The base range was the best part of the car, now not anymore

I drove the base XE that belonged to a friend and also been driven around in a turbo XV that I didn't try. I'll try to give a fair assessment. 1. The base XE was excellent value and was the same price as my 2019 Wagonr 1.2 vxi. It was safer, looked better, bigger and more comfortable. Although i could never outrun a the 1.2, it was strong enough if slow is good enough for you. 2. The upper trims didn't seem like good value cause of the relatively cheaper built quality and multiple options from competition. The base could be kitted out fairly easily and slowly and for the price of a medium hatchback. 3. The new base model has lost its value with further cost-cutting (omission of the signature rear wiper/defogger, that penny pinchers love as it's difficult to add aftermarket). A small price increment to maintain features would have been good as the alternatives have also gotten big price hikes.