2020 Honda Civic Hatchback vs 2020 Nissan Maxima

The 2020 Nissan Maxima had a design that closely mirrored other models in Nissan’s lineup, featuring the signature V-Motion grille and jewel-like LED headlights. Its floating-roof design, accented by a heavy beltline, led to the rear where quad-tip exhaust finishers rested. The Maxima SR models also sported a rear spoiler. The Maxima was available in S, SV, SL, SR, and Platinum trims, with the Platinum trim offering premium features like semi-aniline leather and Satin Bronze interior finishers. The cabin was spacious, with a thick center console creating a segmented front row experience. Standard features included an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a host of other modern conveniences.

The 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback, redesigned half a decade ago, received minor styling tweaks for 2020, including new wheel designs and a smoked appearance for the headlights. The Sport Touring trim, with its Platinum White Pearl paint, garnered admiration for its sporty look. Inside, the Sport Touring trim featured stitched leather, soft surfaces, and quality materials, though hard plastics were still present. The six-speed manual gearbox was available with the Sport Touring trim, adding to its appeal. The Civic Hatchback offered a range of trims, starting from the base LX to the top-of-the-line Sport Touring, with prices varying accordingly.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), producing 300 horsepower and 261 pound-feet of torque. Despite being marketed as a "four-door sports car," the Maxima was more of a comfortable cruiser, with Sport drive mode and paddle shifters available only in the SR trim. The Maxima offered a smooth ride, thanks to active noise cancellation and enhancement technologies. It was front-wheel drive with an 18-gallon fuel tank, achieving an EPA-estimated 20 mpg in the city, 30 mpg on the highway, and 24 mpg combined. The Maxima did not offer a hybrid option, unlike some of its competitors.

The 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback, equipped with a turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, produced 174 horsepower in LX, EX, and EX-L trims, and 180 horsepower in Sport and Sport Touring trims. Torque varied slightly depending on the transmission, with the CVT offering 162 pound-feet and the manual transmission providing 177 pound-feet. The Civic Hatchback was front-wheel drive and offered a refined and quiet engine. The Sport and Sport Touring trims provided a more compliant ride compared to the Civic Si, making them easier to live with daily. The EPA rated the Civic Hatchback at 32 mpg in combined driving, with real-world testing confirming this efficiency.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima offered spacious seating and a large trunk, with the only limitation being the thick center console. The front seats were comfortable for long road trips, though the Maxima lagged behind competitors in legroom and cargo space. The Maxima provided 14.3 cubic feet of trunk space and 98.5 cubic feet of passenger space, less than rivals like the Toyota Avalon and Honda Accord. Despite these shortcomings, the Maxima handled daily cargo and seating needs well, though it might not be ideal for those frequently transporting large items.

The 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback offered 25.2 cubic feet of cargo space, more than the Honda HR-V Touring. While it couldn’t match the HR-V for maximum volume, the Civic Hatchback provided better acceleration and fuel efficiency. The driver’s seat was low but comfortable, with ample thigh support, though the passenger seat lacked a height adjuster. The center console storage area was versatile, accommodating large water bottles. Rear seat comfort and legroom were good, though the lack of air-conditioning vents and dark tinted rear glass could make it uncomfortable in hot weather.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima came standard with an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 7-inch driver information display, though these were not the most modern. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with NissanConnect Services available on the Platinum trim. The Maxima offered a Bose Premium Audio system, Around View Monitor camera system, power rear sunshade, and keyless entry. USB-A and USB-C ports were available in the front and rear, making charging devices convenient.

The 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system in all but the base LX trim, with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and a 12-speaker premium sound system in the Sport Touring trim. The Civic Hatchback included automatic climate control and Smart Entry with Walk Away Auto Lock. However, it lacked a tuning knob, a larger screen, and reliable voice-recognition technology.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima came standard with Nissan Safety Shield 360, which included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, intelligent forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, rear automatic braking, and a driver alertness monitor. Traffic sign recognition and adaptive cruise control were standard on all but the base model. The Maxima performed well in IIHS and NHTSA safety tests, earning top ratings for front crash prevention.

The 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback included the Honda Sensing suite, which featured forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, automatic high-beam headlights, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, Road Departure Mitigation, and adaptive cruise control. However, the Civic lacked blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, relying on LaneWatch for the right-side blind spot. The Civic received top marks for crash-test performance but did not earn a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS due to poor headlight performance.