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

A growing number of car buyers are opting for cheaper, more basic vehicles, a sign that average new vehicle prices near $50,000 are pushing drivers to rethink what they actually need.Many buyers "just want something to get them from A to B, and they don't want to pay a lot of money," says Amelia Dalgaard, founder of Motorhead Mama, an automotive advice site.Instead of bigger SUVs or higher trims — versions of a model with more features and elevated prices — many shoppers are sticking with simpler options like compact sedans, entry-level pickups or the most basic version on the dealer's lot. Sales of lower-cost models and base trims have risen in recent years as vehicle prices have climbed, according to automaker data.That often means simpler interiors: cloth seats, manual adjustments, analog gauges, physical buttons and dials and a more modest touchscreen."Would I like to have roof rails, heated seats or trailer capacity? Sure. Do I need them? Not at all," says Javier Fernandez, a Pennsylvania driver who bought a base 2024 Nissan Versa.Buyers are increasingly focused on value, industry experts tell CNBC Make It, even as options near $30,000 have shrunk and automakers continue to prioritize higher-priced models.More buyers