than Honda pays for maintenance for the Accord (2/24,000 vs. 1/12000).

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 second among midsize cars in their 2024 Initial Quality Study. The Accord isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 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 15 more problems per 100 vehicles, Honda is rated lower.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 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 7 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Nissan higher than Honda.

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

As tested in Consumer Reports the Nissan Altima (188 HP engine) 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 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 2.4 feet tighter than the Accord’s (36 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.

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.

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