Our new car ratings explained

carsales.com.au has updated its new car rating system. The new rating system still awards a score out of 100 but has been tweaked to more closely track key consumer interest points.

The rating system will also more closely correspond with review and comparison formats going forward.

The existing system our new ratings replace was explained here. The new car rating system came into effect in March 2020.

Although the scores are calculated out of 100, they may also be displayed via a star rating widget.

New cars will be rated across five categories each with a possible total of 20. There are key areas of evaluation in each of the broader categories. All are listed below.

• Pricing and standard/optional equipment
• Value for money in context – ie: in segment/versus rivals, warranty and servicing provisions
• Design, materials quality, fit and finish

• Active: Brakes, electronics (ABS/ESC/traction control), automated systems
• Passive: Chassis/body rigidity, airbags, seatbelts, head restraints, child seats, ANCAP or manufacturers' rating including adult, child, pedestrian and cyclist
• Infotainment, sat/nav and other tech equipment

• Engine power, torque and overall performance; acceleration; driveability and flexibility; responsiveness; noise, vibration and harshness (NVH)
• Transmission operation, refinement and gearing
• Fuel consumption and efficiency

• Chassis: Handling and suspension performance; steering response and feel/feedback; ride quality; stability; braking; noise, vibration and harshness (NVH)
• Packaging: practicality, space efficiency; ergonomics; vision

• Design
• Emotional appeal
• Point of difference

The individual tester of the vehicle awards scores. Testers are asked to consider the car they are testing against its competitive set and rate it accordingly.

The reality of this subjectivity is that some road testers will always be harder markers than others. For that we don’t apologise.

A rule of thumb is that a total of 10 is considered average among a car’s 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 Editor’s Opinion – 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.