The short answer
The Honda Accord leads the Nissan Altima: RepairPal ranks it 1st among 24 midsize cars; it holds an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ while the 2025 Altima scored "Poor" on the updated side impact test. The Accord also retains roughly 12 percentage points more of its value after five years. The Altima's advantages are standard AWD and a lower base price.
Which sedan is more reliable — the Accord or the Altima?
The Accord, decisively. RepairPal rates the Honda Accord 4.5/5.0, ranking it 1st out of 24 midsize cars, with an average annual repair cost of $400. The Nissan Altima rates 4.0/5.0, ranking 11th, at $483 per year. The Altima has a well-documented CVT reliability concern that spans multiple model years.
The Altima's continuously variable transmission (CVT) is its weak point. A class-action settlement covered 2013–2018 Altima models over premature CVT failures, shuddering, and overheating, and the current-generation Altima uses the same Jatco CVT family — so the underlying design concern carries forward. The Accord, by contrast, pairs its gas engine with a conventional automatic or a two-motor hybrid drivetrain, both of which avoid the CVT failure mode entirely. See the full breakdowns at RepairPal for the Honda Accord and the Nissan Altima. For the wider durability picture, see our guide to the most reliable car brands.
How do the Accord and Altima compare on fuel economy?
They are nearly tied on gas, but the Accord wins on efficiency overall. EPA figures: the 2025 Honda Accord gas model gets 32 mpg combined; the Accord Hybrid reaches 48 mpg combined. The Altima FWD gets 32 mpg combined, and AWD drops to 30 mpg combined. The Accord Hybrid creates a decisive 16 mpg advantage for efficiency-focused buyers.
| Drivetrain | Honda Accord | Nissan Altima |
|---|---|---|
| Gas, FWD (combined) | 32 mpg | 32 mpg |
| Gas, AWD (combined) | Not offered | 30 mpg |
| Hybrid (combined) | 48 mpg | Not offered |
The structural difference is that the Accord is available as a hybrid and the Altima is not — there is no hybrid Altima in the lineup. For buyers chasing the lowest fuel bills, that 48 mpg Accord Hybrid is the single biggest efficiency gap between the two cars. EPA estimates come from fueleconomy.gov, and real-world mileage shifts with trim, drivetrain, and climate.
Which sedan has more cargo space and interior room?
The Accord. Its trunk measures 16.7 cu ft, while the Altima offers 15.4 cu ft — the Accord leads by 1.3 cu ft. The Altima's fold-flat rear seat gives a practical edge for large flat items, but the Accord's standard rear-seat pass-through serves the same function for skis, lumber, and long boxes on most trims.
Inside, the two are closely matched. Both seat five and post competitive passenger volume, with rear-seat legroom within an inch of each other and similar headroom. Feature parity at comparable trim levels is close, so cargo flexibility — not raw room — is where the difference shows. Full dimensions are published in the Edmunds specs for the 2025 Honda Accord and the 2025 Nissan Altima.
Which sedan is safer — what do the crash tests say?
The Accord, clearly. The 2025 Honda Accord earned IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and a 5-star overall NHTSA rating. The 2025 Nissan Altima received a "Poor" rating on IIHS's updated side impact test and a "Marginal" on the moderate overlap front test — disqualifying it from any IIHS Top Safety Pick award. Safety is the sharpest differentiator between these two vehicles.
- Updated side impact test: simulates a heavier SUV striking the door at higher speed. The Altima rated "Poor," the lowest grade; the Accord passed at a level supporting its top award.
- Moderate overlap front (updated): adds a rear-seat dummy to measure back-seat protection. The Altima rated "Marginal" on this stricter 2023 protocol.
- NHTSA stars: the Accord carries a 5-star overall federal rating; always verify the exact trim and year before you buy.
These results reflect the updated, stricter IIHS protocols introduced in 2023, which raised the bar on side and rear-seat protection. This gap could narrow if Nissan redesigns or updates the Altima. Crash-test details are published by the IIHS for the Altima and the IIHS for the Accord, and federal star ratings appear at NHTSA. To understand each grade, see our guide to car safety ratings explained.
How do their prices compare — Accord vs Altima?
The Altima is cheaper to buy. The 2025 Honda Accord starts at $29,590, while the 2025 Nissan Altima starts at $28,825 — a gap of roughly $765 at base. However, the Accord's lower repair costs and 12-percentage-point resale advantage invert the cost equation over five years of ownership for most buyers.
That $765 upfront saving on the Altima is real, but it erodes over time. The Altima costs about $83 more per year in repairs, and it depreciates faster — roughly $3,000 or more on a $30,000 car over five years. Add those together and the Accord becomes the cheaper car to own well before the loan is paid off. For the full picture of what ownership actually costs, see our guide to the annual cost of car ownership. Pricing and cost figures draw on iSeeCars, KBB, and RepairPal data.
Which car holds its value better — Accord or Altima?
The Accord, by a wide margin. The Honda Accord retains approximately 63% of its value after five years; the Nissan Altima retains roughly 51–52%. That 12–13 percentage point gap represents approximately $3,500–$4,000 on a typical $30,000 purchase — material money at trade-in or resale.
The Accord's resale is near best-in-class among midsize sedans, trailing only the Toyota Camry, which reflects its strong reliability reputation and steady demand on the used market. The Altima's faster depreciation is tied in part to the CVT reliability perception and weaker brand resale strength. Depreciation data comes from CarEdge for the Accord and CarEdge for the Altima, with comparison detail at iSeeCars.
Is the Nissan Altima ever the right choice over the Accord?
Yes — in two specific scenarios. First, buyers in snowy climates: the Altima offers standard or available AWD on most trims, while the Accord is FWD-only. Second, budget-constrained buyers who plan to sell or trade in within 2–3 years, before the Accord's resale advantage fully accumulates. For owners keeping the car 4+ years, the Accord's advantages compound.
- Pick the Altima if: you live in a winter state and want all-wheel drive without stepping up to an SUV, or you need the lowest possible purchase price for a short ownership window.
- Pick the Accord if: you keep cars long term, value top reliability and safety ratings, or want a hybrid option.
The Altima's AWD is a genuine differentiator that the Accord simply does not match in its standard form. But once ownership stretches past three or four years, the Accord's reliability, safety, and resale edge usually outweigh the Altima's lower sticker. For the reliability backdrop, see our guide to the most reliable car brands, and for the safety scores, car safety ratings explained.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Honda Accord more reliable than the Nissan Altima?
Yes. RepairPal ranks the Accord 1st out of 24 midsize cars with a reliability score of 4.5/5.0 and an average annual repair cost of $400. The Altima ranks 11th with a 4.0/5.0 score and average annual repair cost of $483. The Altima also has a documented CVT reliability concern across multiple model years that the Accord does not share.
Which car is safer — the Accord or the Altima?
The Honda Accord. It earned IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and a 5-star overall NHTSA rating. The 2025 Nissan Altima received a "Poor" on the IIHS updated side impact test and a "Marginal" on the moderate overlap front test — disqualifying it from any IIHS Top Safety Pick award.
Does the Accord get better gas mileage than the Altima?
Gas-only models are roughly equal at 32 mpg combined for both FWD versions. The Accord Hybrid gets 48 mpg combined — 16 mpg better than the Altima (which has no hybrid option), making the Accord clearly more efficient if a hybrid is an option.
Which sedan has a lower starting price — Accord or Altima?
The Altima starts at $28,825 — roughly $765 less than the Accord's $29,590 at base. However, the Accord's lower annual repair costs and stronger resale value make it less expensive to own over five or more years for most buyers.
Does the Nissan Altima have AWD?
Yes. AWD is standard or available on most Altima trims, making it a strong option for buyers in snowy climates. The Honda Accord is front-wheel-drive only in its standard configuration, though the Accord Hybrid's electric motor provides some additional traction management.
Which midsize sedan should I buy — Accord or Altima?
The Accord is the better choice for most buyers: it leads on reliability, safety ratings, resale value, and fuel efficiency (especially as a hybrid). The Altima is worth considering if you need AWD for winter driving or are buying on the tightest possible budget and plan to sell within 3 years.
Sources
CarsLens is editorial guidance, not individualized advice. This comparison draws on RepairPal reliability data, EPA fuel-economy estimates, IIHS safety ratings, NHTSA crash-test ratings, and CarEdge depreciation data.