Representative photo — may show another model year
Hatchback
2021 Honda Civic Hatchback
Independent review & score by Carivo
Price Range
$23,978–$29,227
Fuel Economy30 MPG
Seating5 passengers
CategoryHatchback
Est. Annual Fuel$1,750/yr
The 2021 Honda Civic Hatchback scores 8.1/10 at Carivo, ranking #4 of 99 hatchbacks, with 1 NHTSA recall on record and an estimated $1,750/year fuel cost.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
About the 2021 Honda Civic Hatchback
The 2021 Honda Civic Hatchback is a hatchback that earns a Carivo score of 8.1/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Reliability at 8.9/10, while Performance at 7.1/10 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 8.9/10. The Civic Hatchback nameplate has earned that score through its track record and a comparatively clean recall sheet. On safety, it scores 8.7/10 in our assessment. Always confirm the official crash-test results for your exact trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
With 7.1/10 for performance, this is a car tuned for daily driving rather than excitement — perfectly capable on the commute, unremarkable on a back road. 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 $23,978–$29,227, 30 MPG, seating 5, the Honda Civic Hatchback sits in the budget-friendly tier of the hatchback 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 Hatchback will scare a sensible buyer off. It scores consistently across the board, and it does what a good hatchback 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 →
How It Ranks Among Hatchbacks
The 2021 Honda Civic Hatchback ranks #4 of 99 hatchbacks in the Carivo database — better than 97% of the segment. Its 8.1/10 overall score is 0.7 points above the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $23,978 starting price sits close to the segment's median of $23,280.
$0 — 1 campaign on record; recall work is always free at franchised dealers
Insurance
Varies widely by driver and state — always quote the exact trim before buying
We only print costs we can compute from sourced data (EPA fuel economy, NHTSA recalls). We don't estimate maintenance or depreciation — anyone who gives you one number for those is guessing.
Which Civic Hatchback Year Should You Buy?
Smart-money pick: the 2018 Honda Civic Hatchback scores 8.1/10 — within striking distance of the 2021's 8.1 — and starts roughly $2,500 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
Proven long-term reliability — lower unplanned repair costs than class average
Top-tier safety scores across crash tests and driver-assistance tech
Good overall value; holds its own against pricier alternatives in the segment
✗ Where it falls short
Driving dynamics are adequate but uninspiring; not the choice for enthusiast drivers
Tech suite is functional but lags behind segment-best options; some features cost extra
NHTSA Recalls — 2021 Honda Civic Hatchback (1 on record)
The following recall campaign has been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle with our free VIN recall checker.
Air bags / Sensor / Occupant classification / Front passenger 21/05/2026 · 26V332000
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
Own a 2021 Honda Civic Hatchback that's been repaired repeatedly for the same problem? It may qualify under your state's lemon law — run the free lemon law check →
Common Questions — 2021 Honda Civic Hatchback
Is the 2021 Honda Civic Hatchback reliable?
We rate the 2021 Honda Civic Hatchback's reliability 8.9/10 — one of the stronger records in its class. It has 1 NHTSA recall campaign on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
How many recalls does the 2021 Honda Civic Hatchback have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Is the 2021 Honda Civic Hatchback worth buying?
It scores 8.1/10 overall, ranking #4 of 99 hatchbacks in our database (better than 97% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.
How much does the 2021 Honda Civic Hatchback cost?
The 2021 Honda Civic Hatchback starts at $23,978 and ranges up to $29,227 across trims (MSRP when new). At 30 MPG, expect roughly $1,750/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Which Civic Hatchback years should you avoid?
Based on our year-by-year scoring, the weakest Civic Hatchback years we've rated are 2017 (7.9/10) — each at least half a point below the nameplate's best (8.4/10). See the full year table above before deciding.
What problems does the 2021 Honda Civic Hatchback have?
The documented issues for the 2021 Honda Civic Hatchback are its NHTSA recall campaigns, which involve: Air bags (details in the recalls section above; repairs are free at dealers). For wear-and-tear patterns beyond recalls, owner forums are the best source — we only report what federal data documents.
Owner Essentials — Honda Civic Hatchback
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