What "build and price" means and why you'd use it
Build and price is a tool on a car manufacturer's website where you select the model, color, interior, features, and options you want, and the tool shows you the price as you go. You are not buying anything — you are seeing what a car with your exact choices would cost, and you get a summary you can print, email to yourself, or take to a dealership.
Most people use build and price to figure out what they actually want before walking into a dealership. You can compare two versions of the same model side by side, see how much each option costs, and understand which features are standard and which cost extra. This keeps you from being surprised by the final price and helps you decide whether you want to pay for something like leather seats or a larger engine.
The tool also gives you a starting point for negotiation. When you arrive at the dealership with a build-and-price summary showing the exact configuration and price, the salesperson knows you have done your homework.
Key Takeaways
- Build and price tools are free and live on each manufacturer's website — Ford, Toyota, Honda, Chevrolet, and others all have them.
- You choose the model, exterior color, interior material, engine size, and individual features, and the price updates in real time.
- The price shown is the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP), not what you will actually pay after negotiation, taxes, or dealer fees.
- You can save or print your configuration and bring it to a dealership to show what you want and what the starting price should be.
- Build and price does not reserve a car or lock in a price — it is only information to help you decide what to look for.
How to find the build and price tool for your car brand
Go to the official website of the manufacturer you are interested in — Ford.com, Toyota.com, Honda.com, Chevrolet.com, BMW.com, and so on. Look for a link labeled "Build and Price," "Build Your Car," "Configure," or "Design Your Vehicle." It is usually in the main navigation menu or near the top of the page.
If you cannot find it, use the search box on the manufacturer's website and search for "build and price" or "configure." You can also search Google for "[brand name] build and price" — for example, "Honda build and price" — and the official tool will appear at the top of the results.
Every major manufacturer has this tool, though the exact name and layout differ slightly. Once you land on it, the process is the same across all brands.
The steps to build your car configuration
The tool walks you through choices in a set order. First, you pick the model — for example, Honda Civic, Ford F-150, or Toyota Camry. Then you choose the trim level, which is the version of that model. A Civic might come in LX, Sport, or Touring trim, and each trim includes different standard features.
Next, you select the exterior color, interior color or material (leather, cloth, synthetic), and the engine or powertrain if the model offers options. Then you add individual features and packages — things like a sunroof, heated seats, a larger touchscreen, all-wheel drive, or a premium sound system. As you click each option, the price updates on the screen.
At the end, the tool shows you a summary with the base price, the cost of each option you added, the destination charge (the cost to ship the car from the factory), and the total MSRP. Some tools also show you the fuel economy estimate for your exact configuration.
Understanding the price the tool shows you
The price displayed is the manufacturer's suggested retail price, or MSRP. This is what the manufacturer recommends the car should cost. It is not the price you will pay.
The actual price you pay depends on several things the build-and-price tool does not include. Dealerships add a destination charge (which is included in MSRP), but they also add dealer fees, documentation fees, and sometimes a markup called "dealer markup" or "market adjustment." Your state and local taxes are added at the time of purchase. If you are financing, interest charges are added. If you are trading in a car, that value is subtracted.
Think of the MSRP as the starting point for negotiation, not the final bill. Dealers often sell below MSRP, especially on models that have been sitting on the lot. In high-demand situations or for popular models, some dealers charge above MSRP. The build-and-price number gives you a baseline so you know whether a dealer's offer is reasonable.
What to do with your build-and-price summary
Once you have built your car, most tools let you save it, print it, or email it to yourself. Save or print it — this becomes your reference document. Write down the configuration details: the model, trim, color, engine, and all the options you selected, plus the MSRP.
You can use this summary in several ways. Show it to a salesperson at a dealership and ask whether they have that exact car in stock or can order it for you. Use it to compare prices across different dealerships — call or visit several and ask what they would charge for that configuration. Use it to research the car's reliability and reviews now that you know exactly what model and features you are considering.
You can also build multiple configurations and compare them side by side. Build a base model with few options, then build the same model fully loaded, and see the price difference. This helps you decide which features are worth the extra cost to you.
Limitations of build and price tools
Build and price shows you what a car costs if you order it new from the factory. It does not show you used cars, certified pre-owned cars, or cars already on a dealership lot. If you are interested in used vehicles, you will need to search sites like Edmunds, Kelley Blue Book, or the dealership's own inventory.
The tool also does not account for rebates, incentives, or manufacturer promotions that might be running at the time you buy. These change frequently and vary by region and model. A dealership can tell you what current incentives explore to the car you want.
Finally, the price shown does not include financing terms, insurance, registration, or maintenance costs. If you want to understand the total cost of owning the car over several years, you will need to research those separately or use a total-cost-of-ownership calculator, which some manufacturer websites also offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does building and pricing a car reserve it or lock in the price?
No. Building and pricing is just information gathering. It does not reserve a car, place an order, or lock in any price. You can build as many configurations as you want without any obligation. The price shown is only valid at the time you view it and may change if the manufacturer adjusts pricing.
Can I use the build-and-price tool on my phone?
Yes. Most manufacturer websites are mobile-friendly, and the build-and-price tool works on phones and tablets. The experience may be slightly different on a smaller screen, but you can complete the entire configuration on a mobile device.
What if the dealership says they cannot get the exact car I built?
Dealerships can order cars from the factory, but it usually takes several weeks to several months depending on the model and current production schedules. If the dealership does not have your exact configuration in stock, ask whether they can special-order it and what the timeline would be. You may also find the car you want at a different dealership's lot.
Should I negotiate based on the MSRP the tool shows?
Yes. The MSRP is a reasonable starting point for negotiation. Use it to understand what the manufacturer recommends, then ask the dealership what they are actually charging. In a normal market, you might negotiate down from MSRP. In a tight market where demand is high, the dealer may not negotiate much or may charge above MSRP.
Can I compare the same model across different manufacturers using build and price?
You can build each one separately and write down the prices and features, but you will need to do this on each manufacturer's website. There is no single tool that lets you compare a Honda Civic to a Toyota Corolla side by side, so you will build one, note the details, then go to the other manufacturer's site and build the other.