In many markets outside the United States, it’s possible to buy even luxury cars in a basic specification (so-called “poverty-spec” models) with tiny wheels, cloth interiors, and smaller engines. American tastes differ, though, with fewer base trims that actually look and feel basic. Here, consumers prefer even the cheapest variants of a model line to come with high-end features and decent power.
But the desire for cheaper, basic trims is increasing as the average car price rises to record levels. Nowhere is this clearer to see than by analyzing Ford’s most recent sales figures. The Blue Oval has reported a dramatic rise in sales for base trims across at least four model lines this past November.
Related: Average New Car Price Crosses $50K Barrier as Americans Struggle to Keep Up
Sales of Base Maverick Explode
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In November, sales of the entry-level Ford Maverick XL surged by 76.2%, completely contrasting with the company’s overall November sales, which declined by 0.9%. Across the industry, auto sales dropped by 7%, so the base Maverick completely bucked the trend last month.
Ford
The Maverick XL is the only trim in the range that starts at under $30,000, with a base price of $28,145—it’s also the cheapest pickup truck in America. The next model up is the XLT, which retails for $30,645. But it wasn’t only the base Maverick that saw a significant rise in sales. The Ford Explorer ST-Line (the second-cheapest trim) saw sales jump by 68.5%, while the cheapest Ford Ranger, the XL, increased by 48%. The base Explorer Active saw sales rise by 60.7%; this model is over $15,000 cheaper than the top Explorer ST.
Combined sales of the Maverick XL, Ranger XL, and Bronco Big Bend increased by 26.4%. The Big Bend is the second-cheapest Bronco trim, but is under $1,000 pricier than the base trim.
Hybrids and F-Series Going Strong
Ford
Elsewhere in Ford’s lineup, sales of the F-Series were once again strong, with the company saying the pickup is almost guaranteed to finish 2025 as America’s best-selling truck for the 49th consecutive year. Currently, the Ford is 227,000 units ahead of the Chevrolet Silverado.
Ford hybrids also had a great month in November, with record sales of 16,301 units, an increase of 13.6%. This total includes sales of the F-150 Hybrid, Escape Hybrid, and Escape Plug-in Hybrid. Ford is planning to discontinue the Escape at the end of this year to make way for a new EV.
Final Thoughts
Ford’s sales data indicates that, even with rising car prices, many consumers would rather settle for a base trim than go for a higher-spec but smaller model. The Maverick XL’s performance is especially strong, but perhaps this isn’t a shock, given that a pickup stripped of fancy extras isn’t nearly as jarring as a luxury model missing key features.
Earlier this year, we looked at some of the models with the best base trims on the market, from the Toyota Camry LE to the Honda Civic LX. Interestingly, Honda discontinued then quickly brought back the Civic LX trim a few years ago, suggesting demand for base trims isn’t unique to Ford. Most of these models aren’t as sparse as you may expect, and if you don’t mind a few sneers from the neighbors, you’ll end up with a much cheaper car that delivers much the same driving experience as pricey top trims.
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