2021 Honda Civic: 6-Speed Still Available!
Whether you’re looking for basic transportation with simple amenities or a highly appointed cruiser, the 2021 Honda Civic has you covered.
2021 Honda Civic Sedan – automobiles.honda.com | Shop 2021 Honda Civic on Carsforsale.com
What’s New for the 2021 Honda Civic?
Consumers shopping the 2021 Honda Civic will find a very capable compact sedan. For the budget-minded, base LX sedans sticker at under $22,000 and come with the Honda Sensing suite of active safety systems – as do all 2021 Civics. Looking for practicality? The hatchback Civic swallows 46 cubic feet of your stuff with the seats down. And the #SaveTheManuals crowd can continue to revel in Honda’s snick-snick stick on hatchback Sport models. Across the board, there are plenty of high-end features like leather seating and a 12-speaker stereo system plus fuel-sipping engines. Of note – while this article won’t dive into the Civic Type R, don’t miss that fire-breathing 306-horse hatchback if you’re looking for serious driving capability.
As the 2021 Honda Civic approaches the end of its tenth-generation life cycle, there are some notable model absences and a key enthusiast continuation. Honda is scheduled to release a full overhaul of the Civic for 2022, so the 2021 model doesn’t change much in terms of hardware and software. However, the Si trim and couple body are both unavailable this year. The Si will be coming back with the next-gen Civic however; the coupe is gone for good due to low sales volume. BUT, Honda’s marvelous 6-speed manual soldiers on in select models.
The Breakdown
Hatchback practicality
Manual transmission availability
Standard Honda Sensing
Miserly fuel consumption
Heavy hitting audio options
Overcooked styling
Lukewarm warranty
2021 Civic Specs
- 158 horsepower from base engine
- 138 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 9 available trims
- 15.1 cu-ft. of sedan cargo capacity
- 25.7 cu-ft. of hatchback cargo capacity
- LaneWatch displays live feed of blind spot
- Honda Sensing system is standard
- 24/7 roadside assistance with warranty
2021 Honda Civic Powertrain
The Honda Civic has long been known for its reliable, practical operation and the 2021 model doesn’t stray. For the majority of buyers, Civic’s CVT and naturally aspirated motor will get the basics done thanks to its ample 158 horsepower pulling around less than 3000 pounds. And the four-wheel independent suspension provides the effortless sort of driving dynamics Honda built its reputation on.
If you’re interested in a little more spice with your Civic, don’t miss the 180 horse Sport hatch models with their manual transmission. Honda’s variable timing technology, VTEC, is standard equipment on their cars these days and comes in handy for hitting the 6600 rpm redline on 16.5 pounds of boost from this little-motor-that-could. And while the Si is on hiatus, these Civic Sport’s keep that elusive driver-car connection alive thanks to Honda’s special sort of 6-speed and crisp handling for back road twisties.
2021 Honda Civic Fuel Economy & MPG
Hybrids are all the rage these days, but 40 MPG from the lately maligned internal combustion engine is nothing to sneeze at. Interestingly, it’s the turbocharged 4-cylinder with a CVT that achieves this EPA estimate on the highway. That figure drops to 38 on the naturally aspirated motor. In the city, the 2021 Honda Civic ranges from 29 MPG when equipped with the manual transmission to 31 MPG for the CVT/turbo powertrain.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
While the disappearance of the slickly styled coupe is lamentable, it wasn’t doing the Civic any favors on interior space. The sedan, on the other hand, has solid ergonomics and intuitive controls layouts. As you move up the trim ladder, options like leather seats and steering wheel spruce up an otherwise functional layout. Automatic climate control makes life easy and with dual zone configuration, driver and passenger can cruise in comfort.
Opting for the hatchback body style nets a significant bump in cargo space, which simultaneously gives rear passengers more breathing room up high. The power moonroof only serves to improve the sense of space within the envelope of a compact sized vehicle. Features like interior accent lighting and heated seats – front and rear – are available for those interested in nicer amenities with their Honda Civic.
Entertainment & Technology
Music fans can rejoice in the wide array of audio systems available in the 2021 Honda Civic. An 8-speaker setup is standard with 10- and 12-speaker configurations available. The highest end version is rated at 540 watts and includes a subwoofer, more than enough power for any audiophile.
Tech-wise, the Civic is very competitive. A 7” touchscreen infotainment screen is standard on all models except the base and includes Apple and Android smartphone integration. The radio volume knob and key physical buttons are a thoughtful touch for those frustrated by pinching and zooming everything. HondaLink is another useful piece of tech that pairs with an owner’s smartphone. The app lets you start the engine remotely, receive important vehicle notifications and schedule service visits.
Safety Features
The aforementioned HondaSensing driver assistance suite, which is standard across the board, lends an active helping hand to try and avoid emergencies. But in the event of one, the Honda Civic was rated a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and received a 5-Star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 2020. This is largely due to a comprehensive system of airbags and the energy-dissipating “ACE” body structure.
2021 Honda Civic Trims & Pricing
LX Sedan – $21,250
It may be the most basic model in the 2021 Honda Civic lineup, but the LX sedan comes with useful features like automatic high beams, a multi-angle rearview camera and a 158 horsepower, naturally aspirated 4-cylinder. Mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT), the LX nets close to 40 miles per gallon (MPG) on the highway. Honda Sensing, which is standard on the LX sedan and every other trim, consists of automated emergency braking, road departure mitigation and adaptive cruise control with lane keeping assist.
LX Hatchback – $22,200
All Civic hatchbacks, LX included, come with the turbocharged 1.5-liter, inline-4 making 174 hp and the ability to fold the rear seats in a 60/40 configuration. Like its sedan stablemate, the LX hatch has the rearview camera along with automatic climate control and high beams that automatically brighten and dim based on road conditions.
Sport Sedan – $23,050
The Sport model does indeed has sporting intentions with quicker steering and paddle shifters, plus 18” alloys and a rear spoiler. It is also the entry point for a 7” touchscreen infotainment display with integrated Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The addition of a push button engine starter and leather steering wheel adds an upmarket touch.
Sport Hatchback – $23,300
If you want to row your own gears, the Civic Sport hatchback comes standard with a 6-speed manual while the CVT is optional. The turbo 1.5-liter gets a power bump to 180 horses thanks to a freer flowing dual exhaust. The underbody spoiler, fog lights and rear roofline spoiler add to the sporting flair. Spec Rallye Red paint and optional 19” Honda Factory Performance rims for full-effect.
EX Sedan – $24,400
The mid-pack EX sedan receives the turbocharged motor along with a power moonroof and 8-way powered driver’s seat. The EX also comes with Honda’s LaneWatch, a clever feature utilizing a camera mounted on the bottom of the right-side mirror. When the right turn signal is engaged, drivers see a live-feed of their blind spot on the infotainment screen.
EX Hatchback – $24,700
Upping the luxury appointments is the EX hatchback with heated front seats and dual-zone, automatic HVAC controls. Additional high-end features include heated side mirrors, an 8-speaker stereo system and remote start functionality. The EX hatch also comes with Honda’s Smart Entry system which allows owners to lock and unlock the doors as long as the key fob is within 32 inches of the car – a nice feature when your hands are full.
EX-L Sedan – $25,600
For about $1000 more than the EX sedan, EX-L models get you leather seating throughout, an automatic-dimming rearview mirror and the HomeLink remote system. HomeLInk is a wireless control system neatly integrated into the headliner by the map lights. You can program it to not only operate a garage door but other radio-frequency controlled devices like a security system, lighting and appliances.
Touring Sedan – $28,300
As the top dog sedan, Touring models come loaded with voice-activated navigation that includes traffic updates, LED headlights and 18” wheels. There is also a 450-watt, 10-speaker audiophile friendly system, rain-sensing windshield wipers and heated outboard seats for rear passengers.
Sport Touring Hatchback – $28,600
For 2021 Civic buyers interested in all the bells and whistles, have a look at the Sport Touring hatchback. If you stick with the included 6-speed manual, you’ll receive the 180-horse motor. This model also includes the burliest stereo, pumping 540 watts of tunes through 12 speakers and a subwoofer.
Warranties
The 2021 Honda Civic has a somewhat basic warranty structure of 3 years or 36,000 miles on the vehicle and 5 years/60,000 miles powertrain coverage. A competitive Hyundai, for example, comes with a 10 year/100,000-mile warranty on the powertrain. However, Honda does provide 24-hour roadside assistance during the 3 year/36,000-mile coverage period along with a 5-year or unlimited mileage corrosion warranty.
What we think
2021 Honda Civic Sedan – automobiles.honda.com | Shop 2021 Honda Civic on Carsforsale.com
Anyone in the market for a new compact car should be evaluating the 2021 Honda Civic. Whether you’re looking for basic transportation with simple amenities or a highly appointed cruiser, the 2021 Civic has you covered. And kudos to Honda for not forgetting the enthusiast crowd by continuing to offer a manual transmission.
