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2021 Honda Accord vs Nissan Altima

2021 Honda Accord vs Nissan Altima
Reviewed & fact checked by
James Murdoch

2021 Accord vs Altima - How do they stack up? Which is Better?

With the 2021 Honda Accord and the 2021 Nissan Altima, buyers can enjoy a modern sedan that is both efficient and dependable. Featuring striking contours and innovative accents, these vehicles offer an eye-catching look of sophistication while remaining built with durable frame materials to ensure safety on every drive. Perfect for busy families as well as business professionals, college students or elderly drivers alike—the excellence in design combined with unrivaled durability make them top considerations when it comes to four-door sedans.

Great for city driving and known for their handling, sedans are optimal for individuals who are always on the go. Fuel efficiency is also a top priority for those who consider the purchase of a new sedan. The 2021 Accord and 2021 Altima can provide all these attributes. The Honda Accord is well-known for its impressive driving dynamic, while the Nissan Altima places an emphasis on its functionality. Each of these models offers room for upgrades through various trim levels, too.

The 2021 Honda Accord and the Nissan Altima present unique features that could fit any lifestyle. Take advantage of this comparison to determine which model best meets your needs: from horsepower to cargo capacity, there are sure to be differences between these two impressive vehicles worthy of consideration when searching for a new ride!

The Powertrain

The 2021 Honda Accord and the Nissan Altima bring their A-games to the game, with each model providing engine modifications that offer buyers enhanced power production. The Altima changes things up by offering several new engine possibilities for its customers' selection, while the Accord provides effortless output potential in newly modified engines. With such fierce competition between these automotive rivals, buyers now have even more choices when it comes time to make a purchase decision.

Honda models are renowned for their superb driving dynamics, and the 2021 Honda Accord takes this a step further by offering practicality at an excellent value. With two turbocharged engines and hybrid configuration options to choose from, drivers can enjoy smooth operations with up to 252 horsepower - all conveniently paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission that offers effortless shifting. The flagship hybrid setup pairs together two electric motors and one four-cylinder engine for excitement on even daily drives.

The Nissan Altima delivers the perfect balance of performance, efficiency and technology with two available engine options. The base model is equipped with a reliable 2.5-liter four-cylinder that produces 188 horsepower while those seeking an extra boost can opt for the turbocharged 2.0 liter four cylinder to generate 248 horses instead - all paired exclusively with front wheel drive in comparison to competitors such as Honda Accord's All Wheel Drive features!

When you purchase a new vehicle, you want to know exactly what type of warranty accompanies it. Making it easy for buyers to compare, the 2021 Accord and the Altima boast the exact same warranty provisions. A three-year 36,000-mile limited warranty covers generic breakdowns and malfunctions, while a five-year 60,000-mile powertrain warranty covers the performance components under the hood. Still yet, some models feature complimentary maintenance for a set period. However, neither of these two models opts for that type of benefit to buyers.

Drivability

Sedans are known for being more agile and responsive than larger vehicles, because of their smaller size, lower stature, and more adept engines. Both the 2021 Honda Accord and the 2021 Nissan Altima play into this stigma well. The 2021 Honda Accord uses its frame and body in a way you will not see in other vehicles. It relies on its physical stature to limit body roll and efficiently lean into turns. As is typical for a Honda, the Accord's steering feels light and free, which makes it a joy to drive. A bit more road feedback would not be frowned upon, which is quite the statement to make about a sedan. Accuracy and predictability are exceptional qualities of the 2021 Honda Accord, as it balances a firm ride that never crosses into harsh territory.

Acceleration is a process the Altima excels at, but it can be a bit noisy in getting there. The Altima's turbocharged V-6 paired with all-wheel drive is unusual, but its ride is comfortable and quite unexpected. Buyers can even opt for the SR model that is a bit more athletic with sporty suspension if they so desire. While the upgrades on this model make it more fun to drive, they can also reduce the ride quality a bit. Precise steering and great brake feedback are just a few additional attributes we appreciate in all trim levels of the Altima.

The larger size of the Honda Accord and the Nissan Altima for their sedan layout is advantageous to buyers in search of a bit more space in their car purchase. The 2021 Honda Accord leads the way in its class with 17 cubic feet of cargo space, and it beats common competitors by making room for two additional carry-on bags more than they can offer with the rear seats folded down. In comparison, the larger rear seats of the Nissan Altima are quite roomy and comfortable. Though they do not fold flat for cargo stowage, this sedan can still fit up to 19 carry-on suitcases in the rear. One downfall of the 2021 Nissan Altima is that the rear seats cannot be released anywhere other than by handles placed within the trunk. This can be very inconvenient for owners seeking quick access.

Buying Tip:

To avoid overpaying on a new car, shop prices online first. Get up front pricing before you walk into a dealership. We recommend the following free services; Car Clearance Deals, NADAguides, CarsDirect & & Motortrend.
These free services will offer you the lowest prices and supply you with multiple competing price quotes. You will know the best price before you visit the dealer.

Safety

Modern safety technology allows vehicles to be safer and more resilient than ever. However, this technology can only perform to the extent it is integrated into new vehicle models. Fortunately, for buyers considering the purchase of a 2021 Honda Accord you gain access to every standard safety amenity across all trims. Automated emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control are all included as standard, which is quite impressive for a basic sedan. This is a huge selling point for the Accord, because every buyer can get quality safety attributes without having to upgrade and pay an extra cost for them.

Comparatively, buyers will be quite disappointed in the safety attributes offered in the 2021 Nissan Altima. Only higher trims have access to blind-spot monitoring and automated emergency braking as standard features. The same models see lane-departure warning, rear automated emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control as available upgrades. This means that not every model will have standard safety features that are easily accessible. The saving grace for the 2021 Nissan Altima, however, is the ProPilot Assist feature. This is a semi-autonomous driving mode that makes safety intuitive for drivers.

The Honda Accord and Nissan Altima have both been distinguished with the highest safety ratings from two of the most reputable automotive organizations. The NHTSA awarded each vehicle a five-star rating while the IIHS named them both Top Safety Picks, reflecting their impressive crash test performance along with diverse driver-assistive features. Despite any differences between these models, their shared commitment to keeping drivers safe is clear!

Which Has the Best Value?

When it comes to purchasing a new vehicle, two timeless models make the shortlist; The 2021 Honda Accord and Nissan Altima. Both of these vehicles offer exceptional value when considering features, trim levels available, cost upfront as well as overall ownership in terms of maintenance costs. Essentially they are neck-and-neck with no clear frontrunner - so finding which option works best for you is key.

With the 2021 Honda Accord and Nissan Altima being priced equally across most trim levels, it is only at their top trims when you begin to see differences. The Accord ends up costing slightly more in its highest model but still stands true to its reputation as a wallet-friendly purchase.

The 2021 Honda Accord offers the most value for buyers with its impressive range of trim levels and hybrid model. In comparison, the 2021 Nissan Altima is at a disadvantage offering only five trims without access to some important driver assistive safety features. When deciding between these two models it becomes clear -the Accord wins on choice and value.

Which is Better?

So, how do you determine which sedan is better overall between the Accord and the Altima? Different buyers place an emphasis on different features. Therefore, what one buyer finds to be a great value and accommodation, another buyer may not even care about. Therefore, each sedan must determine what type of client they serve well and market best to. Ironically, the 2021 Accord and the 2021 Altima share the same class of buyers.

The 2021 Accord delivers a winning combination of fuel efficiency, responsive performance and diverse engine selections. The hybrid model stands alone among its contemporaries as the only one offering such an option at this price point with numerous trims available to meet individual preferences – making it an ideal choice for those who value variety on a budget.

Shoppers who want to maximize their driving experience and prioritize safety features should consider the 2021 Accord. With access to ProPilot Assist, an advanced semi-autonomous driving feature, drivers can enjoy total control of this vehicle's capabilities and performance that surpasses what is offered in the similarly priced Nissan Altima. Don't settle for less than you deserve — go with a car known for its quality craftsmanship & reliable technology: The Honda Accord!

Used 2021 Honda Accord: