When you’re in the market for a new car, you’ll hear a lot of terms thrown around that may be unfamiliar to you. Two of the most common terms you’ll hear are «make» and «model» but what do they mean? Keep reading to learn about the difference between vehicle make and model so that you can make an informed decision when it comes time to purchase your next car.
Every day, you probably see hundreds of automobiles drive by you on the road; the majority of those cars are different kinds and models, which explains why they all look, act, and sound differently. The make and model of an automobile let customers know who built it, what kind of car it is, what it's for, and how unique it is from other vehicles.
What is a car’s make?
The make of a car is the manufacturer. For example, some common car makes are Toyota, Ford, Honda, Chevrolet, and Tesla. When you know the make of the car, you know who manufactured it.
What is a car’s model?
The model is different than the make in that it refers to a specific product line from a manufacturer. For example, while looking for used cars for sale, you will see that Toyota offers many different models such as the Camry, Corolla, Highlander, Rav4, Tacoma, Tundra, and more. So while Toyota is the make, Camry is one of the models offered by Toyota.
Many manufacturers go beyond their basic lineups by offering one or more of their models in various body styles. Different sorts of cars are identified by their body styles. Sedans, hatchbacks, coupes, convertibles, minivans, SUVs, and pickup trucks are examples of common body styles.
Why do make and model matter?
When you’re looking for a new car, it’s important to know both the make and model because they can give you essential information about what to expect from the car. The make will tell you who manufactured the vehicle while the model will provide you with information about that particular product line from that manufacturer.
Since there is no standard naming method for vehicle models, all these letters and numbers could be perplexing. However, they do important, particularly when it comes to insurance coverage, expense, and premiums. These prices will, of course, change depending on the insurance provider you choose, but the cost of registering a car might also depend on the make and model of the car.
Differences between car models
Even though two cars may have the same make (i. e., they were both manufactured by Toyota), they may have different models (i. e., Camry vs Corolla). And because they have different models, they will likely offer different features even though they were both made by the same company. When considering which car to buy, it’s important to compare not only makes but also models in order to find the best fit for your needs.
How to find a car’s make and model?
There are a few ways that you can find out what make and model a particular car is.
1) look at the paperwork: when you buy or lease a car, there will be paperwork that includes information about the vehicle such as its make and model;
2) do an online search: if you don’t have access to paperwork or are considering buying a used car from someone who isn’t selling it through an official dealership, you can look up car information online. It is also a good idea to use the vin decoder to make sure that the information about the vehicle is true;
3) check under the hood: sometimes there will be stickers on or near engine parts that include information like make and model;
4) look for badges or emblems: many cars have their logos on them which can give away not only the make but also sometimes the specific model (e. g., Ford Mustang).
If all else fails and you still can’t figure out what make or model a particular car is, you can always ask the owner or seller!
Final thoughts
There are many different makes and models of cars on the market, so it can be difficult to decide which one is right for you. Do your research and take your time when choosing a car, and you’ll be sure to find the perfect one for you.
