Introduction

Our comprehensive objective testing that uncovers the smallest of details and differences in the stats and test results are something that we are proud of here at CarWale. The dynamic and static testing that we perform on our test cars is what separates us from the rest. Here’s a detailed look at what we do and how we do it once the car rolls into our office.

Our 600-points testing sheet that we use for all the vehicles we gauge includes static, dynamic and real-world tests across set parameters. There are seven of these set parameters which define our objective testing. Speaking of which, the whole point of these tests is to back our car testing team’s subjective opinions with solid figures and facts that we have obtained ourselves in a controlled environment. Here’s a brief insight to all our testing parameters.

Performance testing

This is perhaps the most objective set of tests that we do for every car. In fact, performance tests are part of our dynamic testing and these can be classified into five basic categories – acceleration, in-gear acceleration, braking, fuel efficiency and turning circle. All of these tests are conducted using a specialist time gear called VBOX by Racelogic. This GPS based data logger uses satellites to record speed and ground position with position accuracy to within one inch. Safe to say it’s the most accurate and reliable way to get acceleration, roll-ons, braking figures and even the turning radius.

The fuel efficiency figures that all new cars come with are either ARAI-tested or self-reported by carmakers. However, these tested figures aren’t always indicative of the real world fuel efficiency that the end user might achieve in the real world wherein there are so many complex variables such as density of traffic, weather conditions, road condition and so on. Which is why we have our own uniform city and highway fuel efficiency tests.

For the city fuel efficiency figures, we drive all our test cars on the same 80-km route which is based entirely in Navi Mumbai. The whole process is consistent for all cars and the final figures are achieved by tanking up the car completely to the brim and then setting off along the same route every single time. Consistency is the key which is why all out FE runs are held from 10am onwards with AC temperature set between 22 degrees and 24 degrees Celsius every time with just the driver and no passenger. In case, there is a drastic difference in traffic and weather conditions during a particular run we call off the run and leave it for another day. We follow the same process to test highway efficiency it’s just that the cruising speeds are higher at around 80kmph to 100kmph. The route, meanwhile, runs from Navi Mumbai to a certain point of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway wherein we make a U-turn and drive back to our predetermined fuel pump in Navi Mumbai.

Measurements

We measure every nook and corner of the car’s interior and its boot so that we can compare the level of space, comfort and boot space of a vehicle compared to its competition. Using a measuring tape, we record the space in millimetres and put our findings for every car through our benchmarks for maximum and minimum figures. So what all do we measure? Everything from headroom, legroom, shoulder room, the length of the seat base and the backrest height is all covered by our measuring tape. And we measure all the rows available in the car, be it a small hatchback or a five-meter plus SUV.

In terms of boot and flexibility, we measure the boot area for its width, depth and height and calculate the cargo volume accordingly. For flexibility extra points are awarded if the car has split folding rear seats, lean adjustment for the backrest, a flat folding area once the seats are folded down and lastly, if the seat squab is extendable.

Ambience and Visibility

The automotive landscape has changed drastically in the last decade or so, with rapid variations in buying preferences as we see more and more users opting for crossovers and SUVs with commanding driving position and good visibility all around. As people continue to gravitate towards bigger cars with stylish interiors, ambience and visibility would increasingly become more important to potential new car buyers. Here we measure all-round visibility once seated inside the car.

These include views from left and right A pillar, over the hood, view of the rear through the rear glass and how sensibly the wing mirrors are positioned. In terms of ambience, we rate every car’s cabin for its feel of space and ambience. Lower points are awarded if the glass area is small and if the materials used are all uniform or if there’s too much hard plastics. On the other hand, higher points are given depending on the quality of the soft touch plastics, and if the dashboard design is pleasing to the eyes with light colours and multiple layers.

Feel of quality

At this point of our road test regime we are down to proper business of evaluating every car for its quality and fit/finish. All the panel gaps right from the hood area, A/B/C pillars, doors, headlights, taillights and the bootlid are measured on both sides. Points are given or deducted if they are even or they are major differences in panel gaps on both sides. We also test the bodywork for its uniformity and evenly the joints are spread.

On the inside, we perform our own subjective evaluations of the material feel, look, trim fittings, rattles and noise, soft touch plastics and panel gaps. Lastly, hood lining is also tested for its evenness and quality along with all the nitty-gritties under the engine bay. We also evaluate how neatly the cables are tied up and how the well the engine and gearbox ancillaries are packaged around the powertrain.

Operability

Operability is next and it’s equally important because in this section we test how efficiently all the features inside the vehicle work. Take the instrument cluster, for instance - how easy or difficult are the dials to read especially on the move and we also score extra points for how comprehensive the inbuilt driver information display is. Other small but significant features like keyless entry and how easy it is to use in the real world, or how well the USB and other connectivity ports are placed are some of the other things we pay close attention to under operability.

We also gauge the ease of use for certain creature comforts like cup holders (how much they can hold, how well shaped they are, if they are available in the front as well as the rear and so on). Backlit functions for the buttons on the door, lock/unlock switch placement, head restraints adjustment are some of the other details that buyers might miss at the time of purchasing the car which is why we have covered them all and lot more in ‘operability’.

Safety

Safety is now perhaps the most influential aspect for a lot of new car buyers which is why we pay close attention to our subjective evaluations of the available safety equipment in the test vehicle. Some of the cars we get now are equipped with active safety tech and we leave them on under certain conditions to see whether they work flawlessly or are intrusive. Besides evaluating the active safety systems in the real world, we also test the efficiency of other safety features like LED headlights, traction control, front and rear parking sensors, ESP and cornering lights.

Features, ride and handling

Now this is a big one. This section of the sheet is where a lot of points are allocated to every car that we test. Starting off with comfort and convenience features, we have given more weightage to new age tech like ADAS (advanced driver assist systems), phone mirroring, self-parking, 360-degree cameras and so on. There are other features like keyless entry and start, drive modes, voice commands, ventilated seats and wireless charging that have considerable weightage to them, too.

As for testing the ride quality, we have four parameters that we consider for both slow speed and high speed ride – bump absorption, noise, vibrations and seat-of-the-pants feel. For the vehicle’s handling and road holding ability we evaluate its body control, roll, front axle grip levels, turn-in feel, oversteer/understeer and the ability to make quick direction changes (whether its quick or lazy). We also input the number of turns the steering needs at lock-to-lock, it’s off center feel and its self centering ability.

Overall points

We assign ratings on a 600-points scale to every car that we evaluate for our road test or comparison story. The final score that it achieves are not just based on our extensive testing using raw data but also our subjective assessment after driving the car and spending days with it. Naturally, every tester’s opinion on the car’s dynamics or quality may vary at times which is why our final scores are locked only after discussions with the rest of the team. We have had nearly thirty new cars this year for our 600-points assessment and like always, we have remained fair and tested every car the same way be it the latest version of the Range Rover Velar or the all-new Maruti Celerio.

Segregation of 600-points

Driving feel (Max 100 points)

Space (Max 110 points)

Features, operability and quality (Max 70 points)

Performance (Max 135 points)

Road manners and safety (Max 110 points)

Price, warranty and resale (Max 75 points)