DecodedCarsHonda Accord vs Nissan Altima
2026 Honda Accord vs 2026 Nissan Altima — two rivals compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.
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.
| 2026 Honda Accord | 2026 Nissan Altima | |
|---|---|---|
| Class | Large Cars | Midsize Cars |
| Engines | 2.0L 4-cyl, 1.5L 4-cyl turbo | 2.5L 4-cyl |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive | Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive |
| NHTSA overall | Not rated | Not rated |
| Best combined MPG | 48 MPG | 30 MPG |
| City / highway MPG (best) | 51 city | 26 city |
| Fuel cost per year (EPA) | $1,400 | $2,250 |
| Horsepower (most powerful) | 192 hp | 188 hp |
| Seats (most) | – | 5 |
| Driver-assist features standard | 14 | 11 |
| Length | 195.7 in | 192.9 in |
| Width | 73.2 in | 72.8 in |
| Height | 57.1 in | 57.1 in |
| Curb weight (lightest) | 3,292 lb | 3,435 lb |
| Recalls (2026) | 2 | 0 |
| Recalls, all years since 2005 | 49 | 33 |
| Owner complaints (latest year) | 15 | 1 |
| Wikipedia views, 30 days | 44,520 | 15,902 |
| Best used year | 2024 | 2023 |
| Year to avoid | 2018 | 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 →