It can be challenging to navigate the midsize sedan market, but the Nissan Altima and Honda Accord are top choices. Each car has its own advantages, with Honda's 2024 offering starting at $27,895 and the 2024 Nissan Altima at $26,370. Several factors distinguish these sedans beyond their price points, such as their exterior designs, comfort levels, drivability, safety technologies, and advanced features. By examining these key aspects, we aim to help you choose the car that best suits your needs and preferences.
Exterior Design: First Impressions Matter
Honda Accord EX (2024) by Charles is licensed with CC BY 2.0
On the road, both sedans command attention with their distinctive appearances. Showcasing different styles and design philosophies, the Accord's simpler, more mature aesthetic might appeal to those seeking a sophisticated look. Alternatively, Nissan's sedan is more striking, so this could be your pick if you like to stand out.
All Accords come with LED headlights, taillights, and daytime running lights. The Altima offers similar features, such as standard LED headlights, depending on the trim level. If you want to let in more fresh air and sunlight on your drives, the Accord's got you covered with a one-touch moonroof on all models except for the base version. You'll need to pay more for that feature on the Altima. Certain trims on both sedans also have rear spoilers for a sportier look.
These vehicles have similar dimensions, with the Accord being marginally larger at 195.7 inches long and 73.3 inches wide compared to the Altima's 192.9 inches and 72.9 inches.
Interior Comfort and Space: A Home Away From Home
These family cars are built for ease and usefulness. The Accord's lower trims have cloth seats, but the higher-end models offer upgraded leather seating. Its competitor keeps pace, offering both cloth and leather choices, plus a Sport design if you want a more dynamic feel. Depending on the trim, both vehicles also have heated front seats that are perfect for when it's cold outside.
When it comes to interior space, Nissan's offering wins with 43.8 inches of room up front for your legs, beating Honda's 42.3 inches. But the Accord fights back in the trunk department, with 16.7 cubic feet versus its rival's 15.4 cubic feet. Each vehicle also has 60/40-split folding back seats for more storage options.
Both sedans have comfortable seating, but Nissan's special Zero Gravity seats give it an edge in overall comfort. However, while each car has a stylish interior, Honda's model stands out with a honeycomb panel across the dash that hides the air vents.
Performance and Fuel Efficiency: Power Meets Economy
Beneath their sleek exteriors, these sedans harbor impressive powertrains. The Accord boasts a 1.5L turbocharged engine producing 192 hp and 192 lb-ft of torque, as well as a 2.0L hybrid setup generating a total of 204 hp and an impressive 247 lb-ft of torque if you're seeking more power. Not to be outdone, the Altima starts strong with a 2.5L four-cylinder engine outputting 188 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque. You can also opt for the 2.0L VC-Turbo powerhouse delivering 248 hp.
These sedans are also fuel-efficient. The Honda achieves up to 29 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway with its basic engine, while the Altima boasts 27 mpg city/ 39 mpg highway ratings. Need better traction when the weather turns nasty? The Altima offers all-wheel drive as an option, while Honda's offering sticks with front-wheel drive across its lineup.
Performance enthusiasts will appreciate Nissan's VC-Turbo variant, which goes from zero to 60 mph in just 5.9 seconds. This leaves the Honda trailing behind at 6.5 seconds. Both models use continuously variable transmissions for smooth gear changes and better gas mileage. Honda's turbocharged engines provide responsive acceleration that's ideal for quick maneuvers in urban settings. Meanwhile, the Nissan's clever VC-Turbo tech juggles power and efficiency by tweaking compression on the go.
Safety Features: Protecting What Matters Most
The Nissan Altima and Honda Accord put safety first with full air bag systems. The latter goes further with its HondaLink emergency response system, which calls for help if there's a crash. All Honda models also have adaptive cruise control, but Altima drivers need the SL trim to get this feature as standard.
Both vehicles enhance driver awareness with features such as blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Other safety technologies include forward collision warning, automatic braking, lane departure warning, and driver attention alert.
The Nissan also has rear automatic braking and high-tech options such as the ProPILOT Assist system and a surround-view camera. Both sedans did great in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) safety tests, though only the Accord has earned the prestigious IIHS 2024 Top Safety Pick+ award. Regardless of your choice, you'll be protected on the road.
Technology and Infotainment: Staying Connected on the Go
Both sedans feature a wide array of cutting-edge technologies, with each model offering distinct perks that make driving fun and easy.
While Honda's base model features a 7-inch touch screen, higher trims boast an expansive 12.3-inch display for enhanced visibility and functionality. If you love music, you'll appreciate the top trim's Bose Premium sound system with 12 speakers that will make you feel like you're at a concert. The Nissan model fights back with 8- to 12.3-inch screens. There's also a 5- to 7-inch instrumentation display that shows even more info. Plus, the premium SL trim has a nine-speaker Bose sound system.
Both vehicles let you connect your phone without a fuss thanks to Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Their infotainment systems are also quick and simple to use. These cars can also turn into Wi-Fi hotspots, which is great for long trips.
Experience the Best Midsize Sedans at AutoOne Lancaster
While the Nissan Altima and Honda Accord are both excellent choices, they cater to different individuals, so consider which one aligns best with your preferences.
We encourage you to test-drive both models, as experiencing these vehicles firsthand can help you make an informed decision. Our team can walk you through their key differences and help you find your perfect match. Visit our dealership in Lancaster or contact us to set up a test drive. You can also browse our used vehicle inventory to discover great deals. We'll help you find the car that complements your lifestyle.