A Car’s Make And Model: What They Are And How They Affect Insurance Rates (2024)

It’s helpful to understand what the make and model of a car represent when buying a vehicle.

Every vehicle has both a make and a model:

• The make is the car’s brand, or the manufacturer—for example, a Ford or Toyota.
• The model is the name of a specific type of car within that brand. For example, a Toyota Corolla.

What Is the Make of a Car?

The make of the car is the brand or manufacturer that builds the vehicle. Many of these makes are known throughout the world and some brands have iconic reputations.

Being familiar with the make of a car gives you a better sense of what you might get if you purchase the vehicle. Some manufacturers are known for their sleek and stylish cars. Others have built their reputation on designing dependable or affordable vehicles.

Car Make Examples

There are many different types of car makes. Some of the most famous include:

• Chevrolet
• Dodge
• Ford
• GMC
• Honda
• Hyundai
• Jeep
• Kia
• Mazda
• Nissan
• RAM
• Subaru
• Tesla
• Toyota

What Is the Model of a Car?

If you like a specific make, it’s likely that one or two of that manufacturer’’s models appeal to you more than others.

Car manufacturers typically produce several different models. Each model is defined by specific characteristics, such as its:

• Body style
• Size
• Type of engine
• Trim levels

Models also have their own individual manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP), and some models are more affordable than others.

Car Model Examples

Some common car models include:

• Chevrolet Equinox
• Chevrolet Silverado
• Ford F-Series
• Honda Civic
• Honda CR-V
• Nissan Rogue
• RAM Pickup Truck
• Toyota Camry
• Toyota Corolla
• Toyota RAV4

Car Model Body Style

Car models are available in different shapes and sizes. Some models are available in multiple body styles.

Features that define a body style include the car’s general shape, number of doors, engine type and drivetrain. Some current popular body styles are:

• Convertible
• Coupe
• Hatchback
• Minivan
• Pickup truck
• Sedan
• SUV

Other types of body styles were common previously, including:

• Baquet
• Barchetta
• Coupé de ville
• Hardtop
• Phaeton
• Runabout
• Torpedo
• Touring

Car Model Trim Levels

Many car models also are available in various trim levels.

These trim levels might start with a base model that offers few—if any—extra features. Trim levels often progress all the way to a fully loaded model that has all the bells and whistles.

Some common trim levels include:

• Standard trim level: This might offer no upgrades beyond basic features.
• Sport trim level: This might offer better engine performance and a zippier ride.
• Luxury trim level: This might feature upgrades in the interior—such as leather seats —and better suspension that helps the car handle roads more smoothly.

The different types of trim levels might be identified by letters. For example, the 2024 Honda Civic is available in the following trim levels:

• LX
• Sport
• EX
• Touring

As a general rule, here is what commonly used trim-level letters might indicate:

• S or L: Standard or entry-level model
• EX or SXT: Midrange model with some extra features
• SE, SX, SRT or GT: Sport and performance model
• EX-L, LX, LE or SEL: Luxury model
• Platinum, premium or limited: Higher-end packages that might be at the top of the range

Car Model Year

The car model year indicates the year the car was designed for, not necessarily when it was manufactured. For example, a car that is unveiled to the market in the fall of 2024 will likely be labeled a “2025 model” even though it was manufactured in 2024.

Model years can indicate important things about a car because features of a car model often change from year to year.

How to Find Your Car’s Make and Model

Finding your car’s make and model should be easy. There is likely a spot on the car that identifies this via a badge, emblem or decal. The owner’s manual and the vehicle’s registration certificate are other great places to find this information.

Your car’s vehicle identification number—or VIN—can also be used to identify your car’s make and model. You can find the VIN on the driver’s side of your dashboard.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has a VIN Decoder tool online that can help you identify a car’s make and model.

How Your Car’s Make and Model Affects Insurance Rates

The value of a car helps determine the rates you pay for comprehensive and collision insurance. That means makes and models that are worth more might have higher insurance rates.

Here are examples of when a car’s make and model may result in higher insurance costs:

• More historic claims: Drivers of car makes and models with a history of filing more claims may pay more for insurance. The insurer essentially tries to recoup its claims costs by charging more to all drivers of that model, even if you’re a great driver.
• Expensive cars: Insurers often charge higher rates for vehicles that will cost more to replace if they are totaled.
• Costly repairs: Models of vehicles that are especially costly to repair will have higher insurance costs. For example, the sophisticated sensors and cameras on newer cars are resulting in higher insurance rates because of the repair costs.

Typically, it costs more to insure a new car than an older car. As your car becomes much older—say, 10 years old or more—you might want to consider dropping comprehensive and collision insurance. When the vehicle’s value is low, your maximum potential claim payment is also low, so it’s no longer cost effective to pay for the coverage.

Average Car Insurance Rates for Different Makes

Average Car Insurance Rate for Different Models From Ford

How Your Car’s Trim and Body Style Affect Insurance Rates

Both a car’s trim and body style can impact how much you pay for coverage.

Added features on cars with higher trim levels can be more expensive to repair, which results in higher insurance costs. However, other vehicles with higher trim levels might cost less to insure if they have extra safety features that have been shown to lower claim costs.

Body style can also impact how much you pay for insurance. Owning a vehicle with a body style that is more likely to damage other vehicles, such as a large SUV, can result in a higher insurance rate.

Average Rates for Honda Civic Trims and Body Styles

Difference Between Car Makes/Brands From Same Manufacturer

Some manufacturers produce more than one make or brand. For example, Honda Motor Co. manufactures both Acura and Honda. General Motors makes Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC cars.

Another example: Toyota Motor Corp. manufactures cars branded as Toyota, such as the Corolla, Prius, Tacoma, Camry and RAV4. But it also makes Lexus cars.

Average Rates for Different Makes/Brands from the Same Parent Company

When Does the Make and Model of a Car Matter?

There are some key situations where the make and model of a car truly matter.

Compatibility

Knowing your car’s make and model is important when buying car parts and accessories. The floor mats and windshield wiper blades that work for one model aren’t likely to be compatible with another model. That is likely true even if one manufacturer makes both models.

Buying and Resale Value

Two very similar cars that are nonetheless different models made by different manufacturers can have different values in the marketplace.

That means one car might be quite a bit more expensive to purchase than the other. In addition, some makes and models hold their value better over time than others. That can mean that you will get less for re-selling one type of vehicle than another.

Here are examples of the MSRPs for 2024 Toyota SUVs:

Brand Reputation

Some brands are well-known for being reliable, while others have a reputation for being stylish or for being more affordable.

For some drivers, a brand known for its lower prices may be a priority. For others, a brand can be a status symbol.

Methodology

Rates are based on a 40-year-old female driver with a good driving record. Averages are based on 13 insurance companies. Averages are based on coverage with $100,000 for injuries to one person, $300,000 for injuries per accident and $100,000 for property damage (known as 100/300/100), uninsured motorist coverage, and collision and comprehensive insurance with a $500 deductible. Source: Quadrant Information Services.