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
| Vehicle | Platform Twin(s) |
|---|---|
| Toyota Camry | Lexus ES |
| Toyota RAV4 | Lexus NX |
| Toyota Highlander | Lexus RX / Lexus TX |
| Toyota 4Runner | Lexus GX |
| Toyota Land Cruiser | Lexus LX |
| Subaru BRZ | Toyota GR86 |
| Honda CR-V | Acura RDX |
| Honda Pilot | Acura MDX |
| Honda Accord | Acura TLX (shared platform elements) |
| Chevrolet Tahoe | GMC Yukon / Cadillac Escalade |
| Chevrolet Suburban | GMC Yukon XL / Cadillac Escalade ESV |
| Chevrolet Silverado | GMC Sierra |
| Chevrolet Equinox | GMC Terrain |
| Chevrolet Traverse | Buick Enclave |
| Chevrolet Colorado | GMC Canyon |
| Ford Explorer | Lincoln Aviator |
| Ford F-150 | Lincoln Navigator (shared platform) |
| Ford Bronco Sport | Ford Escape |
| Hyundai Tucson | Kia Sportage |
| Hyundai Palisade | Kia Telluride |
| Hyundai Santa Fe | Kia Sorento |
| Hyundai Sonata | Kia K5 |
| Hyundai Elantra | Kia Forte |
| Hyundai Ioniq 5 | Kia EV6 / Genesis GV60 |
| Genesis GV70 | Genesis G70 (shared platform family) |
| Genesis GV80 | Genesis G80 (shared platform family) |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee | Dodge Durango |
| Chrysler Pacifica | Chrysler Voyager |
| Dodge Charger | Chrysler 300 |
| Volkswagen Atlas | Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport |
| Nissan Armada | Infiniti 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
About The Author
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.



Got a Question About This Article?