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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.

When 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, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency, reliability, resale value, interior volume and overall quality score. The Nissan Maxima has the advantage in the area of 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 2024 Honda Civic ranges from $24,951 to $32,094 while a used 2023 Nissan Maxima is priced between $27,992 to $42,119. For a new model, the Honda Civic's price is between $25,044 and $32,100, with the Nissan Maxima priced between $37,077 and $46,938.

Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Honda Civic loses 23.5 percent of its value and the Nissan Maxima loses 49.7 percent of its value. This means the Honda Civic retains 26.1 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 9.0 out of 10 while the Nissan Maxima's quality rating is 8.6 out of 10. This results in the Honda Civic being ranked 5 out of 43 Best Small Cars and the Nissan Maxima being ranked 3 out of 8 Best Large Cars.

Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Honda Civic is 8.8 out of 10. For the Nissan Maxima the reliability rating is 8.5 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. When comparing IIHS evaluations, the Honda Civic has the advantage with a Top Safety Pick award.

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Model & Pricing
Honda Civic
Nissan Maxima

2024 Honda Civic Sedan
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Honda Civic for Sale

2023 Nissan Maxima
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Nissan Maxima for Sale

New Car Pricing

Asking Price:

$25,044 - $32,100

Starting MSRP:

$23,950

Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)

$26,555

Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)

$17,795 - $45,665

New Car Pricing

Asking Price:

$37,077 - $46,938

Starting MSRP:

$38,340

Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Large Cars)

$35,372

Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Large Cars)

$33,545 - $38,340

Used Car Pricing

Avg Used Car Price:

$27,777

Price Range:

$24,951 - $32,094

Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)

$28,855

Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)

$19,171 - $47,673

# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:

1,934

Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:

15,922

# Good or Great Deals:

268

Used Car Pricing

Avg Used Car Price:

$35,654

Price Range:

$27,992 - $42,119

Category Avg Price:
(Large Cars)

$40,116

Category Avg Price Range:
(Large Cars)

$35,654 - $43,971

# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:

382

Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:

36,589

# Good or Great Deals:

91

5-year Depreciation

Depreciation $:

$5,875

Depreciation %:

24.5%

Resale Value $:

$18,075

Residual Value %:

75.5%

Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Compact Cars)

31.6%

Category Depreciation Range:
(Compact Cars)

24.4% - 40.1%

5-year Depreciation

Depreciation $:

$19,194

Depreciation %:

50.1%

Resale Value $:

$19,146

Residual Value %:

49.9%

Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Large Cars)

43.9%

Category Depreciation Range:
(Large Cars)

39.9% - 50.1%

Honda Civic Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

9.0 / 10

Reliability:

8.8 / 10

Retained Value:

9.0 / 10

Safety:

9.0 / 10

Nissan Maxima Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

8.6 / 10

Reliability:

8.5 / 10

Retained Value:

7.4 / 10

Safety:

10.0 / 10



iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Honda Civic

Avg Life Expectancy (years):

13

Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)

11.2

Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)

10.1 - 13.6

Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:

41.9%

iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Nissan Maxima

Avg Life Expectancy (years):

9.2

Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Large Cars)

9.2

Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Large Cars)

8.8 - 9.2

Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:

23.1%



Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls

Expected Lifetime Recalls:

14.7

Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)

2.9

Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)

2 - 18.8

Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls

Expected Lifetime Recalls:

1.3

Typical Category Recalls:
(Large Cars)

1.9

Category Range for Recalls:
(Large Cars)

1.3 - 2.2

Honda Civic Rankings

Most Reliable Small Cars

2 / 43

Best Gas Mileage Small Cars

3 / 43

Best Small Cars Under $25k

3 / 13

Best Small Cars for Teens

3 / 5

Small Cars with the Most Legroom

4 / 43

Best Manual Transmission Small Cars

4 / 21

Best Small Cars

5 / 43

Small Cars with Best Resale Value

5 / 43

Best Family Small Cars

6 / 43

Most Comfortable Small Cars

7 / 43

Best Small Cars for the Money

7 / 13

Best Small Cars for Tall People

12 / 43

Most Affordable Small Cars

14 / 24

Small Cars with the Most Horsepower

17 / 43

Safest Small Cars

23 / 43

Nissan Maxima Rankings

Best Gas Mileage Large Cars

1 / 8

Best Family Large Cars

1 / 8

Best Large Cars for the Money

1 / 3

Most Reliable Large Cars

2 / 8

Best Large Cars Under $40k

2 / 3

Best Large Cars

3 / 8

Safest Large Cars

3 / 8

Best Large Cars for Tall People

3 / 8

Most Comfortable Large Cars

3 / 8

Most Affordable Large Cars

3 / 3

Large Cars with Best Resale Value

6 / 8

Large Cars with the Most Horsepower

7 / 8

Large Cars with the Most Legroom

7 / 8

Available Body Styles

Hatchback, Sedan

Available Body Styles

Sedan

Available Drivetrain Options

Gasoline

Available Drivetrain Options

Gasoline

Honda Civic Trim Levels

Not yet available

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:

TOP SAFETY PICK

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 Lift Gate:

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

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 Lift Gate:

N/A

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

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:

184 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

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