2022 Honda Civic vs 2021 Nissan Maxima

2021 Nissan Maxima
2021 Nissan Maxima
$37,090MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2022 Honda Civic
2022 Honda Civic
$22,550MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Nissan Maxima
$37,090MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2022 Honda Civic
$22,550MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

Overview

MSRP

$37,090

MSRP

$22,550

Average price

$23,645

Average price

$23,492

Listings

325

Listings

2234

Ratings & Reviews

User Reviews
User Reviews

Expert reviews

7.3 out of 10

Expert reviews

7.7 out of 10
Pros
  • Stylish design
  • Powerful engine
  • Premium interior materials
Cons
  • All-wheel drive not available
  • Poor fuel economy
  • Cramped back seat
Pros
  • Great handling
  • Plenty of cargo space
  • Impressive technology
Cons
  • Base stereo is lacking
  • Poor value for money

2021 Nissan Maxima Reviews Summary

The 2021 Nissan Maxima celebrates 40 years on sale, making it one of the oldest Japanese automotive nameplates in continuous use. While it’s impressive for any model to survive four decades, the Maxima has spent most of its history mired in mediocrity.

The Nissan Maxima name first appeared in 1981 as a rebranding of the Datsun 810 sedan. The original Maxima/810 was a true enthusiast’s car, boasting rear-wheel drive (RWD) and a sporty character that led Nissan to declare it a “four-door sports car.” However, that only lasted for a few years.

With its first redesign for the 1985 model year, the Maxima switched to front-wheel drive (FWD) and was positioned as Nissan’s flagship sedan. It’s been that way ever since. Nissan has continued to gesture in the direction of that original RWD model, but for most of its 40 years, the Maxima has been a slightly sportier alternative to full-size sedans like the Toyota Avalon, rather than a BMW beater.

So it is with the current, eighth-generation, Maxima, which debuted for the 2016 model year. It enters the 2021 model year with few changes, the most significant being a 40th Anniversary Edition option package for the top Platinum trim level, which sits above the base SV and mid-range SR trim levels. That’s what we test drove for this review.

2022 Honda Civic Reviews Summary

According to Honda, 75 percent of Civic owners return in the future to buy another one of the company’s vehicles. That represents a significant opportunity, and it makes the redesigned 2022 Honda Civic sedan crucial to the automaker’s long-term health. With so much riding on this car’s success, we’re happy to report that Honda nailed the redesign, engineering, and technology with few exceptions. And that makes the 2022 Civic sedan one of the best compact cars you can buy.
No video found

Popular Features & Specs

Engine

3.5L 300 hp V6

Engine

2.0L 158 hp I4

Drive Train

FWD

Drive Train

FWD

Seating Capacity

5

Seating Capacity

5

Horsepower

300 hp @ 6400 rpm

Horsepower

158 hp @ 6500 rpm

MPG City

20

MPG City

31

MPG Highway

30

MPG Highway

40
2021 Nissan Maxima
2021 Nissan Maxima
$37,090MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2022 Honda Civic
2022 Honda Civic
$22,550MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Nissan Maxima
$37,090MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2022 Honda Civic
$22,550MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

Overview

MSRP
$37,090
$22,550
Average price
$23,645
$23,492
Listings

Ratings & Reviews

User reviews
4.9
4.9
Expert reviews

7.3 out of 10

Read full review

7.7 out of 10

Read full review
Pros & cons
Pros
  • Stylish design
  • Powerful engine
  • Premium interior materials
Cons
  • All-wheel drive not available
  • Poor fuel economy
  • Cramped back seat
Pros
  • Great handling
  • Plenty of cargo space
  • Impressive technology
Cons
  • Base stereo is lacking
  • Poor value for money
Summary

The 2021 Nissan Maxima celebrates 40 years on sale, making it one of the oldest Japanese automotive nameplates in continuous use. While it’s impressive for any model to survive four decades, the Maxima has spent most of its history mired in mediocrity.

The Nissan Maxima name first appeared in 1981 as a rebranding of the Datsun 810 sedan. The original Maxima/810 was a true enthusiast’s car, boasting rear-wheel drive (RWD) and a sporty character that led Nissan to declare it a “four-door sports car.” However, that only lasted for a few years.

With its first redesign for the 1985 model year, the Maxima switched to front-wheel drive (FWD) and was positioned as Nissan’s flagship sedan. It’s been that way ever since. Nissan has continued to gesture in the direction of that original RWD model, but for most of its 40 years, the Maxima has been a slightly sportier alternative to full-size sedans like the Toyota Avalon, rather than a BMW beater.

So it is with the current, eighth-generation, Maxima, which debuted for the 2016 model year. It enters the 2021 model year with few changes, the most significant being a 40th Anniversary Edition option package for the top Platinum trim level, which sits above the base SV and mid-range SR trim levels. That’s what we test drove for this review.

According to Honda, 75 percent of Civic owners return in the future to buy another one of the company’s vehicles. That represents a significant opportunity, and it makes the redesigned 2022 Honda Civic sedan crucial to the automaker’s long-term health. With so much riding on this car’s success, we’re happy to report that Honda nailed the redesign, engineering, and technology with few exceptions. And that makes the 2022 Civic sedan one of the best compact cars you can buy.
Video
No video found

Popular Features & Specs

Engine
3.5L 300 hp V6
2.0L 158 hp I4
Drive Train
FWD
FWD
Seating Capacity
5
5
Horsepower
300 hp @ 6400 rpm
158 hp @ 6500 rpm
MPG City
20
31
MPG Highway
30
40
Look and feel
2021 Nissan Maxima
8/10
2022 Honda Civic
9/10

The 2021 Nissan Maxima, as a flagship sedan, commanded attention with its audacious styling cues. Its “floating” roofline and “V-Motion” grille first appeared on this model and were later integrated into other Nissan sedans like the smaller Altima, Sentra, and Versa. The Maxima's distinguishing features included a steeply-angled front end and an expansive grille, reminiscent of an Art Deco locomotive cruising the streets. The blacked-out trim on our test car lent it a menacing vibe, although subsequent models saw a tamer approach to the design. Eye-catching yet borderline eccentric, the current Toyota Avalon TRD provided a bizarrely similar aesthetic with a tad more street presence.

Celebrating its 40th anniversary, the Maxima featured an exclusive two-tone exterior in Ruby Slate Gray Pearl with a black roof. Model-specific 19-inch gloss-black alloy wheels, black exterior trim, red semi-aniline leather upholstery, white gauge faces, and heated rear seats adorned this special edition. Inside, the anniversary treatment exuded an attractive 1980s charm with dark-red leather seats and functional, stylish white gauge faces.

In comparison, the 2022 Honda Civic opted for a more refined and conservative approach in its 11th generation. Available in LX, Sport, EX, and Touring trims, the new Civic started at $21,700 for the LX and went up to $28,300 for the Touring. Our top-tier Touring test model, coated in an extra-cost Morning Mist Blue, flirted with a $30,000 sticker, reinforced by a $395 paint upgrade.

With a nod to its larger sibling, the Civic resembled the Accord sedan, presenting a longer-wheelbase and more mature look. While the previous year's model garnered mixed reactions, this edition embraced a grown-up design that still managed to appear tailored and approachable. Honda's minimalist approach to the interior aimed at returning to the simplicity of earlier Civics. The result was a clean dashboard with intriguing metal honeycomb mesh camouflaging the air vents, an improvement in material quality, and a representative maturity especially notable in the Touring trim.

Performance
2021 Nissan Maxima
7/10
2022 Honda Civic
9/10

For 2021, the Nissan Maxima stood out with a single powertrain option: a robust 3.5-liter V6 delivering 300 horsepower and 261 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive (FWD). Its V6 provided spirited performance and excellent acoustic feedback, although the CVT—while typically a buzzkill—was one of the better we experienced, simulating conventional automatic transmissions fairly well. The Maxima, however, encountered limitations in cornering, revealing a less communicative steering and front-end grip shortage, accompanied by typical torque steer of powerful FWD cars.

Against competitors like the Toyota Avalon TRD and Kia Stinger, the Maxima's sporting intent was more authentic, albeit not entirely meeting the “four-door sports car” expectations. The Kia Stinger, with its rear-wheel-drive configuration, undoubtedly outshone the Maxima in traction. At a leisurely pace, the Maxima’s quiet cabin and comfortable ride, even with stiff suspension, made it a solid highway cruiser.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Civic offered two engine choices, with the promise of a sportier Civic Si and Civic Type R. LX and Sport trims featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque, while the EX and Touring trims wielded a more compelling 180-horsepower 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Both engines were mated to CVTs, optimized with new Step Shift programming mimicking a traditional automatic.

The Civic excelled in driving enjoyment, particularly the Touring model which hastened accelerations. Enhanced structural rigidity, retuned suspension, and improved steering feel rendered the Civic delightfully nimble without compromising ride quality. The Civic was quieter and smoother than its predecessor, though real-world fuel economy fell slightly below EPA estimates during spirited drives.

Form and function
2021 Nissan Maxima
6/10
2022 Honda Civic
8/10

Space allocation in the 2021 Nissan Maxima prioritized the driver and front passenger at the expense of the rear occupants. Offering segment-leading front headroom and legroom, the Maxima's rear headroom was near the bottom, and rear legroom the least among full-size sedans. The positioning of seats close to the center console caused a cramped sensation for front passengers, complicating access to certain controls like those for heated seats.

Despite comfort features like Nissan’s “Zero Gravity” front seats designed for optimum support, a lack of adequate thigh bolstering was noted. With 14.3 cubic feet, the Maxima’s trunk volume lagged behind competitors like the hatchback Kia Stinger and Volkswagen Arteon, both offering superior loading convenience.

The 2022 Honda Civic stayed true to its comfort-oriented roots with redesigned front seats promising improved support. The Touring trim provided a power-adjustable driver’s seat but forwent ventilated seats. Although the Civic sat low, making ingress and egress challenging, its back seat boasted better legroom than many compacts. Rear thigh support was commendable, though the backrest angle might not suit everyone.

The Civic missed rear air conditioning vents and, with the Touring trim, heating for rear seats was dropped. Redesigned for practicality, the center console lost some storage versatility but maintained functional cupholders resistant to fingerprints. The Civic’s trunk volume stood at 14.8 cubic feet or 14.4 with the Touring trim due to the premium sound system, in either case, it offered practical utility.

Technology
2021 Nissan Maxima
6/10
2022 Honda Civic
8/10

In terms of technology, the 2021 Nissan Maxima demonstrated its age despite ticking the feature checklist. An 8-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, newly standard built-in WiFi, and USB-A/USB-C ports came standard. The available 11-speaker Bose audio system provided good sound, but the infotainment experience, marred by dated graphics and confusing icons, was less than stellar. In contrast, plentiful analog controls for climate and audio were a welcome respite from touchscreen reliance.

Conversely, the 2022 Honda Civic impressed with its advanced digital instrumentation and infotainment options. Standard digital displays ranged from a seven-inch panel on lower trims to a sophisticated ten-inch display on the Touring trim, offering customizable and intuitive interfaces. A new Civic graphic in the Vehicle Activity display prevented driving with lights off by clearly indicating lighting status, a well-conceived safety feature.

Infotainment options included a standard 7-inch touchscreen with basic functionalities, scaling up to a 9-inch touchscreen in the Touring trim, with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, wireless charging, and an impressive 12-speaker Bose audio system. Wireless smartphone integration and superior voice recognition technology enhanced the overall user experience significantly.

Safety
2021 Nissan Maxima
9/10
2022 Honda Civic
7/10

Safety was a strong suit for both models. The 2021 Nissan Maxima achieved IIHS “Top Safety Pick+” honors and a five-star NHTSA overall rating. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and rear automatic emergency braking. Optional adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, driver-alertness monitor, and a 360-degree camera system also enhanced safety.

For the 2022 Honda Civic, an upgraded Honda Sensing suite provided advanced driver assistance systems, with Traffic Jam Assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and Lane Keeping Assist incorporating a new wide-angle camera and eight ultrasonic sensors. The Civic also replaced the flawed LaneWatch with a proper blind-spot warning system on EX and higher trims. A rear-seat reminder system, new front airbag designs, and rear side-impact airbags further elevated the Civic's safety credentials.

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2021 Nissan Maxima is 7.3 out of 10, while the 2022 Honda Civic scores 7.7 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the final recommendation leans towards the 2022 Honda Civic. Its modern design, advanced technology, enjoyable driving dynamics, and impressive safety features make it a more well-rounded choice in the current automotive landscape. For those prioritizing contemporary comfort, efficiency, and tech-savvy options, the Honda Civic stands out as the superior option.

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2021 Nissan Maxima is 7.3 out of 10, while the 2022 Honda Civic scores 7.7 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the final recommendation leans towards the 2022 Honda Civic. Its modern design, advanced technology, enjoyable driving dynamics, and impressive safety features make it a more well-rounded choice in the current automotive landscape. For those prioritizing contemporary comfort, efficiency, and tech-savvy options, the Honda Civic stands out as the superior option.

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By: CarGurus + AI

At CarGurus, our team of experienced automotive writers remain at the heart of our content operation, conducting hands-on car tests and writing insightful guides that are backed by years of industry experience. To complement this, we are harnessing AI to make our content offering more diverse and more helpful to shoppers than ever. To achieve this, our AI systems are based exclusively on CarGurus content, ratings and data, so that what we produce is both unique to CarGurus, and uniquely helpful to car shoppers.

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