What Car? Q&A - What do ES and SE mean?
22 September 2005
Paul Dunne
A: The letters do not, as is sometimes the case, necessarily constitute an acronym or abbreviation. They simply denote the trim level of whatever vehicle they apply to. However, in motoring, SE originally denoted 'special edition' and ES stood for 'executive sedan' (the US word for saloon).
ES trim usually falls beneath the SE model in terms of equipment level and extras differ from car to car. The BMW 3 Series, for example, includes cruise control and remote central locking in the SE model. The price difference between the two is around £1000, and has in the past widened to £3000.
What Car?
is brought to you by
Haymarket Consumer MediaWhat Car? is part of Haymarket Motoring
© Haymarket Media Group 2013
