When it comes to cars, the Nissan Altima and Honda Accord are seen by many as similar. They’re both sedans with four doors, able to seat five passengers, and can be chosen with either four-cylinder engines or the more powerful V6 model. With the newest price points starting within just a few hundred dollars of each other, plus with their similar safety ratings and tires, it’s hard not to conflate the two. After all, they’re quite alike.
However, despite the similarities, most people considering the Nissan Altima or Honda Accord have a clear preference for one over the other.
The 2018 Accord offers an impressive suite of features, starting with alloy wheels, LED headlights, dual-zone automatic climate control and Honda Sensing standard, a technology that helps drivers stay better aware. The driver-assistive offerings help you stay in your lane, better recognize traffic signs and can even help avoid collisions through a special braking system. Plus, advanced power trains and a keyless fob entry allow drivers to sit back and let the car do most of the work. The Honda Accord tire size for its 2018 model is P225/50R17 for its standard, LX and EX models, and P235/40R19 for its Sport, Touring and Turbo models. MPG for this model is up to 30 city, or 38 highway.
Beyond the standard Accord offerings lie the Accord LX, Sport and EX. First of all, the LX adds a push button start and multi-angle rear-view camera to the mix. High beam headlights are automated, and 17-inch alloy wheels ensure an easy road to success.
The Sport comes with all that and more: it features a 12-way power driver seat and Apple Car Play integration for an enjoyable and relaxing ride. In this model, the alloy wheels also increase in size to 19-inch.
Even further up the Accord totem pole is the EX, starting at $27,470 in 2018. It’s outfitted with a one-touch power moon roof, the ability to heat the front seats, and a specialized blind spot information system that helps drivers navigate even areas they wouldn’t normally be able to see.
Meanwhile, the Nissan Altima boasts its own set of benefits. With 27 MPG for city driving and 38 MPG on the highway, it’s not quite up to par with the Accord for fuel economy, but it’s close. To make up for this, the price is slightly lower at $23,260. The car boasts a number of cutting-edge technologies including Rear Cross Traffic Alert (a feature that detects and alerts you to the presence of unnoticed vehicles), Blind Spot Warning, Intelligent Forward Collision Warning, and Automatic Emergency Braking.
The exterior is built to match for an aerodynamic journey, featuring Active Grille Shutters that auto-close when the car reaches highway speeds. This pulls back wind resistance, promoting efficiency and enhancing the ride. Nissan Altima tire size is standardized at P215/60R16 for the 2.5 S model, P235/45R18 for the 2.5 SR and 3.5 SL.
As for the Nissan Altima’s interior, this sedan was designed with comfort in mind. Like the Honda Accord, dual zone automatic climate control is included, with large rear air vents designed for optimal air circulation inside the car. A suite of interior services powered by
SiriusXM also allows you to connect your cellphone for music, phone calls, and even remote engine start. Keyless entry is always an attractive option.
While the Honda Accord and Nissan Altima are clearly comparable, the Accord’s slightly better MPG with equal levels of interior luxury, and similar driver-assist technologies makes it a winner. And all this with a higher horsepower of 192 on its base model, compared to the Nissan’s 179 hp.
Of course, both vehicles are easily customizable and can be tweaked to the driver’s needs. Still, the base model Honda Accord comes out slightly superior to the Nissan Altima if you won’t be building your own custom sedan.
