When buying a car, there are a lot of things to consider and many different factors that will determine whether it is the right choice for you. The make and model, which indicate which manufacturer produced the car and what specific vehicle it is in the automaker’s lineup, are the most important considerations, though. Understanding make and model and how they may influence your decision to buy a car or not is an important part of being a conscientious car shopper. If you don’t have a specific make or model in mind when you start looking for a new car, you could end up being overwhelmed when you are at the dealership. 

Vehicle make and model determine all kinds of things when it comes to buying a new or used car. The type of vehicle will decide things like price, auto insurance quotes and premiums, reliability, and performance. If you are in the market for a new car from a large manufacturer like Ford, Honda, Toyota, or Chevrolet, knowing what you can expect from a model of a car from these automakers can help you choose wisely. With a good knowledge of how these factors might change your decision, you can be sure to make the right choice for yourself and your driving needs. 

### What Does Make Mean? 

When talking about vehicle make, it generally refers to the car manufacturer that produced the vehicle. With the Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla, Honda and Toyota are the vehicle make. The make is generally the first part of the vehicle name and is the larger umbrella under which different specific model names are produced. A vehicle make will usually produce several models that fit different needs and styles. 

Sometimes a make will also refer to a parent company that directs other makes. For example, General Motors is a parent company for automakers like GMC, Cadillac, and Buick. While you won’t usually see a car listed as a General Motors car, all these brands operate under the General Motors emblem. The same goes for Fiat Chrysler, which operates the brands Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, and more. For the most part, these makes will all be produced at the same facilities as the other makes under their parent company, which can help you decide if one of them is right for you. 

### Why Make is Important 

Vehicle make is important because it denotes things like the standards of manufacturing and the overall reputation of a specific brand. For example, Toyota and Honda are known for creating reliable, economical vehicles so you know that the Toyota Corolla or Honda Accord will most likely be good choices if you want a vehicle you can depend on to get you from point A to point B without any problems. By understanding the general reputation of a vehicle’s make, you can make a good decision for your next vehicle purchase. 

Make is also important because some people have brand loyalty or scruples about where their vehicles are made. If you want to support American manufacturing, for example, a Tesla Model Y or Ford Mustang are going to be a great choice since both of those vehicle makes are produced in the United States. If you are more interested in the high standards of quality control that Japanese automakers are known for, a Toyota Camry or RAV4 or any of the different models made by Subaru could be a good option. If you know what you are looking for in the production of a vehicle, understanding different makes can be a big help. 

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### What Does Model Mean? 

While it is important to understand what make means when referring to a car, the model of a vehicle is just as essential. The model is the specific vehicle that a manufacturer produces. Most automakers produce more than one car and the model of a vehicle will often determine the more specific elements that you can expect. When talking about the Honda CR-V, for instance, CR-V refers to the model of the vehicle. Oftentimes, different models will have different engine types and body styles as well as drive configurations and interior styles. 

Manufacturers denote the model of a vehicle in different ways. BMW, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz use numbers and letters to differentiate their models with things like the 2-Series, the A4, and the C-Class. Other automakers will use different names for their models such as the Volkswagen Atlas or the Hyundai Kona. Each of these model names will have different specs from other models produced by the same manufacturer. 

### Why Model is Important 

Model matters because it will determine all kinds of things about the car. Some models are known for having higher-performance engines than other models made by the same automaker. Some have different body styles or interior configurations that might make one model more suitable for your specific needs than another. While many automakers make models that are similar to models made by other brands, the models within the same brand umbrella will often be very different from one another. 

The model of a car can also affect things like the cost of owning the car. Model is a big factor for car insurance companies because some models have more power or are known for being sportier than other models within a brand’s lineup. This can influence the cost of your insurance premiums. The 2024 Nissan Z with its 400-horsepower 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 is going to have much higher insurance rates than the 2024 Nissan Sentra, which comes with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder putting out 149 horsepower, even though both models are produced by the same automaker and might require the same amount of insurance coverage. 

### Model Variations

Within a vehicle model, there may be some variations that you can choose from, especially when buying a car new off the lot. Automakers know that having options is important to the average car buyer and they want to make sure that you can customize your vehicle as much as possible. Because of this, some vehicle models may have different specs or features, depending on the options that were chosen at the time of purchase.

#### Trim Level

One of the biggest variations that can happen between vehicles that are the same model is the trim level. Automakers offer different trim levels for cars that allow you to add things like extra stylistic options such as spoilers or larger wheels, as well as upgraded technology like larger infotainment screens. Generally, the base trim will be the most sparse in regards to extra features but it will also be the least expensive. Trim can also indicate the kind of engine a vehicle has and whether or not it comes with all-wheel drive. 

Many automakers will offer hybrid or PHEV options as a specific trim level for a vehicle. For example, the 2024 Toyota Camry is available in a variety of trim levels like LE, SE, XLE, XSE, and TRD. However, it is also available in the Hybrid LE, Hybrid SE, Hybrid XLE, and Hybrid XSE. These hybrid versions have all the same features and elements as their all-gas counterparts except for the addition of a hybridized engine. As you shop for a vehicle, it is a good idea to know what trim levels are available and how they might change the price and configuration of the car. 

#### Body Style

Different vehicle models may also come with different body styles. The Honda Civic is available in a variety of different body styles including a sedan, coupe, and hatchback. While most of the time the different body styles will be fairly close to one another, it is important to know what styles a vehicle is available in since it will also determine things like the number of passengers a vehicle has the capacity for and how much cargo space a car has. 

Body styles within models are incredibly important when it comes to pickup trucks. While all pickup trucks technically have the same pickup style, they will usually be available with different cab configurations within the same model. A crew cab or extended cab will offer back seats, which a regular cab truck will not. Even though two trucks may be the same model, they might have vastly different passenger capacities. 

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#### Packages

Vehicle models may also be available with different optional packages that you can choose from when making your purchase. These packages may be focused on things like appearance or technology and can include different features that another car of the same make and model won’t have if it doesn’t have that same package. Appearance packages may include things like different colored wheels, badging, lighting elements, or paint trim. Because of this, two vehicles that are the exact same make, model, and trim level may end up looking very different. 

#### Model Year 

The model year is another factor that can make two cars of the same make and model look and perform very differently from one another. Some car models have been in production for so long that different model years will have smaller or bigger engines or completely different body styles. Automakers update vehicles as the years go on and most models will have different generations that include complete updates or redesigns from what the previous model year looked like or felt like to drive. 

Model year can also have a big impact on the reliability of a vehicle. When shopping for a used or new car, always look at the reliability rating for the specific model year that you are thinking of buying. Some model years have problems due to issues at the factory or design flaws and the dependability can be very different from year to year. 

### How to Choose the Right Make and Model 

Choosing the right make and model of a car will be heavily dependent on your needs and your budget. If you are looking for something luxurious and refined, the Lexus LX600 could be a good option. If all you are looking for is an economical vehicle for your daily errands, something like the Kia Rio, with its low MSRP and good gas mileage, is going to be a better choice for you. Knowing what your needs are and what you plan on using the car for most of the time will help you make the best decision. 

When shopping for a car, be sure to read reviews and check the reliability ratings for the specific make, model, model year, and trim level that you are looking at. Having a good idea of what you can expect from a model and what other owners have said about a car can help you choose wisely. You should also be thinking about your budget and using things like model year and trim level to fit a certain make and model into those financial parameters. 

### How to Find Your Car's Make and Model

It is important to know what your car’s make and model is whether you are selling it shortly or simply want to know what you can expect when it comes to reliability or common repairs. Most of the time, a car will have the make and model on the back of it in the form of badging or emblems. If your vehicle doesn’t have these markings, though, you can also check your registration or title. The make, model, and model year will be listed in this documentation. 

Most of the time, you can also find the make and model on a plate that is located in the door jamb on the driver’s side of the vehicle. This plate will also list important information like the vehicle identification number and the specific trim level of the vehicle. All of this information will be helpful when trying to find things like parts, suggested frequency of certain maintenance procedures like oil changes, and the value of your car. 

### Final Thoughts

When shopping for a new or used car, knowing as much information as you can is crucial if you want to make the smartest choice. Car make and model will determine all kinds of things ranging from reliability to style to performance. Having a good understanding of what make and model mean and why they are important will be your best bet if you are looking to find the perfect car for your driving needs. By knowing the specifics of a vehicle you are thinking of buying, you can keep your overall cost of ownership down and find a car that will serve you well for many years to come.

What does it mean when someone talks about a vehicle's make and model? Find out what these terms mean and why they are important to you.

Car Make and Model: What Does it Mean?

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