It is the move to crossover type vehicles and SUVs which are almost all over $30k. People think they need something "good in the snow" and that can carry a lot

It is the move to crossover type vehicles and SUVs which are almost all over $30k. People think they need something "good in the snow" and that can carry a lot of cargo. Both things that most rarely need. Even in very snowy and cold areas like Vermont, I see people come up in their CUV with "all season" tires and slide off the road while there's locals ripping around in a Civic with winter tires. If they want something good in the snow, winter tires are a lot cheaper and will outperform a CUV on all seasons. But yes you can buy reasonably nice cars for ~25k. The truck market is driving up the prices.