carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $22,704–$26,657 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2021 Honda Civic Base is a sedan that earns a Carivo score of 8.1/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Reliability at 9.0/10, while Performance at 6.7/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability stands out at 9.0/10. The Civic Base nameplate has earned that score through its track record and a comparatively clean recall sheet. On safety, it scores 8.8/10 in our assessment. Always confirm the official crash-test results for your exact trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Performance at 6.7/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. At 7.4/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.
Priced from $22,704–$26,657, 30 MPG, seating 5, the Honda Civic Base sits in the budget-friendly tier of the sedan market. Its value score of 8.2/10 confirms that the price reflects the quality — you're getting a lot for your money here. At 5 years old, it's worth checking whether a newer generation or refresh has addressed any weaker dimensions — compare it to the current model year before buying.
Verdict: Nothing about the 2021 Honda Civic Base will scare a sensible buyer off. Keep an eye on performance if those matter to you; otherwise it does what a good sedan should — quietly and competently.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2021 Honda Civic Base ranks #117 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 91% of the segment. Its 8.1/10 overall score is 0.6 points above the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $22,704 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $27,664 by about 18%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking →
Smart-money pick: the 2018 Honda Civic Base scores 8.1/10 — within striking distance of the 2021's 8.1 — and starts roughly $2,000 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 8.3/10 | $25,698 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 8.4/10 | $24,950 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 8.2/10 | $24,201 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 8.3/10 | $23,453 | Read review → |
| 2021 (this review) | 8.1/10 | $22,704 | |
| 2020 | 8.1/10 | $21,956 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 8.1/10 | $21,207 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 8.1/10 | $20,459 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.9/10 | $19,710 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.9/10 | $18,962 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.9/10 | $18,213 | Read review → |
Explore the full lineup of Honda models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.