Von Schledorn Auto Group Official Blog
Do car models change every year?
By Product Expert | Posted in FAQs, Tips and Info on Wednesday, December 2nd, 2020 at 6:48 pm
Vehicle Redesigns, Refreshes, and Carry-Overs
If you were to make a trip to our dealership here year after year, you would see a lot of vehicles with the same names, but with different years in front of those names. Are cars always changing? Is every 2020 model superior to every 2019 model, and every 2019 superior to every 2018, and so on? Do vehicles actually get upgraded every year?
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No, vehicles typically only get major upgrades every four to six years, and minor updates every three years. This time period is what’s known as an “automotive model cycle,” and it corresponds to the generations of a vehicle.
The major upgrade that takes place every four to six years is known as a “redesign,” while the minor upgrades every three years are known as a “mid-cycle refresh,” “model refresh,” or “facelift.” A “carryover” is when a vehicle receives no upgrades and is the same as the year before.
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What does it mean when a car is “redesigned?”
A model redesign refers to when the automaker builds a completely new incarnation of a model from the ground up. This typically means new styling, a new chassis, a fresh suspension, new brakes, new features, a new interior, and typically a new engine as well. A redesign tends to keep the same general philosophy of the model, but attempts to approach and embody it in a superior, cutting-edge manner.
What is a “model refresh?”
A model refresh, which occurs every two to three years, is when a vehicle is not fully rebuilt but is updated to keep pace with the latest automotive advances. It will typically include elements such as updated headlights, new bumpers, fresh wheel designs, and new paint color options. The automaker will also occasionally throw in some new features and gadgets to sweeten the appeal.
