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Why Honda Discontinued the Civic Coupe

Honda dropped the Civic coupe after the 2020 model year primarily because demand for two-door compact cars collapsed in North America, making the model a small, low-volume outlier as buyers migrated to sedans, hatchbacks, and SUVs. The move streamlined the Civic lineup ahead of the 11th-generation launch and redirected resources to higher-demand variants like the sedan, hatchback, Si (as a sedan), and the Type R.

What Changed in the Market

Over the past decade, U.S. buyers have shifted decisively away from traditional passenger cars toward crossovers and SUVs. Within the shrinking car segment, two-door coupes—especially mainstream compact coupes—have fallen fastest. This broader market realignment made a dedicated Civic coupe increasingly hard to justify from a business and product-planning standpoint.

Sales and Take-Rate Context

By the late 2010s, the Civic coupe accounted for only a small fraction of Civic sales in the U.S. Industry reporting at the time put the coupe’s share at only a single-digit percentage of total Civic volume, reflecting how most compact-car buyers favored the added practicality of four doors and larger cargo openings. In 2019, for example, Civic sales topped 325,000 in the U.S., but the coupe represented only a minor slice of that total.

Honda’s Stated Rationale

Honda said its decision aligned with evolving customer preferences and the need to focus on body styles with the strongest demand. As the company prepared the 11th-generation Civic, it prioritized the sedan and hatchback, plus performance variants that better matched market interest: the Civic Si returned solely as a sedan, and the Type R continued as a hatchback. The Civic coupe, with comparatively low take rates, did not fit that strategy.

Key Timeline

The following timeline highlights when and how Honda phased out the Civic coupe as it reshaped the Civic lineup for the next generation.

  • Mid-2020: Honda announces that the Civic coupe will not return for the 2021 model year in the U.S.
  • 2020: Final model year for the 10th-generation Civic coupe, including the Si Coupe.
  • 2021: Civic lineup in the U.S. continues with sedan and hatchback; the Si takes a one-year pause.
  • 2022: 11th-generation Civic launches as a sedan and hatchback only; the Si returns as a sedan.
  • 2023–present: Civic Type R continues as a hatchback; no coupe body style is reintroduced.

These steps show a deliberate transition toward the highest-volume Civic variants and performance trims that align with buyer preferences, leaving the two-door coupe behind.

What It Means for Buyers

For shoppers who liked the Civic coupe’s style and driving feel, there are still credible options within and beyond the Civic lineup, though most are four-door or niche performance coupes.

  • New Civic choices: Civic sedan and hatchback, including the Civic Si sedan and the high-performance Civic Type R hatchback.
  • Used-market route: 2016–2020 Civic coupe models, including the 2020 Si Coupe, remain available pre-owned.
  • Other small coupes: Models like the Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ offer two doors and a sporty focus, though they are rear-wheel-drive sports cars rather than practical compacts.

While no direct new two-door Civic replacement exists, the current Civic lineup and select alternatives cover a range of practicality and performance needs for former coupe intenders.

Summary

Honda discontinued the Civic coupe after 2020 because two-door compact cars saw steadily declining demand in the U.S., making the coupe a low-volume variant in a lineup centered on higher-demand sedans, hatchbacks, and performance trims. Streamlining ahead of the 11th-generation Civic allowed Honda to focus investment where buyers were—resulting in today’s sedan- and hatchback-only Civic family, with the Si as a sedan and the Type R as a hatchback.

Why was the Honda Civic coupe discontinued?

Introduction of the hatchback back into the US market cannibalized the coupe sales. Pair that with the expense of having to manage another vehicle variation and declining small vehicle sales, perfect reason to axe it.

Will Honda ever bring back the coupe?

Honda is bringing back a legend. The Prelude, an iconic sports coupe beloved by enthusiasts for decades, will make its highly anticipated return in 2026. This time, the Prelude will be reborn as a hybrid-electric model, combining its heritage of driving excitement with cutting-edge electrification technology.

What Honda Civic coupe years to avoid?

Which Honda Civic Years to Avoid

Model Year Main Issues
2001 Transmission failure, airbag recall, engine concerns
2006 Cracked engine blocks, coolant leaks
2007–2008 Premature tire wear, engine and body integrity issues
2012 Poor interior quality, underwhelming ride and build

Will there be a 2025 Civic coupe?

Key features of the 2025 Honda Civic Coupe Si
1.5L turbo engine delivers sporty 200 hp with a 6-speed manual for pure driving fun. Performance-tuned chassis and multi-link rear suspension for agile, responsive handling. 9-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto keep you connected.

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