DecodedCars2021 Honda Civic
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2021 models.
- Class
- Midsize Cars
- Body styles
- 5dr Hatch, DX/LX/EX 4dr Sedan, LX 2dr Coupe, Sport/Touring 4dr Sedan
- Engines
- 1.5L 4-cyl turbo, 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
- Horsepower
- 158–180 hp
- Transmission
- CVT
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Seats
- 5
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline, Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 36 combined · 32 city / 42 hwy
- Length
- 176.8–182.3 in
- Curb weight
- 2,760–3,120 lb
- NHTSA rating
- ★★★★★
- Recalls
- 4 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 36 MPG combined — 31% better than the average 2021 midsize car (27.4 MPG).
- 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
Watch out for
- Many owner complaints161 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 20 for similar models — most often about the steering.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 21 similar 2021 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2021 Honda Civic is a midsize car offered with 3 engines (1.5L 4-cyl turbo, 2.0L 4-cyl and 2.0L 4-cyl turbo) and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 178 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 2,917 lb (5dr Hatch).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 36 MPG combined (32 city / 42 highway), 31% better than the 2021 midsize car average of 27.4 MPG, for an estimated $1,850 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 161 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the steering.
What changed for 2021
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2020 Civic — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2020; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2020 Civic →
Trims, performance & features
Engine158 hp2.0L 4-cyl
Engine174–180 hp1.5L turbo 4-cyl
TransmissionCVT
Seating5 seats · 2 rows
Trims
LXEXSport
Safety & driver-assist features
Automatic emergency brakingStandard
Forward collision warningStandard
Lane departure warningStandard
Lane keeping assistStandard
Lane centeringStandard
Adaptive cruise controlStandard
Backup cameraStandard
Automatic high beamsStandard
Keyless startStandard
Built in: Alliston, Ontario · Greensburg, Indiana · Swindon, Wiltshire
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2021 Civic configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5dr Hatch | 178 in | 74 in | 56.3 in | 106.3 in | 61 / 61.4 in | 2,917 lb | 62/38 |
| DX/LX/EX 4dr Sedan | 182.3 in | 74 in | 55.9 in | 106.3 in | 61 / 61.4 in | 2,760 lb | 61/39 |
| LX 2dr Coupe | 176.8 in | 74 in | 54.7 in | 106.3 in | 61 / 61.4 in | 2,769 lb | 61/39 |
| Sport/Touring 4dr Sedan | 182.3 in | 74 in | 55.9 in | 106.3 in | 61 / 61.4 in | 2,893 lb | 62/38 |
| Sport/Touring/SI 2dr Coupe | 176.8 in | 74 in | 54.7 in | 106.3 in | 61 / 61.4 in | 2,855 lb | 62/38 |
| Type R 5dr Hatch | 178 in | 74 in | 56.3 in | 106.3 in | 61 / 61.4 in | 3,120 lb | 62/38 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Civic 4Dr | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 32 / 42 / 36 | +31% | $1,850 | 248 |
| Civic 5Dr | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 31 / 40 / 34 | +41% | $1,950 | 259 |
| Civic 4Dr | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AV-S7) | Front-Wheel Drive | 30 / 38 / 33 | +20% | $2,050 | 266 |
| Civic 4Dr | 2.0L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 30 / 38 / 33 | +20% | $2,050 | 268 |
| Civic 5Dr | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 29 / 37 / 32 | +33% | $2,550 | 274 |
| Civic 5Dr | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AV-S7) | Front-Wheel Drive | 29 / 35 / 32 | +33% | $2,550 | 279 |
| Civic 4Dr | 2.0L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S7) | Front-Wheel Drive | 29 / 37 / 32 | +17% | $2,100 | 277 |
| Civic 5Dr | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 / 28 / 25 | +4% | $3,300 | 358 |
8/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
8/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Save $2,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
27.4 MPG2021 Midsize Cars average
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2021 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Honda CIVIC 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 5★ / 5★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 9.5% |
StandardElectronic stability control
StandardForward collision warning
StandardLane departure warning
Similar 2021 midsize cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Honda Civic (this car) | 36 MPG | ★★★★★ | 4 |
| 2021 Toyota Corolla | 52 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
| 2021 Nissan GT-R | 18 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2021 Toyota Prius | 56 MPG | ★★★★★ | 0 |
| 2021 Subaru Impreza | 32 MPG | ★★★★★ | 2 |
| 2021 Hyundai Elantra | 54 MPG | ★★★★★ | 7 |
| 2021 Subaru WRX | 23 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
Recalls (4)
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger · May 21, 2026
NHTSA campaign 26V332000 · 98,892 vehicles
- Problem
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022 CR-V, 2017-2018, 2021 Civic Type R, 2017-2021 Civic hatchback, 2016-2020 Civic coupe, 2016-2022 Civic, 2017-2022 Accord Hybrid, and 2016-2022 Accord vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, which can cause the air bags to deploy unintentionally during a crash.
- Risk
- Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH, NOC, POD, BOE, UOF, POB, EOG, AOI, QO8, TOJ, DO7, and SOK. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 24V064. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 29, 2026.
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger · Feb 1, 2024
NHTSA campaign 24V064000 · 750,114 vehicles
- Problem
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura RDX, and 2020-2021 Acura TLX vehicles. The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.
- Risk
- An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls are XHP and VHQ.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump · Dec 18, 2023
NHTSA campaign 23V858000 · 2,490,460 vehicles
- Problem
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV, Fit, and 2015-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, Pilot, Acura NSX vehicles. The fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
- Risk
- Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall numbers 21V-215 and 20V-314.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder · Jun 29, 2023
NHTSA campaign 23V458000 · 124,077 vehicles
- Problem
- Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Civic, 2020-2023 Ridgeline, 2021-2023 Passport, 2021-2022 Pilot, and 2020 Acura MDX vehicles. The tie rod fastener that connects the brake booster and the brake master cylinder may have been improperly assembled during manufacturing, which can cause the brake master cylinder to separate from the booster assembly.
- Risk
- Brake master cylinder separation can cause a loss of brake function and increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect and repair the brake booster assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are VEU, AEV, and ZET.
Not every 2021 Honda Civic is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
161Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
7Involved a crash
3Involved a fire
3Injuries reported
36,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2021 Honda Civic buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Steering — 67 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
- Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking — 26 owner reports. Make sure driver-assist systems and the backup camera work without error messages.
- Electrical System — 20 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 36,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2021 Honda Civic. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Civic years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Civic | 49 | 183.9 in | Not rated | 1 | 32 |
| 2025 Civic | 49 | 183.9 in | Not rated | 2 | 106 |
| 2024 Civic | 36 | 183.9 in | Not rated | 3 | 142 |
| 2023 Civic | 36 | 183.9 in | Not rated | 5 | 336 |
| 2022 Civic | 36 | 183.9 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 961 |
| 2020 Civic | 36 | 178 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 237 |
| 2019 Civic | 36 | 178 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 459 |
| 2018 Civic | 36 | 178 in | ★★★★★ | 6 | 756 |
| 2017 Civic | 36 | 178 in | ★★★★★ | 6 | 606 |
| 2016 Civic | 35 | 182.3 in | Not rated | 5 | 1,083 |
| 2015 Civic | 44 | 178 in | Not rated | 1 | 394 |
| 2014 Civic | 44 | 178 in | Not rated | 2 | 268 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Honda. How we calculate this →