Starting at
Starting at
39 | Highway Fuel Economy (mpg) | 38 |
Avl. | All-Wheel Drive | Not Avl. |
Avl. | Rear Automatic Braking | Not Avl. |
Technically speaking, the Nissan Altima is a newer addition to the sedan segment. The year was 1993, and amidst dinosaurs, Beanie Babies, and Bill Clinton, the Nissan Altima made its debut in the midsize sedan segment. In contrast, 1993 was the last year for the fourth-generation Honda Accord. With a new generation released in 1994, the competition between the two has continued for 28 years to bring us to this year's showdown between the 2022 Nissan Altima vs 2022 Honda Accord.
Despite experts warning that sedans will someday be a thing of the past, there seems to be no indication that either model is slated for an exit from the American market any time soon. With high consumer and expert ratings as economical, reliable, and enjoyable vehicles, the Nissan Altima and Honda Accord are both models we've come to know and trust.
But between these two long-running sedans, which one fits best in your garage? Let's take a look at the 2022 Nissan Altima and 2022 Honda Accord next to each other to gauge the best fit for your life and driving style. When the stats are compared, we think you'll agree that the Altima brings more to the table.
One thing that many drivers appreciate about sedans is how simple they are to drive. Low to the ground and small in stature, sedans nimbly maneuver through city streets and open highways equally well. They've got a sensible and enjoyable amount of power, and they're easy on the wallet when it comes to fuel expenses.
These factors are especially true of the 2022 Nissan Altima. The standard 2.5L direct-injection gasoline engine provides up to 188 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque, which is more than enough to merge safely onto freeways. Best of all, front-wheel drive Altima models with the standard engine get up to 39 miles per gallon on the highway.
Craving a little more power? The available 2.0L Variable Compression Turbo engine turns things up with 248 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque without losing the Altima's economical aspects. Drivers who choose the VC-Turbo engine can still expect 34 miles per gallon on the highways.
Also of note is available Intelligent All-Wheel Drive. Unlike most models in its segment, the Nissan Altima is offered with an available all-wheel drive system that responds to changes in road conditions almost immediately. All-wheel drive Altimas receive up to 36 miles per gallon on the highway.
The 2022 Honda Accord also includes a choice of two engines. The standard on most trims is a 1.5L turbocharged inline-4 that Honda drivers have come to know and love. With its 192 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque, the Accord is a touch more powerful. However, it also has a slightly lower fuel economy rating of up to 38 miles per gallon on the highways.
Also offered in the 2022 Accord lineup is a 252-horsepower 2.0L turbocharged inline-4, which provides an identical 273 lb-ft of torque as the Altima's top engine. Without VC-Turbo technology, this Honda engine drops significantly in the economy department, with drivers getting 32 miles per gallon on the highway.
Most importantly, the 2022 Accord is offered in front-wheel drive only. While the fuel economy and power differences are relatively small, this is a major difference. Without all-wheel drive, the Accord cannot come close to competing with the Altima when it comes to all-weather performance.
With so many cars and drivers on the roads, safety is always key. Safety features, such as anti-lock brakes, airbags, and strategically engineered steel, are part of the equation that keeps drivers and passengers safe. However, many cars today are equipped with additional driver assistance technology that enables them to act or react quickly to avoid an accident.
Every 2022 Altima trim offers Nissan's Safety Shield 360 package of driver assistance technology. This includes automatic forward and rear emergency braking, blind-spot warning, lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and high beam assist. Also available are features such as Intelligent Forward Collision Warning, which monitors the road ahead, along with your current speed, to warn you when a collision might occur. Intelligent Lane Intervention detects lane markers and provides automatic braking cues to ensure you stay safely within your lane.
Each 2022 Accord includes the Honda Sensing suite of driver assistance technology. This provides drivers with the Collision Mitigation Braking System, Road Departure Mitigation System, lane keep assist, traffic sign recognition, and adaptive cruise control. However, only the top trims offer blind-spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert and parking sensors. Rear automatic braking isn't available at all on the Accord.
The technology extends into the cabin of each vehicle as well. The Nissan Altima includes a standard 7-inch touchscreen display, which includes features such as hands-free texting and Bluetooth audio and phone assistance. The Nissan Intelligent Key with Remote Engine Start is included in all trims, as well. The Honda Accord also includes a standard touchscreen infotainment system, along with Bluetooth streaming audio. However, features such as Remote Start are not standard on all trims.
When it comes to selecting the ideal sedan for your life and driving style, there are many factors that need to be considered. Your budget is obviously an important starting point, as well as how much you enjoy driving the vehicle. You also want a vehicle that's going to fit your specific needs. After all, many of us spend a significant part of the day commuting from home to work or school and running errands. It's important that we enjoy this time.
The Nissan Altima has drivers in mind with its selection of carefully cultivated trims. While the base S trim includes all of the basic necessities, the SV adds LED daytime running lamps, an Advanced Drive-Assist Display, and an 8-inch Nissan Connect display with multi-touch controls.
The SR trim takes things in a sportier direction. Featuring 19-inch wheels, standard paddle shifters, and sport-tuned suspension and steering, the Altima SR makes driving less of a chore and more of a hobby. The SR Midnight Edition maintains the same sporty ride but adds black accents and more, while the SR VC-Turbo adds Nissan's 2.0L turbocharged engine.
The SL adds coveted features such as a 9-speaker Bose audio system, remote start with Intelligent Climate Control to get the cabin ready for your trip, and NissanConnect services with SiriusXM. The top Platinum trim includes an Intelligent Around View camera that provides a view of all angles around the exterior of the vehicle, automatic dimming rearview mirror, and memory settings for both the driver's seat and exterior mirrors.
Compared to the Altima's seven trims, the 2022 Honda Accord is offered in five trims: LX, Sport, Sport Special Edition, EX-L, and Touring. The Sport and Sport Special Edition offer sport pedals, power-adjustable driver seats, a specially-designed spoiler, and a Continuously Variable Transmission with a special Sport Mode. The Special Edition adds heated front seats, exterior chrome, and interior leather accents.
The Accord's EX-L trim is designed to provide extra luxury, with a power moonroof, leather-trimmed seats, wireless smartphone integration, and a 10-speaker audio system. The Touring trim tops things off with the 2.5L turbocharged engine, along with heated and ventilated leather-trimmed front seats, a satellite-linked navigation system, 10-speed automatic transmission, and an upgraded driver's display.
Drivers of the 2022 Nissan Altima may choose to customize their ride with one of the several optional premium packages. The Honda Accord can be had with several optional upgrades across the trim levels, as well.
The 2022 Nissan Altima and 2022 Honda Accord each come well equipped with features drivers have come to know and love, with carefully selected trim levels that reflect what drivers actually need and want without the extra fluff. From upgraded audio systems for blaring out your best driving tunes to technology that reflects what you need when you're behind the wheel, each trim is designed to help you get from Point A to Point B in the best possible way.