Honda Civic vs Nissan Maxima

2021 Nissan Maxima
2021 Nissan Maxima
$37,090MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2025 Honda Civic
2025 Honda Civic
$24,250MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Nissan Maxima
$37,090MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2025 Honda Civic
$24,250MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

Overview

Years produced

1980-2014

Years produced

1973-Present

MSRP

$37,090

MSRP

$24,250

Average price

$19,225

Average price

$21,518

Listings

161

Listings

3834

Ratings & Reviews

User Reviews
User Reviews

Expert reviews

7.3 out of 10

Expert reviews

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

No video found
No video found

Popular Features & Specs

Engine

3.5L 300 hp V6

Engine

Drive Train

FWD

Drive Train

Seating Capacity

5

Seating Capacity

5

Horsepower

300 hp @ 6400 rpm

Horsepower

MPG City

20

MPG City

MPG Highway

30

MPG Highway

2021 Nissan Maxima
2021 Nissan Maxima
$37,090MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2025 Honda Civic
2025 Honda Civic
$24,250MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Nissan Maxima
$37,090MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2025 Honda Civic
$24,250MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

Overview

Years produced
1980-2014
1973-Present
MSRP
$37,090
$24,250
Average price
$19,225
$21,518
Listings

Ratings & Reviews

User reviews
4.4
4.4
Expert reviews

7.3 out of 10

Read full review
Pros & cons
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.

Video
No video found
No video found

Popular Features & Specs

Engine
3.5L 300 hp V6
Drive Train
FWD
Seating Capacity
5
5
Horsepower
300 hp @ 6400 rpm
MPG City
20
MPG Highway
30
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