Trimslate · Car features in plain English

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.

MPG Combined

Combined miles per gallon: the EPA's blend of city and highway driving, weighted 55% city and 45% highway. One number for overall fuel efficiency.

Real-world MPG

The average MPG drivers of this vehicle report from their own fill-ups on fueleconomy.gov. A reality check on the EPA lab estimate; more reports means a steadier number.

HP

Horsepower -- a measure of engine power. More horsepower generally means quicker acceleration.

Power to weight

Horsepower divided by curb weight, in hp per pound. It predicts acceleration better than horsepower alone: a light car with modest power can outrun a heavy one with more.

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.

Start-stop system

Automatically shuts the engine off while you wait at a light and restarts it when you release the brake, saving fuel in city driving.

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.

Recharge time

How many hours a full charge takes on a 240 volt (Level 2) home charger. Public fast chargers are much quicker.

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.

Axle ratio

The final drive gearing between the driveshaft and the wheels, like 3.73. A higher number pulls harder for towing; a lower number keeps engine speed down for quieter, more efficient cruising.

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.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA's estimate of a typical year of fuel for this vehicle, assuming about 15,000 miles of driving at average fuel prices. Lower is cheaper to run.

CO₂ (g/mi)

Tailpipe carbon dioxide emitted per mile driven, in grams, from EPA testing. Lower is cleaner; battery EVs emit none from the tailpipe.

Eco score

The EPA's greenhouse gas score from 1 to 10. Higher means lower climate impact: a 10 is the cleanest, a 1 the most polluting.

Smog rating

The EPA's 1 to 10 score for smog-forming tailpipe pollution. Higher is cleaner: a 10 emits the least, a 1 the most.

SmartWay

An EPA certification for the cleanest vehicles each year: strong scores on both the greenhouse gas and smog ratings.

Passenger volume

EPA-measured interior space for people, in cubic feet. It is a volume measure, not a seat count: more volume means a roomier cabin.

Cargo volume

EPA-measured luggage or cargo space, in cubic feet. For SUVs and hatchbacks it is the space behind the rear seats.

Recalls

Safety defects the manufacturer must fix for free, as recorded by NHTSA for this model year. Fewer is better, though popular models attract more reports.

Owner complaints

Problem reports owners filed with NHTSA for this model year. A rough signal of real-world trouble, not a verified defect count.

NHTSA investigation

A federal probe into a suspected safety defect, usually opened after a pattern of owner complaints. Often the step before a recall; many close without action.

Park warning

An active NHTSA recall advising owners to park outside or away from structures because of fire risk. Check with the manufacturer before buying.

Basic warranty

Bumper-to-bumper coverage: the manufacturer repairs most factory defects for this many years or miles, whichever comes first.

Powertrain warranty

Covers the engine, transmission, and drive components. It usually lasts longer than the basic warranty.