How much does the 2020 Honda Civic cost?

Prices have softened 5.26% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,761 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for shoppers comparing trims and body styles.

If you find a listing below $18,331.21, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2020 Honda Civic a good car?

Yes — the 2020 Honda Civic earns a 4.9/5 user rating and an 8.17/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Cost effectiveness at 10/10.

Owners consistently praise the Civic for its smooth ride, great fuel economy, fun driving experience, stylish design, and useful tech features. The overall feedback also points to a reliable, affordable car that feels well-rounded for everyday use.

The main trade-offs are that it could use more power and more USB ports, and the infotainment system is dated and more complex than newer setups. For you, that means the Civic makes the most sense if you value value, efficiency, and driving enjoyment more than the latest interface polish.

With 29.6% of listings marked as good or great deals, there’s still meaningful shopping opportunity in the market.

Is the 2020 Honda Civic reliable?

Owners rate it 4.9/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The owner feedback repeatedly points to a reliable, affordable car that people feel good about keeping over time. It also emphasizes the Civic’s smooth ride, great fuel economy, and overall trouble-free appeal, which supports confidence in day-to-day ownership.

The expert review reinforces that impression by describing the Civic as a car that retains the longevity and value expected from Honda. It also notes that the powertrains are smooth and quick to rev, which is the kind of behavior you want in a used car you plan to keep.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about core durability and more about finding a well-kept example with the right maintenance history.

What should I look for when buying a used 2020 Honda Civic?

At 56.6% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and then prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re considering a lower-priced listing. Focus on condition, repair quality, and whether the car’s equipment and body style match the way you plan to use it.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Civic comes in three body styles—sedan, coupe, and 4-door hatchback—and the base LX is the most stripped-down version, while higher trims add more convenience and visual polish.
• Powertrain: The lineup includes a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder with 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque, plus a turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-4 with 174 hp and 162 lb-ft; the turbo engine is the better pick for stronger mid-range response.
• Safety package: Honda Sensing includes forward collision warning, emergency forward braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control; the base LX misses some of the standard tech found on higher trims.
• Infotainment: A 7-inch touchscreen is standard on all models except the base LX, and it includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; top trims add Garmin-based navigation.
• Fuel efficiency: The Si is rated at 26 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, and 30 mpg combined, while the base LX sedan returns 25 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, and 29 mpg combined; most CVT-equipped models reach at least 30 mpg city and as high as 42 mpg highway.

Which 2020 Honda Civic trim should I buy?

The 2020 Honda Civic is offered in 3 trim levels: LX, Sport, and EX.

Here's the short version:

• Base trim: The LX is the value play, but it lacks the standard 7-inch touchscreen and the broader convenience and tech upgrades found higher up the range.
• Sweet-spot trim: Sport is the best balance if you want the Civic’s core appeal with more equipment and a stronger feature set than the base model.
• Premium/top trim: EX is the better choice if you want the turbocharged 1.5-liter engine and more upscale everyday usability.

Honda Sensing is standard on every Civic trim, which helps keep the safety story strong across the lineup.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2020 Honda Civic?

The market looks selective rather than overheated, so you can shop carefully and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 29.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,761 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.26% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 56.6% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $18,331.21, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2020 Honda Civic's resale value?

The current average of $18,898 sits slightly below last year's $19,947.

That price movement suggests the Civic has already absorbed some depreciation, which can help future sellers if they buy at the right price today. A softer market now can also make it easier for you to find a cleaner example without paying peak pricing.

Because the Civic still has strong demand, especially from shoppers who value efficiency and reliability, resale should remain supported over time. Well-kept examples with desirable equipment are likely to hold attention better than neglected ones.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.9/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2020 Honda Civic safe?

The Civic earned the Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rated it five stars in all categories except for four stars in the passenger frontal crash rating on the coupe.

It earns a 9/10 safety score from our experts.

Honda Sensing comes standard and includes forward collision warning, emergency forward braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Honda also improved the optional LED headlights enough to help secure the IIHS recognition across all body styles except the Type R, which wasn’t tested.

The main caveat is that the coupe’s passenger frontal crash rating is lower than the rest of the lineup, so you should pay close attention to body style if safety is a top priority.

Should I buy a 2020 Honda Civic or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2020 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2020 if:

• 29.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 56.6% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.26% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.9/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• Minor design tweaks and more standard safety and convenience features make this year a smart update.

Consider the 2019 if:

• At $17,552, the 2019 costs less than the current year's $18,898 average.
• It adds a new Sport trim and keeps the Civic’s winning formula of style, value, and performance.

Consider the 2021 if:

• At $19,599, the 2021 costs more than the current year's $18,898 average.
• It remains a practical final-year version of the 10th-generation Civic with broad appeal.

The bottom line: The 2020 Civic is the right pick if you want a well-rounded used compact car with strong value, good safety, and broad market availability. If your priority is saving money, the 2019 is the better bargain; if you want the newest version in this generation, the 2021 is worth a look, but you’ll pay more for it.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 14, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.