Skip to content
MotorJudge
All comparisons
Compare cars

2020 Honda Accord vs 2020 Nissan Altima

Side-by-side EPA, NHTSA, and recall data. Winners highlighted in green when one car clearly leads.

Quick read
  • Best EPA combined MPG goes to the 2020 Nissan Altima at 32 MPG.
  • Best highway MPG goes to the 2020 Nissan Altima at 39 MPG.
Vehicle comparison: EPA fuel economy, NHTSA safety, recalls
 
Car 1
2020 Honda Accord
Car 2
2020 Nissan Altima

Engine & efficiency

Cylinders44
Displacement1.5L2.5L
DriveFront-Wheel DriveFront-Wheel Drive
Fuel typeRegular GasolineRegular Gasoline

EPA fuel economy

City MPG2928
Highway MPG3539
Combined MPG3132
Annual fuel cost (EPA)$2200$2100
CO2 tailpipe282g/mi278g/mi

NHTSA safety ratings

Overall5/ 55/ 5
Frontal crash5/ 54/ 5
Side crash5/ 55/ 5
Rollover5/ 55/ 5
Stability controlStandardStandard

Recalls, complaints, investigations

Recalls (NHTSA)56
Complaints filed325170
Open investigations12
2020 Honda Accord recalls
  1. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BODY CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE
    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Accord Sedan, Accord Hybrid, and 2019-2020 Insight vehicles. A software error may cause intermittent or continuous disruptions in communication between the Body Control Module (BCM) and other components. This may result in malfunctions of various systems such as the windshield wipers and defroster, rearview camera, exterior lights, audible warning of a stopped vehicle, and power window operation. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 103, "Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems" and number 111, "Rear Visibility" as well as FMVSS numbers 104, 108, 114, 118, and 305.
  2. FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Acura MDX, MDX Sport Hybrid, RDX, TLX, Honda Accord, Civic Hatchback, Insight, 2019 Acura ILX, Honda Accord Hybrid, Civic Coupe, Civic Coupe Si, Civic Sedan, Civic Sedan Si, Civic Type R, Fit, HR-V, Odyssey, Passport, Pilot and Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 CR-V vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
  3. FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
    Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
  4. + 2 more on file at NHTSA.
2020 Nissan Altima recalls
  1. STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
    Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Nissan Altima vehicles. The tie rod ball joint fastener was not tightened properly, which could result in the tie rod ball joint detaching from the steering knuckle.
  2. TIRES
    Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Altima and 2018-2021 Titan vehicles equipped with Continental tires. On the affected vehicles, it is possible that one or more tires were cured for too long during tire production.
  3. VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
    Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020 Altima, Maxima and Leaf vehicles. The rear window glass may not remain properly secured to the vehicle.
  4. + 3 more on file at NHTSA.

Sources: US DOT NHTSA (api.nhtsa.gov) for safety ratings, recalls, and complaints. US EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov for engine, fuel economy, and emissions data. Both are free public datasets, updated by the federal agencies that own them.

Real listings, four marketplaces

Shop real 2020 Honda Accord listings

These links open a pre-filtered search on each marketplace. Compare prices and inventory in one tab each, then come back. The verdict above tells you what to ask the seller before you commit.

Outbound links may pay MotorJudge a commission via affiliate networks. Prices, availability, and dealer policies live on each marketplace. We do not control their inventory.

Real listings, four marketplaces

Shop real 2020 Nissan Altima listings

These links open a pre-filtered search on each marketplace. Compare prices and inventory in one tab each, then come back. The verdict above tells you what to ask the seller before you commit.

Outbound links may pay MotorJudge a commission via affiliate networks. Prices, availability, and dealer policies live on each marketplace. We do not control their inventory.

Made up your mind?

Run the math on the one you actually want to buy.

The data above tells you which car is better on paper. Plug your actual numbers into one of our verdict tools and we will tell you whether buying, leasing, or holding makes sense.