2021 Honda Civic Review

Name: 2021 Honda Civic
Brand: Honda

Price Range: $16,995 - $23,998

2021 Honda Civic Touring Sedan Exterior Shown

Great

8.4

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

The 2021 Honda Civic is as good as it gets. It tops our small sedan segment in most of our categories. Fuel economy and acceleration are particularly impressive, as are interior space and build quality.

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Average price: $23,208

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Appraise My 2021 Honda Civic

Honda Civic model years

Honda Civic for Sale

Honda Civic types

Pros

Excellent fuel economy and performance from turbocharged engine
Ride quality expertly balances comfort and athleticism
Many standard advanced technology and safety features
Roomy cabin with high-quality materials

Cons

Overly vigilant forward collision warning system is frustrating
Slow-responding adaptive cruise control system
Blind-spot camera is harder to use than a typical blind-spot monitor

What's new

No significant changes for the sedan or hatchback
Coupe body style and Si trim level dropped from lineup
Type R Limited Edition features special paint, unique wheels and tires and lighter weight
Part of the 10th Civic generation introduced for 2016

Overview

Written by automotive expert Cameron Rogers

11/9/2020

New small sedans come out every year, but none has been able to unseat the Honda Civic as our favorite model car since it was introduced back for the 2016 model year. Things aren't much different for this year's model — not surprising since Honda vehicles change very little year over year. The 2021 Honda Civic continues to offer a compelling mix of performance, comfort and practicality at a price point that is in line with the rest of the class.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

For sale near Ashburn, VA

112 listings

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New Listing
2021 Honda Civic
EX Sedan
$22,998
fair price
$900 above market
- 26,669 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, personal use
- 32 City / 42 Hwy MPG
- CarMax Dulles (3 mi away)
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Sunroof/Moonroof
- Keyless Entry/Start
- Blind Spot Monitorin...
Close
Located in Sterling, VA
Wanna drive? CarMax puts you in the driver's seat-and that includes transparency. Certain cars may have unrepaired safety recalls, so check nhtsa.gov/...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
36 Combined MPG (32 City/42 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 19XFC1F39ME201708
Stock: 28221241
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Price Drop
2021 Honda Civic
EX-L Sedan
$21,888
fair price
$515 above market
- 25,477 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, personal use only
- 32 City / 42 Hwy MPG
- Fitzgerald Hyundai (20 mi away)
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Leather Seats
- Sunroof/Moonroof
- Keyless Entry/Start
Close
Located in Rockville, MD
Elevate your driving experience with this stunning 2021 Honda Civic EX-L. Boasting a sleek gray exterior and a well-appointed interior, this compact s...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
36 Combined MPG (32 City/42 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 2HGFC1F75MH706492
Stock: S728645A
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 01-27-2026

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The mix outside the core Civic lineup, however, does see a shakeup. The coupe body style and sporty Si have been axed for 2021, while the high-performance Civic Type R hatch adds a new Limited Edition model. The Type R Limited Edition enjoys revised steering and suspension tuning, BBS wheels with more aggressive performance tires, and reduced sound deadening to save weight.

Check out our Expert Rating to get our in-depth review of this year's Civic. We anticipate a new Civic for 2022, so if you're enthralled with the current model, pick one up now before it's gone.

What's it like to live with?

The Honda Civic has long been one of the better compact cars, but its 2016 redesign was nothing short of game-changing. Not only did it help revitalize the Civic nameplate, but it also shifted our expectations of what a compact car could be. This generation Civic is well regarded for its spacious cabin, excellent ride quality, upscale interior materials and superb handling. We're also smitten with its powerful and efficient turbocharged engine. We liked it so much, in fact, that we plunked down our own money to buy one. To read about our experiences with a top-of-the-line Touring sedan, read our long-term Civic test. Note that while we tested a 2016 Civic, all of our observations still apply to the 2021 model.

Edmunds Expert Rating

edmunds TESTED

by the Edmunds Experts

Great

8.4

out of 10

We drove the 2021 Honda Civic on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.

Performance

8.5/10

How does the Civic drive? The optional turbocharged 1.5-liter engine delivers quick performance and excellent fuel economy. You have to upgrade to at least the EX trim to get it, but it's worth the cost. The 0-60 mph sprint took 6.7 seconds in Edmunds testing, which is remarkable for a non-performance car in this class.

The rest of the Civic's abilities are also standouts. The brake pedal is pleasantly firm and easy to control, and it brings the car to a halt quickly when you need it to. Steering and handling are also precise, which means the Civic is relatively fun to drive around turns.

Comfort

8.5/10

How comfortable is the Civic? The Civic has a lot of the midsize Accord's strengths but in a smaller package. Impacts from rough roads are very well damped, and overall the ride is smooth and controlled without being too floaty. The seats are similarly pleasant, and even the rear seats are well cushioned.

Another comfort-enhancing element is the dual-zone automatic climate control. It does a great job of regulating the temperature and provides even coverage from the air vents. The Civic sedan is also fairly quiet overall, though it lets in a little too much road noise when you're driving on coarse road surfaces.

Interior

8/10

How’s the interior? The Civic's interior is cavernous. The sleek roofline reduces rear headroom somewhat, but otherwise the cabin is so spacious that four adults will have no problem fitting comfortably for long road trips. Up front, the Civic offers easy access through the light doors with large openings. The rear doors open wide, making entry easy, but the sloped roof might require tall people to duck in.

The rest of the cabin is user-friendly as well. For the most part, the controls are clearly labeled and within reach. It's easy to find a good seating position thanks to the generous range of the steering wheel and driver's seat adjustments. Doing so also provides you with a clear view out of the windshield and to the sides.

Technology

8.5/10

How’s the tech? All but the base LX feature two USB ports and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. Information is beamed to a 7-inch touchscreen. In general, the system is a little sluggish and the graphics dated, but the Touring trim's 10-speaker audio system provides crisp sound, and the navigation system is easy to learn.

We like that the Honda Sensing package of safety features is standard. But false alarms from the overly sensitive forward collision system are common and quickly become tiresome. You can adjust the system's sensitivity, but even in its least intrusive mode it's still a problem. We also find the absence of a blind-spot monitor odd, and the LaneWatch camera is an ineffective substitute.

Storage

8.5/10

How’s the storage? The Civic sedan features clever interior storage solutions. And at 15.1 cubic feet, its trunk is one of the largest in the class, so you'll have no problem fitting sizable bags inside. The seats don't fold flat all the way, but the opening between the trunk and the cabin is large.

Finding a spot for your personal effects in the cabin is also easy. There's a useful two-tiered cubby in the center console that features a cord pass-through for tidy smartphone storage and charging. There's also lots of room under the front armrest. For family duty, it's easier to install a car seat in the Civic's roomy back seat than in many rival small sedans.

Fuel Economy

9.5/10

How’s the fuel economy? The Civic sedan with the turbocharged engine and CVT automatic is rated at 36 mpg combined (32 city/42 highway). These are exceptional numbers, especially considering the Civic's class-leading performance. In our own testing, we've found the Civic comes pretty close to matching the EPA estimates in real-world driving.

Value

8.5/10

Is the Civic a good value? Apart from an unremarkable warranty, the Civic delivers a good value. For a competitive price, you get a pleasing amount of equipment plus build quality that punches far above the standards for this class. And we can't ignore the Civic's excellent reliability history.

Honda offers typical automaker warranties: three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, identical coverage for roadside assistance, and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Wildcard

8.5/10

The continuously variable automatic transmission saps some of the fun out of the Civic, but it's hard to argue with the acceleration and above-average handling. The Civic doesn't have the style or refinement of the Mazda 3, but it's close on both fronts.

2021 Honda Civic trim level differences

The 2021 Honda Civic sedan is offered in LX, Sport, EX, EX-L and Touring trims. The LX and Sport are driven by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque on tap. EX and above models come with a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder (174 hp, 162 lb-ft) that we think is far superior. Both engines drive the front wheels via a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Compare the 2021 Honda Civic trim levels in-depth.

Which Civic trim does Edmunds recommend?

Two trims in the Civic sedan lineup stand out. The Sport is a no-brainer upgrade from the LX; if you want a desirable small sedan but need to keep costs low, this is the one to get. Conveniences such as keyless entry and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto will pay dividends for years to come. But if you have some flex in your budget, the EX is undoubtedly the sweetheart in the lineup. It comes with a ton of great features in addition to the superb turbocharged engine.

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$105/mo

$153/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

Calculate my fuel costs

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Reliability

The 2021 Honda Civic has a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic warranty and 3 recalls. RepairPal gives it a reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5, ranks it #3 out of 46 among Compact Cars. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

4.5 out of 5 stars4.5/5Excellent

#3 out of 46 among Compact Cars

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

$335/yr

vs. $416/yr
for Average Compact Car

Frequency

0.77x/yr

vs. 1.01x/yr
for Average Compact Car

Severity

9.3%

vs. 10.4%
for Average Compact Car

Recalls

3 recalls found

Checking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.

If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).

Recall Number:: 24V064000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: XHP, VHQ
Number of vehicles affected:: 750114
Defect Description:: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.
Defect Consequence:: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024, and October 18, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.

Recall Number:: 23V858000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: KGC, KGD
Number of vehicles affected:: 2490460
Defect Description:: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Defect Consequence:: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.

Recall Number:: 23V458000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: VEU, AEV,
Number of vehicles affected:: 124077
Defect Description:: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Civic, 2020-2023 Ridgeline, 2021-2023 Passport, 2021-2022 Pilot, and 2020 Acura MDX vehicles. The tie rod fastener that connects the brake booster and the brake master cylinder may have been improperly assembled during manufacturing, which can cause the brake master cylinder to separate from the booster assembly.
Defect Consequence:: Brake master cylinder separation can cause a loss of brake function and increase the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will inspect and repair the brake booster assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are VEU, AEV, and ZET.

Warranty

3 years / 36,000 miles Basic Warranty

Basic Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles
Drivetrain Warranty: 5 years / 60,000 miles
Rust Warranty: 5 years / unlimited miles
Roadside assistance Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles

Honda Civic Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.5

55 reviews

5(80%)

4(5%)

3(9%)

2(0%)

1(6%)

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2021 Honda Civic videos

Honda Civic Type R vs MINI John Cooper Works GP: 0-60, Price, Specs, Interior & More

In this comparison, Alistair Weaver pits the two hottest hatchbacks you can get against each other: the Mini John Cooper Works GP and the Honda Civic Type R.

2021 Civic Features & Specs

Type:

Sedan

Trim:

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$21,050
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	33 MPG
Cost to Drive	$105/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	15.1 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the Civic models:

Collision Mitigation Braking System: Applies the brakes automatically to avoid a collision.
Lane Keeping Assist System: Adjusts the vehicle's direction automatically to keep it from drifting out of its lane.
Adaptive Cruise Control: Adjusts the vehicle speed to maintain a constant distance from the car in front.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover5 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover9.5%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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2021 Honda Civic Review

Price & Payment

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

For sale near Ashburn, VA

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

What's it like to live with?

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

2021 Honda Civic trim level differences

Which Civic trim does Edmunds recommend?

Cost to Drive

Reliability

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

Recalls

Warranty

Honda Civic Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

2021 Honda Civic videos

2021 Civic Features & Specs

Safety

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