Honda Accord vs. Nissan Altima
There are many carmakers these days that are jostling for the crown position in the mid-size family sedan market. The two brands in comparison here – the Honda Accord and the Nissan Altima – have been in that particular battle for decades, yet only the Accord has consistently gathered higher ratings in just about every consumer test. With a new year ahead, it’s time that we take another peek at what these carmakers have to offer for their new mid-sized sedan models.
The Honda Accord’s suggested retail price (including destination charge) for their entry level LX starts at $21,765. For this price you’ll get a 2.4 liter inline-4 engine variant, which produces 177 horsepower at 6,500 RPM. This is mated to a smooth shifting, 5-speed manual transmission gearbox. This thrifty engine has a fuel economy of 25 miles per gallon, for both city and highway driving.
The Nissan Altima, on the other hand, costs just $19,900. Even though it may sound cheap, for that amount the buyer gets a 2.5L I-4 engine, mated to a variable automatic transmission, which produces 175 horsepower that kicks in at a low revving 5,600 rpm. This Altima base model even scores well in the fuel efficiency department, with a thrifty 27 mpg average.
Both these cars offer 4-wheel anti-lock braking systems on all-disc brakes, and rides on 16-inch alloy wheels, wrapped in 215/60 All-Season tires. In terms of curb weight, the Accord LX weighs in at 3,230 lbs. which is a bit heavier compared to the Altima’s 3,180 lbs.
One must remember though, that all these numbers are only for the entry-level models, for both car manufacturers. Things get a bit more upscale, more competitive and a bit pricier as you go up the different trim levels for each car model. The Accord offers three different trim levels, namely, the base LX, the upgraded EX, and the top of the line EX-L, which offers premium features such as leather upholstery and optional navigation system.
For the Nissan Altima, there are four trim levels from which to make your choice, and they are the base 2.5, the upgraded 2.5 S, the high-end 3.5 SR, which has a V6 engine, and all the trimmings you wouldn’t even find as ‘OPTIONAL’ on the base model, and the eco-friendly Hybrid variant.
There are also a couple or so standard features on the Accord LX which are not listed on the Altima, such as audio controls on the steering wheel, an MP3 player, and rear headrests for the passengers. So if you are looking for better creature comforts for your money, you now know which car to buy.