When you think about reliable, dependable, everyday vehicles, what comes to mind? For me, it’s the Nissan Altima and the Honda Accord. They’re well-known for their low price tags, being inexpensive to maintain, lasting for many years, and offering broad accessibility to many drivers. Are there differences between them, or at least enough to differentiate between the 2022 Nissan Altima vs the 2022 Honda Accord? Let’s find out.
Pricing Guide
While the Nissan Altimas and Honda Accords I’ve seen driving around town are often purchased used, the newest iterations are still reasonably priced below $30,000. Though there is a slight difference in pricing for the base models, I don’t believe it’s enough for the pricier vehicle to be at a disadvantage. The 2022 Honda Accord base model is listed at $26,120, while the 2022 Nissan Altima starts out at around $24,750. Of course, prices go up from there depending on how you want to customize your new sedan, whether you’re choosing a special trim edition or purchasing a hybrid model.
If you’re looking for an upgrade, the Altima has multiple varieties, like the S, SV, SR, and Platinum—the most luxurious of which is the Platinum, topping out at about $34,250. The Accord, on the other hand, has six varieties above the base model, including the LX, Hybrid, Sport, Sport SE, EX-L, and Touring, the last of which comes to over $38,000. The Hybrid will appeal to the fuel-conscious crowd, while the Sport editions will catch the eye of people who want a fun ride without paying exorbitant performance car prices.
Upgrades for the Honda Accord include a turbocharged 2.0-L four-cylinder engine, the aforementioned hybrid option, front seats that heat and cool, back seats that heat up, a 10-speaker stereo system, and a heads-up display. For the Nissan Altima, the upgrades offered range from Apple CarPlay and Android compatibility, an 8” touchscreen display, a Bose stereo system, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and built-in navigation.
The 2022 Nissan Altima does have a special edition called Midnight that is available on the SR model only, which includes dark exterior accents, making it stand out as a sleek, professional trim option. The Altima SV has a few special extras as well, like LED turn signals and heated side mirrors—which are helpful in inclement weather conditions.
The Honda Accord, on the other hand, has not had much of a redesign since last year. Although, it does offer the Sport trim level on its Hybrid, which has replaced the EX Hybrid model offered in previous years.
Practical Considerations
Of course, most of us are concerned with the more practical aspects of car buying, like how many miles per gallon the vehicle gets and how much we’ll have to spend on gas every week. Fortunately, both the Nissan Altima and the Honda Accord get pretty good mileage, with the Accord reaching up to 38 MPG on the highway and the Altima maxing out at 39 MPG in highway driving tests. The Accord Hybrid, of course, clocks more than either of these, hitting 47-48 MPG.
Fuel economy depends on which model you get, since there is a hybrid alternative, but overall both vehicles have an impressive MPG rating and are well-suited to everyday commuting. Able to go farther between necessary fuel stops, the possibility of long afternoon drives or even road trips becomes more accessible and exciting.
Other practical considerations include engine power, transmission, and comfort. The Accord has either a 10-speed automatic transmission or CVT (continuously variable transmission), alongside a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine available in two sizes. Meanwhile, the Altima has a CVT with a 4-cylinder engine—also available in multiple sizes, with the option of a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. Both have similar power ratings, topping out at 248 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque (Altima) vs. 252 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque (Accord).
While those may be important when considering which model is a better fit for you, comfort is a huge consideration as well. You don’t want to sacrifice everyone’s comfort for a more powerful engine. Fortunately, both the Altima and Accord are pretty spacious, both in the front and the back, with plenty of room to stretch out during longer trips.
Both also have quite a bit of trunk space, are able to carry everyone’s luggage, and still have room to sit comfortably. Sedans are not known for their ability to hold a massive amount of items—nor are they required to, as they only seat four to five people. However, it’s beneficial to have a sedan that can handle more equipment or bulkier cargo.
Safety First
Along with preferable powertrains, concerns about MPG, and interest in different trim styles, there’s another thing to consider when comparing the Altima vs. the Accord: safety features. Are they all standard, or are some only included in specific models? Which are actually helpful, and which are merely showy?
The Honda Accord comes standard with the following: the Honda Sensing Suite, the CMBS (Collision Mitigation Braking System), and ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control) with LSF (Low Speed Follow). What are these, and what do they do? The Sensing Suite describes the sensors placed throughout the vehicle, which can alert you to changing conditions and even come to your assistance in cases of steering and braking issues. The CMBS examines the front of the vehicle in case there is an obstacle in the way—and can brake if it senses an oncoming collision. Cruise control and low speed follow are pretty self-explanatory, and are incredibly useful in cases of longer driving times.
There are also additional features available for the 2022 Accord, including the blind spot information system—designed to track areas you can’t visualize easily. The cross traffic monitor is helpful when you’re backing up and need to know if anyone is approaching.
The Nissan Altima also has a suite of safety features, but none are standard in the base model. You’ll have to purchase the SV or any trim above that if you want the Altima to be equipped with extra tech. Available features include Safety Shield 360, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, rear automatic braking, blind spot warning, high beam assist, lane departure warning, and rear cross traffic alert—along with intelligent forward collision warning, intelligent lane intervention, ProPILOT assist, and intelligent around view monitor. This is quite a mouthful, but here’s the gist of it: The Altima can help you maintain a safe driving course while monitoring for surrounding obstacles, pedestrians, or other vehicles. Your sedan can also take over in emergencies—reacting faster than a human driver can—to reduce your risk of danger.
The Bottom Line
Both the 2022 Honda Accord and 2022 Nissan Altima have something to offer, depending on which features you’re most interested in. Do you want all the additional safety features, new technology, and special trim touches, or are you more concerned with things like a sunroof and heated seats for comfort and luxury? What appeals to you about a vehicle that will likely be in your possession for a few years, at the very least?
Take it all in, jot down a pros and cons list, and think about what you need from a vehicle. Do you want a sportier sedan that you can drive to the beach on the weekends, or do you prefer something less flashy that can double as a family car and work car? Whichever of these sedans you choose, you’re going to enjoy the ride—no matter where it takes you.
