2021 Honda Accord vs 2021 Nissan Altima

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  • 2021 Honda Accord

    A grey 2021 Honda Accord LX is angled left.

    Starting at

    $24,7701

    2021 Nissan Altima

    A grey 2021 Nissan Altima is angled right.

    Starting at

    $24,300

    192-252Horsepower (HP)188-248
    192-273Torque (lb-ft)180-273
    16.7Max Cargo Space (cu.ft.)15.4

    Midsize sedans are sought out for their family-friendliness, their space, and most importantly, their efficiency. Tech and safety are both important in these cars as well, especially since cars are smaller than trucks, vans, and SUVs. It's good to have driver-assist features and sturdily built cars in case of an accident. Buyers want to see these qualities in their new midsize sedan, but they also don't want to spend an arm and a leg to get it. Two models to compare are the 2021 Honda Accord vs 2021 Nissan Altima.

    Both Honda and Nissan are household names and have been building quality cars for years. But many of their models are similar, so it can be difficult to choose between them. That's why we're here to help. There are some important differences that we want you to know before you decide which car is right for you. We're looking at the 2021 Honda Accord vs 2021 Nissan Altima to determine which one is the better deal with the best safety, performance, and tech features. Let's take a closer look at each car individually.

  • Performance

    A grey 2021 Honda Accord Touring is driving on a city street after winning the 2021 Honda Accord vs 2021 Nissan Altima comparison.

    2021 Honda Accord's Performance

    The 2021 Honda Accord comes with three different four-cylinder engines. The base engine offers 192 hp, while the upgraded engine produces a powerful 252 hp. Finally, there is the available hybrid engine with its 212 hp. These three engine options let you choose the perfect balance of efficiency, performance, and affordability for your needs. Honda uses the latest technology to create a vehicle with great mileage and optimal performance.

    Every available trim comes with hill start assist, which keeps the car still for up to 2 seconds after releasing the brake pedal on a hill. This allows time for the driver to accelerate before rolling back. Drivers don't have to do anything special to activate this, either. The sensor is built-in so that the vehicle recognizes when it's on a slope. Each trim also comes with an immobilizer system, an anti-theft system that prevents the Accord from being hotwired. Essentially, your Accord will only start if the Smart Key is used. Otherwise, it is impossible to start the vehicle, making it nearly impossible to steal.

    2021 Nissan Altima's Performance

    The Nissan Altima only has two four-cylinder engine options, neither of which is as powerful as its Honda competitor. The base engine offers 188 hp, while the upgraded option provides 248 hp. However, there's no longer a hybrid Nissan Altima option available, meaning that this midsize sedan is less efficient as well as less powerful than the Honda Accord. The Altima pairs both its engines with a continuously variable transmission, while the Accord offers a modern 10-speed automatic with its upgraded engine, further increasing the performance difference between the two vehicles.

  • Technology

    The black and white interior of a 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring is shown.

    The 2021 Honda Accord's Technology

    Tech options are mostly desired for their convenience and entertainment appeal. The 2021 Honda Accord does not disappoint in this department. First, we're going to look at entertainment, then move on to pure convenience. The 2021 Accord offers Bluetooth HandsFreeLink, alongside Bluetooth streaming audio. HandsFreeLink allows drivers to use their cellphones hands-free, providing a safer way to have phone calls while driving. Audio streaming is compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which pairs well with the Accord's available 10-speaker sound system. SiriusXM radio is also available on higher trims, providing you with plenty of entertainment no matter where your travels take you. Additionally, the Accord offers a wireless phone charger and WiFi hotspot capability.

    There is one more important tech service that the Accord offers - HondaLink. This allows you to connect to your vehicle from your smartphone to view mileage and other important data. Additionally, it's possible to send locations from a smartphone that can be used through maps for navigation. Most importantly, HondaLink offers collision notification with automatic calling, roadside assistance, and non-accident related emergency services. Lastly, drivers can use HondaLink to unlock their Accord, locate it, and even get Amazon items delivered right to the car.

    That's all for entertainment. Now, let's look at convenience features. The 2021 Accord comes standard with plenty of modern features, from push-button start to one-touch turn signals. These small tech touches work to make your driving experience more convenient. That's the basic stuff, so now let's look at some of the available features. The HomeLink remote system lets drivers connect their cars to their garage doors, making it possible to open, close, lock, and unlock them any time, anywhere. The Accord is also available with an automatic-dimming rearview mirror that will adjust to keep bright lights from blinding you at night. These modern tech features make the 2021 Accord easy to use and fun to drive.

    The 2021 Nissan Altima's Technology

    The 2021 Nissan Altima has some entertainment features, but more convenience features than anything. Where entertainment is concerned, the Altima is close to the Altima with SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluetooth hands-free and audio streaming, USB charging ports, and Apple CarPlay with Android Auto compatibility. However, while every trim of the Altima comes standard with an 8" touchscreen display, the Nissan starts out with just a 7" display.

    Now let's look at convenience. With the Altima, you'll get all the basic features such as remote keyless entry, cruise control, and illuminated vanity mirrors. However, it is missing some features that the Accord offers. For instance, where the Accord comes standard with dual-zone automatic climate control that allows the diver and passenger to enjoy individual temperature settings, the basic Altima comes equipped with single-zone manual climate control. Even small features like a one-touch passenger side power window are missing on the basic Altima, making the 2021 Honda Accord the all-around more comfortable vehicle.

  • Safety

    A red 2021 Honda Accord Sport is driving on a wet city street.

    The 2021 Honda Accord's Safety

    Let's check out all those driver-assist features. There's a lot to mention here. Honda divides the Accord's safety features into several categories, which include Honda Sensing, Driver-Assistive, Active Safety, and Passive Safety. We can't cover all these here, so let's look at the most interesting ones from each category. The Honda Sensing category offers Traffic Sign Recognition and Road Departure Mitigation. The first technology can determine road signs that the driver might miss - for instance, displaying the most recent speed limit in the instrument cluster so you know how fast you can go. Road Departure Mitigation sends alerts if drivers drift out from the lane markings unintentionally, and it can even apply steering changes to help keep drivers from drifting if no corrections are made.

    Now, Driver-Assistive tech includes features that make your driving experience easier. This includes features such as blind spot monitoring and a head-up display. Blind spot monitoring does exactly what it sounds like it does - alert you to vehicles hidden in your blind spots. The head-up display projects important information onto the windshield, helping drivers keep their eyes on the road.

    Two important Active Safety features include Vehicle Stability Assist and Multi-Angle Rearview Camera with Dynamic Guidelines. Vehicle Stability Assist works with traction control to help prevent dangerous situations when roads are wet, slippery, or unstable. The Multi-Angle Rearview Camera shows more than just what's behind you. It also shows a top-down view and a wide-angle view of the entire vehicle. Lastly, let's look at two Passive Safety features. These are your expected, basic features, which include seat belts and airbags. Front 3-point seat belts with automatic tensioning, paired with side curtain and SmartVent front side airbags better prepare the Accord for accidents when pre-collision precautions aren't enough. This doesn't even cover most of the Accord's safety features, so it's safe to say that the 2021 Honda Accord is a reliable option.

    The 2021 Nissan Altima's Safety

    The Nissan Altima also comes with a variety of basic and advanced safety features, offering most of the same technologies as the Honda Accord. Overall there are few major differences between these two midsize sedans when it comes to safety, and both of them will take care of you on the road. However, the Altima does have some gaps in its technology suite. For instance, its version of traffic sign recognition is not available on every trim level, providing you with a little less information when you are driving on unfamiliar roads.

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