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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Sports |
| Base Price | $40,854–$47,854 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2021 Honda Civic Type R at 8.2/10 overall, which translates to a Recommended rating for this sports. Its strongest dimension is Performance at 8.9/10, while Value at 7.3/10 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. At 8.5/10, reliability is one of this sports's best cards — few vehicles in our database score higher on this dimension. The safety score of 8.2/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance is a genuine highlight at 8.9/10. The Honda Civic Type R delivers engaging driving dynamics — responsive handling, meaningful power delivery, and a drivetrain that rewards spirited driving without sacrificing daily usability. Tech rates a reasonable 7.7/10: the essentials are covered and well executed, but rivals at the same price often include more as standard.
Priced from $40,854–$47,854, 25 MPG, seating 5, the Honda Civic Type R sits in the mid-market bracket of the sports segment. The 7.3/10 value score says the pricing is fair rather than generous; cross-shop the segment before signing anything. 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.
Our take: The 2021 Honda Civic Type R is a solid, well-rounded sports that covers the essentials without obvious deal-breakers. For most buyers in this segment, it's a safe, dependable choice.
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 Type R ranks #20 of 316 sportss in the Carivo database — better than 94% of the segment. Its 8.2/10 overall score is 0.5 points above the segment average of 7.7/10. Its $40,854 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $46,090 by about 11%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sports ranking →
Smart-money pick: the 2018 Honda Civic Type R scores 8.1/10 — within striking distance of the 2021's 8.2 — and starts roughly $4,000 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 | 8.5/10 | $46,241 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 8.5/10 | $44,895 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 8.3/10 | $43,548 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 8.2/10 | $42,201 | Read review → |
| 2021 (this review) | 8.2/10 | $40,854 | |
| 2020 | 8.3/10 | $39,507 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 8.2/10 | $38,160 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 8.1/10 | $36,813 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 8.1/10 | $35,467 | Read review → |
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 by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Air bags / Sensor / Occupant classification / Front passenger 21/05/2026 · 26V332000 | 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,… |
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Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
Explore the full lineup of Honda models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.