How much does the 2021 Honda Civic cost?

Prices have softened 3.50% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,787 listings available, which suggests solid inventory availability.

If you find a listing below $18,975.90, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2021 Honda Civic a good car?

Yes — it 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. In practical terms, that lines up with a car that works well if you want a compact model with more everyday utility than many rivals.

The trade-offs are the underwhelming base engine and outdated technology, and the cabin materials can feel cheap. Even so, the Civic’s broad body-style lineup and strong practicality make it appealing if you value versatility over the newest tech. It also has 30.4% good or great deals, which gives you some room to shop selectively.

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 reliable, fuel-efficient, and comfortable enough to count on day to day. The expert review also emphasizes peace of mind, reliability, and fuel efficiency, which reinforces the Civic’s reputation as a dependable used buy.

Honda does not advertise a maintenance perk here, so your ownership experience will depend more on how well the previous owner maintained the car. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is buying a neglected example rather than a fundamentally weak model.

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

At 63.2% 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 the car has had bodywork or multiple owners. Focus on condition details that matter most in daily use: tire wear, brake feel, interior wear, and whether the technology and driver-assistance features work as expected.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: LX trim is the most basic setup, with a 5-inch screen, Bluetooth, and limited charging capability, while higher trims add more convenience and infotainment features.
• 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.
• 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 System, automatic high-beam headlights, and a multi-angle reversing camera. LaneWatch starts with EX trim, and there is no traditional radar-based blind-spot warning system or rear cross-traffic warning system.
• Infotainment: LX gets a 5-inch LCD screen, Bluetooth, and a 1.0-amp USB port. Sport adds a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, text-messaging support, basic HondaLink connected services, an eight-speaker sound system, 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 CVT helped the test car average 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:

• Base trim: LX is the most stripped-down choice, and it lacks the larger touchscreen and richer connectivity features found higher up the range.
• Sweet-spot trim: Sport is the best value if you want the 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, an eight-speaker audio system, and the more powerful USB port without jumping to the pricier trims.
• Premium/top trim: Touring adds navigation, digital traffic, voice recognition, and a 10-speaker premium audio system, making it the most feature-rich choice.
• Off-road trim: None of the trims here are aimed at off-road use.

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 carefully and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 30.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,787 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.50% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 63.2% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $18,975.90, 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 $19,599 sits slightly below last year's $20,309.

That softer pricing can help you buy in at a more favorable point, but it also suggests the market has already adjusted downward from prior levels. For a future seller, that means resale should still be supported by the Civic’s broad appeal, but your return will depend heavily on condition, mileage, and trim.

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 Civic earns a Top Safety Pick designation from IIHS and five-star ratings in every single assessment from NHTSA.

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 System, automatic high-beam headlights, 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.

The main caveat is that Honda Sensing can feel abrupt and indecisive at times, so it may take some getting used to in traffic.

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:

• 30.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 63.2% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.50% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• Honda is retiring the 10th-generation Civic, making this a mature version with broad appeal.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $18,898, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $19,599 average.
• It adds minor design tweaks and more standard safety and convenience features.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $22,555, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $19,599 average.
• It brings a comprehensive redesign with stronger technology and a more refined cabin.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, satisfaction, and proven appeal, the 2021 is the smart middle ground. If your budget is tighter, the 2020 can save you money while keeping much of the Civic formula intact. If you want the newer redesign and better tech, it makes sense to stretch to the 2022.

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