Getting a good deal on anything is a remarkably satisfying feeling, but securing a great price on something as major and expensive as a new automobile brings an entirely different level of gratification. Virtually everybody shopping for a vehicle wants to walk away knowing they scored a fantastic deal, yet paradoxically, nobody really wants the rest of the world to immediately realize that they bought the cheapest version available. Unfortunately, when it comes to low-specification cars, the stark reality of budget motoring is often broadcasted loud and clear for everyone on the road to see.

In the good old days of the automotive industry, entry-level trims of most cars projected their "stripper spec" status through glaringly obvious aesthetic compromises. These budget-friendly models usually featured unpainted black plastic bumpers, unpainted wing mirrors, steel wheels with cheap plastic hubcaps, and other stripped-down trim pieces that clearly separated them from their more expensive stablemates. Over the years, however, car companies pulled off a fascinating psychological and marketing pivot. Modern automakers have cleverly learned to actually charge extra for all that raw black plastic, framing it as rugged, adventurous styling when affixed to the body panels of modern hatchbacks and crossovers. Yet, despite these clever industry trends, some modern vehicles still manage to make it glaringly, painfully obvious that you opted for the absolute base model.

Looking back at automotive history, budget markers were simply a fact of life for many families. Take, for instance, a 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan in the cheap SE trim level. That particular minivan wore its economy pedigree proudly with a middle bench seat, stark black plastic door handles, and matching unpainted mirrors. For a young car enthusiast, looking up at the Grand Caravan Sport trim—with its shiny alloy wheels and sleek body-colored trim—elicited plenty of longing. Still, there was always a silver lining to cling to, such as the flex of having dual sliding doors when that feature was genuinely impressive. But as the old saying goes, beggars can’t be choosers, and nostalgic family minivans aside, the real question is which modern vehicles currently wear their entry-level status the most awkwardly.

I think the BMW X2 makes it most obvious that you bought a base model

Observing the modern automotive landscape reveals a steep uptick in the number of base-trim BMW X2 rental cars trundling along and slowing down traffic over the past few months. When one of these particular crossovers rolls into view, the immediate, inescapable thought that flashes through the mind is just how remarkably cheap the non-M-Sport versions look in the metal.

The current generation of the BMW X2 is hardly the most gracefully styled vehicle in the world, possessing a polarizing silhouette that already pushes design boundaries. However, when ordered in its base form—or simply labeled as the Sport trim in official BMW nomenclature—the X2 begins to look downright peculiar. The visual degradation affects multiple key areas of the exterior design. Most notably, the front fascia transforms completely. Instead of the aggressive, sharply chiseled hourglass shape found on the proper M Sport trim, the plain old Sport trim makes do with a goofy-looking, open grin that completely changes the vehicle’s road presence.

Yet, the most egregious and undeniable sign of the base model lies along the lower perimeter of the vehicle: the unpainted black plastic wheel arch trim and side skirts. This modern design choice feels like a direct throwback to economy cars of decades past, effectively pulling off the exact same visual trick that a 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan utilized nearly thirty years ago. While automotive trends have evolved, the sight of raw, textured black plastic cladding on an expensive German luxury brand’s crossover evokes a surprisingly similar aesthetic compromise.

Compounding the issue further is the choice of paint. The vast majority of these base-spec rental X2s clogging up busy city streets are finished in stark, brilliant white. Far from hiding the vehicle’s budget roots, white paint offers the absolute highest contrast possible for that nasty-looking black plastic ring running around the perimeter of the car. It frames the lower bodywork in a way that draws the eye directly to the unpainted surfaces, perfectly accentuating the vehicle’s wacky, Waluigi-esque mustachioed grin up front.

Ultimately, while hunting for a bargain remains a universally cherished pursuit, the automotive market ensures that compromises are rarely completely hidden. Whether it is through stark plastic cladding, altered grilles, or contrasting paint choices, entry-level models continue to tell their own story out on the open road.