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2021 Honda Civic Sedan Trim Levels with Comparisons & Configurations.

2021 Honda Civic Sedan Trim Levels, Configurations & Comparisons: LX vs Sport vs EX, EX-L & Touring
Reviewed & fact checked by
James Murdoch

What 2021 Honda Civic Sedan Trim Level Should you Buy? What is the Difference Between Trims?

The 2021 Honda Civic Hatchback is a top-tier choice for savvy shoppers looking to maximize value and performance. With exceptional safety features, reliable engineering, and the irresistible fun of driving in any trim level – it's no wonder people seek out this hatch everywhere they go! Unmatched sound quality awaits those who upgrade to Sport Touring; its 12-speaker system will provide crystal clear audio throughout your drive while also letting you adjust volume as needed with speed sensitive control.

Compare the Civic LX vs Sport. What is the difference?

The LX and Sport trims use the same type of engine. It's a four-cylinder model that can generate 158 horsepower. Though it's not the quickest off the line, the engine is definitely sufficient.

For convenience, the Sport is equipped with remote engine start. With the touch of a button on the key fob, the Sport can roar to life, and the climate system can get started before people climb in the cabin. The Sport also has paddle shifters mounted on the steering wheel, and they can be fun to use when drivers want a little more control.

Due to some small differences in design, the LX has slightly better fuel economy than the Sport does. The LX can achieve an estimated 30/38 (city/highway) miles per gallon. These numbers drop to 29/37 miles per gallon in the Sport.

In the Sport, there are a few enhancements that are definitely noticeable. For example, it has a gloss black decklid spoiler and fog lights. Its center outlet exhaust contributes to the trim's athletic vibe. 18-inch wheels with gloss black inserts help the Sport stand out, and they're noticeably bigger than the 16-inch wheels that the LX uses.

In addition, the Sport trim has a smart key system. This allows a driver to keep the key fob in his/her pocket or bag while unlocking the doors simply touching their sensors. Likewise, the doors automatically lock when the driver turns off the car and walks away (with the key fob in his/her hand or pocket). When people get used to the smart key system, they often can't imagine going back to a traditional key or even a remote entry system.

These trims, like all the others, have a decent-sized trunk. The trunk has a volume of 15.1 cubic feet, so it can be loaded up for long road trips, filled with groceries, or packed with gear. If anyone needs to expand cargo capacity, the rear seats can be folded down. In the LX, the entire rear seatback is one unit, but in the Sport, the seatback is split with a 60/40 configuration. This means that someone could be sitting in the back seat of a Sport alongside cargo.

The seating areas are comfortable and offer more space than some might think they do. There is 42.3 inches of leg room in the front and 37.4 inches of leg room in the back. Both trims have cloth seats and manually adjustable front seats.

These two trims feature some nice interior amenities. Cruise control is standard, as is an automatic climate system with rear heater ducts. Storage compartments in the doors and center console can be convenient to use. In the Sport, there are some extra elements, such as sport pedals, push-button start, and leather on the steering wheel and shift knob.

Perhaps the biggest difference between the LX and the Sport is related to their infotainment systems. The LX is limited to a five-inch LCD screen and four speakers, though it does have Bluetooth. In the Sport, people can take advantage of Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HondaLink technology, and a seven-inch touchscreen. So many potential buyers are interested in finding these high-tech components, and this is likely to be a key factor that causes people to look past the LX.

In the safety category, though, the LX does very well. Like the rest of the Honda Civic trims, it has collision mitigation braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning, among other advanced systems. Drivers can really appreciate that the Civic can actively look out for problems and potentially take action to protect passengers. The only change in the Sport's safety package is that its rearview camera has dynamic guidelines instead of static guidelines.

Compare the Sport vs EX Trim Levels. What is the difference?

A big shift happens at the EX level. The EX and the trims above it all run on turbocharged engines. One of these engines can churn out 174 horsepower. It has 162 pound-feet of torque compared with the 138 pound-feet in the Sport (and LX). While it's more powerful, it's also more efficient. The EX has can earn an estimated 32/42 (city/highway) miles per gallon.

The EX doesn't have the same type of wheels that the Sport has. Remember that the Sport rides on 18-inch wheels. They go back down to 17-inch versions on the EX.

On the exterior of the EX, there are some more premium details. For starters, the side mirrors are heated, and this can really help in the winter when frost is an issue. The EX has wipers that have more than two speeds, it has a fin-type antenna mounted on its roof, and most notably, it has a power moonroof. The moonroof can be tilted or slid open to let fresh air in.

The EX cabin provides a cozy environment with plenty of options for entertainment. Relax in the power-adjusted driver's seat and enjoy two heated elements, plus lights built into both sun visors. A LED pocket light makes it easy to find items stored away in the passenger-side backseat pocket or center armrest console when needed. Satellite Radio and HD radio provide endless tunes while Honda LaneWatch uses an onboard camera to alert drivers about vehicles that would otherwise be hidden by blind spots - ensuring extra peace of mind on every ride.

Compare the Civic EX vs EX-L Trims. What is the difference?

The EX-L has the same safety and technology package as the regular model, but there are a few extras that will definitely catch your eye. Beyond its leather seating material for an extra touch of luxury, it also features automatic dimming in its rearview mirror to reduce glare on bright days. Plus, HomeLink adds convenience with remote access capabilities - you can use it to open garage doors or control compatible security systems and lighting around your home.

2021 Honda Civic Sedan EX-L vs Touring. What is the difference?

The Touring is the top trim of the Honda Civic. Jumping from the EX-L to the Touring requires about $2,700. This is more than it costs to move from any other trim to the next, so one would assume that the Touring offers quite a lot of advantages.

Let's start with the outside of the Touring. It has 18-inch wheels, and they have gloss shark gray inserts that make them look sleek. Chrome door handles and LED automatic headlights add to the premium feel of the Touring. The wipers in the Touring can sense rain and can automatically turn themselves on or off. Plus, the side mirrors in the Touring have built-in LED turn signal indicators.

In the Touring, there's a sense that this car is sportier than many of the others. Just like the Sport trim, it has sport pedals and paddle shifters mounted on its steering wheel. People who love performance and the thrill of driving will be happy to have these components.

Similar to the EX-L, the Touring has leather seats. However, it has heating elements in the front and rear seats. Its front passenger seat is power-adjustable and can be moved in four ways.

The Touring does differ significantly from the other trims with its technology. It's the only trim to reequipped with navigation. The navigation system has voice recognition so it can be easier to look up directions while on the road, and it uses Honda HD Digital Traffic to help people avoid getting stuck in traffic. Further, the Touring has a high-end audio system that has a subwoofer and a total of ten speakers.

Final Thoughts

The Honda Civic features a range of models, each with its own unique style and price tag to match. Whether you opt for the affordable LX at $21K or go all out on the Touring trim for an extra boost in attitude and details coming to a total cost of $28K - there's plenty from which you can choose! For those looking for something between these two extremes might find what they're searching for with either the Sport model (at around 23K) or EX-L variant ($25K). Whichever route one chooses will be sure enjoy every ride taken while behind their trusted wheel.

What's great about the LX is that it comes with driver-assist systems. Knowing that their cars are keeping an eye out for potential problems, drivers can have extra boosts of confidence as they travel. Unfortunately, the LX doesn't have a touchscreen or smartphone compatibility, so it's not the most highly recommended trim. Considering that the Civic is generally considered to be an ideal vehicle for budget-conscious consumers, the Touring is nice, but not quite practical.

That leaves the Sport, EX, and EX-L. If leather seats are on someone's must-have list, then the obvious choice is the EX-L. Otherwise, the EX should be more than satisfactory. It has heated front seats for added comfort, blind spot monitoring to enhance safety, and SiriusXM Satellite Radio to keep people entertained. Some bonus features are its power moonroof and heated side mirrors.

Previous Honda Civic Sedan Trim Configurations:

Compare the 2020 Honda Civic Sedan Trim Levels