2022 Honda Civic vs 2021 Nissan Maxima

The 2021 Nissan Maxima, as a flagship sedan, set a bold design precedent for other Nissan models. Its distinctive styling, featuring a "floating" roofline and "V-Motion" grille, was a trendsetter for the brand. The Maxima's design was notably more daring than its Nissan siblings, with a steeply-angled front end and a massive grille reminiscent of an Art Deco locomotive. The 40th Anniversary Edition trim, although not available in Canada, offered unique elements like 19-inch gloss-black alloy wheels and black exterior trim, adding to its striking appearance.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Civic adopted a more conservative and mature design compared to its predecessor. The new Civic resembled the larger Accord sedan, with a tailored and grown-up look that appealed to those who found the previous model's styling too bold. The interior of the Civic was redesigned with a minimalistic approach, featuring a metal honeycomb mesh across the dashboard to hide air vents elegantly. The improved interior materials, especially in the Touring trim, reflected a newfound maturity, enhancing the overall appeal of the Civic.

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 it wasn't a "four-door sports car," the Maxima delivered a satisfying driving experience with its quick acceleration and impressive V6 engine sound. The CVT was one of the better examples, providing responsive power delivery. However, the Maxima's steering lacked precision, and the front end struggled with grip, leading to torque steer under heavy throttle. Despite these limitations, the Maxima offered a comfortable ride with a quiet cabin, thanks to active noise cancellation.

The 2022 Honda Civic offered two engine options: a 2.0-litre DOHC four-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque for the LX, EX, and Sport trims, and a turbocharged 1.5-litre DOHC four-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque for the Touring trim. Both engines were paired with CVTs, featuring Step Shift programming for a more traditional automatic feel. The Civic's handling was agile and enjoyable, with improved structural rigidity and suspension tuning. The Civic Touring trim, with its turbocharged engine, provided quicker acceleration and a satisfying blend of performance and efficiency. However, the Civic Touring's fuel efficiency fell short of expectations during testing.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima prioritized front-seat comfort, offering generous headroom and legroom for the driver and front passenger. However, this came at the expense of rear-seat space, with limited rear headroom and legroom. The cabin design focused on the driver, providing excellent visibility and a driver-centric layout. The Maxima featured Nissan's "Zero Gravity" front seats, designed for optimal support, but the rear-seat passengers experienced a cramped feeling. The Maxima's cargo space was limited to 405 litres, the smallest in its class.

The 2022 Honda Civic emphasized comfort with redesigned front seats offering excellent support, especially in the leather-lined Touring trim. The Civic's low seating position made entry and exit challenging for some, but the rear seat provided ample legroom. The Civic's interior redesign included a new centre console with improved cupholders and a more conventional layout. Trunk volume was generous at 419 litres, or 408 litres with the Touring trim, accommodating full-size suitcases and offering a split-folding backseat for added utility.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima's technology showed its age, with an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. While it included a WiFi hotspot and an 11-speaker Bose audio system, the infotainment system was challenging to use, with dated graphics and confusing notification sounds. The Maxima did offer analog controls for climate and audio, but the overall experience was less than intuitive.

The 2022 Honda Civic boasted advanced technology, with digital instrumentation and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment display in the Touring trim. The Civic's system included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and smartphone charging, along with a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The Vehicle Activity display was a standout feature, providing crucial information about the car's lighting status. The Civic's infotainment system was user-friendly, with excellent voice recognition technology and a well-designed control layout.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima received top safety ratings, earning an IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA. It came with Nissan Safety Shield 360, featuring automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and more. However, it lacked the ProPilot Assist system available in other Nissan models.

The 2022 Honda Civic featured an upgraded Honda Sensing suite, including Traffic Jam Assist, forward collision warning, and Lane Keeping Assist. The Civic replaced the LaneWatch system with a proper blind-spot warning system and added rear cross-traffic alert in the Touring trim. The Civic's architecture was stronger, with improved airbag designs and a standard rear-seat reminder system.