How much does the 2020 Honda Civic cost?

Prices have softened 5.44% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,675 listings available, which suggests you have room to compare prices and conditions.

If you find a listing below $18,333.79, 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 its smooth ride, great fuel economy, and fun driving experience. They also highlight the stylish design, safety advancements, and overall reliability and affordability. The main trade-offs are outdated technology and a recurring wish for more power and more USB ports.

For you, that means the Civic makes the most sense if you want a small car that feels polished, efficient, and easy to live with. It fits especially well if you value value, variety, and a broad range of body styles and powertrains. With 29.5% of listings marked as good or great deals, the market still offers some attractive opportunities.

Is the 2020 Honda Civic reliable?

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

The owner feedback points to a reliable, dependable, and trouble-free ownership experience, with praise for long-term satisfaction and a car you can count on. The expert evaluation also describes the powertrains as smooth and flawless, which reinforces the sense that the Civic is built for everyday dependability. Honda also notes that the Civic delivers value and longevity expected of the brand.

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 55.4% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and confirm whether any prior damage was repaired properly. A pre-purchase inspection matters here, especially if you are comparing cars at similar prices but different condition levels. Focus on body condition, panel alignment, and signs that the car has been used hard or repaired poorly.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base LX misses some of the convenience and safety content that appears on higher trims, while upper trims add more equipment and a more polished feel.
• Powertrain: The lineup includes a 2.0-liter engine with 158 horsepower and a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine with 174 horsepower; the hatchback Sport and Sport Touring make 180 horsepower. The 1.5-liter engine is the better pick for stronger mid-range acceleration and responsiveness.
• Safety package: Honda Sensing includes forward collision warning, emergency forward braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Some trims also gain active lane centering and auto high beams.
• Infotainment: A 7-inch touchscreen is standard on all models except the base LX, and it includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Top-end trims get Garmin-based navigation, and the system remains dated and more complex than newer Honda setups.
• Fuel efficiency: The Si is rated at 26 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, and 30 mpg combined. The base LX sedan is rated at 25 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, and 29 mpg combined. Most CVT-equipped Civic models return at least 30 mpg city and as much as 42 mpg highway.

Which 2020 Honda Civic trim should I buy?

The 2020 Honda Civic is offered in 4 trim levels: LX, Sport, EX, and Touring.

Here's the short version:

• Base trim: LX is the value play, but it lacks the standard 7-inch touchscreen and the broader convenience and safety content found higher up the range.
• Sweet-spot trim: Sport is the best balance if you want more equipment and a stronger feature set without jumping to the pricier upper trims.
• Premium/top trim: Touring is the most upscale choice, adding the richest tech and comfort content in the lineup.
• Off-road trim: None of the Civic trims are aimed at off-road use, so there is no reason to shop this model year with that purpose in mind.

Honda Sensing is standard on every Civic trim except the base LX.

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

This is a moderate buyer’s market, so selective shoppers should find some room to negotiate.

• Deal availability: 29.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,675 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.44% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 55.4% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $18,333.79, 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 $18,872 sits slightly below last year's $19,958.

That softer pricing can help you buy in at a more favorable point, but it also means future resale gains may be more limited if the market stays soft. If you plan to sell later, the Civic’s broad appeal should help support demand, especially because it remains a popular small car with strong value and efficiency. Well-kept examples with clean history and desirable equipment should hold up better than rougher cars with accident records or missing features.

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 "Good" rating in all six crash tests and the Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for all body styles except the Type R, which wasn't tested. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rated the 2020 Civic five stars in all categories, with the exception of four stars in the passenger frontal crash rating on the coupe.

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

Honda Sensing comes with forward collision warning, emergency forward braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Honda also improved the optional LED headlights, which helped secure the IIHS recognition. On higher trims, you also get active lane centering and auto high beams.

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:

• 29.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 55.4% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 5.44% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.9/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• Minor design tweaks, more standard safety and convenience features, and more manual transmissions define this model year.

Consider the 2019 if:

• At $17,517, the 2019 costs less than the current year's $18,872 average.
• It keeps the Civic’s winning formula of style, value, and performance with only minor changes.

Consider the 2021 if:

• At $19,473, the 2021 costs more than the current year's $18,872 average.
• It is the outgoing version with broad appeal, strong style, and the Type R’s presence in the lineup.

The bottom line: The 2020 Civic is the right pick if you want the best mix of value, safety, and feature updates without paying more for the next model year. If your priority is the lowest purchase price, the 2019 is the better budget route; if you want to spend a bit more for a newer outgoing-year example, the 2021 is worth a look.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 21, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.