Used Honda Civic for sale near Clacton-on-sea

CarGurus expert rating: 4 out of 5
CarGurus user rating: 4.3 out of 5
Percentage of good/great deals available on CarGurus: 30.3%
Overall CarGurus rating:* 4.3 out of 5
Available Listings: Around 700
Average Price: Around £11,500

Honda Civic (2016-2021) Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Dependable family transport	Frustrating infotainment
The Type R hot hatch is tremendous fun	Interior quality could be better
Choice of frugal engines	Regular models are rather ordinary to drive

Quick Summary

The Honda Civic (2016-2021), the tenth generation of this iconic nameplate, offers flamboyant styling and practical family transport. Available exclusively as a five-door hatchback (with a four-door saloon variant from 2018), it provides good passenger room and a generous 478-litre boot with a long floor ideal for bulky items. The raked roofline gives it a sportier appearance than typical family hatchbacks, though a six-footer may find rear headroom slightly tight. With five trim levels and a choice of two turbocharged petrol engines or a diesel unit, there's a Civic to suit most needs, plus the explosive Type R hot hatch for those seeking genuine performance.

The Civic drives well with a light, snappy manual gearbox and a happy balance between easy motorway manners, supple ride comfort, and grippy handling. Engines are amongst the most frugal in the class, with the diesel returning over 60mpg and the 1.0-litre petrol achieving 45-50mpg. Insurance groups are very competitive at 15-22. However, the infotainment system is underwhelming, interior quality feels patchy compared to rivals, and regular models lack the driving finesse of competitors like the Ford Focus. The Type R, conversely, is a usable daily driver and a rabid performance hatch that's more visceral than most rivals.

Best for: Families seeking dependable, affordable transport with frugal engines, comprehensive safety equipment, and practical space; or performance enthusiasts considering the Type R.

Not ideal for: Buyers prioritising premium infotainment systems, superior interior quality, or the finest driving dynamics in the regular model range.


Comparison vs Key Rivals



The Verdict

You should buy the Civic if: You're seeking dependable, affordable family transport with frugal engines, comprehensive safety equipment, and practical space, or considering the Type R for genuine performance.

Consider alternatives if: You prioritise premium infotainment systems, superior interior quality, or the finest driving dynamics in the regular model range.

Competitive Position: The Honda Civic (2016-2021) is a worthy family hatchback offering practical space, dependable transport, and frugal engines. However, it faces stiff competition from exceptional contemporaries. The Ford Focus drives better, the Volkswagen Golf offers superior interior quality and infotainment, and the Toyota Corolla provides excellent value. The Civic's major weakness is its underwhelming infotainment system and patchy interior finish. That said, it remains a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable family car, particularly in SR trim or above with the efficient 1.0-litre petrol engine. The Type R variant is a genuinely brilliant performance hatchback that's more visceral than most rivals.

Read our full Honda Civic Review

*The Overall CarGurus rating: that informs these recommendations is based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from March 2026, CarGurus expert reviews, and CarGurus user reviews.