2019 Honda Civic vs 2020 Nissan Maxima

The 2019 Honda Civic, while not as stylish as the 2019 Mazda3, still offered a unique upscale style with its gloss-black upper grille, revised lower bumper, and larger 18-inch wheels. Its silhouette was graceful, reminiscent of an Audi A7, with a long hood balancing a sizable cabin and short tail featuring distinctive wraparound LED lights. The Touring-trim test car boasted chrome door handles and LED headlights that resembled tiny crystals, adding to its aesthetic appeal. The introduction of a new Sport trim brought some of the exterior flair of the performance-oriented Si trim at a lower cost. The Civic Hatchback, with its tall and aggressive rear end, and the Coupe model, offered different stylistic choices, while the high-performance Civic Type R was a separate, race-car-like model. The interior maintained a high-tech yet simplified theme, with a central LCD screen, minimal buttons, and high-quality fit and finish, despite some hard plastic surfaces in the rear doors.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima shared a design language with other Nissan models, featuring the signature V-Motion grille, jewel-like LED headlights, and a floating-roof design with a dual-pane panoramic moonroof. The Maxima SR added a sporty rear spoiler, while the Platinum trim, as tested, offered premium materials and a spacious cabin. The Maxima's interior was well-finished, with unique styling elements in the SR and Platinum Reserve Package, including semi-aniline leather and Satin Bronze interior finishers. The thick center console created a segmented front row experience, but the cabin remained spacious. Standard features included an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a range of comfort and convenience features, though the interior design felt older compared to newer sedans.

The 2019 Honda Civic offered a range of engines, starting with a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque in the LX and Sport sedans and coupes. The EX and higher trims, including the Touring, featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-4 with 174 hp and 162 lb-ft, paired with a CVT. The hatchback exclusively used the turbo engine, making 180 hp in the Hatchback Sport. The Si and Type R models delivered higher performance, with the Si's 1.5-liter engine producing 205 hp and 192 lb-ft, and the Type R's 2.0-liter engine generating 306 hp and 295 lb-ft. All models were front-wheel drive. The Civic's engines were praised for their smoothness and refinement, with the turbo engine offering better mid-range acceleration. The manual transmissions were highly regarded, and the CVT was noted for its impressive performance. The Civic's handling, steering feel, and suspension were commended for providing a sporty yet comfortable driving experience.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with a CVT, producing 300 horsepower and 261 pound-feet of torque. While marketed as a "four-door sports car," the Maxima was more suited to comfortable cruising, with Sport drive mode and paddle shifters available in the Maxima SR for a more engaging experience. The Maxima excelled in absorbing road imperfections and featured active noise cancellation in SL and higher trims. Front-wheel drive was standard, and the Maxima's fuel economy was competitive, with EPA estimates of 20 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined. The Maxima did not offer a hybrid option, unlike some competitors. Despite its sporty marketing, the Maxima was best appreciated as a comfortable and capable cruiser.

The 2019 Honda Civic's interior featured a touchscreen with a volume knob and shortcut buttons, improving usability over previous models. The three-spoke steering wheel controlled the central display, and analog gauges flanked the screen. The rear seat offered surprising roominess, with optional heated outboard seats, though air vents were absent. Cargo space was generous, with 15.1 cubic feet in the sedan's trunk, 11.9 to 12.1 cubic feet in the coupe, and up to 46.2 cubic feet in the hatchback. The center console provided ample storage options, and visibility was good in all directions.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima offered spacious seating and a large trunk, though the thick center console limited front cabin space. The infotainment screen tilted toward the driver, and the console included a rotary dial for navigation. The Maxima's front and rear seats were comfortable, though it offered less legroom than some competitors. The Maxima provided more headroom than rivals, with 39.4 inches available. Trunk space was 14.3 cubic feet, less than some competitors. Despite these limitations, the Maxima handled cargo and seating needs well during testing.

The 2019 Honda Civic's infotainment system, while dated compared to newer Honda models, offered standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Garmin-based navigation system was a standout feature, with quick and accurate voice input. The 450-watt, 10-speaker stereo on the Touring trim was improved from previous models. Honda's LaneWatch provided a live feed of the blind spot, enhancing safety.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima came standard with an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 7-inch driver information display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with NissanConnect Services available on the Platinum trim. The Bose Premium Audio system was an optional upgrade. The Maxima featured an Around View Monitor camera system, power rear sunshade, keyless entry, and USB ports for charging.

The 2019 Honda Civic included Honda Sensing as standard on most trims, offering forward-collision alert, emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Civic received top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, with the exception of the coupe's passenger-side frontal crash rating.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima featured Nissan Safety Shield 360 as standard, with blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. The Maxima performed well in IIHS and NHTSA safety tests, with top ratings for front crash prevention.