What Is the Difference Between Make and Model?

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A vehicle’s make refers to the car manufacturer, while the model refers to the product name. For example, Toyota is the vehicle make (manufacturer) and Corolla is the vehicle model (type of Toyota). Car insurance companies care about your vehicle’s make and model because its value, theft rate and other risk factors greatly affect your car insurance rate.
What Is the Make and Model of a Car?
Make refers to the manufacturer of the car, such as Honda, Nissan and Mercedes-Benz. According to Statista, Toyota, Ford and Chevrolet were the leading car manufacturers in the United States in 2021 based on vehicle sales.
Model refers to the specific product made by that manufacturer. For example, models manufactured by Chevrolet include the Chevy Malibu, Chevy Impala and Chevy Equinox. According to Statista, the best-selling passenger models worldwide in 2021 were the Toyota Corolla, Toyota RAV4 and the Ford F-Series.
The vehicle year refers to the year in which the manufacturer made or intends to launch the new model to the general public. Some model years are available for purchase earlier than the year begins. For example, the 2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS 450 4MATIC Sedan is expected to hit U.S. dealers in late 2022.
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Understanding the Differences Between Cars of the Same Model
Consumers can see further variations within the same vehicle model based on its body style and trim.
Body Style
Manufacturers can release the same model in different body styles, which can change the look and price of the car. For example, a vehicle may come as a four-door sedan or a sportier-looking two-door coupe, each with a different price.
An example today is the 2022 Toyota Corolla, which is sold as a sedan or a hatchback with a flip-up tailgate.
Other common types of vehicle body styles include:
- Sedan
- Coupe
- SUV
- Convertible
- Wagon
- Hatchback
- Crossover
Trim Levels
Vehicles are also available with different trim levels, which may offer unique or upgraded features and configurations. According to Kia, commonly used trim names include:
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Let’s take a look at how features can vary between the 2022 Honda CR-V LX versus the 2022 Honda CR-V Touring.
Features |
LX |
Touring |
---|---|---|
Seats |
Standard |
|
Power Tailgate |
– |
✓ |
Apple CarPlay Integration |
– |
✓ |
Android Auto Integration |
– |
✓ |
Power Tailgate |
– |
Hands-Free Access |
One-Touch Power Moonroof |
– |
✓ |
LED Headlights with Auto-On/Off |
– |
✓ |
Wheels |
17-inch alloy |
19-inch alloy |
Why Do Make and Model Matter?
Make and model matter because consumers will gravitate to cars that fit their budget and aesthetic preferences. Your car’s make and model can also affect how much you pay for auto insurance due to price and safety ratings.
Pricing will vary by both the car manufacturer and the different models that manufacturer sells. Using Honda as an example, we see variations in the manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) between six of their 2022 models.
Year, Make and Model |
Starting MSRP |
---|---|
2022 Honda Accord |
$26,520 |
2022 Honda Accord Hybrid |
$27,720 |
2022 Honda Civic Sedan |
$22,550 |
2022 Honda Civic Hatchback |
$23,550 |
2022 Honda Insight Hybrid |
$25,760 |
Pricing can further vary based on the vehicle’s trim level. For the 2022 Honda CR-V, consumers can see a price difference of up to $9,800 depending on which trim they choose.
Year, Make, Model and Trim Level |
Starting MSRP |
---|---|
2022 Honda CR-V LX |
$26,800 |
2022 Honda CR-V Special Edition |
$28,000 |
2022 Honda CR-V 2022 Honda CR-V EX |
$29,310 |
2022 Honda CR-V EX-L |
$31,900 |
2022 Honda CR-V Touring |
$36,600 |
Color can add to the MSRP, as well. Purchasing a 2023 Honda CR-V in white pearl, radiant red metallic or sonic gray pearl would add $395 to the MSRP. Fortunately, car color isn’t a specific rating factor used in determining insurance costs, however. If you resonate strongly with the color red, for instance, your premium won’t be more expensive than any other color!
How To Find Your Car Make and Model
Drivers can confirm their car’s year, make and model by reviewing their owner’s manual, car title or registration. You also enter your car’s vehicle identification number (VIN) into the VIN decoder tool on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website. You will typically find your VIN on the dashboard near your windshield or the driver’s side door jamb.
At first glance, your VIN may look like a string of randomized digits and letters unique to your car. However, specific letters and the spaces they hold tell information about where your vehicle was built, its manufacturer and more. For example, if the first character is a 1, 4 or 5, it means that your car was manufactured in the United States.
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How Do Make and Model Impact Insurance Rates?
Insurance companies care about your make and model because replacement costs, theft rates, accident rates, casualty rates and other factors will vary by the car. Certain makes and models have a higher number of insurance claims, resulting in higher premiums for those vehicles.
Different Makes and Models Have Different Replacement Costs
Insurance premiums can vary by make and model because different cars have different purchase prices. Car insurance pays to replace your car, if totaled. Therefore, more expensive car models are charged higher insurance premiums because they cost more to replace.
According to Kelley Blue Book, the average cost of a new non-luxury vehicle was $43,942 in June 2022. The average cost jumps to $66,476 for a luxury car — a 51% price increase. Since luxury vehicles cost more to replace after being totaled, they also cost more to insure.
Auto Theft Rates
Some makes and models with higher theft rates are charged higher premiums because comprehensive insurance covers theft and vandalism. Your insurance company knows the car theft rates of your specific model in your neighborhood and will charge premiums to accurately reflect your vehicle’s risk.
According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, the 2004 Chevrolet Pick-Up (full size) was the most stolen vehicle in 2021, followed by the 2006 Ford Pick-Up. The most recent model in the top 10 most stolen vehicles in 2021 was the 2020 Toyota Corolla.
Fortunately, improved anti-theft technology on newer models may contribute to relatively lower theft rates on newer models.
Make and Model |
Total Thefts in 2021 |
Model Year Most Stolen |
---|---|---|
Chevrolet Pick-Up (Full Size) |
48,206 |
2004 |
Ford Pick-Up (Full Size) |
47,999 |
2006 |
Honda Civic |
31,673 |
2000 |
Honda Accord |
30,274 |
1997 |
Toyota Camry |
17,270 |
2007 |
GMC Pick-Up (Full Size) |
15,599 |
2005 |
Nissan Altima |
14,108 |
2020 |
Honda CR-V |
13,308 |
2000 |
Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee |
13,210 |
2018 |
Toyota Corolla |
12,927 |
2020 |
Note: Parking your car in a garage may qualify you for a garaged car discount because your car is less likely to be stolen or vandalized.
Accident Rates
When insurance companies see a higher number of accident claims linked to certain makes and models, insurers raise premiums for those vehicles. Conversely, less-accident-prone vehicles are more likely to see lower insurance premiums.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) analyzed the relationship between driver deaths and different types of vehicles. The IIHS found that the following vehicles had “more than 65 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years, 2017 and equivalent earlier models, 2015-18.”
- Ford Fiesta
- Hyundai Accent
- Chevrolet Sonic
- Nissan Versa Note
- Fiat 500
IIHS listed the following makes and models as those with the lowest rate of driver deaths:
- GMC Yukon XL 1500 4WD
- Infiniti QX60 2WD
- Land Rover Range Rover Evoque 4WD
- Lexus NX 200t 4WD
- Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan 4WD
Key Takeaways
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Find the cheapest auto policy for your make and model. SmartFinancial’s free online tool analyzes quotes from multiple insurers in your area to match you with a policy based on your coverage needs and budget. Just enter your zip code below or call 855.214.2291 to answer a few questions before receiving several free auto insurance quotes.
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