Accord Power

• The Honda Accord coupe comes with two engine options.
  
  The Accord coupe is offered in two engine options: a 190-horsepower 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder with 162 lb-ft of torque and the 271-hp 3.5-liter V-6. The V-6 provides 254 lb-ft of torque at 5,000 rpm. Both engines can be powered through either a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission. The Accord coupe is designed to compete against the BMW 3 Series, and its horsepower/torque ratings sit squarely in the middle of BMW's numerous four-cylinder and V-6 engine offerings.
  
  

Altima Power

• The Nissan Altima coupe takes styling cues from other Nissan models.
  
  The Altima coupe offers similar power numbers to the Accord. It features two engine options: the 175-hp 2.5-liter inline-four with 180 lb-ft of torque or the 270-hp 3.5-liter V-6 generating 258 lb-ft of torque. The Alitma loses the 0-60 mph straight-line speed contest, clocking in at 5.5 seconds to the Accord's 5.3-second timing.
  
  

Accord Exterior

• The Accord coupe competes against the BMW 3 Series.
  
  The Accord coupe sits on a 107.9-inch wheelbase and measures four inches shorter than the sedan at 190.9 inches long. It takes some styling cues from the BMW 3 Series, but like all Accord models remains rather pedestrian in overall execution.
  
  

Altima Exterior

• The Altima coupe vies for attention in the sports coupe field.
  
  The Altima is more compact and perhaps sportier than its competitor. It sits on a 105.3-inch wheelbase and measures 182.5 inches long. Keeping with Nissan's tradition of brand identity, it maintains many of the basic styling elements of all Nissan vehicles. It bears a passing resemblance to the Nissan Z cars.
  
  

Accord Trim Levels

• Honda Accord coupe is slightly more expensive than the Alitma coupe.
  
  The Accord coupe comes in the base LX-S model, the mid-level EX and luxury EX-L. The V-6 is offered only in the EX-L. Prices range from about $23,000 for the base model up to $32,000 for the EX. Premium packing includes power windows and seats, security system, alloy wheels and chrome tailpipe.
  
  

Altima Trim Levels

• The Altima coupe is offered in the base 2.5 model, the mid-level 2.5 S and the sports-style 3.5 SE. The 3.5 SE features 17-inch alloy wheels, integrated signals on the sideview mirrors, power seats and windows, a leather-trimmed steering wheel equipped with audio controls and wood-grain trim. The coupe starts around $22,500 and moves up to about $27,000.
  
  

Head-to-Head

• The Accord is an exceptional performer in speed and straight-line driving, but it has a tendency to loosen a bit on curves. Tentative reaction from the brakes on curves at high speeds should caution drivers. It lacks the road-hugging abilities of the BMW 3 Series but costs $10,000 less, and handling is not so big an issue to detract from its other qualities. The Altima benefits from its kinship to the Z cars. Its short wheelbase and tuned suspension allows it to perform equally on the straightaways and hilly, twisting roads. It's prone to understeer when throttled on the curves, but not so much to worry the attentive driver.