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Honda Accord vs Nissan Altima: fuel economy and fuel cost

In model year 2026 the Honda Accord is the cheaper of the two to fuel: about $1,360 a year for its lowest-cost configuration (Accord Hybrid, 48 MPG combined), against $2,180 for the Nissan Altima (Altima, 30 MPG combined). That is $820 a year, or $4,100 over five years.

A frequently cross-shopped pair of rivals. Costs assume 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel and electricity prices for both vehicles, using the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Each figure is rounded to $10 and every difference is calculated from the rounded values.

Illustration: Midsize cars
  • Hybrid
  • Midsize cars

Honda Accord

Lowest fuel cost configuration

Accord Hybrid

48 MPG
Combined
51 MPG
City
44 MPG
Highway
Annual fuel cost
$1,360

$9.07 per 100 miles

15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

4 configurations in MY2026

Illustration: Midsize cars
  • Gas
  • Midsize cars

Nissan Altima

Lowest fuel cost configuration

Altima

30 MPG
Combined
26 MPG
City
36 MPG
Highway
Annual fuel cost
$2,180

$14.53 per 100 miles

15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

2 configurations in MY2026

What the fuel costs

Annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration

  • Honda Accord$1,360 a year · $9.07 per 100 mi
  • Nissan Altima$2,180 a year · $14.53 per 100 mi

Difference per year

$820

Honda Accord costs less to fuel

Over 5 years

$4,100

$820 a year × 5, 15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

Head to head, MY2026

Honda Accord and Nissan Altima compared on their lowest fuel cost configuration
Measure Honda Accord Nissan Altima
Lowest-cost configuration Accord HybridAltima
Powertrain HybridGas
Combined rating 48 MPG (better)30 MPG
City rating 51 MPG (better)26 MPG
Highway rating 44 MPG (better)36 MPG
Annual fuel cost $1,360/yr (better)$2,180/yr
Cost per 100 miles $9.07 (better)$14.53
Annual cost range, all configurations $1,360–$2,080$2,180–$2,320
Configurations in MY2026 42
EPA class Midsize carsMidsize cars

Best configuration by powertrain

Lowest-cost configuration of each powertrain, Honda Accord and Nissan Altima
Powertrain Honda Accord Nissan Altima
Gas 32 MPG · $2,040/yr Accord 30 MPG · $2,180/yr Altima
Hybrid 48 MPG · $1,360/yr Accord Hybrid Not offered in MY2026

Each cell shows the combined rating and the annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration with that powertrain.

Where each one comes out ahead

Generated from the numbers above, comparing the lowest fuel cost configurations. No subjective judgements.

Honda Accord

  • Lower annual fuel cost: $1,360 vs $2,180
  • Higher combined rating: 48 MPG vs 30 MPG
  • Higher city rating: 51 MPG vs 26 MPG
  • Higher highway rating: 44 MPG vs 36 MPG
  • Lower annual cost for the best gas configuration: $2,040 vs $2,180
  • Offers hybrid configurations in MY2026; the Nissan Altima does not

Nissan Altima

Not ahead on any measure listed here.

Year by year

Combined rating and annual fuel cost by model year, Honda Accord and Nissan Altima
Model year Honda Accord Nissan Altima
CombinedPer yearCombinedPer year
2026 31–48 MPG $1,360–$2,080 28–30 MPG $2,180–$2,320
2025 32–48 MPG $1,360–$2,040 28–31 MPG $2,110–$2,330
2024 32–48 MPG $1,360–$2,040 29–31 MPG $2,110–$2,280
2023 32–48 MPG $1,360–$2,040 29–31 MPG $2,110–$2,280
2022 26–47 MPG $1,380–$2,520 29–32 MPG $2,040–$2,280
2021 26–48 MPG $1,360–$2,520 29–32 MPG $2,070–$2,280
2020 26–48 MPG $1,370–$2,540 29–32 MPG $2,040–$2,280
2019 26–48 MPG $1,350–$2,540 29–32 MPG $2,040–$2,280
2018 26–47 MPG $1,380–$2,540 26–31 MPG $2,110–$2,490
2017 21–48 MPG $1,370–$3,040 26–31 MPG $2,110–$2,490
2016 21–30 MPG $2,160–$3,040 26–31 MPG $2,110–$2,530
2015 21–47 MPG $1,400–$3,040 26–31 MPG $2,130–$2,520
2014 21–47 MPG $1,210–$3,040 25–31 MPG $2,130–$2,600
2013 21–30 MPG $2,200–$3,040 25–31 MPG $2,110–$2,600
2012 21–27 MPG $2,450–$3,180 21–26 MPG $2,480–$3,060
2011 21–26 MPG $2,470–$3,180 21–33 MPG $1,970–$3,060
2010 20–25 MPG $2,610–$3,270 21–34 MPG $1,920–$3,110
2009 20–25 MPG $2,610–$3,270 21–34 MPG $1,920–$3,830
2008 20–25 MPG $2,610–$3,270 22–34 MPG $1,920–$3,650
2007 21–27 MPG $2,420–$3,110 22–34 MPG $1,920–$3,650
2006 21–26 MPG $2,510–$3,110 21–24 MPG $2,720–$3,110
2005 21–28 MPG $2,330–$3,110 21–24 MPG $2,720–$3,110
2004 21–26 MPG $2,510–$3,110 20–23 MPG $2,840–$3,270
2003 21–26 MPG $2,510–$3,110 19–23 MPG $2,840–$3,440
2002 21–25 MPG $2,610–$3,110 19–23 MPG $2,840–$3,440
2001 21–25 MPG $2,610–$3,110 21–23 MPG $2,840–$3,110
2000 21–24 MPG $2,720–$3,110 21–24 MPG $2,720–$3,110

Earlier model years are costed with today's fuel prices, so the table shows how each model's efficiency changed, not what fuel cost at the time. Ranges cover every configuration of that model year.

Frequently asked questions

Which is cheaper to fuel, the Honda Accord or the Nissan Altima?

The Honda Accord is cheaper: about $1,360 a year against $2,180 for the Nissan Altima, a difference of $820 a year. That compares the lowest-cost configuration of each in model year 2026 at 15,000 miles a year with the same fuel prices.

How much would the Honda Accord save over five years?

About $4,100 ($820 a year for five years), assuming 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel prices. Your total depends on how much you drive and on local prices; see fuel cost by state.

Which has the better fuel economy rating, the Honda Accord or the Nissan Altima?

The Honda Accord is rated 48 MPG combined against 30 MPG for the Nissan Altima. City: 51 MPG vs 26 MPG. Highway: 44 MPG vs 36 MPG. These are the EPA ratings of each model's lowest-cost configuration.

How is the annual fuel cost calculated?

Distance of 15,000 miles a year at the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Gasoline is priced at $4.36/gal (EIA U.S. average for regular, Sep 2026) and electricity at 18.3¢/kWh (EIA U.S. residential average, Jul 2026); premium and diesel configurations use their own EIA prices. Each result is rounded to $10, and differences are calculated from the rounded figures.

Are the Honda Accord and the Nissan Altima in the same class?

Yes. The EPA classes both as Midsize cars.

Explore these cars

More comparisons

EPA ratings: fueleconomy.gov file of Sep 29, 2026 · Prices: EIA regular gasoline, U.S. avg, Sep 2026 ($4.36/gal); residential electricity, U.S. avg, Jul 2026 (18.3¢/kWh) · 15,000 mi/yr, 55% city, same prices for both vehicles