It seems that Garmin is trying to create a nuvi for everyone, but with so many models in the marketplace, they’ve also created quite a bit of confusion. So here’s the low down on the various nuvi series available in the US. I’ll go through each series in numerical order; below that is a chart which breaks them down by date of introduction. These are fairly broad strokes — for more details, see my Garmin nuvi comparison chart.

• x0 series – Entry-level models, AKA the 2012 Essential series. The 30 series models have 3.5″ screens, the 40 series has 4.3″ screens and the 50 series has 5.0″ screens. Introduced in August 2011
• x2, x4 series – The 2013 Essential series. The 42/44 series has 4.3″ screens, the 52/54 have 5″. Announced in January 2013.
• 200 series – This was Garmin’s first budget, entry-level lineup. It includes the nuvi 200, 250, 260 and 270. All have a 3.5″ screen. The 200 series was the first nuvi group with an internal antenna, giving them a less obtrusive profile. Introduced in March 2007; DISCONTINUED.
• 200W series – The 200W, 250W and 260W added 4.3” wide-screen models to the 200 series. Introduced in June 2007; DISCONTNUED
• 2×5 series – A subsequent entry-level line added several new features, including speed limit and trip log display. Like the 200 series, the “W” models sport a 4.3” wide screen. Introduced in March 2008; DISCONTINUED.
• 2×5T series – Updated the 2×5 series, adding free lifetime traffic and Bluetooth. Introduced in August 2008; DISCONTINUED.
• 295W – An oddball, and not really part of the 2×5 series, the 295W is the first nuvi to offer WiFi. Introduced in May 2010; DISCONTINUED.
• 300 series – The original nuvi series, it has more features than the 200 series. Introduced in September 2005; DISCONTINUED
• 465T– A trucker-friendly model introduced in March 2009
• 500 series – “Crossover” models designed for driving, hiking, cycling and boating. Based on the 2×5 series and introduced in July 2008
• 600 series – An early high-end line, this group includes the nuvi 650, 660, 670 and 680.  Marrying a 4.3” wide screen and nuvi 300 series features, it was introduced in September 2006; DISCONTINUED
• 700 series – These units incorporate the high-end features of the 600 series, with the internal antenna found on the 200 series. Introduced in August 2007; DISCONTINUED
• 7×5T series – Another high-end line that adds lifetime traffic (except for the 785T), lane assist and 3-D buildings to the nuvi 700 series features. Introduced in August 2008; DISCONTINUED.
• 800 series – The first nuvis with voice recognition. Introduced in January 2008; DISCONTINUED
• 8×5 series – The second-generation voice command nuvi lineup. Introduced in January 2009; DISCONTNUED
• 1200, 1300, 1400 series – This newer line is thinner and lighter than previous generations, and adds some features formerly found only on higher end models. Introduced in March 2009. The 12xx models have been discontinued.
• 1600 series – The first connected nuvi. Introduced in September 2009.
• 22×0, 23×0 series – The newest budget series, it includes the myTrends and trafficTrends features found on the high-end 3700 series. Announuced in November 2010.
• 24×0 series – 5″ widescreen models based on the nuvi 22xx and 23xx series. Announced in January 2011.
• 2xx5 series – The 2012 Advanced series, these 4.3″ and 5.0″ models bring a beefed up processor. Announced in August 2010.
• 2xx7 series – The 2013 Advanced series includes 4.3″, 5″ and 7″ models. Announced in January 2013.
• 3400 series – Updates the 3700 series, despite the lower model numbers. AKA the Prestige series; introduced in September 2011.
• 35×0 series – A 5″ version of the 3400 models, albeit not as thin. Introduced in February 2012.
• 35×7 series – One model, the 3597LMTHD, announced in January 2013.
• 3700 series (pictured above) – A super-thin (9 mm) series and the first to use historic traffic data (trafficTrends) and have the ability to switch to portrait orientation. Introduced in June 2010.
• 5000 – Another one-off model, this was the first nuvi to offer a 5” screen. Introduced in February 2008. DISCONTINUED
• x7x and xx7x models – The transatlantic 270, 275T, 370, 670, 770, 775T, 1370T, 2370LT, 2475LT and 2577LT models cross geographic as well as nuvi series boundaries, offering pre-loaded maps of the U.S., Canada and Europe.
• x8x models – The 285WT, 680, 780, 785T, 880 and 885T models each come with an MSN Direct receiver; that service is being discontinued as of January 1, 2012.
• xxxxLM or LMT models — Garmin nuvis bundled with lifetime map updates (LMT models also include lifetime traffic)

By date:

Go to my Garmin nuvi chart to see a detailed list of features and links to reviews.