Price
Winner: 2019 Nissan Altima
We’re not ones to waffle but, when looking at these midsize sedans from a value standpoint, this race is awfully close. When you consider the base models of both the Accord and Altima are priced within tens of dollars of each other, you can see our predicament.
The base Altima comes with an 8-inch touch screen, along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, push-button start, and four USB ports, among other items. The base Honda Accord doesn’t have quite the feature content, though you’d hardly call it Spartan.
This battle seesaws as you go up the trim levels but, in this instance, the Altima gets a narrow win based on its longer list of standard luxury and convenience features.
Reliability
Winner: To Be Determined
Because the 2019 Altima has been fully redesigned, judging its record for reliability is a little more difficult. We factor in J.D. Power’s predicted reliability ratings as part of our overall rankings. Yet, since the Altima has been totally redesigned for the 2019 model year, that information isn’t available for now.
However, it’s worth remembering the previous Altima scored an average rating for reliability, with three out of a possible five points. On the other hand, the Honda Accord has posted a slightly higher rating, with four out of five points.
We’ll be able to score this one when we get the new Altima’s reliability data.
Seat Comfort
Winner: Tie
When it comes to coddling occupants, the Nissan Altima scores strong marks for its spacious and comfortable Zero Gravity front seats. These make the miles melt away during long trips.
For the ultimate in rear seat comfort, the Accord jumps ahead thanks to its ample leg room. While the Altima offers 35.2 inches of rear leg room, the Accord delivers 40.4 inches. For comparison, the Accord matches the rear leg room provided by the Honda CR-V. One caveat is that the front and rear seats in the Accord are mounted somewhat low in the car, making entry and exit a little more difficult.
If front seat comfort is more important, the Altima wins. If you need extra space in the rear seat, the Accord comes out ahead.
Cargo Space
Winner: 2019 Honda Accord
The Altima offers 15.4 cubic feet of trunk room, versus 16.7 cubic feet in the Accord.
Both models have slight design flaws in their trunks. The Accord’s narrower trunk opening can make loading large and bulky objects an awkward task. The Altima has a wider trunk opening, though the bulkier hinges can impede on cargo volume.
Because of the Accord’s larger trunk space, it takes the win.
Interior Quality
Winner: 2019 Honda Accord
The Honda Accord does a great job of fooling you into thinking you’re behind the wheel of a premium sedan. The layout of the cabin and the materials used are of high quality, with plenty of soft-touch surfaces.
The 2019 Altima represents a big step forward compared to its previous generation. There are still some cost-conscious materials to be found in the Nissan’s cabin, however.
This is a much closer contest than it would have been with the 2018 Altima, but the Accord still holds an edge for overall interior quality.
Interior Features
Winner: 2019 Nissan Altima
Both the 2019 Nissan Altima and 2019 Honda Accord have easy-to-use infotainment systems with modern touch screens and simple volume and tuning knobs.
However, the Altima offers more standard features for a lower price. In the base Nissan Altima, you get an 8-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, six speakers, satellite radio, and four USB ports.
The Accord has a 7-inch touch screen, no standard Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, four speakers, no standard satellite radio, and one USB port.
Powertrain
Winner: 2019 Honda Accord
The Accord and Altima are close when it comes to horsepower output. The base engine in the Nissan is a 188-horsepower four-cylinder, while a 248-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder is optional.
In the Accord, the standard engine is a 192-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder, and a 252-horsepower turbo-four is optional.
The Accord’s slight power advantage, coupled with its available manual transmission (the Altima is automatic-only), gives it the edge.
Fuel Economy
Winner: Tie
The most frugal version of the Honda Accord, outside of the Hybrid model which we review separately, is the entry-level trim fitted with the 192-horsepower turbo-four and continuously variable transmission. This model returns 30 mpg in the city, 38 mpg on the highway, 33 mpg combined.
The Nissan Altima isn’t far behind. The entry-level 188-horsepower four-cylinder and CVT in the Altima provide an EPA-estimated 28 mpg in the city, 39 mpg on the highway, and 32 combined. These are great numbers, though the Accord is slightly better.
Ride and Handling
Winner: 2019 Honda Accord
Not long ago, this would have been an easy win for the Honda. Except the redesigned Altima now delivers a driving experience that nearly matches segment leaders. While the previous Altima could feel listless, Nissan worked to inject more energetic handling and sharper dynamics into the new model. Overall, the Altima is more about comfort than corner-carving driving behavior, but it’s a solid step forward.
The Honda Accord is simply one-half step ahead when it comes to agility. The Accord maintains a smooth and composed ride, while still allowing you to attack twists and turns in the road.
Slippery Roads
Winner: 2019 Nissan Altima
Nissan gets the win, thanks to the fact that the Altima now offers all-wheel drive (though only with the standard engine). This could be invaluable to car buyers living in areas where sudden weather changes can turn routine driving into a dangerous mess.
Safety
Winner: Tie
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gives both the Honda Accord and the Nissan Altima a Top Safety Pick rating. Meanwhile, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has given the 2019 Accord a perfect five-star overall rating in its crash test results, but a score has not yet been published for the new Altima.
Both cars come loaded with standard safety equipment, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and a rearview camera. The Accord also adds a driver drowsiness monitor, adaptive cruise control, and traffic sign recognition as standard. The Altima also offers ProPilot, Nissan’s semi-autonomous driving technology.
The Winner Is …
2019 Honda Accord
The 2019 Nissan Altima is a much better car than it was before, and many car shoppers might be lured by the fact the Altima offers all-wheel drive, whereas the Accord remains strictly front-wheel drive across all trim levels.
However, the Honda Accord still holds a small lead in several categories. The Honda’s cabin looks and feels classier, the rear seat offers more room, and the four-cylinder engines deliver a few more mpgs than what the Altima can muster.
Each is a great value and has a wide range of standard and available safety features. The Altima also has a long list of standard convenience features, while the Accord has a superb track-record for reliability. These are both very good cars and prove SUVs shouldn’t be the default choice when shopping for a vehicle.
More Shopping Tools From U.S. News & World Report
If you want even more information about these midsize sedans, be sure to check our Accord and Altima reviews. If you’d like to learn more about similar models, you’ll find plenty of options and alternatives in our midsize sedan rankings.
When you’re finally ready to buy that perfect car, truck, or SUV, don’t forget to use our U.S. News Best Price Program to find the dealership with the best prices. Shoppers who use the program save an average of more than $3,000 off their new vehicle purchase.
In addition to savings off MSRP, getting the best interest rate on your car loan can save you thousands. Compare rates from up to four lenders with myAutoloan to get the best deal.
2019 Nissan Altima vs. 2019 Honda Accord: Head to Head
- Price - Winner: 2019 Nissan Altima
- Reliability - Winner: To Be Determined
- Seat Comfort - Winner: Tie
- Cargo Space - Winner: 2019 Honda Accord
- Interior Quality - Winner: 2019 Honda Accord
- Interior Features - Winner: 2019 Nissan Altima
- Powertrain - Winner: 2019 Honda Accord
- Fuel Economy - Winner: Tie
- Ride and Handling - Winner: 2019 Honda Accord
- Slippery Roads - Winner: 2019 Nissan Altima
- Safety - Winner: Tie
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Which Midsize Sedan Is Best for You?
There is an open secret in the car world: While SUV sales remain red hot, the underappreciated midsize sedan is safer, roomier, and more fun to drive than ever before. Two excellent SUV alternatives include the 2019 Honda Accord and the newly redesigned 2019 Nissan Altima.
These two family cars deliver a great mix of value and practicality, without boring the driver with dull handling and lethargic acceleration. Turbocharged four-cylinder engines are available in either sedan and, for the first time in the model’s history, the Nissan Altima can also be optioned with all-wheel drive. Who says you need a SUV to navigate snow-covered roads this winter?
Using data from our rankings, we’ve put these two sedans side-by-side to see which one comes out ahead. Every detail has been examined, from price and reliability to seat comfort and acceleration. In the end, one car took the lead.
But the real winner here might be the savvy car shopper, the one who knows to include more than SUVs on their shopping list.
(Keep in mind that U.S. News scores are updated constantly as new data comes in, so the scores mentioned in this article may not match those in our rankings and reviews.)