Fewer features, more value: Why some Americans are buying simpler cars

more americans are buying simpler, cheaper cars as new vehicle prices hover near $50,000. sales of base trims and budget models like the nissan versa and ford maverick have climbed sharply since 2023, according to automaker data. the ford maverick — one of the cheapest pickups on the market — saw sales jump from about 94,000 units in 2023 to more than 155,000 in 2025. sales of its entry-level xl trim rose 105% in the final three months of 2025. the nissan versa, starting around $17,000, went from roughly 25,000 sales in 2023 to over 51,000 in 2025. buyers like javier fernandez, who bought a base 2024 versa, say it averages 42 mpg and costs about $320 a month in gas. smaller suvs are also drawing budget-conscious shoppers. chevrolet trax sales rose 89% between 2023 and 2025, and nissan kicks sales increased 55% over the same period. jeff bezos-backed slate motors is working on a stripped-down electric pickup expected in the mid-$20,000s, with over 160,000 refundable reservations already placed. but affordable options are shrinking. only 26 models had average transaction prices below $30,000 in march 2025, making up about 14% of total u.s. sales, per cox automotive. many of those are built abroad and subject to new tariffs. automakers have also discontinued entry-level models — the nissan versa ended after the 2025 model year. the average monthly payment for a new car is now $767.