While the go-to family vehicle has increasingly shifted from mid-size sedans to compact crossovers, the fact of the matter is that these sedans are still very popular. Two of the longest running nameplates are the Honda Accord and Nissan Altima, and both these models were either heavily updated or fully redesigned recently. So that begs the question, who wins in a 2024 Nissan Altima vs. 2024 Honda Accord battle? Let’s go ahead and find out!

Pricing and Equipment

So, for this faceoff comparison, let’s begin by establishing the pricing and equipment levels.

We’ve chosen the volume-selling trim level of the Altima, called SR, which gives sporty design while also a good amount of equipment. It rings in at a pretty affordable $32,310, with a few optional pieces of equipment.

MSRP (Altima SR): $27,930 | Options: $3,285 | Destination: $1,095 | Total: $32,310

Now for the all-new Accord, similar money is also going to get you the volume-selling Sport trim. That model has an as-tested price tag of $33,745, after optional paint and the destination charge.

MSRP (Accord Sport): $32,195 | Options: $455 | Destination: $1,095 | Total: $33,745

Now this is going to be an objective comparison. We have done our best to weigh the points awarded throughout in major and minor categories, but at the end of the comparison we will sum up with our thoughts and revisit the price difference for a value assessment. 

But now, let’s get into this comparison!

Exterior Design

Looking at these two rivals side-by-side you’ll begin to notice a design trend you’ll see repeat itself throughout. While both are in their sport trim levels, the all-new Accord goes for a more mature, modest look with a small trapezoidal black grille. The Altima certainly goes a step further ever since its refresh last year with Nissan’s V-Motion grille extending all the way to the bottom of the vehicle.

Now for lighting, both have premium LED headlights on all trim levels. The Altima does have a slightly more advanced setup with projector LED low beams,  while both have reflector LED high beams and LED turn signal indicators.

Moving along to the sides, these two have a remarkably similar look, with the Honda coming in a couple inches longer in overall length. As you’ll see later, that will make a difference when it comes to interior space, but until then, both have sharp looking 19-inch contrast alloys to spice up the design.

Length: 192.9-in (Altima) | 195.7-in (Accord)

Around back, the designs start to differ more when it comes to overall shape and features. While both have lip spoilers, the Honda has full-length LED taillights whereas the Altima has cheaper incandescent lighting. Fighting back, only the Nissan offers dual-exposed exhaust outlets.

Additional Features

Now as far as other features, both model’s mirrors are finished in a black housing and have blind spot monitoring. Keep in mind neither sedan offers mirror heating at this price point.

Now as far as active safety features are concerned, the Honda has all 4 main active safety features as standard, while the Nissan only includes 2 of those systems. Adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist aren’t even offered on this SR trim level, but Nissan does include rear auto braking on all trims which is reserved for just the Accord Touring.

For warranties, both have the same basic and powertrain, but only the Accord is including 2 years of complimentary maintenance.

Warranties (both): Basic: 3yr/36k mi | PT: 5yr/60k mi 

Comp. Maintenance (Accord): 2yrs

But you’ll be spending most of the time inside the cabins, so let’s check those out.

Interior Design

Walking up to the vehicles, both have smart entry systems with built-in remote start. The Accord includes a sensor behind the door handle to unlock the door seamlessly, and after opening up the doors, you’ll see nicely finished and modern-looking cabins for their price tags.

But before we dig into all the similarities and differences, let’s first talk seating. Right off the bat, you’ll notice the Altima has full-leatherette seating while the Accord Sport comes with cloth seats in this new generation. However, it’s the Accord that has more adjustability since it has a 12-way power seat compared to the Altima’s 10-ways.

Finally, and very importantly for a lot of you guys in colder climates, the Accord Sport does not include heated seats, which the Altima does at this price.  

Once inside, we can talk about the cabin materials. Both use a nice mix of leatherette, soft touch plastics, and feel solid. While the leatherette is used in different places, both are similar in overall material quality, so no points will be given here.

After firing up the cars, you’ll see a big difference between the two. The Nissan is rocking an old-school analog gauge setup with a 7-inch helper display, and the Honda has a full-digital 10.2-inch cluster. That allows for extra information and design customizability and coming back to the steering wheels both are leather wrapped, manual adjusting and not heated. 

Storage and Technology

Now Honda’s always excel when it comes to interior storage and with the all-new Accord, this is no exception. While the Altima puts up a really good fight and is large, the Accord’s center bin is deeper, longer, and it has a larger front storage tray, which gives it the point for this major category.

One of the features the Honda sacrifices until the Touring trim, though, is the wireless charging pad, which the Altima does have.

Heading to the shifters, we have the same traditional kind,  and when in reverse, we have backup cameras with guidelines,  with rear parking sensors on the Altima.

Only the Accord has an electronic parking brake with brake hold at this price, though.

Past that, for climate, we once again have a big difference. The Accord gives you a premium dual-zone automatic climate system and until you get the loaded Altima it will be a fully manual setup.

Let’s take a second to evaluate the audio systems. Bose audio systems are available for audiophiles, but the base ones are more than adequate for most needs. We’d give the slight edge to the Accord with its two extra speakers.

Altima: 6-speaker sound system

Accord: 8-speaker sound system

Now this has been a hard fought battle so far, and that’s going to continue with the infotainment systems. The Accord really upped the tech for the all-new model with a 12.3 inch crisp display and wireless AA and ACP functionality. Not to be outdone, though, the Altima also got a 12.3-inch-high resolution display with those same functionalities. Hands-down these are two of the best infotainments in the entire segment.

Note: the Accord doesn’t get Google Built in until the Touring trim level

And wrapping up the front, they are mirror images of one another, including the manual dimming mirrors,  and standard sized moonroofs.

Rear Seats and Cargo

But now let’s head to the rear areas where once again Honda’s packaging and extra length will come in handy.

Starting with space, both sedans are very large, but the Accord is the class-leader in rear legroom. It offers about 15% more legroom, although headroom is almost exactly the same.

Altima: Legroom: 35.2-inches | Headroom: 36.9-inches

Accord: Legroom: 40.8-inches | Headroom: 37.3-inches

Once in the back, we have some feature differences as well. Neither have vents but we do have USB ports on the Altima (). Accord also offers USB ports and even heated rear seats, but they require moving up the trim ladder.

Just like the rear seats, Accord’s extra size pays off in the trunk. It has 16.7 Cu.ft vs 15.4 cu.ft in the Altima, which is 8% more space for those of you with a lot of stuff you need to haul around.

Altima: 15.4-cu.ft

Accord: 16.7-cubic feet

Just be aware that only the Altima includes a spare tire, due to the Accord’s Hybrid system which we are getting ready to talk about.

And that’s the perfect segue to the final round, where we take this close fight to the streets!

Powertrain

In the powertrain department, you are going to see that Nissan and Honda went completely different routes with these midsize sedans. The reason why? Most trims of the new Accord, including this Sport model, are available as exclusively hybrid. Currently, the Altima is not available in hybrid form which means it has a traditional 2.5L I-4, making 188 hp,  while the Accord uses a 2.0L 4-cylinder paired with 2 electric motors to make 204 hp and 247 lb.ft of torque. As you would expect, that means the Accord is quite a bit faster and the extra torque is especially felt.

Altima: 2.5L I-4: 188 hp | 180 lb.ft

Accord: 2.0L I-4 + dual electric motors: 204 hp | 247 hp 

Now the other aspect of the powertrain is the transmission. We have CVT in the Altima and an eCVT in the Accord Hybrid. Mechanically, these are not the same, but overall operation will feel very similar to the average person. Both of them use shift simulation to avoid drone, but only the Altima is available with AWD for those in colder climates.

Driving Impressions and fuel economy

Fighting back, the Accord feels quite rewarding behind the wheel with an agile chassis, balanced handling, and quick steering. It’s not that the Altima is bad per say, but the Honda is the choice for the enthusiast since they bring in more of their sporty heritage into even their mainstream models.

Ride quality wise, they are both comfortable, but when it comes to quietness in the cabins, the Altima has an advantage. When both were tested on a smooth Kentucky road, it came in about 1.5 decibels quieter, a difference noticeable to the average driver.

Altima: 54.9 dB

Accord: 56.6 dB

Finally, as you might have predicted, it’s the Hybrid Accord that has the fuel economy advantage. It gets *13* MPG better combined, which translates to a lot of savings over the time you own it.

Altima: 27/37/31 MPG

Accord Hybrid: 46/41/44 MPG

Are you surprised by the winner?

So, there you have it; these two fought a hard race, but who is “your” winner? Well, the Accord should be your winner if you value,  

Accord: 

• Maximum rear seat and cargo space
• Hybrid power and excellent fuel economy
• Active safety features (not offered on Altima)

And the Altima should be your winner if you value,

Altima: 

• More affordable price tag
• More premium features for the money (heated seats, leather)
• Don’t like Hybrid’s

We want to know your opinions so make sure to head to the comment section and let us know which one you would pick!

Anyway, thanks for joining us for another Car Confections Comparison, and be sure to watch the video down below for a full visual comparison!