Used 2021 Honda Civic for Sale near California

Compare 2021 Honda Civic Trims

The 2021 Honda Civic offers a range of trims from budget-friendly options to fully loaded models, all with efficient FWD performance.

• Starting at $17,273
• Best MPG/MPGe: 32 city / 42 hwy
• Most Popular: Sport FWD

Trim Overview

Prices updated weekly from CarGurus listings.

Quick Compare Table

Listing prices sourced from CarGurus — updated weekly. OEM specs from manufacturer data.

Missing data displayed as "—".

Trim Deep Dives

LX FWD — "Who It's For"

The LX FWD is the pick for shoppers who want essential features without paying for extras. It's the most budget-friendly option in the lineup.

• Avg. market price: $17,273 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 30 city / 38 hwy
• Inventory: 2,006 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View LX FWD listings

Sport FWD — "Who It's For"

The Sport FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a blend of style and features without stepping up to the higher trims. It's also the most popular trim in the lineup.

• Avg. market price: $18,891 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 29 city / 37 hwy
• Inventory: 5,378 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View Sport FWD listings

EX FWD — "Who It's For"

The EX FWD is the pick for shoppers who want enhanced fuel efficiency and additional tech features without going fully loaded.

• Avg. market price: $19,667 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 32 city / 42 hwy
• Inventory: 1,033 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View EX FWD listings

EX-L FWD — "Who It's For"

The EX-L FWD is the pick for shoppers who want luxury features and comfort without the highest price tag.

• Avg. market price: $20,475 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 32 city / 42 hwy
• Inventory: 131 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View EX-L FWD listings

Touring FWD — "Who It's For"

The Touring FWD is the pick for shoppers who want the most features and luxury in their Civic without compromise.

• Avg. market price: $20,445 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 30 city / 38 hwy
• Inventory: 624 listings
• View Touring FWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — Sport FWD

With 5,378 active listings, the Sport FWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse Sport FWD listings

Best Budget Option — LX FWD

At $17,273 avg market price — below the lineup median of $19,667 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse LX FWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — EX FWD

The EX FWD offers the best fuel efficiency in the lineup at 32/42 MPG.

Browse EX FWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 5, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2021 Honda Civic cost?

Prices have softened 2.46% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,811 listings available, which gives you a solid amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2021 Honda Civic a good car?

Yes — you’re looking at a 5/5 user-rated car with an expert score of 7.2/10. The model scores 8/10 across Look and feel, Form and function, and Cost effectiveness.

Owners consistently praise the Civic’s stylish design, great fuel economy, and comfortable ride. They also like the spacious trunk and enjoyable driving experience, which make it feel practical for everyday use.

The trade-offs are familiar: the base engine is underwhelming, the technology feels outdated, and some interior materials can seem cheap. Even so, the Civic’s broad appeal makes sense if you want a compact car with personality, useful space, and strong everyday livability.

With 33.8% of listings marked as good or great deals, there’s enough market activity to give you some room to shop carefully.

Is the 2021 Honda Civic reliable?

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

The owner feedback points to a car that feels dependable, fuel-efficient, and easy to count on over time. That kind of reputation matters if you want a used compact car that should stay agreeable through regular ownership.

Honda also emphasizes peace of mind in its ownership experience, reinforcing the Civic’s reputation for trouble-free use and long-term confidence. For used buyers, the main risk is less about the model’s basic durability and more about finding one that has been maintained well and not worn down by heavy use.

What should I look for when buying a used 2021 Honda Civic?

At 57.7% 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 thorough inspection of bodywork, alignment, and signs of past repairs. It also makes sense to focus on the condition of the cabin, infotainment system, and safety equipment, since those are the areas where wear and feature differences can matter most on a used compact car.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: LX trim is the most basic, with a 5-inch screen, Bluetooth, and a 1.0-amp USB port, while Sport adds the 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, an eight-speaker audio system, and a more powerful USB port. EX, EX-L, and Touring add more convenience and audio upgrades, and Touring brings the most complete equipment set.
• Powertrain: LX and Sport use a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT and front-wheel drive. Higher trims move to a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder with 174 hp and 162 lb-ft, which gives the car stronger low-end response.
• Safety package: Honda Sensing is standard and includes adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, Road Departure Mitigation, Lane Keeping Assist, automatic high beams, and a multi-angle reversing camera. LaneWatch is available starting with EX trim, but there is no traditional radar-based blind-spot warning system or rear cross-traffic warning system.
• Infotainment: The screen grows from 5 inches on LX to a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen on Sport. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto arrive on Sport, while Touring adds navigation with voice recognition, digital traffic, and a 10-speaker premium audio system.
• Fuel efficiency: The CVT helps the Civic deliver strong fuel economy, and the test car averaged 34.8 mpg on a 140-mile loop, beating the EPA estimate of 33 mpg in combined driving.

Which 2021 Honda Civic trim should I buy?

The 2021 Honda Civic is offered in 5 trim levels: LX, Sport, EX, EX-L, and Touring.

Here's the short version:

• LX: This is the entry point, but it feels sparse with its smaller screen and basic connectivity. It makes sense only if your priority is the lowest possible buy-in.
• Sport: This is the best-value trim because it adds the 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, an upgraded audio system, and the stronger USB port without pushing you into the pricier upper trims.
• EX: This trim is the smart step up if you want the turbocharged engine and LaneWatch, plus extra tech like HD Radio and SiriusXM.
• EX-L: This is for you if you want the turbo engine with more comfort and convenience than Sport or EX, but you do not need the full Touring setup.
• Touring: This is the most fully equipped Civic, with navigation, digital traffic, and the premium audio system. It also gets the top-rated headlights tied to the model’s safety recognition.

Honda Sensing is standard across the lineup, while LaneWatch starts with EX trim.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 Honda Civic?

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop with some leverage if you’re patient.

• Deal availability: 33.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,811 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 2.46% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 57.7% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $18,961, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Honda Civic's resale value?

The current average of $19,106 sits slightly below last year's $19,589.

That softer pricing suggests the Civic is still in demand, but buyers have a bit more room than they did a year ago. If you’re planning to sell later, that matters because a stable, recognizable compact car with broad appeal tends to hold attention even when prices ease.

The Civic’s strong reputation for reliability, fuel economy, and everyday usefulness should help support future demand. If you buy well and keep the car in good condition, resale should remain relatively healthy compared with many rivals.

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

Is the 2021 Honda Civic safe?

The 2021 Honda Civic earns a Top Safety Pick designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gives it five-star ratings in every single assessment.

It earns a 7/10 safety score from our experts.

Honda Sensing is standard and includes adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, Road Departure Mitigation, Lane Keeping Assist, automatic high beams, and a multi-angle reversing camera. LaneWatch is available starting with EX trim, but the Civic does not offer a traditional radar-based blind-spot warning system or rear cross-traffic warning system.

The main caveat is that Honda Sensing can feel abrupt and indecisive at times, so it may take some getting used to. The IIHS recognition also applies only to Touring trim, which has the top-rated LED headlights.

Should I buy a 2021 Honda Civic or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2021 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2021 if:

• 33.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 57.7% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 2.46% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• Honda is retiring the 10th-generation Civic, making this a distinctive final-year version with broad trim and body-style variety.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $18,353, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $19,106 average.
• It adds minor updates, more standard safety and convenience features, and more manual-transmission availability.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $21,836, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $19,106 average.
• It brings a full redesign with stronger technology, better handling, and more cargo space.

The bottom line: If you want the outgoing Civic’s style, variety, and lower pricing, the 2021 is the right target. If you’re focused on saving money, the 2020 is the better value play; if you want the newest design and tech, move to the 2022.

How does the 2021 Honda Civic compare to the 2021 Toyota Corolla?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2021 Honda Civic:

• Pros: Stylish design, Multiple body styles, Fun to drive.
• Cons: Underwhelming base engine, Outdated technology, Interior materials feel cheap.

2021 Toyota Corolla:

• Pros: Standard advanced safety features, Fun to drive, Manual transmission available.
• Cons: Noisy, Outdated technology.

Our experts score the 2021 Honda Civic 7.2/10 and the 2021 Toyota Corolla 7.8/10. The Civic stands out for style and body-style variety, while the Corolla leans on standard safety features and a lower average used price. Both have outdated technology, so your choice comes down to whether you value the Civic’s personality or the Corolla’s safety-first appeal.

Read our full side-by-side expert comparison here.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 3, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.