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Honda Accord vs Nissan Altima

2026 Honda Accord vs 2026 Nissan Altima — two rivals compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Honda Accord

2026 Honda Accord

Large CarsHybrid/EV
VS4 – 3Honda Accord wins 4 of 7 categories
Nissan Altima

2026 Nissan Altima

Midsize CarsAWD/4WD

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The short version

The Honda Accord is more fuel-efficient: 48 vs 30 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $850 a year less in fuel for the Honda Accord (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Honda Accord is the bigger car, about 3 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Nissan Altima has had fewer recall campaigns (33 vs 49).

The two cars

The 2026 Honda Accord is a large car offered with 2 engines (2.0L 4-cyl and 1.5L 4-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive. It measures about 196 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 111-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,292 lb (Base 4dr Sedan).

The 2026 Nissan Altima is a midsize car offered with a 2.5L 4-cyl engine and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. It measures about 193 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 111-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,435 lb.

Buying used? The 2024 Accord and the 2023 Altima have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2018 Accord and the 2015 Altima.

Basics

Large Cars
Class
Midsize Cars
Hybrid, Regular Gasoline
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.0L 4-cyl, 1.5L 4-cyl turbo
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl
Front-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

48 MPG
Best combined MPG
30 MPG
51 city
City / highway MPG (best)
26 city
$1,400
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$2,250

Performance & space

192 hp
Horsepower (most powerful)
188 hp
–
Seats (most)
5
195.7 in
Length
192.9 in
73.2 in
Width
72.8 in
57.1 in
Height
57.1 in
3,292 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
3,435 lb

Safety & reliability

14
Driver-assist features standard
11
2
Recalls (2026)
0
49
Recalls, all years since 2005
33
15
Owner complaints (latest year)
1

Interest

44,520
Wikipedia views, 30 days
15,902

Buying used

2024
Best used year
2023
2018
Year to avoid
2015

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Honda Accord if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (48 vs 30 MPG)
  • You want a hybrid or electric option
  • You want more standard driver-assist tech

Choose the Nissan Altima if…

  • You need AWD or 4WD
  • You put reliability history first (33 vs 49 recalls since 2005)

Pros & cons of each

2026 Honda Accord

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 48 MPG combined — 85% better than the average 2026 large car (25.9 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

2026 Nissan Altima

  • AWD / 4WD available

Full 2026 Honda Accord specs →Full 2026 Nissan Altima specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →