Honda Accord vs Nissan Altima
Midsize sedans · head to head, 2010–2027
The Honda Accord and Nissan Altima were both sold for 18 model years (2010–2027). Among the Accord's own years, its best bet is 2017; no year to avoid; the newest year rated a good buy is 2025. Among the Altima's own years, its best bet is 2022; no year to avoid; the newest year rated a good buy is 2025.
Honda Accord
Car · 2010–2027
- Best bet 2017
- Newest good buy 2025
- Avoid none
- Be careful 2018–2019
Nissan Altima
Car · 2010–2027
- Best bet 2022
- Newest good buy 2025
- Avoid none
- Be careful 2013–2014, 2016–2020
How to read this: each model's verdicts compare that model's own years with each other (serious owner complaints per car on the road against that model's usual year, using New York registrations). They are not a reliability ranking of one model against the other, so a good-buy Accord year says nothing about whether it beats a Altima. (How we judge.)
Year by year, side by side
| Year | Honda Accord | Nissan Altima | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Not rated | Not rated | Side by side |
| 2026 | TOO NEWOnly 1.1 years of owner reports | TOO NEWOnly 1.1 years of owner reports | Side by side |
| 2025 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.9× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.2× usual | Side by side |
| 2024 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.2× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | Side by side |
| 2023 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.2× usual, mostly brakes and engine | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.4× usual | Side by side |
| 2022 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | BEST BUYSerious complaints 0.3× usual | Side by side |
| 2021 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
| 2020 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.3× usual, mostly engine and collision avoidance | Side by side |
| 2019 | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.5× usual, mostly engine and collision avoidance | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.5× usual, mostly engine and collision avoidance | Side by side |
| 2018 | CAREFULSerious complaints 2.0× usual, mostly engine and collision avoidance | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.3× usual, mostly brakes and air bags | Side by side |
| 2017 | BEST BUYSerious complaints 0.3× usual | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.6× usual, mostly power train and air bags | Side by side |
| 2016 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.3× usual | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.7× usual, mostly power train and engine | Side by side |
| 2015 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.3× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.1× usual | Side by side |
| 2014 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.5× usual | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.9× usual, mostly power train and air bags | Side by side |
| 2013 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | CAREFULSerious complaints 2.2× usual, mostly air bags and power train | Side by side |
| 2012 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.3× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.9× usual | Side by side |
| 2011 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.3× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.9× usual | Side by side |
| 2010 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.4× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.9× usual | Side by side |
Each chip rates that year against the same model's other years. Tap a chip for the year's details; "Side by side" compares both models that year, trim by trim.
Compare any year, trim by trim
2026: the newest shared year with full data, at a glance
Newer years (up to 2027) have thinner price and equipment data for one or both models, so this table uses 2026. Use "Compare any year" above for the others.
| 2026 Honda Accord | 2026 Nissan Altima | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict (vs the model's own years) | TOO NEW | TOO NEW |
| Starting price (MSRP range) | — | — |
| Engines and horsepower | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo, 192 hp 2.0L 4-cyl hybrid, 146 hp | 2.5L 4-cyl |
| Fuel economy (EPA combined) | 31–48 mpg | 28–30 mpg |
| Seats | — | 5 |
| Third row | — | No |
| Cargo behind last row | — | — |
| NHTSA crash rating | 5 of 5 stars | 5 of 5 stars |
| Recalls · owner complaints (NHTSA) | 0 · 10 | 0 · 1 |
Sources: OpenSpec and the makers' equipment guides, NHTSA vPIC, EPA and NHTSA ratings. Cargo, towing and bed length rows appear when we have them. "—": not in our data. Compare every 2026 trim →
Key features: base trim vs top trim
| Accord LX first listed | Accord Touring Hybrid last listed | Altima SV first listed | Altima SR last listed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wireless Apple CarPlay | Standard | Standard | — | Standard |
| Adaptive cruise control | Standard | Standard | — | — |
| Blind-spot warning | No | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Heated front seats | No | Standard | Optional | Optional |
| Ventilated front seats | No | Standard | — | — |
| Sunroof or moonroof | No | Standard | — | — |
| 360-degree camera | No | No | — | — |
| Power liftgate or tailgate | No | No | — | — |
| Remote start | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
"Standard" and "Optional" are for that trim as the 2026 data lists it (a package or option adds an "Optional" item); "—": not verified in our sources, never a guess. The cheapest and most expensive trim of each model; every trim is on the model's 2026 page (Accord, Altima).
Known fixes and extended coverage
Honda Accord
28 manufacturer programs on file: 28 extended coverage, 0 repair programs.
- Extended coverage Owner Notification Letter - On some 2018-20 Accord models, the A/C condenser may leak refrigerant. American Honda is extending the warranty on the A/C condenser to 10 years from the original date of purchase with unlimited miles. (ONLJ9T07062021, 2018–2020 models)
- Extended coverage Owner Notification Letter - On some 2018-20 Accord Hybrid models, the A/C condenser may leak refrigerant. American Honda is extending the warranty on the A/C condenser to 10 years from the original date of purchase with unlimited miles. (ONLQ9U07062021, 2018–2020 models)
- Extended coverage As a result, corrosion may develop in the form of tiny holes in the condenser tube walls that allow the refrigerant to leak out. American Honda is extending the warranty on the A/C condenser to 10 years from the original date of purchase… (A21-018, 2018–2020 models)
- Extended coverage Today, May 28, 2021, American Honda is announcing a warranty extension for certain 2018-2020 Accord and Accord Hybrid, 2018-2020 Civic, 2017-2021 Civic Hatch, 2017-2021 Civic Type R, 2018-2021 Clarity PHEV, and 2019-2021 Insight vehicles.… (ABOM05282021, 2018–2020 models)
Nissan Altima
18 manufacturer programs on file: 7 extended coverage, 11 repair programs.
- Extended coverage OBD II EVAP Tube Warranty Enhancement The update below was sent out to Regions and Dealers in August of this year. (2010–2017 models)
- Extended coverage During the warranty extension period, if a headlamp dimming condition due to delamiation is found in either headlamp, Nissan will replace both headlamps at no charge for parts and labor. (NTB22-002, 2013–2018 models)
- Extended coverage Halogen Headlamp Class Action Owner Notification Beginning October 25, 2021, current and former owners and lessees of certain 2013-2018 Altimas will receive a postcard from a Settlement Administrator informing them of the terms of a… (2013-18, 2013–2018 models)
- Extended coverage On some affected vehicles, one of the rear lower suspension links may corrode and separate at the bushing joint area. Owners of eligible vehicles will receive a notification indicating their eligibility for the following: â¢Warranty… (2013–2018 models)
From manufacturer bulletins filed with NHTSA, counted per program. A count is how many programs exist, not how good or bad a model is: a maker that extends coverage is paying for a known problem. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
Which should you buy?
- Buying used, years both are rated a good buy: 2010–2012, 2015, 2021–2025. In those years, choose on price, size and features.
- Shopping around 2017: the Accord is rated best buy (serious complaints 0.3× usual), while the Altima is rated careful (serious complaints 1.6× usual, mostly power train and air bags). Each against its own other years.
- Years to skip: neither model has a year we rate avoid.
- Newest year rated a good buy: Accord 2025; Altima 2025.
- Best EPA combined rating in 2026: Accord at 48 mpg (Altima: 30), for the most efficient version of each.
- Before you buy either: run the VIN for open recalls and ask the dealer whether the extended-coverage repairs above were done.
Rules applied to the data on this page: no overall winner is declared, because our verdicts compare each model with itself.