Honda has always been known for producing some of the most affordable and fuel-efficient cars on the market. The Japanese automaker churns out cars like the Civic, Accord, Ridgeline, and Odyssey, however, some of them are at a much higher price range nowadays. Many of those larger vehicles retail in the upper $20,000 to $30,000 range. So what is the cheapest Honda that you can currently buy?

No more Honda Fit means no more sub-$20,000 car

In case you’re unaware, the Honda Fit was discontinued after the 2020 model year. It’s a shame because it was a great car that provided a unique amount of passenger and cargo room at a sub-$20,000 price tag. But with no more Fit in the picture, the cheapest Honda that you can currently buy is Civic Sedan.

That’s right, welcome back to the early 2000s, before the Honda Fit was even a twinkle in the company’s eye and the Civic was the most affordable option. However, a new base-model 2021 Honda Civic LX will cost you $21,250 (before the destination charge) and a newly released 2022 Civic LX will cost you a little more at $21,700. That’s still pretty affordable, but it’s more expensive than rivals like the Toyota Corolla and Nissan Sentra.

What do you get in the Civic LX?

Since the 2022 Honda Civic just made its full-on debut and will hit dealer showrooms soon, we’ll go over the details for that car. Some of the most notable 2022 Civic LX standard features include 16-inch steel wheels with covers, 10 airbags, and the Honda Sensing suite of driver-assist features.

The Civic LX is also equipped with a digital instrument gauge panel, a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, LED head and taillights, a push-button starter, and automatic climate control. Admittedly, the Civic LX isn’t exactly a near-luxury cruiser, however, if you want something nicer, then you can opt for the higher EX and Touring trims that come with amenities like leather seats and a Bose premium audio system.

The 2022 Civic LX has enough power for the daily drive

While the Civic LX is the bargain version of the entry-level sedan, it does have plenty of power to get you around town. Under the hood, the 2022 Civic LX is powered by a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine that produces 158 hp and 138 lb-ft of torque. That engine is mated to a CVT and is EPA-rated to achieve up to 31 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway.

You’re paying for quality and reliability

While the 2022 Honda Civic LX does carry a heavier price tag than the Honda Fit and its competitors, you can rest assured knowing that you’re getting a quality and reliable sedan. JD Power rated the 2021 Civic with a respectable 76 out of 100 when it comes to reliability and quality and Consumer Reports gave it a 3 out of 5. The 2022 Civic has not been rated by either outfit yet.

The cheapest Honda might be a little pricier than the Fit that came before it, but it looks like the 2022 model is well worth the extra money.