Which Features Would You Sacrifice To Make Modern Cars Cheaper?

The automotive world is buzzing over a brutal question: what features would you ditch to slash the price of a new car? The debate flared after Slate Auto’s upcoming ultra-cheap electric truck was revealed—priced under $25,000, it’s set to become one of the most affordable vehicles on sale, and the only EV in that bracket. But to hit that price, Slate has already axed the power window upgrade, leaving buyers with manual window cranks—a throwback to the pre-2000s. The move has sparked a Slack-wide argument among journalists and readers alike: is saving a few grand (under $5,000) worth giving up the modern conveniences we now take for granted? Take Ford’s Maverick, for example—its hybrid version undercuts many rivals while still offering power windows, Bluetooth, and a full suite of tech.

Slate’s truck forces a stark choice: pay a little more for a Maverick and keep the basics, or go bare-bones and save big. The author, a millennial who cut their teeth on bench seats and hand-crank windows, admits they’d happily surrender most modern frills—except heated seats and A/C. After all, surviving West Michigan’s brutal lake-effect winters demands climate control. The simplest new car they’ve driven recently? A 2022 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited with manual seats, a basic touchscreen, and limited safety tech like blind-spot monitoring and backup cameras.

Compared to today’s overloaded SUVs, it felt refreshingly stripped-down. The kicker? Even budget-friendly models now force buyers to swallow invasive safety tech that can’t be disabled. The author’s plea is clear: give us cars with character, driving dynamics, and personality—without the gimmicks. So, what would you sacrifice?

Subscription services? Connectivity? Infotainment overload? The comments section is open, though automakers are unlikely to read them. Still, it’s worth asking: in a market where even the cheapest EVs start at $25,000, are we paying for features we don’t need—or just features we’ve been tricked into thinking we do?