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Why You Should be Flexible with Your Car Choice

Last reviewed: January 2026

If you're serious about saving a lot of money on your next car purchase, you need to do something that many car shoppers overlook.

Don't get your heart set on one specific model! Ideally, you should narrow your options down to 3 vehicles, then determine which one offers the best deals.

Each car has different supply and demand factors affecting its price. With a little bit of research, you could end up saving several thousand dollars and still end up with a car you're happy with. Along these same lines, you don't want to limit yourself to a specific color or options package.

The more flexible you are, the better your chances of landing an awesome deal, especially when it comes to leftover models. Obviously, one way to expand your choice of vehicles is to consider buying a close competitor - many of which offer the same features. There are some vehicles that actually have a "twin" - they share the same chassis, interiors, and many other components, but are marketed under different brands.

Here's a list of twin models - check to see if the car you're considering has a twin, and if so, make sure you do some price comparisons before purchasing. In some cases, the other twin is several thousand dollars less expensive.

Twin Vehicles - Same Car, Different Brand

VehiclePlatform Twin(s)
Toyota CamryLexus ES
Toyota RAV4Lexus NX
Toyota HighlanderLexus RX / Lexus TX
Toyota 4RunnerLexus GX
Toyota Land CruiserLexus LX
Subaru BRZToyota GR86
Honda CR-VAcura RDX
Honda PilotAcura MDX
Honda AccordAcura TLX (shared platform elements)
Chevrolet TahoeGMC Yukon / Cadillac Escalade
Chevrolet SuburbanGMC Yukon XL / Cadillac Escalade ESV
Chevrolet SilveradoGMC Sierra
Chevrolet EquinoxGMC Terrain
Chevrolet TraverseBuick Enclave
Chevrolet ColoradoGMC Canyon
Ford ExplorerLincoln Aviator
Ford F-150Lincoln Navigator (shared platform)
Ford Bronco SportFord Escape
Hyundai TucsonKia Sportage
Hyundai PalisadeKia Telluride
Hyundai Santa FeKia Sorento
Hyundai SonataKia K5
Hyundai ElantraKia Forte
Hyundai Ioniq 5Kia EV6 / Genesis GV60
Genesis GV70Genesis G70 (shared platform family)
Genesis GV80Genesis G80 (shared platform family)
Jeep Grand CherokeeDodge Durango
Chrysler PacificaChrysler Voyager
Dodge ChargerChrysler 300
Volkswagen AtlasVolkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
Nissan ArmadaInfiniti QX80

Keep in mind that even though these vehicles share platforms, there can be significant differences in features, interior quality, and ride refinement. The luxury versions typically have better materials, more standard features, and quieter cabins. But if you're cross-shopping and the mainstream version has everything you need, you could save thousands.

Each week, I'll keep you up-to-date on the latest car deals and news that might affect your purchase. This includes...

  • Best Rebates, Incentives, and Lease Deals
  • Latest Car Buying Scams and Tricks
  • The Best & Worst Time to Buy a Car
  • Which Cars You Should Avoid

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About The Author

Gregg Fidan Gregg Fidan is the founder of RealCarTips. After being ripped off on his first car purchase, he devoted several years to figuring out the best ways to avoid scams and negotiate the best car deals. He has written hundreds of articles on the subject of car buying and taught thousands of car shoppers how to get the best deals.

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