For the 2020 model year, the Honda Civic came in sedan, coupe, and hatchback body styles. But for 2021, Honda nixed the coupe. The new Civic Hatchback comes in LX, Sport, EX, and Sport Touring trims. However, consumers and experts disagree on the best model. 

Edmunds shows the Sport is the most popular trim among consumers. But Car and Driver and MotorBiscuit recommend the Sport Touring. So, which hatchback is better?

2021 Honda Civic Sport vs. Sport Touring Hatchback

The base-model Honda Civic LX comes with a decent number of features. But Edmunds shows the Sport Hatchback, the next trim in the lineup, is most popular among consumers. All trims come with a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine, but the Sport and Sport Touring trims produce 180 hp — 6 hp more than what the base trim offers. Both also offer a center-mounted exhaust.

The base and EX trims come with a continuously variable transmission as standard. The Sport and Sport Touring trims get a six-speed manual gearbox that comes standard, and the CVT is optional on these two trims. Front-wheel drive comes standard on all Civic trims. Even cargo space is the same, with 46 cubic feet of storage when the rear seats are folded down. 

Honda gives the Sport, EX, and Sport Touring a 7.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, larger than the 5.0-inch one in the base trim. And Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on all levels above the base version. As far as audio is concerned, the Sport comes with an eight-speaker sound system, but the base has only a four-speaker.

What makes the Honda Civic Sport Touring Hatchback an expert pick?

The Sport Touring trim basically takes what’s great in the Sport and EX and combines them to make the top-tier trim. Despite their similarities, a few features set the Sport Touring apart from the Sport. 

One difference is that the Sport Touring comes with a premium 12-speaker audio system that’s Honda’s own creation. Other automakers offer third-party devices, like JBL. You’ll get 540 watts of sound compared to the 160 180 watts in the lower trims. 

Other perks you can get in the Sport Touring are an auto-dimming rearview mirror, LED headlights, an integrated navigational system, a power-adjustable passenger seat, leather-covered seats, and heated rear outboard seats.

As for fuel economy, Car and Driver reports the Civic Sport Touring gets 29 mpg in the city, 37 mpg on the highway, and 32 mpg combined.

So, why do consumers choose the Sport over the Sport Touring?

Though we recommend the Sport Touring trim, the Sport appears to the more popular hatchback among consumers. Why is that when the Sport Touring offers more bang for the buck?

Well, it’s probably because the Sport Hatchback model has some of the same great features at a lower price point. According to Honda, the Sport trim starts at $23,300, plus a destination charge of $995. 

The Sport Touring comes with more, but it also costs more: $28,600 minus the destination charge. That’s about a $5,000 difference between the two trims. 

If a premium sound system, leather seating, and heated rear seats aren’t important to you, the Civic Sport Hatchback is a fine choice. But if you’re willing to pay a little extra to get more luxurious touches, go for the Sport Touring instead.