What is the difference between car make and car model?

You’ve probably heard someone refer to the make and model of a car before, but you might not know exactly what it means.

Your vehicle’s make and model are simple ways to describe what kind of car you drive. However, the make and model of your car are more important than choosing a fun vehicle — they also affect how much you’ll pay for car insurance.

Read on to learn the difference between the make vs. the model of cars and how they can affect your insurance rates. Then, compare quotes with as many companies as possible to find the best rates for any vehicle you buy.

What is a vehicle’s make vs. model?

When you’re trying to decide what type of car you should get, you’ll probably hear a lot about the make and model of various vehicles.

The make and model of your car describe the specific type of vehicle you drive and are often listed together. However, some models are so well-known that you don’t need to include the make when discussing them.

A car’s make is the brand or company that makes a car. Here are some of the most popular makes in the United States:

• Ford
• Chevrolet
• Toyota
• Nissan
• Honda
• Jeep

Some makes are famous and highly reputable. For example, Lexus and BMW are well-known as luxury cars, while drivers expect high safety ratings from Subaru.

Each car brand produces a variety of models, many of which you’ve probably heard of. For example, look at the most popular models Toyota manufactures:

• Camry
• Corolla
• Tacoma
• Prius
• Tundra
• Avalon
• Highlander
• RAV4
• Sienna

This is an incomplete list of the models Toyota offers, but it gives you an idea of how many models a car brand might have.

You can compare similar models to other brands to determine which car is the best for you. Using Toyota’s Camry as an example, you can compare similar models like the Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, or Nissan Altima.

The final piece you need to describe the exact car you drive is the year it was made. You’ll know exactly what someone drives if they say they have a 2018 Ford Fusion or a 2022 Subaru Ascent.

So, what car is the best? That depends on what you want to drive. Choosing the right model is essential in getting a car that fits your lifestyle perfectly.

Read More: Toyota Auto Insurance

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Can there be differences between models?

Recognizing a car by its model can be difficult because two vehicles of the same model can look very different.

Most car brands offer their most popular models in a variety of packages that can drastically alter the appearance of a vehicle. You can have two Ford F-150s, but varying body styles and trim levels make them look like different models. 

This is especially true if the cars are from different years.

The differences in models do more than change your car’s appearance, though. Certain trim levels and body styles will increase the value of your car, which increases how much you’ll have to pay for car insurance.

Read on to learn how differences across models can affect the amount you pay for your car.

Body Style

Body style refers to the basic build of your car. Body styles include the following:

• Sedans
• Convertibles
• Hatchbacks
• Coupes
• SUVs
• Jeeps
• Wagons
• Minivans
• Pickup trucks

Most models have one type of body style, but some offer a variety. For example, the Honda Civic comes in two body styles — hatchback and sedan. While the price of your vehicle depends on a variety of factors, the body style you choose plays an integral role.

Other body style options include how many doors your car has and other mechanical specifications, like your drivetrain.

Trim Level

While trim levels might sound technical, they simply refer to different versions of the same car. Trim levels describe unique features inside and outside your vehicle. The more expensive the trim level, the more features are included in your car.

Most companies describe trim levels with initials like L, EX, or S. However, some car brands use memorable names for their trim levels. For example, according to Kelley Blue Book (KBB), Jeep splits trim levels for the Wrangler into groups like Sahara, Rubicon, and Sport.

While every company is different, trim levels usually describe levels of luxury and performance. If you choose a high-performance trim level, you’ll probably get a better suspension system or a more powerful drivetrain.

Luxury trim levels typically include cosmetic features, sunroofs, or heated seats.

Model Year

You can look at two models with the exact same body styles and trim levels and still see a difference. This is because of the third factor affecting cars, their model years. 

Some vehicle models can drastically change after a single year. Many car companies seek to improve their existing models as the years pass, which affects the amount you’ll pay for your insurance. 

For example, early Subaru Ascent models often had a problem with their transmission. After a few years, Subaru improved the transmission and now sees fewer complaints.

What does that mean for car insurance? If the likelihood of your car having mechanical problems is well-known, your insurance company will charge more for your coverage.

How can you find your car’s make and model?

Not sure what type of car you have? Finding out what you drive is a simple process.

Usually, you can check logos, badging, and emblems on the exterior of your car. You should be able to find the symbol of your car’s brand either on the front or back of your vehicle — and the model name is usually listed on the back.

You can also find information on your registration certificate. Some states allow drivers to look up what cars are registered in their name online. If you’re wondering what year a car is, your car owner’s manual is another place to check.

When is make and model important?

While the make and model of a car are important while shopping for a new vehicle, they’re also important for other reasons.

Many factors affect how much you’ll pay for car insurance, and one of the most critical reasons car makes and models are important is that they affect your rates. Drivers of some vehicle makes will encounter cheaper insurance rates because their vehicles have a reputation for safety or reliability.

Body styles, such as sports cars, often come with higher insurance rates because statistics show drivers of these vehicles are more likely to speed.

Finally, expensive trim levels cause your rates to increase because they raise the overall value of your car. Expensive cars tend to have higher repair costs, and your insurance company has to pay for pricier parts if you need to make a claim. 

For that reason, insurance companies charge more for insurance.

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Find the Best Insurance for Your Car’s Make and Model

Finding the perfect car for your lifestyle requires comparing vehicle makes and models. However, understanding the difference between trim levels and body styles makes finding the right vehicle an easier task.

It also helps you find the right car insurance for your budget. Once you’ve picked the best make and model for you, comparing insurance quotes can help you find the best price possible.

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