2021 Honda Accord Hybrid vs 2021 Nissan Maxima

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid was available in base and Touring trim levels, with prices ranging from $36,105 to $42,805. The hybrid powertrain added a premium of approximately $3,000 to $4,000 over the non-hybrid models. The Accord Hybrid was not offered in a Sport trim. The Accord was praised for its attractive design, with a well-proportioned stance and stylish detailing. Minor front styling updates included a new grille, revised bumper, and new headlights. The Touring trim featured new 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels, although they were challenging to clean due to gloss black inserts. The interior of the Accord was upscale, with plastic lower panels that did not feel cheap, simulated matte-finish wood trim, and polished metallic accents. The controls were logically arranged, and the 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display included both a volume and tuning knob. Visibility was excellent, aiding in parking and maneuvering.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima, as a flagship sedan, set the design tone for other Nissan models with its bold styling, including a "floating" roofline and "V-Motion" grille. The Maxima distinguished itself with a steeply-angled front end and massive grille, reminiscent of an Art Deco locomotive. The 40th Anniversary Edition trim was not available in Canada, but certain elements were offered on the SR grade, such as 19-inch gloss-black alloy wheels and black exterior trim. The Maxima's design was sporty, although the Toyota Avalon was noted for its equally unique appearance. The Maxima's cabin was designed around the driver, with a focus on providing an expansive view of the road and excellent side visibility. However, rear-seat passengers experienced limited space, and some controls were awkwardly positioned.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid featured a two-motor hybrid system combining a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with a generator/starter motor and a separate electric drive motor powered by a lithium-ion battery pack. This setup produced a combined 212 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque, with torque available immediately and remaining constant up to 2,000 rpm. The Accord Hybrid achieved a fuel efficiency of 5.0 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with a slightly higher average of 5.5 L/100 km during testing. The powertrain operated in three modes: EV Drive, Hybrid Drive, and Engine Drive, with additional driver-selectable modes for EV, Econ, and Sport. The 2021 model year saw improvements in throttle response and a more natural sound and feel during acceleration. The Accord Hybrid Touring, with its 19-inch wheels and 235/40 tires, offered excellent handling and a compliant ride, with the brake-by-wire regenerative braking system providing good feel and response.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima was equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 300 horsepower and 261 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive. While not a "four-door sports car," the Maxima was quick and the V6 engine sounded impressive. The CVT was responsive, meting out power effectively, and paired well with the naturally-aspirated V6. The Maxima was agile for a large sedan, but the steering lacked feel and precision, and the front end experienced grip issues and torque steer under heavy throttle. Despite these limitations, the Maxima was designed to be sporty, with a stiff suspension that provided a comfortable ride over most road imperfections. The cabin was quiet, aided by active noise cancellation, and the car felt stable during highway cruising.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid offered impressive interior space, competing as a midsize sedan but providing full-size sedan roominess. The 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat and spacious back seat were highlights, although the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. Touring trim included heated and ventilated front seats and heated rear seats. Interior storage was generous, with a large centre console bin, a covered compartment with a wireless smartphone charger, and large door panel bins. The Accord Hybrid's trunk offered 473 litres of cargo space, matching other Accords and surpassing competitors. The trunk was deep enough to store full-size suitcases on their sides, and 60/40 split-folding rear seats added utility.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima provided ample space for the driver and front passenger, but rear-seat passengers experienced limited headroom and legroom. The seats were positioned far inboard, affecting the feeling of spaciousness. The centre console was close to the driver, making some controls difficult to reach. The Maxima featured Nissan's "Zero Gravity" front seats, designed for optimum support, with eight-way power adjustment for the driver and four-way for the passenger. The Maxima's trunk offered 405 litres of cargo space, the least in its competitive set, with a conventional trunk design compared to hatchback competitors like the Kia Stinger and Volkswagen Arteon.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, including Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. USB port access was improved, and Touring trim included 2.5-amp quick-charge USB ports for rear-seat passengers and wireless smartphone charging. The Touring trim also featured a head-up display and navigation with bilingual voice recognition, although the system required specific prompts for voice commands. The navigation system struggled to locate the nearest hospital, highlighting a limitation in its functionality.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima's infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto compatibility, along with a built-in WiFi hotspot and USB-A and USB-C ports. An 11-speaker Bose audio system was standard. However, the system's graphics looked dated, and small icons made navigation difficult while driving. Notification sounds were also dated and confusing. The Maxima included analog controls, with shortcut buttons for touchscreen menus and knobs for climate control and audio volume/tuning, reducing reliance on the touchscreen.

In 2020, the Honda Accord did not receive a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS due to headlight issues. For 2021, Honda redesigned the LED headlights and made them standard across all trims to achieve this rating. Standard safety features included blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a rearview camera. The Touring trim added low-speed braking control and front and rear automatic emergency braking. The Honda Sensing suite included adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, with refinements for smoother operation. However, some features, like lane departure warning and low-speed automatic braking, required further improvement.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, with top scores in crash tests and front crash prevention tech. The NHTSA awarded the Maxima a five-star overall safety rating. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and rear automatic emergency braking. Additional features included adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, and a driver-alertness monitor. A 360-degree camera system was available on the SR and Platinum grades. The Maxima did not include the ProPilot Assist system, but its absence was not a significant drawback.