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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. Sales data from automakers including Ford, Nissan and Hyundai shows more buyers are choosing lower-cost vehicles and base models. For many buyers, the decision comes down to cost, Dalgaard says: "Consumers are wising up to the fact that they don't need all