Most people aren't looking at pickups relative to owning no vehicle at all. Which is to say they aren't spending a $25K premium for one. They're looking at the cost/utility benefit relative to other new vehicles with similar features. For example a large trunk SUV Vs. a Crew Cab-style pickup. The cost increase could be <$3K.

Cheap pickups definitely aren't a status simple. The pickup market ranges from $100K+ all the way down to $25K or less. Some are status symbols, some aren't, but the cheap ones definitely aren't.