The leaderboard ranks members by a points system: 10 points for a published review, 2 points per helpful vote a review receives, 5 points for a verified-owner review, and 1 point for a substantive Q&A answer. Ranks reset quarterly so newer contributors have a real chance to reach the top, and the top 10 reviewers each quarter get a profile badge plus early access to review upcoming long-term test cars. Points are capped per day to discourage low-quality mass-posting.
At a glance
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Published review (any) | 10 |
| Verified-owner review | +5 bonus |
| Helpful vote received | 2 each |
| Substantive Q&A answer | 1 |
| Photo added to a review | 1 |
| Daily point cap per member | 50 |
Why we built a points system
Star ratings alone don't reward the reviewers who actually help other buyers — someone who writes three detailed, useful reviews should rank above someone who leaves twenty one-line ratings. The leaderboard exists to surface and reward depth and usefulness, not raw volume, which is why helpful votes (cast by other readers) count for more than the act of posting itself over time.
How points are earned
- Publishing a review: 10 points, awarded once the review clears moderation.
- Verified-owner status: an extra 5 points if the reviewer has confirmed ownership (see our Verified Owner Badges page for how that's checked).
- Helpful votes: 2 points per upvote a review collects from other members, uncapped over the review's lifetime.
- Answering questions: 1 point per answer in Model-Specific Owner Q&A that gets at least one helpful vote itself.
- Adding photos: 1 point per original photo attached to a review, up to 5 per review.
Anti-gaming rules
A daily cap of 50 points per member stops anyone from mass-posting low-effort reviews to climb the board quickly. Helpful votes from accounts created the same day, or from an IP cluster tied to the reviewer's own account, are excluded from the count. Reviews removed by moderation retroactively subtract their points.
Ranks and what they unlock
| Rank tier | Typical points | What it unlocks |
|---|---|---|
| New Contributor | 0-49 | Standard posting access |
| Regular | 50-199 | Reviewer profile page with review history |
| Trusted Reviewer | 200-499 | Priority display in review sort order |
| Top 10 (quarterly) | Highest in quarter | Leaderboard badge + early long-term-test access |
Why the board resets every quarter
An all-time leaderboard would be permanently dominated by the site's earliest members. Resetting the competitive ranking each quarter (while keeping each member's lifetime point total visible on their profile) keeps the top of the board realistically reachable for anyone who starts contributing seriously today.
Points are secondary to review quality — a helpful, well-written review that scores no points still gets full visibility. The leaderboard is a recognition layer on top of moderation, not a replacement for it.
How to climb it, realistically
- Write reviews with specifics — ownership length, real costs, concrete pros and cons — since these earn more helpful votes.
- Confirm verified-owner status once eligible for the automatic 5-point bonus per review.
- Answer Q&A threads where you actually have direct model experience rather than general opinions.
- Add real photos of your own vehicle rather than stock or manufacturer images, which get removed and forfeit points.
Frequently asked questions
Does the leaderboard reset completely each quarter?
Can I lose points?
Do downvotes on a review subtract points?
Is there a reward beyond the badge for finishing in the top 10?
Can dealers or brand accounts appear on the leaderboard?
Sources & further reading
Figures, prices and policy details were current at the last-updated date above. Automotive pricing, incentives and regulations change frequently — verify time-sensitive details with the linked primary sources. Read our editorial policy and fact-checking standards.
