My mini Altima vs Accord vs Camry review - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Mistabullet · 11-02-2007, 02:53 AM

Some friends and I spent this past week test driving various cars for funzies (Volkswagen GLi, Scion tC, Civic, Nissan SE-R, Mazda 3, Lancer, Altima & Accord).

So here is my mini review of Altima & Accord (Both were 3.5L sedans):

Looks.
I realize that looks are relative, and we all have our own tastes, so I'm not going to bother with it. Although, I must say that the Altima's tail lights are horrible and the accord looks extremely similar to the new 5 series (There was one parked next to it @ the dealership

).

The Drive.
The Altima's new CVT tranny failed at properly delivering the power and lagged the throttle response. Furthermore, the steering wheel was too effortless/light for my taste, and left me with very little confidence while taking turns.

The Accord's steering was nice and firm, but the car experienced a great deal of body roll which was most apparent on the freeway (My 05 LE has less body roll!). The salesman said there was no "Sport" version, but I think the coupe might have a stiffer setup. Power wise, the Accord was definetly an improvement over the Altima (no lag in throttle response). The tranny? Not so great. At times it refused to down shift and had difficulty finding the right gear. For example, when going from a steady cruise (highway speed) to WOT it went to 5-4-3 instead of going from 5-3. Also, it seemed to lack power at highway speeds (70+).

The Ride.
Both were quiet and smooth (The Altima had some vibration, but that might be due to defective or improperly balanced tires). The Accord was a bit more spacious compared to the Altima and Camry (not sure about Altima vs Camry). As for the interior, well that falls under looks.

So how do they compare to my Camry?

Short answer: They don't.

Long answer:
My SE out handles (Yes I realize I have a "sport" orientated suspension, but that doesn't excuse the Altima or Accord for their shitty handling), and out performs (even with my heavy 20's) both cars. It's got power throughout the RPM band, and provides me with a constant connection to the road; inspiring me to take turns with full confidence.

Conclusion.
Maybe I'm biased (I honestly tried to give both cars a fair chance) or maybe I'm just too comfortable with my Camry. Either way, I was greatly disappointed in the competition. Neither one offered anything enticing, and both left me yearning for the driver's seat of my lovely Camry; even with it's shitty tranny as some of you affectionately describe it (I really do love the new 6-Speed). If anything, these test drives have renewed my love for my Camry.

Fin.
Well, that was just my impression of the Altima vs Accord vs Camry based on a quick test drive. It was pretty interesting and I recommend you guys go out and test 'em yourselves

.

itz4lanyo · 11-02-2007, 03:03 AM

Very nice analysis. well as far as looks goes, the camry beats them all. well if you compare the altima coupe. then its a different story. I havent test drive any of those cars n i think i should to increase the love for my car. The only cars i test drove was a v6 and a i4 SE. all i can say is the i4 lack power, and i definetly cannot go bak to driving anything less power than my camry v6. im sprung

beejay21k · 11-02-2007, 04:31 AM

Good review. Thanks.

Netforcer · 11-02-2007, 06:55 AM

Most likely the accord was cruising with only three cylinders functional, hence the hesitation with the gears when you went WOT… also the accord is now classified as a full-sized sedan, therefore accounts for the roominess compared to the altima and camry… I would really like to compare the altima coupe and accord coupe, wishing there was a camry coupe

kenny1773 · 11-02-2007, 08:11 AM

I have a 2005 I4 Camry SE that I have owned since new and have about 30k miles on it now. I recently took a trip and had an '07 Altima I4 with the CVT as a rental car for an entire week. It had 10k miles on it. I drove an entire tank of gas through it (not sure the exact mileage)

My impression of the '07 Altima was that overall it was a nice car, but it was not as smooth, quiet or refined as even the 05 Camry.

The CVT took a day or so of driving to get use to. I disagree that it was 'laggy'. I thought that at first, but then after putting about 100 miles on it, I realized that it really wasn't, it is just a matter of getting use to the CVT (the same way I had to get use to the drive by wire in the Camry). I found that I just don't care for this style transmission, it is annoying to drive.

The Altima was 'buzzy' as hell though. Engine noise very loud in the passenger compartment when accelerating, but not so much at highway speeds (75mph)

It had plenty of power for merges and passing.

The handling was no better or worse than my '05 SE, seemed about the same. I would say my '05 camry had more room (I am 6'5" and 250lbs, so room is an issue). I also had my family of four and luggage, we all seemed to fit ok, but the Altima just felt a little tighter on the inside.

I would not buy an Altima unless it was $10k less than a Camry, it is a lesser car.

***lammydi*** · 11-02-2007, 08:13 AM

Very nice review.

CamrySExxx · 11-02-2007, 02:43 PM

jw how come you didnt test the maxima ?

tonyizhurr · 11-02-2007, 03:12 PM

hahah camrys > accord

Mistabullet · 11-02-2007, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamrySExxx

jw how come you didnt test the maxima ?

I really wasn't interested in it since it falls under the same class as the Avalon. But looking back at it now I think I should have just skipped the Altima and gone to the Maxima.

Erock08SE · 11-02-2007, 05:11 PM

The 3.5 Liter Altimas are faster than the Camry, i was in a limbo between all 3 cars ( honda accord, altima, and camry), the Altima is nice but by far a much stiffer ride than the camry ( better sport suspension), honda wasnt to bad either but the back of the car looks so plain to me, car ride was average i still think altima was a little better. With the looks camry had me sold, from front to back.

***CharmCityES*** · 11-02-2007, 07:21 PM

very good review!
i have driven all 3 myself and i couldnt state it better myself....but magazine editors are all on hondas nuts all the time, so naturally the accord is "the benchmark"...what a crock of shit
the camry is and will always be the gold standard IMO

Streaker · 11-02-2007, 09:46 PM

Camry SE V6 for looks and power. Nothing else in it's price class compares!

Alloy · 11-03-2007, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenny1773

My impression of the '07 Altima was that overall it was a nice car, but it was not as smooth, quiet or refined as even the 05 Camry.

The Altima was 'buzzy' as hell though. Engine noise very loud in the passenger compartment when accelerating, but not so much at highway speeds (75mph)

I totally agree. I have a 04 Camry and test drove the 07 Altima as well. I like the Pearl White colour Nissan offers, but the handling is not as good as any Camry. It's slightly bumpier, perhaps that's what people called "sporty" handling. Transmission not smooth enough, interior quality sucks, cheap materials are used. The brake is very responsive though, almost too responsive that makes it hard to control and shaky ride. Steering a bit too light for my taste as well.

Gorky_Park · 11-03-2007, 09:58 AM

Nice review

CamrySExxx · 11-03-2007, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alloy

I totally agree. I have a 04 Camry and test drove the 07 Altima as well. I like the Pearl White colour Nissan offers, but the handling is not as good as any Camry. It's slightly bumpier, perhaps that's what people called "sporty" handling. Transmission not smooth enough, interior quality sucks, cheap materials are used. The brake is very responsive though, almost too responsive that makes it hard to control and shaky ride. Steering a bit too light for my taste as well.

I was in my sisters bf 08 altima coupe and i noticed that it was REALLY bumpy. Every little bump in teh road you could feel it.