Last Updated on October 6, 2023 by Calvyn Ee
If you’re new to car-buying, you might have encountered the term “car model trim” in some car reviews you’ve read. These trims can be considered “variants” of a car model with different features and equipment. “Higher” trims will usually have plentiful additions to go with the car, but that also means you’ll have to pay extra for all these goodies. Is it really worth buying the highest car trim, then?
Car Trim Levels
For the most part, each manufacturer has a varying number of car trim levels for each car model they sell. The Toyota Camry, for example, has 9 trim levels: 5 are for its gas-only version, while 4 are Camry Hybrids using the hybrid powertrain. The most affordable trim level is usually called the base or entry-level model/trim, typically offering minimal standard equipment to keep the price low. This could mean cloth seats, basic infotainment features, and front seats with limited adjustment functions.
Each car model usually has a set naming convention for each trim level, which is independently determined by car manufacturers. It doesn’t symbolize anything beyond an indicator of what car trim you’re buying. Think of them as marketing buzzwords, if you will. Common nomenclatures include letter pairings (like EX), letter and number combinations (such as ES 500), or words (like Limited Touring).
As you move up the “hierarchy” of car trim levels, you’ll find additional features and options until you reach the highest trim level with all the goodies you would want in a car.
What Makes the “Highest” Car Trim Model?
Generally, the highest car trim model differs from others by having most, if not all, of the advanced features a car model can have. This includes driver assistance technologies, differently tuned suspensions, or varied powertrain options but also adds various extras to enhance the car’s appearance, creature comforts that make for more comfortable rides, and other more subtle tweaks and changes.
In some cases, the highest car trim may be the same car model but sold as a separate vehicle with a number of upgraded specifications. Take the Cadillac CTS and CTS-V: both are the exact same model, but the CTS-V is Cadillac’s high-performance version of the CTS with plenty of extra bells and whistles, including a powerful V8 engine, to help it go faster than the regular CTS.
Trim-Specific Options & Packages
Some car trims are also entitled to specific optional, individual add-ons or packages to go with it, adding more utility or value to a car. These usually include sporty adornments to enhance the car’s exterior, tunings to the car’s suspension, and even additional creature comforts like a larger infotainment touchscreen.
Packages are usually the better pick since they come bundled with a myriad of options. You’ll usually see these marketed for specific purposes, with common examples including technology packages (consisting of infotainment upgrades and additional techs like safety features) and safety packages (only consisting of advanced driver assistance aids).
Base models usually don’t have any options or packages available to them. This is meant to incentivize you to buy a higher car trim to enjoy the features it provides. On the flip side, budget buyers are going to feel the pinch if there are features they want that are only available on higher trims. Of course, the other (and perhaps, more budget-friendly) alternative is to look at another car maker’s offerings.
Is the Highest Car Trim Worth the Price?
So when it comes to buying a car, would it really be worth getting the highest car trim available? Here are the key factors that influence the pricing of the highest car trim.
Performance
Some car trims will offer a wide range of powertrains for you to choose from, some of which are meant to deliver impressive speed and agility. Dodge and Chevrolet usually give buyers this option, with a choice of base four-cylinders, more powerful V6 engines, or their beefy V8 powerhouses. On top of engines, other performance options include various handling tune-ups (including the suspension, as we’ve already mentioned), automatic or manual transmissions, rear- or all-wheel drive capability, and even tires in different sizes.
In some cases, some higher car trims usually tune the car to be more of a performance machine than the lower trims. This can ultimately mean a big difference in a lot of aspects, including ride quality, wind and road noise, and even cabin space. Some sportier cars may drive like a champ but suffer from terrible ride quality that doesn’t absorb road imperfections well.
Appearance
The first thing any car buyer sees is the car’s exterior, and while it might not necessarily be the very first thing a buyer looks for (unless you’re a car enthusiast), it can still be a determining factor that a buyer picks that car. Higher trim levels may offer options or packages that give the car a bit of a facelift with various cosmetic additions to up the style of the vehicle. It’s not surprising to see premium paint jobs available on specific car trims, too.
Some of these appearance options can have more than an upgrade to a vehicle’s looks. With pickup trucks, you have various options for the truck bed that make the truck look bigger or meaner while adding extra utility with more space to stash stuff in the bed and extra goodies like power outlets for tools.
Cabin Features and Storage
The interior of a car is just as important as its exterior. You’d want well-padded seats, a decent climate control system, enough space to accommodate passengers in the rear (and third row if you picked an SUV), and plenty of cargo space. Most car trims will have varying levels of creature comforts added: you’ll commonly hear/read about rear climate controls, premium touches to the cabin’s materials, leather upholstery, and power-adjustable front seats – all of which add luxury and charm to an otherwise bland interior.
Convenience
Some car trims also offer convenience features that make it easier to access your car. You’ll commonly see this in the form of power liftgates for cargo and keyless entry for getting into your car quickly. There’s also Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, both of which integrate your smartphone into your vehicle and let you use your phone via the vehicle’s interfaces.
Speaking of which, a McKinsey survey conducted in September found that half of the car buyers they polled wouldn’t purchase a vehicle that didn’t have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Talk about convenience!
Technology
It isn’t just connectivity that car buyers are looking for: cars are packed with plenty of technologies that are now a common sight. We’ve already mentioned infotainment systems, which act as a radio and have integrated navigation capabilities, access to rearview or front-facing cameras, and many other functions. On higher trims, you’ll find options for larger screens and more advanced features available to you.
Safety Features
All car trims have mandatory safety features to give drivers peace of mind. On higher trims, some car models will have additional advanced safety features that help reduce the risk of accidents by augmenting driver awareness or mitigating risky situations. These may include surround-view cameras, advanced warning systems, and even semi-autonomous driving.
Automakers have varying degrees of standard safety equipment on their car models, with some being more well-equipped than others. For example, Toyota, Honda, and Hyundai always outfit a host of advanced driver assistance features in even their base model trims. This makes even the spartan base models a more appealing choice for more safety-conscious drivers. Meanwhile, Chevrolet’s safety suites can be lacking on all but the most expensive trim levels.
Additional Costs
While higher car trims have many features, available options and packages for specific trim levels add extra value in terms of improved performance, more creature comforts, or better utility. However, these options and packages incur an additional cost to your purchase – and it can feel like a rip-off when the highest car trim should have these extra features in the first place.
Packages usually add thousands of dollars to your total, which is usually justified by all the extra features you’re getting in the bundle. Some of these included options may cost substantially more than if you were to get them on their own. Nevertheless, some automakers do make perplexing choices with the kind of packages they offer, like Chevrolet and its decision to restrict many driver assistance features to pricey packages when most of these features are standard in their rivals’ car models.
Resale Value of Higher Car Trims
While higher car trims often come with a higher price tag, they also tend to retain their value better over time – more so if you take good care of it. If you look around the used car market, you can find recent year models in their highest car trim still fetching a good amount of cash. In some cases, the difference between a used model’s price and its MSRP can be as much as a few hundred, if not thousand, dollars.
If you plan on selling or trading in your car sometime in the future, opting for a higher trim level can result in a higher resale value. The short-term benefit is that you’ll be getting a decent sum from a successful sale, even if it may be slightly lower than when you first bought it.
Conclusion
When deciding whether to purchase the highest car trim model, it’s always crucial to consider your budget, preferences, and priorities. The highest car trim offers many advanced features and impressive creature comforts, but the higher cost can be a hefty tradeoff. This is even more apparent when you compare different cars from different automakers and see how different each car model’s trims can be. You’ll have to decide on what offers far more value you’re comfortable with for money.
Then there’s also the option of buying previous year models. While some of these older models might be lacking a few features, their highest car trim may be more within reach, thanks to the reduced price tag for used cars. Just be sure you get a vehicle history report before you make any used car purchases. You’ll need to protect yourself from potential auto scams that can cost you plenty of time and money; a vehicle history report provides you all the information you need about a used car’s overall history, including odometer readings and accident records. Safeguard your finances and have more peace of mind with a vehicle history report in your hands today!
