Honda Accord vs Nissan Maxima

2021 Nissan Maxima
2021 Nissan Maxima
$37,090MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2023 Honda Accord
2023 Honda Accord
$27,295MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Nissan Maxima
$37,090MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2023 Honda Accord
$27,295MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
Overview

Years produced

1980-2014

Years produced

1976-Present

MSRP

$37,090

MSRP

$27,295

Average price

$21,005

Average price

$22,482

Listings

149

Listings

872
Ratings & Reviews
User Reviews
User Reviews

Expert reviews

7.3 out of 10

Expert reviews

6.7 out of 10
Pros
  • Fun to drive
  • Spacious interior
  • Great safety ratings
Cons
  • All-wheel drive not available
  • Several minor comfort issues
  • Questionable value for the money

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. We drove the Nissan Maxima Platinum trim level for this review.

Reviews Summary

It’s true the Honda Accord midsize sedan doesn’t have all-wheel drive, a third-row seat, a big cargo area you can pack to the roof, or styling that suggests you live an adventurous lifestyle. If you want those things, spend thousands of dollars more for the Honda Pilot SUV, which is less dynamic to drive and more expensive to own and operate. But, if you don’t need (or want) those things, consider the 11th-generation 2023 Accord, which remains an excellent, if comparatively expensive, example of the traditional four-door family car.
No video found
No video found
Popular Features & Specs

Engine

3.5L 300 hp V6

Engine

1.5L 192 hp I4

Drive Train

FWD

Drive Train

FWD

Seating Capacity

5

Seating Capacity

5

Horsepower

300 hp @ 6400 rpm

Horsepower

192 hp @ 6000 rpm

MPG City

20

MPG City

29

MPG Highway

30

MPG Highway

37
2021 Nissan Maxima
2021 Nissan Maxima
$37,090MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2023 Honda Accord
2023 Honda Accord
$27,295MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Nissan Maxima
$37,090MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2023 Honda Accord
$27,295MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
Overview
Years produced
1980-2014
1976-Present
MSRP
$37,090
$27,295
Average price
$21,005
$22,482
Listings
Ratings & Reviews
User reviews
4.4
4.4
Expert reviews

7.3 out of 10

Read full review

6.7 out of 10

Read full review
Pros & cons
Pros
  • Fun to drive
  • Spacious interior
  • Great safety ratings
Cons
  • All-wheel drive not available
  • Several minor comfort issues
  • Questionable value for the 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. We drove the Nissan Maxima Platinum trim level for this review.

It’s true the Honda Accord midsize sedan doesn’t have all-wheel drive, a third-row seat, a big cargo area you can pack to the roof, or styling that suggests you live an adventurous lifestyle. If you want those things, spend thousands of dollars more for the Honda Pilot SUV, which is less dynamic to drive and more expensive to own and operate. But, if you don’t need (or want) those things, consider the 11th-generation 2023 Accord, which remains an excellent, if comparatively expensive, example of the traditional four-door family car.
Video
No video found
No video found
Popular Features & Specs
Engine
3.5L 300 hp V6
1.5L 192 hp I4
Drive Train
FWD
FWD
Seating Capacity
5
5
Horsepower
300 hp @ 6400 rpm
192 hp @ 6000 rpm
MPG City
20
29
MPG Highway
30
37
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