2021 Honda Civic EX vs. EX-L
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the 2021 Honda Civic EX and 2021 Honda Civic EX-L contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the 2021 Honda Civic EX and the 2021 Honda Civic EX-L.
When we compare the 2021 Honda Civic EX's and the 2021 Honda Civic EX-L's specifications and ratings, the 2021 Honda Civic EX has the advantage in the area of interior volume. The 2021 Honda Civic EX-L has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for used cars, and fuel efficiency and resale value. The 2021 Honda Civic EX and 2021 Honda Civic EX-L have the same overall quality score base engine power. Based on this comparison of the 2021 Honda Civic EX's and the 2021 Honda Civic EX-L's specifications and ratings, the 2021 Honda Civic EX-L is a better car than the 2021 Honda Civic EX.
Pricing: A used 2021 Honda Civic EX ranges from $17,999 to $25,998 while a used 2021 Honda Civic EX-L is priced between $17,206 to $26,339.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the 2021 Honda Civic EX loses 28.3 percent of its value and the 2021 Honda Civic EX-L loses 27.9 percent of its value. This means the 2021 Honda Civic EX-L retains 0.4 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the 2021 Honda Civic EX.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Honda Civic is 8.8 out of 10. Honda Civic is ranked 1 out of 29 Best Small Cars based on its reliability, retained value, and safety ratings.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars' Reliability Rating for the Honda Civic is 8.1 out of 10.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the base engine of both the 2021 Honda Civic EX and the 2021 Honda Civic EX-L makes 174 horsepower. The EX is rated to deliver an average of 34 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 496 miles. The EX-L is rated to deliver an average of 36 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 521 miles. This gives the 2021 Honda Civic EX-L the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the 2021 Honda Civic EX. Both models use regular unleaded.
Safety Ratings: The Honda Civic has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
24700
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
21197
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
15295 - 28695
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
25600
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)
21197
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)
15295 - 28695
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
22522
Price Range:
17999 - 25998
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
19841
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
11819 - 28783
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
240
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
63499
# Good or Great Deals:
64
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
22230
Price Range:
17206 - 26339
Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)
19841
Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)
11819 - 28783
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
37
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
65518
# Good or Great Deals:
17
Honda Civic Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.8 / 10
Reliability:
8.1 / 10
Retained Value:
9.3 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
Honda Civic Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.8 / 10
Reliability:
8.1 / 10
Retained Value:
9.3 / 10
Safety:
9.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2021 Honda Civic EX
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
11.7
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
7.8
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
4.8 - 13.1
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.299
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for 2021 Honda Civic EX-L
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
11.2
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)
7.8
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)
4.8 - 13.1
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.334
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
12.376938869918643
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
2.7
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
1.1 - 12.4
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
12.376938869918643
Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
2.7
Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)
1.1 - 12.4
Honda Civic Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 29Ranking
1 out of / 29Ranking
1 out of / 29Ranking
1 out of / 13Ranking
1 out of / 3Ranking
1 out of / 3Ranking
2 out of / 29Ranking
2 out of / 29Ranking
2 out of / 29Ranking
2 out of / 7Ranking
4 out of / 29Ranking
5 out of / 19Ranking
7 out of / 29Ranking
8 out of / 29Ranking
11 out of / 19Honda Civic Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 29Ranking
2 out of / 9Ranking
3 out of / 13Ranking
3 out of / 9Ranking
4 out of / 29Ranking
4 out of / 29Ranking
4 out of / 19Ranking
5 out of / 29Ranking
5 out of / 29Ranking
5 out of / 7Ranking
6 out of / 29Ranking
8 out of / 29Ranking
9 out of / 29Ranking
9 out of / 19Ranking
10 out of / 29Ranking
15 out of / 29Available Body Styles
Hatchback, Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Other Honda Civic Trim Levels
LX, Sport, Sport Touring, Type R Limited Edition, Type R Touring
Other Honda Civic Trim Levels
EX, LX, Sport, Touring
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
174 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
162 foot-lbs @ 1700 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.059 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
174 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:
162 foot-lbs @ 1700 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.059 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
31 / 40 / 34
Range (city/hwy):
384 / 496 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
32 / 42 / 36
Range (city/hwy):
397 / 521 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Navigation System:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Massage Seats:
N/A
Navigation System:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
37.6 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.4 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55 inches
Cargo Space:
25.7 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
120.5 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
37.5 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
36.8 inches
Rear Leg Room:
37.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55 inches
Cargo Space:
15.1 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
95.0 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2955 lbs
Width:
70.8 inches
Height:
56.5 inches
Length:
177.9 inches
Wheelbase:
106.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
2928 lbs
Width:
70.9 inches
Height:
55.7 inches
Length:
182.7 inches
Wheelbase:
106.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
215/50R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
215/50R17
