Honda Civic vs. Nissan Maxima
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Honda Civic and Nissan Maxima contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Honda Civic and the Nissan Maxima.
In comparing the Honda Civic's and the Nissan Maxima's specifications and ratings, the Honda Civic has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, fuel efficiency, reliability, resale value, interior volume and overall quality score. The Nissan Maxima has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Honda Civic's and the Nissan Maxima's specifications and ratings, the Honda Civic is a better car than the Nissan Maxima.
Pricing: A used 2023 Honda Civic ranges from $21,700 to $29,098 while a used 2023 Nissan Maxima is priced between $21,255 to $36,138. For a new model, the Honda Civic's price is between $24,844 and $31,454, with the Nissan Maxima priced between $42,493 and $47,075.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Honda Civic loses 27.9 percent of its value and the Nissan Maxima loses 54.2 percent of its value. This means the Honda Civic retains 26.4 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Nissan Maxima.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Honda Civic is 8.8 out of 10 while the Nissan Maxima's quality rating is 7.7 out of 10. This results in the Honda Civic being ranked 2 out of 37 Best Small Cars and the Nissan Maxima being ranked 4 out of 7 Best Large Cars.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Honda Civic is 8.1 out of 10. For the Nissan Maxima the reliability rating is 7.5 out of 10. This gives the Honda Civic a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Nissan Maxima.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Honda Civic’s base engine makes 158 horsepower, and the Nissan Maxima base engine makes 300 horsepower. The Civic is rated to deliver an average of 35 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 496 miles. The Maxima is rated to deliver an average of 24 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 540 miles.This gives the Honda Civic the advantage in fuel efficiency and the Nissan Maxima the advantage in maximum range. The Civic uses regular unleaded, and the Maxima uses premium unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Honda Civic, a compact car, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The Nissan Maxima, a large car, has the advantage in the area of front leg room.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Honda Civic and the Nissan Maxima have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
24844 - 31454
Starting MSRP:
23750
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
25502
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
17245 - 44740
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
42493 - 47075
Starting MSRP:
38340
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Large Cars)
35622
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Large Cars)
34230 - 38340
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
25070
Price Range:
21700 - 29098
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
24959
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
14608 - 41383
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
1786
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
31135
# Good or Great Deals:
469
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
27340
Price Range:
21255 - 36138
Category Avg Price:
(Large Cars)
30662
Category Avg Price Range:
(Large Cars)
27340 - 33430
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
245
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
38771
# Good or Great Deals:
42
Honda Civic Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.8 / 10
Reliability:
8.1 / 10
Retained Value:
9.3 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
Nissan Maxima Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.7 / 10
Reliability:
7.5 / 10
Retained Value:
7.5 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Honda Civic
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
13.2
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
9.8
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
6.8 - 14.2
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.334
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Nissan Maxima
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
7.7
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Large Cars)
7.7
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Large Cars)
7.5 - 9.2
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.134
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
25.04860560393012
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
3.6
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
1.4 - 25.0
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.0960732968046396
Typical Category Recalls:
(Large Cars)
1.8
Category Range for Recalls:
(Large Cars)
1.1 - 2.8
Honda Civic Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 22Ranking
1 out of / 13Ranking
2 out of / 37Ranking
2 out of / 17Ranking
2 out of / 13Ranking
4 out of / 37Ranking
4 out of / 37Ranking
4 out of / 37Ranking
4 out of / 37Ranking
4 out of / 37Ranking
4 out of / 6Ranking
5 out of / 37Ranking
8 out of / 37Ranking
9 out of / 37Ranking
12 out of / 22Ranking
17 out of / 37Nissan Maxima Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 7Ranking
3 out of / 7Ranking
3 out of / 7Ranking
3 out of / 3Ranking
3 out of / 3Ranking
4 out of / 7Ranking
4 out of / 7Ranking
4 out of / 7Ranking
6 out of / 7Ranking
7 out of / 7Available Body Styles
Hatchback, Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Honda Civic Trim Levels
EX, EX-L, LX, Si, Sport, Sport Touring, Touring, Type R
Nissan Maxima Trim Levels
3.5 Platinum, 3.5 SR, 3.5 SV
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
158 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque:
138 foot-lbs @ 4200 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.055 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
300 hp @ 6400 rpm
Torque:
261 foot-lbs @ 4400 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.083 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
31 / 40 / 35
Range (city/hwy):
384 / 496 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
20 / 30 / 24
Range (city/hwy):
360 / 540 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
Standard
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Available
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.3 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.1 inches
Rear Leg Room:
37.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56 inches
Cargo Space:
14.8 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
99.0 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.1 inches
Front Leg Room:
45 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
36.7 inches
Rear Leg Room:
34.2 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55.7 inches
Cargo Space:
14.3 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
98.5 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2877 lbs
Width:
70.9 inches
Height:
55.7 inches
Length:
183.3 inches
Wheelbase:
107.7 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3608 lbs
Width:
73.2 inches
Height:
56.5 inches
Length:
192.8 inches
Wheelbase:
109.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.3 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
steel
Tire Size:
215/55R16
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
245/45R18
Exterior Colors
Black
Crystal Black Pearl
Blue
Aegean Blue Metallic
Gray
Meteorite Gray Metallic
Red
Rallye Red
Silver
Lunar Silver Metallic
White
Platinum White Pearl
Exterior Colors
Black
Super Black
Blue
Deep Blue Pearl
Gray
Gun Metallic
Red
Scarlet Ember Tintcoat
Silver
Brilliant Silver Metallic
White
Pearl White TriCoat
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Gray
Gray
Brown
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Charcoal
Gray
Not available
Brown
Cashmere
