Top Safety PickTop Safety Pick criteria

2021 Honda Civic

small car / 4-door hatchback

Award applies only to vehicles with specific headlights and does not apply to Type R performance variant

2021 Honda Civic 4-door hatchback
2020 Honda Civic shown

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Small overlap front: driver-side
Small overlap front: passenger-side
Moderate overlap front: original test
Side: original test
Roof strength
Head restraints & seats

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Headlights (varies by trim/option)
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle
Standard system
Superior
Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)
Standard system
Superior

Seat belts & child restraints

LATCH ease of use

Other available safety features

  • Standard lane departure warning & prevention

Key

  • G
    Good
  • A
    Acceptable
  • M
    Marginal
  • P
    Poor
  • Superior
  • Advanced
  • Basic

Some ratings use a scale of Poor to Good. Others range from Basic to Superior.

Small overlap front: driver-side

Rating applies to 2016-21 models

Tested vehicle: 2016 Honda Civic LX 4-door

The Honda Civic was redesigned for the 2016 model year. The ratings also apply to the 4-door hatchback version of the Civic, introduced in the 2017 model year.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics

Action shot taken during the small overlap frontal crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the door frame, steering wheel, and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained very well.

The frontal and side curtain airbags worked well together to control the dummy’s head movement, although the head hit the steering wheel on the left side as the frontal airbag was bottomed out.

Forces during the crash contributed to a moderate risk of injury to the dummy's right lower leg.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID CEN1536
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 3
Footrest (cm) 7
Left toepan (cm) 6
Brake pedal (cm) 2
Parking brake (cm)
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 1
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column 0
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 2
Upper dash (cm) 2
Lower instrument panel (cm) 2

Driver injury measures

Test ID CEN1536
Head
HIC-15 610
Peak gs at hard contact 88
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.2
Extension bending moment (Nm) 15
Maximum Nij 0.26
Chest maximum compression (mm) 21
Femur (kN)
Left 0.2
Right 0.5
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 0
Right 0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.51
Right 0.99
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 2.2
Right 3.5
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 83
Right 97

About the small overlap front test

Small overlap front: passenger-side

Rating applies to 2018-21 models

Tested vehicle: 2018 Honda Civic EX 4-door

The Honda Civic sedan was redesigned for the 2016 model year and the 4-door hatchback version was introduced in the 2017 model year. Beginning with 2018 models of the sedan, the front bumper was modified slightly to improve occupant protection in passenger-side small overlap crashes. This same bumper modification was introduced starting with the 2020 models of the hatchback, except for the Type R performance variant.

Passenger-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Honda and apply to the sedan beginning with 2018 models and to the hatchback (except for the Type R) beginning with 2020 models.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on passenger side

Test ID VTP1712
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 5
Footrest (cm) 5
Right toepan (cm) 12
Center toepan (cm) 7
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 2
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm) 1
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 1
Upper dash (cm) 1
Right lower dash (cm) 1

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTP1712
Head
HIC-15 378
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.3
Extension bending moment (Nm) 36
Maximum Nij 0.35
Chest maximum compression (mm) 18
Femur (kN)
Left 1.7
Right 0.5
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 1
Right 1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.58
Right 0.55
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 2.9
Right 1.9
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 108
Right 93

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTP1712
Head
HIC-15 204
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.4
Extension bending moment (Nm) 12
Maximum Nij 0.25
Chest maximum compression (mm) 24
Femur (kN)
Left 1.0
Right 0.7
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 0
Right 0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.56
Right 0.39
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 2.2
Right 2.4
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 48
Right 76

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2016-21 models

Tested vehicle: 2016 Honda Civic Touring 4-door

The Honda Civic was redesigned for the 2016 model year. Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Honda. The ratings also apply to the 4-door hatchback version of the Civic, introduced in the 2017 model year.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Leg/foot, left
Leg/foot, right
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTF1510
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm) 5
Left (cm) 9
Center (cm) 6
Right (cm) 4
Brake pedal (cm) 2
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm) 0
Right (cm) 0
Steering column movement
Upward (cm) 1
Rearward (cm) -1
A-pillar rearward movement (cm) 0

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTF1510
Head
HIC-15 422
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.6
Extension bending moment (Nm) 47
Maximum Nij 0.20
Chest maximum compression (mm) 26
Legs
Femur force - left (kN) 0.4
Femur force - right (kN) 0.2
Knee displacement - left (mm) 0
Knee displacement - right (mm) 0
Maximum tibia index - left 0.33
Maximum tibia index - right 0.45
Tibia axial force - left (kN) 1.7
Tibia axial force - right (kN) 2.0
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 45
Right 48

About the original moderate overlap front test

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2016-21 models

Tested vehicle: 2016 Honda Civic LX 4-door

The Honda Civic was redesigned for the 2016 model year. Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Honda. The ratings also apply to the 4-door hatchback version of the Civic, introduced in the 2017 model year.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Rear passenger head protection
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTS1509
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) -18.5
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTS1509
Head HIC-15 299
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.9
Compression (kN) 0.1
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 33
Lateral force (kN) 1.7
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 27
Average deflection (mm) 25
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 3.50
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.38
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 1.0
Acetabulum force (kN) 1.9
Combined force (kN) 2.8
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 0.5
L-M moment (Nm) 127
A-P moment (Nm) 21

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTS1509
Head HIC-15 320
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.5
Compression (kN) 0.4
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 41
Lateral force (kN) 1.4
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 27
Average deflection (mm) 17
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 2.90
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.27
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 0.1
Acetabulum force (kN) 0.4
Combined force (kN) 0.4
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 2.9
L-M moment (Nm) 250
A-P moment (Nm) 74

About the original side crash test

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2016-21 models

Tested vehicle: 2016 Honda Civic LX 4-door

Rating applies to both the Civic 4-door sedan (tested) and 4-door hatchback versions and to the structurally similar 2019 and later Insight 4-door sedan.

Overall evaluation
Curb weight2,738 lbs
Peak force15,829 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio5.78

About the roof strength test

Head restraints & seats

Seat type: Manual cloth seat

Overall evaluation
Dynamic rating
Seat/head restraint geometry
Technical measurements for this test
Seat type Manual cloth seat
Geometry
Backset (mm) 30
Distance below top of head (mm) 34
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail Pass
Max T1 acceleration (g) 13.7
Head contact time (ms) 59
Force rating 1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N) 0
Max neck tension (N) 211

About the head restraint & seat test
Currently, IIHS tests apply only to front seats.

Headlights

Ratings are given for 2 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.

Trim level(s)

  • Sport Touring trim
  • Type-R trim
  • Type-R Limited Edition trim
Low-beam headlight typeLED reflector
High-beam headlight typeLED reflector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit Some glare

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on the sharp left and both right curves and fair on the gradual left curve.

The low beams created some glare.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good in all 4 tests.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on both left curves.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • Sport Touring trim
  • Type-R trim
  • Type-R Limited Edition trim
Low-beam headlight type LED reflector
High-beam headlight type LED reflector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2020-21 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 118.4 m 14.0%
Straightaway left edge 61.6 m 14.0%
250m radius right curve, right edge 92.8 m 57.9%
250m radius left curve, right edge 60.6 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 71.0 m 2.8%
150m radius left curve, left edge 59.0 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 174.4 m
Straightaway left edge 162.3 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 99.2 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 85.3 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 74.3 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 65.6 m

Trim level(s)

  • LX trim
  • Sport trim
  • EX trim
Low-beam headlight typeHalogen projector
High-beam headlight typeHalogen reflector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and fair on the left side. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and all 4 curves.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • LX trim
  • Sport trim
  • EX trim
Low-beam headlight type Halogen projector
High-beam headlight type Halogen reflector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2017-21 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 88.5 m None
Straightaway left edge 29.2 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 48.5 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 35.8 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 37.1 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 30.2 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 164.4 m
Straightaway left edge 133.7 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 62.7 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 57.6 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 45.1 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 43.9 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

System details

  • Standard Collision Mitigation Braking System

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2020-21 models

Superior
Superior
  • This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

About the original front crash prevention test

Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)

System details

  • standard Collision Mitigation Braking System

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to all 2020-21 models

Superior
Superior

Crossing child

  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 20 mph.

Crossing adult

  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Parallel adult

  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 37 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 35 mph. A warning was issued 2.3 seconds before impact.

About the pedestrian front crash prevention test

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2018-21 models

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trimEX
Seat type cloth

This vehicle has 2 rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.

It has 1 additional seating position with a tether anchor only.

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trimEX
Seat type cloth
1 2 3
GGood
AAcceptable
MMarginal
PPoor
Seating positions that rely on borrowed lower anchors or have only a tether anchor available are not rated.
thether anchor symbol
Tether anchor
lower anchor symbol
Lower anchors
shared lower achors symbol
Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s)
No hardware available

Details by seating position

1
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
2
Tether anchor
hard-to-find location
other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
none available
3
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
Technical measurements for this test

Seat position 21

3

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 2-4
Force (lbs) 12
Clearance angle (degrees) 63
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 2-4
Force (lbs) 9
Clearance angle (degrees) 75
Tether anchor
Location Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present Yes
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

Seat position 22

2

Lower anchor A
No lower latch for this seat position
Lower anchor B
No lower latch for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location Floor
Confusing hardware present Yes
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 No
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

Seat position 23

1

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 2-4
Force (lbs) 4
Clearance angle (degrees) 76
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 2-4
Force (lbs) 14
Clearance angle (degrees) 71
Tether anchor
Location Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present Yes
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

About the child seat anchor evaluation