2022 Honda Civic Hatchback vs 2021 Nissan Maxima

The 2021 Nissan Maxima, as a flagship sedan, set the tone for other Nissan models with its bold styling elements like the “floating” roofline and “V-Motion” grille. These features were later adopted by smaller models such as the Altima, Sentra, and Versa. The Maxima distinguished itself with a steeply-angled front end and a massive grille, giving it an Art Deco locomotive appearance. The 40th Anniversary Edition added a two-tone exterior, Ruby Slate Gray Pearl paint, black roof, and model-specific 19-inch gloss-black alloy wheels. Inside, the dark-red leather seats and white gauge faces provided a stylish and functional touch.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback aimed to capture a significant market share as other automakers phased out hatchbacks. Built in Indiana, the redesigned Civic hatchback was poised to remind consumers of the practicality and driving enjoyment of hatchbacks. The new model featured a different grille pattern and unique wheel designs, distinguishing it from the sedan version. The Sport Touring trim added sophisticated digital instrumentation and infotainment displays, enhancing its modern appearance. However, the Civic hatchback still suffered from a stubby rear design, and the CVT shifter operation was slightly janky.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 300 horsepower and 261 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive (FWD). While it wasn't a "four-door sports car," the Maxima felt quick and the V6 engine sounded great. The CVT was responsive, and the car proved agile for a big sedan, though the steering lacked precision and the front end lacked grip. Torque steer was present under heavy throttle, but the Maxima still outperformed competitors like the Toyota Avalon and Volkswagen Arteon in terms of sportiness. The cabin was quiet, and the ride was comfortable despite the stiff suspension and 19-inch wheels.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback offered two engine options: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque for the LX and Sport trims, and a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque for the EX-L and Sport Touring trims. The CVT worked well with the turbocharged engine, and paddle shifters on the Sport and Sport Touring models added a traditional feel. The six-speed manual transmission in the Sport Touring trim was a highlight, offering short throws and fluid gear engagement. The Civic hatchback handled well, with firm suspension tuning and responsive steering, though the brakes were not up to repeated hard use. Fuel economy was impressive, with real-world testing nearly matching EPA estimates.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima provided generous front headroom and legroom, but rear-seat passengers had limited space. The seats were positioned far inboard, creating a cramped feeling despite the ample front space. The "Zero Gravity" front seats were comfortable, with eight-way power adjustment for the driver and four-way for the passenger. However, the center console was too close to the driver, making some controls hard to reach. The Maxima had 14.3 cubic feet of cargo space, the least among its competitors, and the conventional trunk limited loading and unloading.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback excelled in functionality, with a 24.5 cubic feet trunk and a two-piece cargo shade. The 60/40-split folding rear seat added versatility, though the load floor was not flat. All seating positions were comfortable, with sufficient legroom, but the front passenger seat lacked a height adjuster, and there were no rear air conditioning vents. The driver’s seat had eight-way power adjustment, and both front seats were heated. The EX-L and Sport Touring trims featured black leather upholstery and dual-zone automatic climate control.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima's infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. However, the system's graphics were dated, and small icons made navigation difficult. The notification sounds were also confusing. The Maxima had plenty of analog controls, including shortcut buttons and knobs for climate control and audio, but the overall experience was lacking.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback featured a new infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen for LX, Sport, and EX-L trims, and a 9-inch touchscreen for the Sport Touring trim. The Sport Touring trim also included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, wireless smartphone charging, navigation, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The inclusion of physical knobs for sound system controls and a small shelf for steadying the hand improved usability. The voice recognition system worked well, and the digital instrumentation was comprehensive, with a 10.2-inch display panel in the Sport Touring trim.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. 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. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, a driver-alertness monitor, and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback came with the Honda Sensing suite, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, Road Departure Mitigation, and Lane Keeping Assist. New features included low-speed following capability and Traffic Jam Assist, available only with the CVT. Blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning were available on EX-L and Sport Touring trims. The Civic hatchback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS, and the driver aids worked better than previous versions, though they were sometimes too aggressive.