Starting at
Starting at
| 188-248 | Horsepower (hp) | 192-204 |
| 180-273 | Torque (lb-ft) | 192-247 |
| CVT | Transmission | CVT |
When someone hears the word “car,” a midsize sedan like the Nissan Altima is what a lot of folks picture without even thinking about it. This is the quintessential car in many ways and the perfect vehicle for a lot of drivers out there since it beautifully combines style, size, and performance. As a result, you have a fair number of options available to you when it comes to a midsize sedan, which is why it helps to focus on just one or two at a time to see what they offer. Looking at the 2023 Nissan Altima vs 2023 Honda Accord reveals that while both of these cars have a lot to offer, the Altima comes out on top in some key ways.
You have two engines available with both of these models, but there is a stark difference in the kind of performance you can get with them. The Honda Accord starts strong with a 192-hp Turbo I-4 engine, but the available upgrade is an I-4 Hybrid engine that focuses on fuel economy over performance, offering just 204 hp. With the Nissan Altima, on the other hand, you get a comparable starting engine with a 188-hp I-4, but the available Turbo engine boosts power significantly to 248 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. This makes for an incredibly fun driving experience that ensures you look forward to getting behind the wheel of your midsize sedan every time you leave the house.
Inside these two cars, you can find similar features and options, but the Nissan Altima proves itself a superior choice in numerous ways. Available options for the Altima include leather-appointed seats, heated front seats, and a 12.3-inch Infotainment display, which you can get with either engine. While the Honda Accord has some similarly nice features available, most of the trim levels require getting the hybrid engine, limiting your options significantly. Both of these vehicles also have impressive standard and available safety features, and while we like what comes with the Honda Sensing package, the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite of technologies is simply a better choice as far as we are concerned.
It can be easy to think that you only need to worry about the engine in a hard-working truck or a sports car, but that is not the case. No matter what type of vehicle you are interested in, you deserve to get an impressive engine that makes it fun to drive. With the 2023 Nissan Altima and the Honda Accord, you can find pretty similar starting engines that make them both enjoyable on the road. But if you are interested in a truly exhilarating experience in your midsize car, then the Accord falls behind and cannot keep up with what the Altima offers.
Starting with standard engines, the 2023 Nissan Altima has an impressive 2.5L I-4 engine that delivers 188 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque. This is paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) for a smooth and highly responsive driving experience, and while front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard, Nissan’s Intelligent all-wheel drive (AWD) is available. The 2023 Honda Accord comes with a similar engine: a 1.5L Turbo I-4 that offers 192 hp and 192 lb-ft of torque, giving it comparable performance. This engine is also paired with a CVT and comes with FWD standard, but there is no option for AWD here.
Looking at available engines, Nissan roars ahead with a 2.0L VC-Turbo I-4 engine that delivers 248 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. This engine makes the Altima incredibly fun to drive, and this is a lot more power than we typically expect from a midsize sedan like this. The 2023 Honda Accord has a decent second option, but Honda’s engineers have fallen short in terms of power. There is a 2.0L I-4 Hybrid available for the Accord that offers just 204 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque; this is better than the Accord’s standard engine, but it definitely lacks the kind of muscle that Nissan has delivered with its available Turbo engine.
It does not matter if you are looking for a midsize sedan to get you through your daily commute, to use as a family vehicle for long road trips, or anything else—you deserve to enjoy your drive. In large part, your enjoyment is going to come down to the kinds of features you find inside your vehicle; in fact, when we ask drivers about the features they wish they had focused on more while shopping for their last car, they often talk about comfort or tech options they missed out on. This is why it is so important that you choose a great car that you will enjoy getting into each day, which is exactly what you will find with the Nissan Altima.
Standard features inside the 2023 Altima S (the starting trim) include air conditioning, Remote Keyless Entry with Push Button Ignition, and Remote Engine Start. You also get a six-way adjustable driver’s seat with comfortable cloth seating, a 5.0-inch multi-function information display, a 7.0-inch infotainment screen, and a six-speaker sound system. Looking at higher trims, you will find a number of excellent upgrades, including dual-zone automatic temperature control, a Nissan Intelligent Key with added functionality, and an eight-way power driver’s seat with heated leather-appointed seating. These models also have a 7.0-inch Drive-Assist display, a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, and a nine-speaker Bose sound system.
Looking inside the 2023 Honda Accord, we find many similar features and options, but there is a big restriction on what is available. For example, the starting Accord LX model has standard climate control, push-button start, and a 7.0-inch infotainment display. Looking at higher trims, you can find upgrades like dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, and an eight-speaker sound system. Additional upgrades are also offered, like leather seating, a 12.3-inch infotainment display, and a Bose sound system. The problem with the Accord, however, is that the highest four trim levels (of six total) are only offered with the Hybrid engine, so if you want the standard engine with Bose audio, then you are out of luck. Nissan does not restrict your choices in this way, and you can get great features inside with the standard engine.
When looking for your next vehicle, nothing is more important than how well it can help keep you safe on the road. The truth is that no other features or options matter if a car does not do everything possible to protect you and your loved ones. That is one of the reasons we love the 2023 Altima and the Nissan lineup in general: they come with amazing standard safety technology with a few more options available to take your security even further.
You get Nissan Safety Shield 360 standard on every Altima model, regardless of trim level, which includes an Intelligent Forward Collision Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, and a Blind Spot Warning. You also get a Rear Cross Traffic Alert to warn you when someone is about to cross behind you while you are in reverse, with Rear Automatic Braking to help you avoid objects behind you. High Beam Assist and Intelligent Driver Alertness are both standard, with additional options that include an Intelligent Around View Monitor, Lane Departure Warning, and ProPilot Assist to make long drives even easier.
Fortunately, the Honda Accord also comes with impressive standard safety technology, but we prefer what Nissan offers. The Accord comes with a Forward Collision Warning and Collision Mitigation Braking System to help with detecting and avoiding a crash. Honda also provides a Lane Keeping Assist System and Driver Attention Monitor. Other features like a Blind Spot Information System with a Cross Traffic Monitor are available but not standard—you might notice the Altima comes with a Blind Spot Warning standard. The Accord is certainly a safe car, but Nissan gives you more of what we are looking for when it comes to getting home in one piece at the end of the day.
Although the Honda Accord is not a bad car by any means, there are numerous ways the Nissan Altima simply comes out on top. The fact that you can get superior performance with a more powerful engine or available all-wheel drive with the Altima is the icing on this cake. No matter what you are looking for in your next vehicle, from the sporty power of the midsize Altima to the stylish design of the Nissan Z, we can help you find it. Here at Illini Nissan, our focus is on providing you with the highest standard of customer service and getting you the amazing vehicle you have been looking for. That is why we work hard to focus on what you need and make sure you drive away completely happy.
With one of our friendly and knowledgeable salespeople by your side, it is easy to consider a wide range of different options and get exactly what you want. Whether you already have a clear sense of which model is right for you or you are still figuring things out and have a lot of questions, we are here to help. Plus, with our service center and parts department, we will keep your vehicle in beautiful condition so you can enjoy it for many miles ahead. Call or come visit us at Illini Nissan today to learn more, and let us show you how easy and rewarding it can be to shop for your next car.
*Images, fuel economy, and other stats, may reflect higher trim levels, options, or features that may result in a higher cost from the starting MSRP.
MSRP excludes tax, license, registration, additional options, and possible destination charges. Dealers set own prices.
