Starting at
Starting at
| 300 | Horsepower (hp) | 192 |
| 261 | Torque (lb-ft) | 192 |
| 8 | Touchscreen (in.) | 7 |
The four-door midsize sedan was once the most popular model in America. Suburban roads and driveways were filled with these five-seat passenger cars, helping to ferry family drivers to work, school, and shopping excursions. But times have changed, and many automakers decided to focus solely on trucks and SUVs. To the credit of both Nissan and Honda, they didn't follow the pack, and that's because they didn't have to. Both brands have excellent midsize sedans that have endured the changing automotive landscape. This is why if you are looking for a sedan, your best choice is to compare the 2023 Nissan Maxima vs 2023 Honda Accord.
Nissan has been offering the Maxima since 1981, with the 2023 model being part of the eighth generation that started in 2016. Meanwhile, the Honda Accord goes back to the mid-70s, with the four-door sedan Accord first becoming available in 1978. The 2023 Accord is, in fact, the start of the eleventh generation of this venerable model. Both offer room for up to five passengers in a vehicle that is front-wheel drive only. This will help provide you with the fuel economy you need if you choose either of these vehicles for your daily drive. Nevertheless, there are some significant differences between the 2023 Nissan Maxima and the 2023 Honda Accord regarding performance, standard technology features, and interior comfort.
Nissan and Honda have taken very different approaches with their flagship midsize sedan models when it comes to engines. The 2023 Nissan Maxima has a standard powertrain across all trim levels. This means you will get the same performance no matter which model of the Maxima you choose. In contrast, Honda offers two different engines. This means that you have to pay a premium to get the best performance out of your Honda Accord.
The standard engine on the 2023 Nissan Maxima is a 3.5-liter V6 gas engine paired with an Xtronic CVT, Nissan's version of the continuously variable transmission (CVT). The SR trim of the Maxima adds a set of paddle shifters so you can emulate manual transmission driving without the hassle of a clutch. The engine has a dual overhead camshaft (DOHC) configuration, with 24 valves for its six cylinders. It also features a continuously variable valve timing control system on the intake and exhaust valves. This will help to improve efficient performance. The Maxima's powertrain uses a sequential, multi-port fuel injection to deliver 300 hp and 261 lb-ft of torque.
Honda's approach is to offer a standard gas engine for the Accord's two lower trims and to equip its four higher trims with a hybrid powertrain. As a result, Honda makes you pay a premium for the more advanced engine. It also means that you have to buy a hybrid if you want the comfort and luxury features that come standard on the higher trim levels of the Accord.
The base engine on the Accord LX and EX is a 1.5-liter I-4 gas engine, which comes with a CVT transmission. It features a turbocharger to boost performance and has a DOHC configuration with 16 valves for its 4 cylinders. The engine also features a dual variable timing control system to improve engine efficiency. This direct-injection engine can produce up to 192 hp and 192 lb-ft of torque.
The four higher trims of the 2023 Accord come with a hybrid powertrain; this combines a 2.0-liter I-4 gas engine with an AC motor using the Atkinson cycle and is powered by a 1.1 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The gas engine not only powers the vehicle but also helps keep the battery pack recharged. It has a DOHC configuration like the other engines, with 16 valves. This engine uses multi-stage, high-pressure direct injection to provide 146 hp and 134 lb-ft of torque. However, this output increases to 204 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque when using the electric motor. The transmission is an electronic continuously variable transmission (E-CVT) designed to efficiently blend the output of the gas engine and the electric motor.
When it comes to speed and acceleration, the 2023 Nissan Maxima easily outperforms the 2023 Honda Accord. Regardless of which engine you choose on the Accord, you are just not going to get the performance that the Maxima delivers. For example, the Maxima can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.8 seconds. The Accord with the hybrid powertrain needs a full 6.6 seconds to cover the same distance. If you opt for the Accord with the 1.5-liter Turbo, you will need 7.2 seconds to go from 0 to 60 mph.
The Maxima also does a better job of holding the road. The Maxima can cover a quarter mile in just 14.3 seconds at 101 mph. The Accord needs 15.3 seconds to drive a quarter mile and can't go over 90 mph completing this distance. This is probably why the 2023 Maxima has a top speed of 133 mph while the Accord tops out at 125 mph.
One area where the 2023 Accord does top the 2023 Maxima is fuel economy. The conventional gas Accord gets 37 MPG in highway driving, while the model with the hybrid powertrain gets 44 MPG. This is more than the Maxima, which gets a very respectable 30 MPG in highway driving, but this fuel economy comes at the cost of overall performance.
The 2023 Nissan Maxima and 2023 Honda Accord come equipped with many technological features for improving safety and connectivity. These are the kinds of features that drivers expect on their sedans, and for the most part, these two models deliver the goods. However, Nissan has more standard technology features on the 2023 Maxima than Honda offers on the 2023 Accord.
Both the Maxima and the Accord feature a suite of driver assistance features from their respective manufacturers, Nissan Safety Shield 360 and Honda Sensing. This shows how both of these brands are dedicated to passenger safety. Still, the 2023 Maxima's standard safety features are more comprehensive than the ones offered on the 2023 Honda Accord.
Both the Maxima and Accord have an adaptive cruise control system with traffic sign recognition. This will adjust the speed you set on the cruise control if a slow vehicle enters your lane or the speed limit has decreased. In addition, both models have a forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking. This will help you avoid front-end collisions by notifying you of a potential crash so you can take evasive action. Nissan and Honda have also equipped their sedans with standard lane departure warning, so you can avoid a crash if you begin to drift out of your lane. These two models also have high beam assist to control your high beams at night and a rearview monitor to let you know if another vehicle or pedestrian is behind you when you are backing out of a space.
The 2023 Maxima exceeds this when it comes to standard safety features. For example, Nissan includes a standard blind spot warning on the Maxima, which is only available on higher trims of the Accord. This will let you know that your path is clear when you go to change lanes on the highway. You also get a rear sonar system on all models of the Maxima. This will help you better navigate in reverse and includes a rear cross-traffic alert to let you know if another vehicle or pedestrian is about to cross behind your Maxima. It even has a rear automatic brake that will engage to help you avoid a collision. These are all features you have to pay extra for on a 2023 Accord.
Nissan includes NissanConnect on its standard 8-inch color touchscreen on each model of the 2023 Maxima, allowing you to connect your device to the system using Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, as well as Bluetooth for hands-free features. This allows you to make phone calls and texts using the system and to stream your favorite playlists and podcasts. Whether you use this to stream music from Spotify or surf the options on SiriusXM is up to you. The NissanConnect system also includes door-to-door navigation, so you can get wherever you are going. There is even a WiFi hotspot so you and your passengers can stay connected wherever you go.
The 2023 Honda Accord comes with the HondaLink system; however, the standard gas models only have a 7-inch touchscreen, so you will have to choose a hybrid model if you want the larger 12.3-inch screen. The Honda system also has Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot as standard features. But, the HondaLink system doesn't feature a built-in navigation system. Also, if you want a premium Bose stereo system, you will have to choose the top trim to get it on the 2023 Accord. In contrast, Nissan offers the Bose premium audio system as a standard on two of the three trims of the 2023 Maxima.
The 2023 Nissan Maxima and 2023 Honda Accord come equipped with many technological features for improving safety and connectivity. These are the kinds of features that drivers expect on their sedans, and for the most part, these two models deliver the goods. However, Nissan has more standard technology features on the 2023 Maxima than Honda offers on the 2023 Accord.
Both the Maxima and the Accord feature a suite of driver assistance features from their respective manufacturers, Nissan Safety Shield 360 and Honda Sensing. This shows how both of these brands are dedicated to passenger safety. Still, the 2023 Maxima's standard safety features are more comprehensive than the ones offered on the 2023 Honda Accord.
Both the Maxima and Accord have an adaptive cruise control system with traffic sign recognition. This will adjust the speed you set on the cruise control if a slow vehicle enters your lane or the speed limit has decreased. In addition, both models have a forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking. This will help you avoid front-end collisions by notifying you of a potential crash so you can take evasive action. Nissan and Honda have also equipped their sedans with standard lane departure warning, so you can avoid a crash if you begin to drift out of your lane. These two models also have high beam assist to control your high beams at night and a rearview monitor to let you know if another vehicle or pedestrian is behind you when you are backing out of a space.
The 2023 Maxima exceeds this when it comes to standard safety features. For example, Nissan includes a standard blind spot warning on the Maxima, which is only available on higher trims of the Accord. This will let you know that your path is clear when you go to change lanes on the highway. You also get a rear sonar system on all models of the Maxima. This will help you better navigate in reverse and includes a rear cross-traffic alert to let you know if another vehicle or pedestrian is about to cross behind your Maxima. It even has a rear automatic brake that will engage to help you avoid a collision. These are all features you have to pay extra for on a 2023 Accord.
Nissan includes NissanConnect on its standard 8-inch color touchscreen on each model of the 2023 Maxima, allowing you to connect your device to the system using Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, as well as Bluetooth for hands-free features. This allows you to make phone calls and texts using the system and to stream your favorite playlists and podcasts. Whether you use this to stream music from Spotify or surf the options on SiriusXM is up to you. The NissanConnect system also includes door-to-door navigation, so you can get wherever you are going. There is even a WiFi hotspot so you and your passengers can stay connected wherever you go.
The 2023 Honda Accord comes with the HondaLink system; however, the standard gas models only have a 7-inch touchscreen, so you will have to choose a hybrid model if you want the larger 12.3-inch screen. The Honda system also has Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot as standard features. But, the HondaLink system doesn't feature a built-in navigation system. Also, if you want a premium Bose stereo system, you will have to choose the top trim to get it on the 2023 Accord. In contrast, Nissan offers the Bose premium audio system as a standard on two of the three trims of the 2023 Maxima.
The 2023 Nissan Maxima and 2023 Honda Accord come equipped with many technological features for improving safety and connectivity. These are the kinds of features that drivers expect on their sedans, and for the most part, these two models deliver the goods. However, Nissan has more standard technology features on the 2023 Maxima than Honda offers on the 2023 Accord.
Both the Maxima and the Accord feature a suite of driver assistance features from their respective manufacturers, Nissan Safety Shield 360 and Honda Sensing. This shows how both of these brands are dedicated to passenger safety. Still, the 2023 Maxima's standard safety features are more comprehensive than the ones offered on the 2023 Honda Accord.
Both the Maxima and Accord have an adaptive cruise control system with traffic sign recognition. This will adjust the speed you set on the cruise control if a slow vehicle enters your lane or the speed limit has decreased. In addition, both models have a forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking. This will help you avoid front-end collisions by notifying you of a potential crash so you can take evasive action. Nissan and Honda have also equipped their sedans with standard lane departure warning, so you can avoid a crash if you begin to drift out of your lane. These two models also have high beam assist to control your high beams at night and a rearview monitor to let you know if another vehicle or pedestrian is behind you when you are backing out of a space.
The 2023 Maxima exceeds this when it comes to standard safety features. For example, Nissan includes a standard blind spot warning on the Maxima, which is only available on higher trims of the Accord. This will let you know that your path is clear when you go to change lanes on the highway. You also get a rear sonar system on all models of the Maxima. This will help you better navigate in reverse and includes a rear cross-traffic alert to let you know if another vehicle or pedestrian is about to cross behind your Maxima. It even has a rear automatic brake that will engage to help you avoid a collision. These are all features you have to pay extra for on a 2023 Accord.
Nissan includes NissanConnect on its standard 8-inch color touchscreen on each model of the 2023 Maxima, allowing you to connect your device to the system using Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, as well as Bluetooth for hands-free features. This allows you to make phone calls and texts using the system and to stream your favorite playlists and podcasts. Whether you use this to stream music from Spotify or surf the options on SiriusXM is up to you. The NissanConnect system also includes door-to-door navigation, so you can get wherever you are going. There is even a WiFi hotspot so you and your passengers can stay connected wherever you go.
The 2023 Honda Accord comes with the HondaLink system; however, the standard gas models only have a 7-inch touchscreen, so you will have to choose a hybrid model if you want the larger 12.3-inch screen. The Honda system also has Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot as standard features. But, the HondaLink system doesn't feature a built-in navigation system. Also, if you want a premium Bose stereo system, you will have to choose the top trim to get it on the 2023 Accord. In contrast, Nissan offers the Bose premium audio system as a standard on two of the three trims of the 2023 Maxima.
When choosing a midsize sedan, you want to know that you can comfortably seat up to five passengers. This depends on two key factors: the amount of interior space and the type of seats available. The 2023 Honda Accord provides more interior space than the 2023 Maxima, but you would be hard-pressed to find any real differences between the interiors of these two sedans.
For example, the Maxima provides 45 inches of legroom in the front row compared to 42.3 inches on the Accord. If you look at the rear seat, you get 34.2 inches of legroom and 55.7 inches of shoulder room on the Maxima. This is fairly comparable to the 40.8 inches of legroom and 56.5 inches of shoulder room in the rear seat of the 2023 Honda Accord.
As for comfort, the 2023 Nissan Maxima delivers interior luxury as a standard feature on all models. No matter which trim level you choose, you will get leather seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a leather-wrapped gear shifter. If you want a leather interior on the 2023 Accord, you will have to move up to one of the top three hybrid trims. In addition, the front seats of every Maxima come with heating, something that will come in handy on cold winter mornings. The Honda Accord LX and Sport Hybrid models don't have this feature. As you can see, comfort and luxury come standard on the 2023 Nissan Maxima.
If you are looking for a new or used Nissan car, truck, or SUV, then Illini Nissan is the dealership for you. We carry the full lineup of new Nissan models, so you will have no problem finding one that fits your unique driving needs. Our dealership is the place to go for your next 2023 Nissan Maxima. We also maintain a vast inventory of used models to choose from, so you can get a great deal on a fantastic pre-owned model with many years and miles left in it.
We are located in Champaign, IL, and proudly serve Illinois drivers who appreciate a vehicle powered by Nissan Intelligent Mobility. Our friendly sales staff looks forward to helping you find your next Nissan, and if you need financing for your next vehicle, our finance team will help you get a loan or lease on competitive terms designed to fit your budget.
When it comes time to service your Nissan, look no further than our service center. Our expert technicians will help you with everything from routine maintenance to major repairs. These are just a few of the benefits you get when you choose to work with us, and we'll continue to be there for you throughout the ownership of your vehicle. Come in today and let us show you everything the Nissan lineup has to offer, including the stylish 2023 Nissan Maxima.
*Images, fuel economy, and other stats, may reflect higher trim levels, options, or features that may result in a higher cost from the starting MSRP.
MSRP excludes tax, license, registration, additional options, and possible destination charges. Dealers set own prices.
