Expert ratings: The point of it
The cars are the stars – and now they get them too… New cars are rated by motoring.com.aumotoring.com.au has instituted a new car rating system. The new rating system awards a score out of 100 and is designed to interface with the Carsales Network's growing database of owner reviews.
New car ratings will (eventually) be offered on all new car launch reviews and seven-day tests.
Like most detailed auto rating systems, the score is out of 100 but an up-to-five star label is also applied. The result is subjective and awarded by the individual tester of the vehicle. The reality of this subjectivity is that some road testers will be harder markers than others...
We will continue to declare a winner in our group and comparison tests but as group verdicts; no rankings will be applied. The same logic applies to long-term tests.
Our new system is in part a response to the confusion some readers experienced when we based our ratings on an-out-of-five systems. Though most consumers were happy with the system, some confused our ratings with those of external agencies. For example, the Australian Government Green Vehicle Guide star rating or the ANCAP/NCAP safety ratings.
Five categories will be scored for each vehicle, with each overall section rated against a possible maximum score of 20. Testers are asked to consider the car they are testing against its competitive set and the rate it accordingly.
Referring to the below ratings range, in any category 10 is considered average for the competitive set, 12 above average, 15 well above average and 16 and beyond, by definition, best in class. It corresponds therefore that an 8/20 rating is considered below average.
20/20 Exceptional
16/20 Excellent
12/20 Above average
10/20 Class average
8/20 Below class average
4/20 Sub-standard
0/20 Unsuitable
It is highly unlikely any car will receive 20 out of 20 for any category with the exception of X Factor -- that's a measure of personal appeal a car has for our testers... But equally 10 out of 20 should not be considered ‘a pass’. It simply indicates that the vehicle is par for the course in this attribute.
As noted above, while the motoring.com.au rating system now features on our 'expert' reviews, readers and owners can also review and rate vehicles and publish their impressions via our user review system.
In due course we plan to publish two scores for each make and model family – a ‘professional’ rating and a user reviews rating.
Some of the things we consider when determining a motoring.com.au rating:
Engine/Drivetrain/Chassis
• Engine: Efficiency and outputs; noise, vibration and harshness (NVH); responsiveness
• Drivetrain: Transmission operation; gearing; NVH
• Chassis: Suspension performance, brakes, stability, etc
Price, packaging and practicality
• Price: value for money in context – ie: in segment/versus rivals
• Equipment: level and quality; fit and finish
• Packaging: space efficiency; ergonomics; vision
• Practicality
Safety & Technology
• Active: chassis/body rigidity; brakes; electronics (ABS/ESP/traction control); automated systems
• Passive: crash structure airbags; seatbelts, head restraints, child seats, NCAP or manufacturers' rating including pedestrian and child (see ANCAP)
• Infotainment, HVAC, lighting, wiper/washer, locking/windows/mirrors
• Navigation (where applicable), trip computer, Bluetooth
Behind the wheel
• Performance, acceleration, driveability and in-gear performance
• Driveline refinement; Ease of use
• Fuel consumption
• Comfort: ride quality, NVH
• Handling, steering feedback, etc
X-factor
• Emotional appeal
• Design
• Point of difference
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