Nissan Maxima vs. Honda Accord

2021 NISSAN MAXIMA VS 2021 HONDA ACCORD: PERFORMANCE POWER

When you choose a midsize sedan as your next car, you don't expect a middling engine. Instead, you expect something with a little extra oomph.Undoubtedly, the 2021 Honda Accord puts forth a great effort. Its standard 1.5L 4-cyliner engine is turbocharged for an additional burst of power. With this outfit, it manages to produce 192 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque.
However, in spite of that turbo tech, it can't compare to the standard 3.5L V6 engine found in the 2021 Nissan Maxima. As a V6 powertrain, the Maxima is able to churn up 300 horsepower and 261 lb-ft of torque on the regular. Naturally, it's going to leave the Accord in the dust.
Each sedan does come standard with CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) though, which is designed to offer a smoother drive experience and achieve excellent fuel economy. If you’re looking for a sporty drive, both vehicles also come with features to accommodate.  
The Maxima has Xtronic CVT® with Drive Mode Selector. This allows you to seamlessly switch between sport mode and normal to achieve the kind that thrilling drive you crave. To help you keep an eye on things, the Maxima will automatically display essential information thanks to the Sport Mode Power Meter.
While the Accord also has a sport mode feature, it doesn’t offer anything like the Sport Mode Power Meter, so it might be harder to monitor your vehicle’s performance. The Accord also doesn’t offer the Intelligent Engine Brake feature, which is able to decelerate your vehicle through the transmission rather than the brakes.
However, the Intelligent Engine Brake system comes included as a standard feature on the Nissan Maxima.

2021 MAXIMA VS 2021 ACCORD: INFOTAINMENT TECHNOLOGY

Both of these sedans are also well known for their infotainment arrays, with the 2021 Maxima in particular striving to pack in some extra gadgets.
In this Nissan sedan, you'll have a couple different screens to manage your media and vehicle diagnostics on. To your right, there's the standard 8-inch color touchscreen. But just over the steering wheel, you'll have the Nissan Advanced Drive-Assist® Display, too.
The Advanced Drive-Assist® Display holds all your most pertinent information, including incoming calls and text, service warnings, and navigational instructions in one easy-to read place.
While the Accord does come standard with an 8-inch media touchscreen of its own, it lacks the Advanced Drive-Assist® Display.
Of course, it doesn't have quite as much information to display with its standard array, as it lacks some of the best features of the Nissan, such as standard Nissan Door to Door Navigation. To get something similar in the Accord, you'll have to upgrade to a higher trim level.

MAXIMA VS ACCORD: INTERIOR COMFORTS

To match those high-tech infotainment arrays, the cabins of both the Maxima and the Accord need to come with ample amenities and comforts.The Maxima rises to the challenge in its base trim, starting off with standard remote engine start with Intelligent Climate Control. This feature is perfect for those extreme weather days.
It also has a standard 8-way power adjustable seat with power lumbar support and leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. Together, these features imbue the Maxima with a sense of luxury.
Unfortunately, all these features are missing in the base trim of the Honda Accord. Once again, in order to compete, drivers will have to upgrade to a higher trim.
The Maxima also comes standard with heated front seats, something only found on higher trim levels of the Accord. The Nissan Maxima only further steps up its game from there with the available Climate-Controlled front seats with a heated and cooled function. Something similar is only available in the Accord on the highest trim level.
While these vehicles are closely matched when it comes to interior space, you’ll find that front row passengers have more row to stretch out inside the 2021 Maxima. With 45 inches of leg room in the front row of the Nissan Maxima, passengers of the Accord will feel more cramped when they encounter the smaller 42.3 inches of leg room.