What Is the Make and Model of a Car?

A car’s make and model demonstrate the company that manufactured the car (make) and the particular variant (model). Several automotive manufacturers exist, including domestic and foreign companies. Each model belongs to that particular automotive group and shares characteristics with other models under the same make. 

Make

A car’s make is the company that manufactures it or the brand under which it is sold. Cars are a type of product, similar to shoes, computers, cell phones, tires, and clothing. Many companies make tires, including Pirelli, Michelin, Firestone, and Goodyear. Similarly, many companies make cars, including: 

• Audi 
• Buick
• Cadillac 
• Chevrolet 
• GMC
• Jeep 
• Mercedes-Benz 
• Nissan
• Ram
• Tesla 
• Volkswagen

To complicate things a bit more, certain makes are grouped under a single management company. GMC incorporates Buick, Chevrolet, and Cadillac. Other brands complement each other, like Honda and Acura. Honda represents the standard brand many people are familiar with, while Acura elevates vehicles with luxurious elements. 

Like any other company, automotive manufacturers can go out of business. Some makes, like Triumph, MG, and Austin-Healey, are considered rare or classic because they’re not produced anymore. Other automotive manufacturers, such as Peugeot or Renault, only exist in specific geographical markets. 

Model

For as many automotive brands as there are, a handful or more models are sold beneath each brand. Some makes, like Genesis, begin with only a few models until the business grows and drives additional development. Others, like Chevrolet and Ford, offer a dozen models for sale across various segments. 

When you look at a car, you’ll typically see the make centralized on the front or rear. For instance, GMC’s red letters grace the grilles of many of its models, while Subaru is best known for its six-star emblem. Noted on the sides or rear of the car is the model or “nameplate.” A GMC Sierra 1500 will have a different nameplate than a Subaru Legacy. 

Most models incorporate a name, number, letter, or combination of all three. For example, the Audi A3 vs. the A5 incorporates a letter and a number. Take a look at the following list for various makes and their corresponding models:

• Audi A3
• Buick Envision
• Cadillac XT6
• Chevrolet Traverse 
• GMC Sierra 1500
• Jeep Grand Cherokee
• Mercedes-Benz GLS
• Nissan Pathfinder
• Ram 1500
• Tesla Model 3
• Volkswagen ID.4

Many automotive manufacturers have discontinued models they no longer sell but might still be on the road. Hyundai recently discontinued the Veloster, while Jeep only recently brought back the Wagoneer. Keep in mind that some models may look different overseas. The Toyota Tacoma and Hilux are nearly identical, with a few minor adjustments made to the Hilux model. 

The model of a car typically corresponds to a year, potentially within a range of model years. Body styles, trims, engines, and safety features often change between model years, typically moving forward with technological advancements. Savvy used car buyers research the best time to buy a car to avoid certain model years or seek a specific year with fewer mechanical problems. 

Cars of the same model can look, perform, and feel starkly different depending on the trim, body style, and model year. For example, the Toyota Prius often comes up when discussing hybrid vs. electric cars and how to choose between them. The 2023 model year Prius has evolved significantly from the first Prius models, from the exterior design and style cues to the lithium-ion battery that replaced the nickel-metal hydride battery of previous generations. 

What is car trim?

Car trim refers to the specific features and accessories a particular model offers. For example, many common trims include standard, sport, and luxury. Automotive manufacturers designate trim with numbers and letters, similar to models. A car trim can affect any or all of the following: 

• Engine specifications
• Transmission type
• Interior and exterior features 
• Safety features

Standard car trims offer basic features you’d expect to see on a car, like a radio, climate control, and cloth seats. Sport trims may include all-weather floor mats or upgraded suspension components. As you might have guessed, luxury trim models include a wealth of features, such as leather seating that’s heated and cooled, premium style accents, and even larger wheels. While luxury trims are typically the most expensive of the various models, sport trims can also cost a pretty penny. 

What are body styles?

The term “body styles” refers to the physical shape of the vehicle. For example, the body style of an Audi Q5 S Line contrasts with that of a Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The Audi Q5 qualifies as an SUV body style, while the Silverado classifies as a truck. Additional body styles include: 

• Coupe 
• Sedan
• Hatchback
• Wagon
• Crossover 
• Convertible 
• Minivan 

Body styles often correspond to passenger capacity, number of doors, and physical size. Coupes typically have two doors, whereas a minivan has five, counting the back hatch. Sedans and hatchbacks are also smaller than trucks typically. 

What about the model year?

The model year of a particular car designates its association with a specific set of characteristics, which can include: 

• Engine and transmission combination
• Fuel efficiency ratings
• Interior and exterior features
• Paint colors
• Styling and design
• Technological capabilities and compatibilities 
• Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Pricing (MSRP) 
• Safety ratings

It’s important to understand that a car’s model year isn’t always the year it was produced. Many manufacturers switch production to the next model year around August of the previous year. For instance, a car stamped into production in September 2023 may technically be considered a 2024 model-year car. 

Groups of model years are often referred to as “generations.” Automotive manufacturers typically wait every three to five years to revamp a model if they plan on keeping it stocked on dealership lots. These runs of three to five model years comprise a generation. 

Finding your car’s make and model doesn’t require any advanced car knowledge. Instead, you can look in the following places: 

• The car itself: Most cars have a “badge” designating their make. Mercedes-Benz is known for its thin circle with three central lines splaying out from a middle point. BMW incorporates blue and white in a quartered circle. These badges typically appear on the hood, back trunk, or car hatch. The model is often listed on the back left or right side of the car but may also appear on the front driver and passenger doors. 
• Your registration or title: Most, if not all, documentation referencing your car includes the make and model, in addition to other identifying factors like the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). 
• Owner’s manual: The manual the manufacturer provides typically includes the make and model, most often on the cover. Many manufacturers also include the year for quick reference. 
• Car history report: If you buy a used car, asking for a car history report is a good idea. These reports use the VIN to track cars throughout their lifecycle, from dealership visits and registrations by various DMVs to accidents the car has been involved in. The car’s specific make and model appears on this paperwork as well.

If you like puzzles, decoding a car’s VIN can also tell you about the make and model. The first few digits designate the country of manufacture, the specific company that manufactured the car, and the vehicle type. Subsequent numbers can tell you the brand, body style, model, series, and security check number. The last eight digits specify the model year, assembly plant, and serial number. 

Make and model help everyone make sense of all the cars driving down the road. In addition, these terms may be required or useful in the following situations: 

• Determining how much you owe for car insurance: Car insurance companies integrate a car’s make and model into the calculations that inform your policy rate. 
• Researching to buy a car: If you want to know if Cadillacs are reliable cars to inform your buying decision, make is increasingly important. Certain makes often score better than others in reliability, making them more valuable to consumers. 
• Knowing where to go for maintenance and service: Especially in the case of recalls, knowing which dealership to visit based on your car’s make can make all the difference.
• Identifying your car if you need roadside assistance: You should know your car’s make and model to help roadside assistance vehicles locate you. 
• Selling your car: Buyers want to know what kind of car you’re selling, in addition to the trim, upgrades, service records, etc. 
• Reporting a theft: Police and insurance companies need to know what type of car to look for if yours has been stolen. A make and model are part of narrowing down the search.

While many car enthusiasts can recognize makes and models with a glance, you don’t have to. Simply knowing the make and model of your current or prospective car can help you in various situations.