What Does “LX” Mean On A Car?
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One of the most fun aspects of car shopping is figuring out which model and make of vehicles you want, along with their specific styles and features. Although you may have decided on the make and model of your next car, one more decision you’ll have to ponder on is the trim level of your car.
Automakers love their combination of letters after the make and model of their vehicles – and if you’re most typical customers, you’re probably wondering what they meant. Many car shoppers have one particular question: What does LX mean on a car?
Understanding trim level options is one of the fundamentals of smart car buying. Today, we’ll talk about trim level options and how they vary from one car manufacturer to the next. And of course, we’ll answer the question: what does LX mean on a car? Let’s dive right in.
What are Trim Level Options?
First became popular in the 1980s, the term “trim level” refers to vehicle naming and packaging conventions using different letters. These days, most automakers want to appeal to a broader market by offering various options covering a wide range of preferences and budgets – adding many different trim level options is one of them.
The difference between trim levels can vary depending on the manufacturer and vehicle model. Trim levels may mean differences in surface-level features like exterior paint, interior materials, and trim. At the same time, some indicate performance features like engine power, front or all-wheel drive, specific electronic features, or even safety packages.
Typically, base trim levels come with basic features and minimum performance specs. Buyers get more exclusive features, accessories, and better performance as you move up the trim levels. More often than not, trim levels also determine the price of the car.
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Trim Levels: What Does LX Mean on a Car?
Since not all manufacturers use the same letters for the same model designations, the meaning of LX on a car isn’t set in stone. Every auto company can affix any letter on the back of their vehicles, and they can mean whatever they want.
So what does LX mean on a car? For most vehicles, LX means luxury, which indicates that the trim is on the upper end of the lineup. High-end LX cars may have features typical of a luxury vehicle. Think of genuine leather upholstery, top-of-the-line infotainment and sound system, powerful engines, tons of amenities (adjustable power chairs, heated seats, sunroof, moonroof, etc.), and high-tech features.
But then again, as mentioned earlier, LX doesn’t always refer to an upper trim vehicle.
For instance, Honda uses the LX designation for many of its models, but it’s not given to its top trims, not even close. Take, for example, the Honda Accord has an LX trim, but it’s assigned to the base model – followed by Sport, Sport Special Edition, EX-L, and Touring.
Overall, the meaning of LX, along with other letter designations, can vary from one brand to the next. Therefore, it’s always best to check the trim options of each manufacturer and model you’re looking into.
How Car Companies Name Trim Levels
Every company has naming conventions, from LX, ES, and EX to 911, 718, and GT3. It’s a branding strategy, and they either use pairs of letters (LX, ES, LT), full names (Limited, Touring, Trackhawk), or a combination of letters and alphanumeric codes (GT3, XR5, Z28).
While most carmakers offer a selection of trim levels, some companies only have one trim available – these are usually hyper luxury models. A good example would be the Acura RDX, which only has one trim option. Still, customers can choose from various exterior paint colors, interior materials, drive systems, and more.
Decoding Common Trim Level Options
Although different brands use similar trim designations and can mean whatever they want, there are some commonalities. Here’s a quick list of letter designations and what they imply:
- L: Level or Limited
- T: Often used for Touring editions of a lineup
- S: Sports, Standard, or Special
- D: Deluxe
- G: Grand or Grade
- LX: Luxury
- X: Extra
- E: Extra, Equipment, or Edition
- C: Compact or C-Class
Now, if you put them together, you may get the following trim levels:
- LX: Luxury level or trim
- DX: Deluxe
- DL: Deluxe level
- GLE: Grade Level Extra
- GT: Grand Touring or Gran Turismo
- GTR: Gran Turismo Racing
- LT: Luxury Touring
- LS: Luxury Sport
- LE: Limited Edition
- LTD: Limited or Luxury Trim Decor
- LTZ: Luxury Touring Z
- SE: Sports Edition or Special Edition
- SL: Sports Level or Standard Level
- SLE: Standard Level Extra
- SLT: Standard Level Touring
- XLT: Xtra Large Truck or Extra Luxurious Truck (Ford)
This is hardly a master list of trim designations. We always recommend checking what each automaker offers in trim options and what they mean.
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Choosing Between Trim Levels
What does LX mean on a car? You likely asked this question because you’re likely in the market for a new car.
Shopping for a new car is rather daunting these days, especially when you’re given a barrage of options – including trim levels. One thing you should know about trim levels is that they’re directly tied to the price of the vehicle. The higher you go up the range, the more features and performance you’ll receive and the pricier it gets.
While it’s easy to have choice paralysis when facing numerous options, think of trim levels as car shopping tools. Make a list of what you want from your new car, then find an edition that best fits your needs and budget. When comparing and selecting between trims, be ready to compromise.
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When automakers package features into trim levels, they usually strike a balance of what’s popular and which content will fit into the target price of each trim.
Regardless of what edition you end up choosing, you’ll either miss out on some features and performance enhancements (compromises) or go over your budget. Some companies offer optional packages – such as an all-weather package, towing add-ons, heated steering wheel, and more – for extra money and without the need to go up a trim.
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