Head-to-Head Comparison: 2008 Honda Accord Coupe vs. 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe

Introduction

Comparison Test – 2008 Honda Accord Coupe vs. 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe: Serve your inner wild child – drive a coupe.

Though not exactly synonymous with debauchery, coupes make a statement distinct from their family-friendly, four-door counterparts. Parents and all who favor the practical keep sedans selling, but what of the offspring-free or single 20-somethings? For these shoppers there’s the Nissan Altima Coupe and Honda Accord Coupe, each aiming to balance style with practicality. We ran them head-to-head, selecting models with big V-6s and manual transmissions to up the wild quotient and decided either would make most any childless bachelor happy, yet the Honda would do so more consistently.

By Thom Blackett

Photo Credit: Oliver Bentley, Ron Perry, and Nissan

The Players

In one corner was a 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe 3.5 SE packed with standard features such as 17-inch alloys, keyless ignition, a six-speed manual transmission, a moonroof, an MP3 jack, and six airbags. Options included floor mats ($175), Vehicle Dynamic Control ($600), and a Premium Package ($3,200) that tacked on leather upholstery, Bluetooth connectivity, Bose Audio, and more. The total bill, including a $625 destination charge, came to $29,490. In the opposing corner was a 2008 Honda Accord Coupe EX-L V-6 with a six-speed manual transmission, 18-inch alloy wheels, and featuring almost identical equipment but coming in slightly less at $28,945, including a $635 destination charge.

Criteria

Honda and Nissan promote these coupes based on sporty styling, impressive driving characteristics, and comfort, among other things. With that in mind, we spent days driving the cars throughout Orange County and the mountainous areas of northern San Diego County to determine which vehicle offered the preferred ride, superior interior based on materials and layout, more engaging powertrain, and better overall value. You’ll find answers to those questions here, but to get an idea of how potential consumers viewed the Altima Coupe and Accord Coupe, jump over to the results of our USC/UCLA tailgaters survey, where we went to gauge the interest of potential customers in the targeted demographic.

Performance, 1st Place – 2008 Honda Accord Coupe

Despite returning only 17.5 mpg, we give the performance nod to the 2008 Honda Accord Coupe. Our editors’ recognized the Accord’s “smooth, zippy acceleration” and complimented the 3.5-liter V-6’s intoxicating exhaust note, well-tuned throttle response, and ample torque for pulling through corners without the need to downshift. Quite the opposite – the engine note failed to alert us to the fast-approaching rev limiter, resulting in a pinging tachometer needle and an unexpected need to upshift. Thankfully, the six-speed manual offered slick, seamless shifts and a light-effort clutch, yet two drivers complained of long throws and a shift lever too close to the driver in comparison to the Altima.

Performance, 2nd Place – 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe

It may have come in the loser in this category, but that should hardly suggest that the 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe 3.5 SE is a slouch. This capable two-door does, however, lack the off-the-line grunt of the Honda and its power delivery feels quite frenetic in comparison. Torque-steer is more prevalent as the Altima’s front wheels work for traction, there’s a need to downshift more often to keep the revs up, and the engine lacks the refinement delivered by the Accord’s V-6. Toss in the less precise shifter and we just couldn’t call the Altima the winner here. That being said, the Nissan deserves kudos for returning 19.5 mpg.

Handling, 1st Place – 2008 Honda Accord Coupe

Mention the Honda Accord and you’ll probably start a conversation about reliability or maybe variations of the color white. That’ll change after the masses experience the 2008 Honda Accord Coupe. It looks big and heavy, yet the Accord is surprisingly agile, with controlled body roll, desirable weight transition in corners, and ample stability in high-speed sweepers aided by our EX-L V-6’s standard 18s. The coupe-specific suspension absorbs bumps well, but one tester found the trade-off to be a floaty highway ride, and all complained of brake fade after only moderate abuse. Steering offered a nice balance between light effort and responsiveness.

Handling, 2nd Place – 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe

Majority rules in tests like this, and since only one of the three editors preferred the Altima Coupe’s wild handling, the other two ruled the Honda Accord Coupe the winner. That sole voice lamented the Altima’s understeer but went on to describe the car as “very predictable, and powering through corners with 17-inch tires squealing as you set up for the next straightaway leaves a smile on your face.” Unfortunately, those smiles turn to frowns with the stiff ride, bump-steering that causes a temporary loss of control in corners, and vague steering feel on the highway. The brakes were too sensitive, but never lost their punch.

Front Comfort, 1st Place – 2008 Honda Accord Coupe

Since these vehicles are built for everyday driving and not track days, they need to be comfortable, especially for the two most frequent occupants – the driver and front passenger. Our EX V-6 test car came with soft leather upholstery, dual-setting heated seats with more substantial bolsters than found in the Altima Coupe, and an abundance of supportive padding. Two drivers used power adjustments, including lumbar, to find suitable positions, though another driver suffered back fatigue after long distances. All enjoyed padded armrests, generous space, and the tilt and telescoping, leather-wrapped steering wheel. Interior noise from wind and 18-inch tires was evident but less pronounced than in the Altima Coupe.

Front Comfort, 2nd Place – 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe

Drivers who enjoy a more intimate experience may prefer the 2008 Altima Coupe, for out of the two vehicles tested here the Nissan boasts the more confining interior. Collectively, we preferred the more spacious Accord and noted the Altima’s lack of a telescoping steering wheel and lumbar adjustment, power or otherwise. That the Nissan was noisier didn’t help its cause. Points were awarded to the pro’s column for comfortable and supportive seats, a plethora of padding on armrests and window sills and, as a side effect of the tighter cabin, door armrests within close proximity. Also, the gearshift is located in a more natural position.

Rear Comfort, 1st Place – 2008 Honda Accord Coupe

If you transport rear-seat passengers with any regularity, do them a favor and buy a sedan, SUV, or a trusty station wagon. Selecting one of rides pictured on these pages would be our last choice, but as coupes go, they’re not altogether bad, especially the Honda Accord. As is the case up front, the rear seat is comfortable and sufficiently spacious for non-basketball players, features wide armrests with cupholders, and can be accessed from the passenger side with the click of an outboard release button. Unfortunately, neither vehicle included a rear fold-down center armrest.

Rear Comfort, 2nd Place – 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe

Our trio of editors walked away from the Nissan Altima’s rear seat test grumpy and sore. One entry read, “Even worse to get into than the Honda, especially behind the driver’s seat. However, at least the lever to escape this people compactor is within reach.” Of all the notes taken, that could be considered the most glowing. We’re a relatively short bunch, so didn’t have any major issues with overall room, and we applaud the employment of an inboard release lever on the front passenger seat. But the Altima Coupe’s rear seat provided more of a challenge to get in and out of and was less comfortable than the Accord’s.

Storage, 1st Place – 2008 Honda Accord Coupe

Overall, the Accord won the storage award because it swallowed all of our large tailgating paraphernalia with room to spare, while the same oversized cooler, grille, and folding table needed to be strategically squeezed under the Altima’s trunk lid. The Accord’s trunk also features a low lift-over height and wide opening. But the rear seat folds as one solid piece, meaning you can tote long items or rear passengers, not a combination of the two. Interior storage was abundant, with plenty of large cupholders, a spacious glovebox, and pockets on the doors and seatbacks.

Storage, 2nd Place – 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe

In comparison to the Accord, the Altima Coupe offers a tiny, shallow trunk, one that lacks the Honda’s lid handle but adds tie-down points, and most importantly, a 60/40 split rear seat that allows a rear seat passenger and long cargo items to co-exist. Yet unlike the Honda’s rear-seat release logically located in the trunk, you’ve got to climb into the Altima’s rear seat to pull the release straps. Furthermore, the interior featured fewer storage provisions, smaller door pockets, and a center console cubby which one tester found to be ridiculously deep.

Materials, 1st Place – 2008 Honda Accord Coupe

Honda is known for using quality materials in the precise construction of its vehicles, and our evaluation of the 2008 Accord Coupe suggests this is a deserved reputation. We’re fans of soft-touch surfaces wherever possible, and were pleased to find these used generously inside the Accord, but there was an equal amount of hard plastic, a point that rubs us the wrong way when the sticker price is roughly $29,000. Leather upholstery felt durable. The Accord won this category because Honda put them together better than Nissan did on its Altima.

Materials, 2nd Place – 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe

It’s a given that automakers can’t make everyone happy. In the case of our Altima Coupe, one editor applauded the bounty of soft-touch surfaces, while another compared them to “the recycled tire material used to pad the base of jungle gyms on preschool playgrounds.” The woven headliner failed to sway the negative vote, and it was left to build quality to determine the Altima’s materials ranking. That’s where the Nissan fell short as it sported wide gaps around the hood, inconsistent gaps around the doors, a misaligned trunk lid and loose interior door panels. The Accord has some issues, too, but they were far fewer in number and significance.

Exterior Styling, 1st Place – 2008 Honda Accord Coupe

A slim winning margin goes to the Accord, the coupe from a brand long-known for perceived dependability first and styling a distant tenth. When lined up side-by-side, the Accord Coupe’s aggressive stance, distinct beltline, and thoroughly modern impression make the relatively clunky Altima Coupe pale in comparison. There was great debate surrounding what some viewed as a snub and over-designed nose, laughable oversized chrome door handles, and a tail end looking as though it was grafted from an old Acura CL. Still, taken as a whole the Honda hits the streets with new-found attitude, a trait missing from the Altima Coupe. Plus, the design afforded superior outward visibility.

Exterior Styling, 2nd Place – 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe

Being mistaken for the Infiniti G35 Coupe isn’t a bad thing, nor is touting a front end which some believe plays a big role in the Nissan Altima Coupe’s “predatory stance.” Same goes for artful flanks characterized by muscular wheel flares and a tiered tail end. That’s all admirable, but the rear window doesn’t flow well with the roof line, the nicely-shaped and utterly chrome-free body lacks the Accord’s flair, the alloy wheel designs are ho-hum, and the result is a package which comes up a bit lackluster when compared directly to its primary competitor. Small rear quarter windows serve to diminish visibility.

Interior Styling, 1st Place – 2008 Honda Accord Coupe

As is the case with the exterior, the 2008 Honda Accord Coupe’s interior styling could be considered a bit heavy handed, a point that’s affirmed by the two-tier dash cap and the expansive center instrument panel. Balancing those attributes is the appropriate use of black and silver accents, which when coupled with the cabin materials serve to create an interior that feels much more upscale than that of the Altima Coupe, one worthy of a $29,000 price tag. Admittedly, the Honda’s design wouldn’t necessarily be our top pick among all cars, but when compared to the relatively bland Altima, it’s a winner.

Interior Styling, 2nd Place – 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe

Nissan chose well in regard to the Altima Coupe’s interior materials, but how they come together to create a cohesive design is an area in need of added focus. They are gentle curves and smooth surfaces, yet the overall appearance of our tester’s black interior qualified as drab and unimaginative. The result is an inoffensive look, one that’s perfectly acceptable but relatively uninspired and a bit boring when compared to the more curvaceous Honda.

Controls, 1st Place – 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe

Just when y’all thought this would be a shut-out, Nissan nails the final category. The 2008 Altima Coupe may not get awards for performance, comfort, or design, but when it came to judge interior controls the Honda didn’t stand a chance. In this regard, the cars couldn’t be more different – the Altima uses a traditional layout whereas the Accord houses a wide instrument panel with a multitude of buttons and knobs. Our chosen Nissan featured intuitive radio controls, illuminated steering wheel buttons and simple climate control dials. If we were to change anything, it’d be to clearly indicate whether the heated seats were set to HI or LO.

Controls, 2nd Place – 2008 Honda Accord Coupe

One look inside at the 2008 Honda Accord Coupe’s controls had us thinking of urban sprawl – with available space it’s easy to branch out and avoid residing too close to your neighbors. The Accord has a wide instrument panel, one that’s festooned with too many large, albeit well-marked, controls. There’s a lot of ground to cover, requiring time to find the desired control before you can even consider activating it. We recorded complaints about the radio volume button’s close proximity to a gear-shifting hand and oversized and clunky climate controls, though compliments were offered for the clear information screen and intuitive secondary controls.

Rankings, 1st Place – 2008 Honda Accord Coupe

After leading eight of nine categories, the 2008 Honda Accord Coupe’s top ranking might not come as a complete shock. Some of our editors remain reluctant to embrace the Accord’s styling and our resident Frugal Frank continues to shake his head at the $30,000-ish price for each vehicle, but all agreed that the Nissan Altima Coupe couldn’t quite measure up to the Honda’s refined performance, smooth handling, spacious and comfortable interior, and upscale demeanor. With the 2008 Accord Coupe, Honda has built a capable and impressive vehicle, one that could easily pass for a brand-new Acura.

Ranking, 2nd Place – 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe

From its potent engine, quality interior materials, and simple control layout, it’s obvious that the 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe isn’t without its strengths. Unfortunately for Nissan, the Altima has its share of competitors, the most problematic of them possibly being the redesigned Honda Accord Coupe. Admirable as it may be in some respects, the all-new Altima Coupe just can’t measure up to the Honda, and when evaluated toe-to-toe rolls away second-best with its less dynamic style, less inviting interior, and less enjoyable powertrain and chassis. That being said, if the Accord doesn’t float your boat, the Altima Coupe is a must-see alternative.

2nd Opinion – Beamesderfer

Despite these two being a close match on paper, when it comes to driving dynamics they are quite different. Where the Accord has a very good power band and sure-footed handling, the Altima struggles a bit at low rpm, exhibits more torque steer and bump steer, which was not very confidence inspiring. The Honda is a car that would be a pleasure to drive every day, whether commuting or taking a spirited trip on a favorite twisty road. While the Honda has the better interior overall, its climate controls were not as easy to use as the Nissan’s.

2nd Opinion -- Blackett

It was just a few years back when I first drove a Nissan Altima Sedan 3.5 SE with a six-speed manual transmission. Despite an extreme affinity for torque steer, the engine’s power and the car’s practicality made it a winner in my mind. I viewed the same-generation Accord as a perfectly acceptable vehicle…devoid of a soul. More recent variants have reaffirmed these positions, until this test. Honda’s refinement in terms of construction and handling came as a surprise, as did the Altima’s relative weakness in these areas. With this newest iteration, the Accord Coupe breathes some of the fire found within its stablemates, the S2000 and Civic Si.

2nd Opinion -- Heywood

Both the Altima and the Accord are good cars and choosing between them was tough since there are elements I like about both. The Accord interior, for example, has an advantage with less shiny plastic than the Altima. Outside, I like the Altima’s more aggressive looks. I found the Altima to be more of a driver’s car, but the Accord provided a more comfortable ride. However, wherever one of these cars excelled, it was only marginally better than the other. But, in the end, I’d have to choose the Accord’s refinement over the Altima’s fun factor.