Model Year | 2012 | 2013 | |
Model | Nissan Altima | Honda Accord | |
Engine | 3.5L V6 DOHC-4v 270 hp@6000 258 lb-ft@4400 |
3.5L V6 OHC-4v 278 hp@6200 252 lb-ft@4900 |
|
Transmission | 6-speed shiftable CVT | 6-speed automatic | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | |
Body | 4dr Sedan | 4dr Sedan | |
Difference | |||
Wheelbase | 109.3 in | 109.3 in | 0 in |
Length | 190.7 in | 191.4 in | -0.7 in |
Width | 70.7 in | 72.8 in | -2.1 in |
Height | 57.9 in | 57.7 in | 0.2 in |
Curb Weight | 3357 lb. | 3554 lb. | -197 lb. |
Fuel Capacity | 20.0 gal. | 17.2 gal. | 2.8 gal. |
Headroom, Row 1 | 40.6 in | 39.1 in | 1.5 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 1 | 55.7 in | 58.6 in | -2.9 in |
Hip Room, Row 1 | 56.8 in | 55.6 in | 1.2 in |
Legroom, Row 1 | 44.1 in | 42.5 in | 1.6 in |
Headroom, Row 2 | 36.8 in | 37.5 in | -0.7 in |
Shoulder Room, Row 2 | 55.5 in | 56.5 in | -1 in |
Hip Room, Row 2 | 52.5 in | 54.7 in | -2.2 in |
Legroom, Row 2 | 35.8 in | 38.5 in | -2.7 in |
Total Legroom | 79.9 in (over 2 rows) | 81 in (over 2 rows) | -1.1 in |
Cargo Volume | 15.3 ft3 | 15.8 ft3 | -0.5 ft3 |
2012 Nissan Altima Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Comment | |
2013 | I'm already stuck. In just about every other way aside from fuel economy the Altima is a good, even very good car, yet an unremarkable one. Either this, or a strength must be qualified with a "but." The latter is the case with the front seats. Inspired by the "zero gravity" seats designed by NASA for ultra-long-distance travel, the Altima's buckets feel substantial and fit like a glove. BUT...also check the reasons not to buy an Altima. Move to the back seat, and Nissan's midsize sedan has a clearer advantage. The comfortably padded rear seat cushions in both the Altima and the Fushion provide good thigh support--those in many competitors do not. The Altima's rear seat isn't quite the roomiest, but it is roomier than the Fusion's. see full Nissan Altima review |
2012 Nissan Altima Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Comment | |
The NASA-inspired driver's seat is very comfortable and supportive, BUT its headrest juts so far forward that I had to remove it and reinsert it turned around. This severely compromises safety, but otherwise the headrest presses very uncomfortably against the back of my head. For this reason I doubt I could own an Altima. The average person, with a less vertical neck, won't have this problem. Just be sure to pay attention to this during your test drive. see full Nissan Altima review |
2012 Nissan Altima Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2013 | 4dr Sedan 182-horsepower 2.5L I4 CVT FWD |
The seats are very comfortable, I would have been happy if both the driver and passenger were electronic. The lumbar support is fantastic and the driver seats is 8-way adjustable. For tall people this car will be a great ride. see full Nissan Altima review |
2013 | 4dr Sedan 182-horsepower 2.5L I4 CVT FWD |
Huge back seat for a sedan (legroom) and even three abreast is not that terrible. Big guys did not complain. see full Nissan Altima review |
2012 | 4dr Sedan 175-horsepower 2.5L I4 6-speed shiftable CVT FWD |
Roomy front seat room. see full Nissan Altima review |
2012 Nissan Altima Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2013 | 4dr Sedan 182-horsepower 2.5L I4 CVT FWD |
Kids in the back seat love the limoesque space. I do enjoy anchor locks and the well placed seat belts. There is definitely some intelligent design and practice into everything and anything in this car. see full Nissan Altima review |
2012 | 4dr Sedan 175-horsepower 2.5L I4 6-speed shiftable CVT FWD |
Very comfortable. see full Nissan Altima review |
2013 Honda Accord Seat Room and Comfort: Pros | ||
Year | Comment | |
2014 | The Honda Accord's front seats are comfortable and properly supportive, but I find the Ford's even better. The Accord's clear advantage is in the back seat, which is much roomier than the Ford's, and a match for any other in the segment with the exception of the limo-like Volkswagen Passat's. see full Honda Accord review |
2013 Honda Accord Seat Room and Comfort: Cons | ||
Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
2014 | 4dr Sedan 189-horsepower 2.4L I4 6-speed manual FWD |
After 3 years of driving this car, I've developed neck problems from the head restraints forcing my head too far forward. I am 6'2" tall with good posture, a 34" inseam, and not overweight. It is difficult to sit in the seats without getting severe neck pain. I tried turning the head restraint around, in spite of the safety issue, but the bottom of the back of the restraint pokes me in the neck then. Just for kicks, I took the head restraint out to see if I could get comfortable, but the top of the seat back then presses uncomfortably into my upper back/lower neck. The only solution I've found so far that works is to put 3" of foam behind my back so that the head restraint is 1/2-1" behind my head. It is difficult to only fault Honda for this, because most cars model year 2009 and newer have the same problem after the NHTSA head restraint rules update from 2007. Honda, Mazda and Chevrolet seem to be the worst for forcing heads forward though. Ford has a tiltable head restraint in most of their vehicles, so they are adequate. Only when you get to the luxury brands do you find comfortable restraints. The BMW 5 series with multi contour seats, and the new Lincoln Continental have excellent seats, but they are also nearly twice as much as the Accord. Honda could fix their seat problems with a fore/aft adjustment for the head restraint and a taller seat back. It seems as if they make seats for a very limited height range with bad posture... see full Honda Accord review |
2013 | 4dr Sedan 185-horsepower 2.4L I4 CVT FWD |
Front headrests are inclined too far forward, making the seats very uncomfortable for shorter drivers. Drivers taller than 6'3" won't have a problem. But as a shorter driver, the uncomfortable seats have caused extreme upper back pain. see full Honda Accord review |
2013 | 4dr Sedan 278-horsepower 3.5L V6 6-speed automatic FWD |
Many reviews online state how comforable the seats are in the Accord, I cannot agree with them. I have owned a 2013 Altima as well and it is much more comfortable, but that car has a stability problem on the highway. see full Honda Accord review |