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Honda Civic vs Nissan Altima

2026 Honda Civic vs 2026 Nissan Altima — two midsize cars compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Honda Civic

2026 Honda Civic

Midsize CarsHybrid/EV
VS3 – 4Nissan Altima wins 4 of 7 categories
Nissan Altima

2026 Nissan Altima

Midsize CarsAWD/4WD

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The short version

The Honda Civic is more fuel-efficient: 49 vs 30 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $900 a year less in fuel for the Honda Civic (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Nissan Altima is the bigger car, about 14 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Nissan Altima has had fewer recall campaigns (33 vs 43).

The two cars

The 2026 Honda Civic is a midsize car offered with 3 engines (2.0L 4-cyl, 1.5L 4-cyl turbo and 2.0L 4-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive. It measures about 184 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 108-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,067 lb (1.5l 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 Civic and the 2023 Altima have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2016 Civic and the 2015 Altima.

Basics

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

Efficiency

49 MPG
Best combined MPG
30 MPG
50 city
City / highway MPG (best)
26 city
$1,350
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$2,250

Performance & space

150 hp
Horsepower (most powerful)
188 hp
–
Seats (most)
5
179.1 in
Length
192.9 in
70.9 in
Width
72.8 in
55.5 in
Height
57.1 in
2,895 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
3,435 lb

Safety & reliability

14
Driver-assist features standard
11
1
Recalls (2026)
0
43
Recalls, all years since 2005
33
32
Owner complaints (latest year)
1

Interest

49,165
Wikipedia views, 30 days
15,902

Buying used

2024
Best used year
2023
2016
Year to avoid
2015

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

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Honda Civic if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (49 vs 30 MPG)
  • You want something easier to park (14 in shorter)
  • You want a hybrid or electric option
  • You want more standard driver-assist tech

Choose the Nissan Altima if…

  • You want more power (up to 188 vs 150 hp)
  • You want more room (14 in longer)
  • You need AWD or 4WD
  • You put reliability history first (33 vs 43 recalls since 2005)

Pros & cons of each

2026 Honda Civic

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 49 MPG combined — 57% better than the average 2026 midsize car (31.2 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 Civic specs →Full 2026 Nissan Altima specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →