Used 2021 Honda Civic for Sale nearChicago, IL

Compare 2021 Honda Civic Trims in Chicago, IL

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

• Starting at $17,762
• 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.

• Avg. market price: $17,762 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 30 city / 38 hwy
• Inventory: 100 listings
• View LX FWD listings

Sport FWD — "Who It's For"

The Sport FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a well-rounded Civic with popular features without stepping up to higher trims.

• Avg. market price: $22,999 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 29 city / 37 hwy
• Inventory: 249 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: $23,284 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 32 city / 42 hwy
• Inventory: 49 listings
• View EX FWD listings

EX-L FWD — "Who It's For"

The EX-L FWD is the pick for shoppers who want luxury features without the highest price tag. It offers a nice balance of comfort and value.

• Avg. market price: $18,427 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 32 city / 42 hwy
• Inventory: 13 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 a fully loaded Civic with all the premium features for a comfortable ride.

• Avg. market price: $19,880 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 30 city / 38 hwy
• Inventory: 30 listings
• View Touring FWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — Sport FWD

With 249 active listings, the Sport FWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse Sport FWD listings

Best Budget Option — LX FWD

At $17,762 avg market price — below the lineup median of $19,880 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse LX FWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — EX FWD

The EX FWD offers the best fuel economy at 32/42 MPG/MPGe, making it ideal for efficiency-focused shoppers.

Browse EX FWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 2, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2021 Honda Civic cost?

Prices have softened 3.84% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,688 listings available, which gives you a solid amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2021 Honda Civic a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Honda Civic earns a 5/5 user rating and a 7.17/10 expert rating. The model scores 8/10 across Look and feel, Form and function, and Cost effectiveness.

Owners consistently praise its stylish design, great fuel economy, and comfortable ride. They also like the spacious trunk and enjoyable driving experience. On the other hand, the overview points to an underwhelming base engine, outdated technology, and interior materials that can feel cheap, so you should expect some compromises if you want the least expensive versions.

Because this Civic is the outgoing version of Honda’s compact car before a redesign, it makes the most sense if you want a proven, versatile daily driver with strong value and broad appeal. 29.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals, which suggests there are still some attractive opportunities in the market.

Is the 2021 Honda Civic reliable?

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

The owner summary also points to a car that feels dependable in everyday use, with drivers highlighting its great fuel economy, comfortable ride, and enjoyable driving experience. The cost-effectiveness commentary reinforces that you can count on it to be reliable, fuel-efficient, and safe.

Honda also frames ownership as low-drama, noting that the Civic is easy to sell later and that buyers are paying for peace of mind. For used shoppers, the main long-term risk is less about mechanical reputation and more about finding a well-kept example that hasn’t been neglected.

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

At 62.1% 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 careful inspection of body panels, paint consistency, and signs of prior repair. It also makes sense to focus on cabin condition and technology operation, since the interior materials and infotainment setup are both areas where this Civic can feel dated. If you’re comparing multiple listings, the cleanest example with the best maintenance history is usually the safer buy.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: LX trim is the most basic, with a 5-inch LCD screen, Bluetooth, and a 1.0-amp USB port, while Sport adds the 7-inch high-definition touchscreen, an eight-speaker sound system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, text-messaging support, basic HondaLink connected services, and a more powerful 1.5-amp USB port. EX adds HD Radio and SiriusXM satellite radio, and Touring brings navigation with voice recognition, digital traffic, and a 10-speaker premium audio system.
• Powertrain: LX and Sport use a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque, while EX, EX-L, and Touring get a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder with 174 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque. The turbo engine is the stronger choice, and the CVT helps fuel economy, though it can drone.
• Safety package: Every Civic gets Honda Sensing, which includes adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, Road Departure Mitigation, and Lane Keeping Assist. Automatic high-beam headlights and a multi-angle reversing camera are also standard. 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: LX is limited to a 5-inch LCD screen, Bluetooth, and a 1.0-amp USB port. Sport upgrades you to a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, text-messaging support, basic HondaLink connected services, and a 1.5-amp USB port. Touring adds navigation with voice recognition, digital traffic, and a 10-speaker premium audio system.
• Fuel efficiency: The turbocharged powertrain returned 34.8 mpg on a driving loop and beat 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 is the most stripped-down version, so it makes sense only if price matters more than features.
• Sport: This is the best-value trim because it adds the 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, an eight-speaker audio system, and the stronger tech setup without jumping too far up the price ladder.
• EX: This is the smart step up if you want the turbocharged engine plus HD Radio, SiriusXM, and LaneWatch.
• EX-L: This trim builds on the turbocharged setup and is the better pick if you want a more upscale feel without going all the way to Touring.
• Touring: This is the most fully equipped version, with navigation, digital traffic, and the premium 10-speaker audio system, but it is the one to choose only if you want the most features.

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 is a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop patiently but still move quickly on the right listing.

• Deal availability: 29.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,688 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.84% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 62.1% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $18,968, 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 $19,353 sits slightly below last year's $20,126.

That softer pricing suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you buy at a more favorable point in the cycle. If you plan to sell later, the current trend implies there may be less room for appreciation, but the Civic’s broad appeal should still support steady demand.

Because this model has strong owner satisfaction and a reputation for being easy to live with, it should remain attractive to future shoppers. 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).

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

Honda Sensing is standard on every trim and includes adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, Road Departure Mitigation, and Lane Keeping Assist. Automatic high-beam headlights and a multi-angle reversing camera are also standard.

There are a couple of caveats to keep in mind. LaneWatch is available starting with EX trim, but it is not a full blind-spot warning system, and the Civic does not offer rear cross-traffic warning. The IIHS Top Safety Pick designation 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:

• 29.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 62.1% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.84% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• Honda is retiring the 10th-generation Civic, making this the outgoing version before a redesign.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $18,722, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $19,353 average.
• It adds minor updates, more standard safety and convenience features, and more manual transmissions.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $22,560, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $19,353 average.
• It brings a redesigned Civic with stronger technology and broader refinement.

The bottom line: If you want the outgoing Civic with strong owner satisfaction, solid safety, and a softer price trend, the 2021 is the right target. If your priority is saving money, the 2020 is the better value play; if you want the newer redesign and can spend more, move up to the 2022.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 11, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.