What is the difference between car make vs. model?
The difference between car make and model is that make refers to the brand company of the vehicle, while model refers to the specific type of vehicle.
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Joel Ohman
Founder & CFP®
Joel Ohman is the CEO of a private equity backed digital media company. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, author, angel investor, and serial entrepreneur who loves creating new things, whether books or businesses. He has also previously served as the founder and resident CFP® of a national insurance agency, Real Time Health Quotes. He has an MBA from the University of South Florida. Jo...
Founder & CFP®
UPDATED: Jan 7, 2023
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UPDATED: Jan 7, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident car insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one car insurance company and cannot guarantee quotes from any single company.
Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from top car companies please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- A vehicle’s “make” refers to the automotive company that produced the vehicle, such as Ford or Toyota
- “Model” refers to the specific type of vehicle, such as a Fusion sedan
- The make and model of a vehicle can affect everything from the car’s value to the cost of insurance
- You can sometimes determine the make and model of your car through visual observation; otherwise, you might need to do research
If you’re a new driver, a first-time car buyer, or purchasing car insurance for the first time, you probably have questions about the difference between the make vs. model of a car or truck.
In the U.S., nearly a dozen automakers manufacture vehicles each year. According to data compiled by Statista, there were also 257 car models offered on the U.S. market in 2019 — a number expected to increase by 2023. With so many different choices, understanding the differences between the makes and models of different cars and trucks can be confusing — but it’s something every vehicle owner needs to know before buying an insurance policy.
In this article, we’ll explore the difference between the make and model of a vehicle, how to identify your car’s make and model, and whether the type of car you drive can impact your auto insurance rates.
What is a vehicle’s make vs. model?
When you’re shopping around for car insurance quotes or purchasing a car insurance policy, your insurance agent or provider will likely ask you questions about the make and model of your vehicle. This question can sometimes be perplexing for new drivers and first-time insurance buyers. However, identifying your car’s make and model isn’t complicated once you know what to look for.
Vehicle Make
A car’s make refers to the brand or company that produced or made the vehicle. “Makes” are usually multinational automotive companies with offices and manufacturing facilities in locations worldwide. Some examples of vehicle makes include the following:
- Ford
- Honda
- Tesla
- Toyota
- Nissan
- Volkswagen
Sometimes, the make of a car can also be brands owned by a larger parent company. So, for example, even though Dodge is owned by the parent company Fiat Chrysler, Dodge would be considered the make of any vehicle produced under the Dodge brand name. The same applies to other makes that belong to a parent company, such as Lexus, owned by Toyota.
Vehicle Model
A vehicle’s model is the name of the specific type of vehicle. Automakers usually distinguish the models of vehicles they produce by assigning them a name, number, letter, or a combination of those. Examples of vehicle models include the following:
- Fusion
- F-150
- Corolla
- Jetta
- Pathfinder
- Model S
Some automakers differentiate their models by using numbers or letters in a series. An example is Tesla’s Model S, Model 3, Model X, and Model Y. Other auto companies name each of their models individually, such as Ford’s Fiesta, Fusion, Mustang, Expedition, and so on.
Model Version
Although the names of car models can help differentiate one vehicle from another, a higher level of differentiation is often required to distinguish different versions of the same model.
Because multiple versions of most models are available to car buyers each year, a vehicle’s model version can be distinguished from other versions through qualities like body style, trim level, and year of production.
Body Style
The body style of a vehicle refers to its basic build. Because many car models are available in multiple body styles, model names often include numbers or letters that distinguish one body style from another. Some examples of different body styles include the following:
- Sedan
- Hatchback
- Coupe
- Convertible
- SUV
- Station wagon
The Fiesta S sedan is an example of a specific body style of a car model. Its model name differentiates it from another version of the Ford Fiesta, the Fiesta ST hatchback.
Trim Level
Nearly every vehicle model is available in at least a small variety of trim levels. In general, trim levels are distinguished by the level of performance and luxury they offer drivers. Trim levels are typically defined in tiers, ranging from cars with basic features to high-end luxury cars and high-power sports vehicles.
Examples of basic trim levels include standard features like manual windows, cloth seats, and basic technology. On the other hand, luxury trims offer a more advanced GPS, heated leather seats, and/or a motorized sunroof. Similarly, sports trims often feature high-powered engines and performance-based transmissions and suspension systems.
Model Year
In addition to the body style and trim level, vehicle models are differentiated by the year they were produced. Because a model’s features often differ by year, knowing a model’s year can help a car buyer or owner understand which features are available on a car — and which mechanical issues they might experience when buying a used model produced in a specific year. In addition to individual years, model years are grouped by generations that define the time when significant changes were made to a model’s design or features.
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Why do I need to know my vehicle’s make and model?
Knowing which version of a car model you’re purchasing — or selling — can be helpful in several ways. First, the make and model can help you determine which features you can expect to find on a vehicle — for example, whether you’re getting a sedan or hatchback and whether you’re getting luxury options or standard features.
Because parts and features are sometimes recalled on specific models during certain years, knowing the model year can also help you know what to expect when it comes to mechanical or performance issues.
In addition to better understanding your vehicle’s build, features, and any known mechanical issues, knowing the make and model can also help you estimate what you might pay for insurance before purchasing a car.
By knowing whether you can afford to insure the vehicle you’re considering purchasing, you can make smarter investments. You also need to know your vehicle’s make and model when buying insurance or selling your vehicle.
Does car model affect insurance?
Generally, a vehicle’s make and model can impact the cost of insuring it. For example, because various factors can make car insurance more expensive, including a vehicle’s value, insuring a more expensive model with luxury features can cost more than insuring a car with standard features. Similarly, insuring a high-performance sports car can be more expensive than insuring a family station wagon with safety features.
It’s important to remember that insurance rates can vary widely between insurers and locations. To get the best insurance rates possible, shop around and compare quotes before buying a policy.
Identifying Your Car’s Make and Model
Because a car’s make and model can impact everything from insurance rates to the vehicle’s resale value, it’s important to know how to identify that information on any car or truck you own or are considering buying or selling. There are several ways to identify a car’s make and model, so if one doesn’t work for you, remember that other methods are available.
Read the Driver’s Manual
One way of identifying your vehicle’s make and model is to look at the driver’s manual that came with your car. Usually, the manual is in the form of a book and is often stored in the vehicle’s glove compartment. Typically, the cover of a driver’s manual will state the make, model, year, and other information about your vehicle.
Observe the Car’s Details
Another method for identifying the make and model of your vehicle is to observe specific features. To determine the make and model of your car, look for the automaker’s logo, which can often be found on the trunk or steering wheel, as well as emblems or logos on the vehicle’s exterior. Determining your vehicle’s model year might be more difficult, however, and could require further investigation.
Look at Your Vehicle Registration Documents
Although determining your car’s make and model can sometimes be accomplished by observing its external features, like emblems, getting all the necessary information is not always possible.
If you cannot determine more in-depth information about your vehicle from its exterior — like the model version or year — you might need to try other avenues. By examining your vehicle’s registration certificate, you should be able to identify your car’s make, model, and model year.
Research the Vehicle’s VIN
Suppose you’re looking for even more detailed information about your vehicle. In that case, you can use your car’s vehicle identification number (VIN) to determine its make, model, model year, manufacturing location, and technical specifications.
A car’s VIN is a unique 17-digit identifier that differentiates your vehicle from others. To locate your vehicle’s VIN, look for a badge on the driver’s side of your car where the windshield meets the dashboard.
Once you’ve located your VIN, there are many websites available where you can look up your vehicle’s production information using it, including Carfax, Autozone, and others. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also offers an online VIN decoder tool to help drivers learn about their vehicles.
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Make vs. Model: Understanding the Difference
Although understanding the difference between your car’s make and model might seem confusing initially, it’s necessary information to have on hand when buying, selling, or insuring a vehicle.
Luckily, differentiating the make and model of your vehicle is easy once you know each term’s definition. A vehicle’s make refers to the company or brand that made the car, while a vehicle’s model refers to the specific type of car in question.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a vehicle’s make?
A vehicle’s make refers to the brand, or automaker, that produced the car or truck. Usually, a car’s make will be an international corporation with offices and manufacturing facilities in many countries around the world. Examples of car makes include Ford, Tesla, General Motors (GM), Toyota, Nissan, and so on.
What is a vehicle’s model?
A vehicle’s model refers to the specific type, or model, of the vehicle in question. Car makers usually distinguish the models of vehicles they produce by assigning them a name, number, or a combination of both. Examples of common vehicle models include the Fiesta, Fusion, Corolla, Pathfinder, and so on.
Models can be further differentiated by version, as automakers often manufacture multiple iterations of each one. In addition, versions of models are usually further defined by factors including body style (for example, whether the car is a sedan or hatchback); trim level (for example, whether the car’s features are standard, luxury, or performance-based); and year of manufacture.
What does a car or truck’s model year refer to?
The model year of a car or truck is the year in which that specific model was produced. In addition, model years are often broken down into “generations” — that is, the point in time in which significant changes were made to the model’s features or build.
Because the features of car models produced in different years often vary, knowing the year and generation in which a specific car model was produced can help car owners understand the benefits and risks associated with their vehicle.
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Joel Ohman
Founder & CFP®
Joel Ohman is the CEO of a private equity backed digital media company. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, author, angel investor, and serial entrepreneur who loves creating new things, whether books or businesses. He has also previously served as the founder and resident CFP® of a national insurance agency, Real Time Health Quotes. He has an MBA from the University of South Florida. Jo...
Founder & CFP®
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.