Trimslate · Car features in plain English
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What do the tags, icons, and terms mean? (Glossary)
Availability legend
- Standard
- Included or available as indicated.
- Standalone option
- Included or available as indicated.
- Package only
- The trap state -- only available inside a bundle.
- Trim-locked
- Requires stepping up to a higher trim.
- Special edition
- Included or available as indicated.
- Region dependent
- Included or available as indicated.
Plain-English glossary
Car listings are full of jargon. Here is what every term and abbreviation on Trimslate actually means. You can also hover any underlined term or the EPA tag anywhere on the site.
- EPA
- When you see the EPA tag on a number, it means that value comes from the EPA's official testing, not the manufacturer's marketing. It is a trusted, government-verified source.
- vPIC
- NHTSA's Vehicle Product Information Catalog -- the U.S. government database of basic vehicle facts (make, model, body, engine).
- MPG
- Miles per gallon -- how far the car travels on one gallon of fuel. Higher is more efficient.
- HP
- Horsepower -- a measure of engine power. More horsepower generally means quicker acceleration.
- MSRP
- Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price -- the sticker price before dealer discounts, fees, or negotiation.
- Cylinders
- The number of cylinders in the engine. Common counts are 3, 4, 6, or 8 -- more cylinders usually means more power but lower fuel economy.
- Aspiration
- How the engine gets air. 'Turbo' or 'supercharged' force in more air for extra power; 'naturally aspirated' does not.
- Electric range
- How many miles an electric or plug-in hybrid can travel on battery power alone before needing fuel or a charge. 0 means it is not electric.
- Drivetrain
- Which wheels the engine powers. This affects grip, handling, and bad-weather capability.
- AWD (All-Wheel Drive)
- All-Wheel Drive -- the engine powers all four wheels automatically for better grip in rain, snow, or rough roads.
- FWD (Front-Wheel Drive)
- Front-Wheel Drive -- the engine powers the front wheels. The most common and usually most fuel-efficient setup.
- RWD (Rear-Wheel Drive)
- Rear-Wheel Drive -- the engine powers the rear wheels. Common on sportier cars and trucks; can be less sure-footed in snow.
- 4WD (Four-Wheel Drive)
- Four-Wheel Drive -- powers all four wheels, often switchable, built for off-road and heavy-duty use.
- Transmission
- The gearbox that sends engine power to the wheels -- automatic, manual, or CVT.
- CVT
- Continuously Variable Transmission -- a smooth automatic with no fixed gears, tuned for fuel efficiency. EPA lists it as 'variable gear ratios'.
- Body style
- The overall shape and type of the vehicle, such as sedan, SUV, hatchback, or truck.
- NHTSA crash rating
- The U.S. government's 5-Star Safety Ratings from crash tests. More stars means better protection. Ratings are by model-year and may reflect the most recent year tested.
- Wheelbase
- The distance between the front and rear axles. A longer wheelbase usually means a smoother ride and more interior room.
- Curb Weight
- How much the vehicle weighs empty, with fluids but no passengers or cargo. Heavier vehicles can feel planted but often use more fuel.