2020 Honda Civic vs 2020 Nissan Maxima

The 2020 Nissan Maxima featured a design that closely mirrored other models in Nissan’s lineup. It showcased the brand’s signature V-Motion grille, standard jewel-like LED headlights, and distinctive daytime running lights. The floating-roof design, accented by a heavy beltline, led to the rear where quad-tip exhaust finishers were positioned. The Maxima SR models included a sporty rear spoiler, and the Platinum trim, which was tested, came with 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels wrapped in Goodyear all-season tires. Inside, the Maxima’s cabin was spacious and filled with materials typical of Nissan’s standard, with the Platinum trim veering into premium territory. The thick center console created a segmented front row experience, but the cabin remained roomy. Standard features included an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a host of other modern conveniences.

The 2020 Honda Civic, available in sedan, coupe, and hatchback body styles, was praised for its sharp design and engineering excellence. The sedan had a svelte roofline, while the hatchback’s tall rump was quirky yet functional. The 2019 model year updates, including new grilles, bumpers, and wheels, carried over to 2020. The Civic Si sedan featured new matte-black 18-inch wheels, LED fog lights, and an updated grille. Inside, the Civic’s simple interior was built with high-quality materials, and the 2020 model included new dash accents and revised sport seats for the Si. The Civic’s interior was roomy, with a deep center console storage bin and configurable cupholders. Rear passengers enjoyed considerable space, though the lack of rear air vents was noted.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), generating 300 horsepower and 261 pound-feet of torque. While marketed as a "four-door sports car," the Maxima was more comfortable as a cruiser. The Sport drive mode and paddle shifters in the Maxima SR made the drive more engaging, but the car excelled in soaking up road imperfections and keeping noise at bay. Front-wheel drive and an 18-gallon fuel tank were standard, with the Maxima achieving an EPA-estimated 20 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined. The Maxima did not offer a hybrid option, unlike some competitors.

The 2020 Honda Civic offered four engines and two transmissions across its lineup, all front-wheel drive. The base LX and Sport trims had a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 6-speed manual transmission or an optional CVT. The EX and above trims featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-4 making 174 hp and 162 lb-ft, with the hatchbacks in Sport or Sport Touring trims making 180 hp. The Civic Si had a boosted 1.5-liter engine with 205 hp and 192 lb-ft, while the Type R boasted 306 hp and 295 lb-ft. The Civic Si and Type R came exclusively with a stick-shift. The Civic’s powertrains were smooth and responsive, with the Si offering a thrilling yet balanced drive. The EPA rated the Civic Si at 26 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, and 30 mpg combined, with most CVT models achieving at least 30 mpg city and up to 42 mpg highway.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima offered spacious seating, a large trunk, and modern features. The thick center console limited the feeling of spaciousness up front, but the cabin remained roomy. The front seats were comfortable for long trips, though the Maxima lagged behind competitors in legroom and cargo space. The Maxima had 14.3 cubic feet of trunk space and 98.5 cubic feet of passenger space, less than the Avalon, Sonata, and Accord. Despite this, the Maxima handled cargo and seating needs well during testing. The front in-door bottle holders could handle 20-ounce bottles, a handy feature for families.

The 2020 Honda Civic’s interior improvements included a volume knob, better cupholders, and more sound insulation. The EX hatchback had an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. The Civic’s three-spoke steering wheel had controls for the central display and instrument panel, with a conventional PRNDL shifter and deep center console storage. The Civic felt roomy for rear passengers, though it lacked rear air vents. The trunk offered 15 cubic feet of cargo space in sedan trims, 12 cubic feet in coupes, and 26 cubic feet in hatchbacks, expanding to 46 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.

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

The 2020 Honda Civic’s infotainment system was outdated, slow, and complex compared to newer Honda models. The 7-inch touchscreen, standard on all models except the base LX, included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Civic Si featured Active Sound Control, push-button start, keyless entry, a power moonroof, and heated front seats. LaneWatch, a camera revealing the right-side blind spot, was effective. Automatic climate control was standard, with Honda Sensing available on all trims. Leather seats were included on the EX-L sedan and hatchback, with rain-sensing wipers on the Touring trim.

The 2020 Nissan Maxima featured Nissan Safety Shield 360, standard across all trim levels. This included airbags, a tire-pressure monitoring system, 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 trims except the base model. The Maxima performed well in IIHS and NHTSA safety tests, earning top ratings.

The 2020 Honda Civic came with Honda Sensing, which included forward collision warning, emergency forward braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Improvements to the optional LED headlights helped the Civic earn the Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS for all body styles except the Type R. The Civic received the top "Good" rating in all six crash tests and a five-star rating from the NHTSA, except for a four-star rating in the passenger frontal crash test on the coupe.