Compare the2026 Nissan AltimaVS 2026 Acura Integra

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
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 Acura Integra has not been tested.

The Altima AWD offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Integra 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 Integra 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.

Both the Altima and the Integra 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning 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 Acura Integra:

	Altima	Integra
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	171	231
Leg Forces (l/r)	114/342 lbs.	287/574 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 Acura Integra:

	Altima	Integra
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	185	239
Spine Acceleration	46 G’s	60 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	157	236
Spine Acceleration	42 G’s	45 G’s

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

Warranty

There are almost 4 times as many Nissan dealers as there are Acura dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Altima’s warranty.

Reliability

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 Acura vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Nissan second in initial quality, above the industry average. With 29 more problems per 100 vehicles, Acura is ranked 15th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Nissan vehicles are more reliable than Acura With 34 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Nissan higher than Acura.

Engine

As tested in Motor Trend the Nissan Altima FWD is faster than the Acura Integra 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder (automatics tested):

	Altima	Integra
Zero to 60 MPH	7.4 sec	7.6 sec
Quarter Mile	15.7 sec	15.9 sec

Fuel Economy and Range

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Nissan Altima uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Integra requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Altima AWD’s standard fuel tank has 3.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Integra (16 vs. 12.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Altima FWD’s standard fuel tank has 3.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the Integra (16.2 vs. 12.4 gallons).

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Nissan Altima higher (6 out of 10) than the Acura Integra (5 to 6). This means the Altima produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Integra every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

The Altima stops much shorter than the Integra:

	Altima	Integra
70 to 0 MPH	164 feet	178 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	115 feet	123 feet	Motor Trend

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Altima’s wheelbase is 3.5 inches longer than on the Integra (111.2 inches vs. 107.7 inches).

The Altima handles at .91 G’s, while the Integra A-Spec Technology pulls only .88 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Altima executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Integra A-Spec Technology (26.3 seconds @ .68 average G’s vs. 27.2 seconds @ .63 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Altima’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the Integra’s (37.4 feet vs. 38.1 feet). The Altima’s turning circle is 2.3 feet tighter than the Integra Type S’ (37.4 feet vs. 39.7 feet).

Chassis

The front grille of the Altima uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Integra doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Altima SR AWD is quieter than the Integra Type S:

	Altima	Integra
Full-Throttle	77 dB	89 dB
70 MPH Cruising	70 dB	73 dB

Passenger Space

The Altima has 4.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Integra (100.6 vs. 95.8).

The Altima has .5 inches more front headroom, 1.5 inches more front legroom, .4 inches more front hip room, 1.2 inches more front shoulder room, .5 inches more rear headroom, 5.6 inches more rear hip room and 1.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the Integra.

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 Integra can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

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

Both the Altima and the Integra offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Altima offers optional rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Integra doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

With standard voice command, the Altima offers the driver hands free control of the radio and the navigation computer by simply speaking. The Integra doesn’t offer a voice control system.

Compared to the Acura Integra, 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 traditional radio, the Nissan Altima’s 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. Satellite radio is only offered on the Integra A-Spec Technology/Type S.

Recommendations

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

The Nissan Altima outsold the Acura Integra by almost five to one during 2025.

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