2020 Honda Accord vs 2021 Nissan Maxima

The 2020 Honda Accord was recognized for its stylish design, which stood out as one of the most attractive Honda Accords ever produced. Despite mixed reactions to its front styling and rounded roofline, the Accord’s appearance deviated from typical family sedans, edging towards an upscale fastback look. When equipped with the 19-inch wheels available on the Sport and Touring trims, the Accord’s visual presence was significantly enhanced. The other trim levels with 17-inch wheels, though more economical for long-term tire replacement, didn’t quite match up in sheer style.

Honda offered the 2020 Accord in several trims: LX, Sport, EX, EX-L, and Touring. There was also an Accord Hybrid available based on the LX trim, with the hybrid option accessible for the EX, EX-L, and Touring trims. The price ranged from $24,270 to $36,400. The Touring test vehicle, equipped with Radiant Red paint and an Ivory interior that contrasted pleasingly against the black dashboard and carpets, looked luxurious. All main touch points were suitably soft, high-quality artificial wood trim, and comfortable leather upholstery delivered a premium feel.

In comparison, the 2021 Nissan Maxima, Nissan’s flagship sedan, also exuded a commanding presence. Drawing design cues like the “floating” roofline and the “V-Motion” grille that influenced subsequent models such as the Altima, Sentra, and Versa, the Maxima went for bold aesthetics. The steeply-angled front and massive grille gave it the appearance of an Art Deco locomotive. The blacked-out trim on the test model heightened this dramatic allure, although the subsequent models took a more subdued approach. The 40th Anniversary Edition with its two-tone exterior, gloss-black 19-inch wheels, and red semi-aniline leather upholstery unmistakably echoed a distinct and stylish vibe reminiscent of the 1980s.

For the 2020 Honda Accord, most versions had a standard turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 192 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 192 lb-ft of torque between 1,600 rpm and 5,000 rpm, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive. A manual gearbox was available only on the Sport trim, making its final appearance this model year.

The hybrid variant offered a substantial 212-horsepower powertrain, achieving an impressive average of 42.6 mpg. For those seeking a more spirited drive, the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission, delivered 252 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 273 lb-ft of torque between 1,500 rpm and 4,000 rpm. This engine provided thrilling acceleration, although the absence of an all-wheel-drive option meant frequent traction issues under heavy throttle. Both Economy and Sport modes allowed drivers to tailor their experience, with the car achieving a commendable 27.4 mpg during testing—above the EPA’s combined estimate of 26 mpg.

On the road, the Accord Touring’s adaptive dampers resulted in a fine balance between handling agility and ride comfort. While the steering offered precision and appropriate weight, the braking system, although generally effective, showed signs of strain under prolonged use. Overall, the Accord combined daily driving comfort with an enjoyable, responsive performance when pushed.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima, exclusively equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine generating 300 horsepower and 261 pound-feet of torque, also featured a CVT and front-wheel drive. The V6’s powerful output and pleasant sound evoked a sense of vigor, making the Maxima feel as quick as its rating suggested. The CVT’s performance was superior to many conventional systems, providing surprisingly responsive power delivery.

In terms of handling, the Maxima felt agile but had limitations. The steering lacked clarity and precision, negatively affecting driver confidence, and the front-wheel-drive setup faced challenges with understeer and torque steer during aggressive acceleration. Although the Maxima showcased sportiness in its design, its actual driving dynamics were less coherent compared to some competitors like the Kia Stinger, which offered rear-wheel drive. However, the Maxima excelled in highway cruising, providing a quiet, steady ride, with its stiff suspension maintaining comfort on typical road surfaces despite its large 19-inch wheels.

The 2020 Honda Accord offered an interior with clear advantages in space and comfort. Especially when compared to the Toyota Camry, the Accord granted noticeably more rear-seat legroom and cargo space. Its practical nature was highlighted by a spacious 16.7-cubic-foot trunk, convenient for family trips with its capacity to store full-size suitcases upright. The 12-way power driver’s seat with both heating and ventilation and the well-cushioned rear seats, equipped with heating on the Touring trim, ensured comfort for all occupants. However, the front passenger’s seat lacked a height adjuster, a minor oversight in an otherwise thoughtfully designed interior. The layered dashboard and abundant storage space contributed to making the Accord’s cabin a notably pleasant environment.

Conversely, the 2021 Nissan Maxima prioritized driver and front passenger space, offering top-class front headroom and legroom but compromising on rear-seat passenger comfort. It recorded the least amount of rear legroom and was also near the bottom for rear headroom in its segment. While the “Zero Gravity” front seats, designed using NASA research, provided superb support and adjustability, the close proximity of the center console to the driver’s side created a slightly constricted feel. The rear-seating experience was less favorable, lacking the spaciousness afforded to front-seat occupants.

Cargo-wise, the Maxima’s 14.3-cubic-foot trunk space fell short, especially compared to the Accord’s more generous offering. This limitation was particularly significant when accounting for hatchback competitors like the Kia Stinger and Volkswagen Arteon, which provided greater cargo flexibility.

The 2020 Honda Accord impressed with its intuitive and well-designed 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Equipped with easy-to-use volume and tuning knobs, main menu shortcuts, and clear graphics, it was one of Honda’s best implementations. It supported Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and text messaging, with higher trims adding features like a ten-speaker premium sound system, HondaLink services, Wi-Fi hotspot, navigation, and wireless device charging. While the system’s voice recognition required specific prompts, its overall performance was strong. A head-up display in the Touring trim further enhanced driver convenience.

By contrast, the 2021 Nissan Maxima’s technology showed signs of aging. Though it offered standard features like an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, a WiFi hotspot, and an 11-speaker Bose audio system, the user experience lagged behind. The touchscreen was unappealing with outdated graphics and small, difficult-to-navigate icons. Moreover, the auditory notifications were confusing and unintentionally alarming. However, the Maxima included numerous analog controls for climate and audio, providing an alternative to the touchscreen, despite its flaws.

The 2020 Honda Accord earned top marks for safety, with a Top Safety Pick rating from IIHS and an overall five-star rating from NHTSA. Standard across all trims were the Honda Sensing suite of ADAS, which included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and more. While useful, the execution of these systems occasionally lacked refinement, with instances of false alerts and suboptimal adaptive cruise control performance. Notably, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available only on higher trims, although they were highly valued features.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima also excelled in safety, achieving a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA. Nissan’s Safety Shield 360 included standard features such as automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and more. Optional safety enhancements included adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera system, aiding driver awareness. The omission of Nissan’s ProPilot Assist, available in other models, was noted but didn’t significantly detract from the Maxima’s comprehensive safety offerings.