• Has the "old" dash like the 924
• 924 style parking brake handle
• Sports an exterior antenna like the 924
• Non-flush front glass
• Usually cookie cutter or phone dial wheels, 15"

The "late" model 944, starting with production year 85.5:

• Has the "new" style dash (more 911, rounded-like and much better; improved air vent efficiency, better layout for reaching controls, improved instrument cluster layout)
• Fancier parking brake handle
• Windshield antenna (with worse reception than the external style)
• Flush front glass
• Might have optional five spoke, 16" Fuchs-style wheels

The 1986 and later NA model 944 cars:

• Have the same things as the 85.5 with one more item: the US-required third tail light at top center of the rear hatch glass.

Under the hood, there are additional changes not described here, and there are various suspension and transmission changes which might be part of a later update...