Before publishing any comparison, we verify pricing, safety ratings, efficiency/range figures, reliability data, and warranty terms against primary or named independent sources for the current model year, and explicitly flag any figure that varies by trim, region, or configuration rather than presenting a single number as universally true. This checklist exists to keep comparisons accurate as models, prices, and ratings change over time.
At a glance: checklist categories
| Category | What we verify |
|---|---|
| Pricing | Current model-year MSRP range, noting trim/region variation |
| Safety | Rating body, model year tested, and trim/configuration tested |
| Efficiency/range | Testing standard (EPA/WLTP), model year, and drivetrain variant |
| Reliability | Source, survey period, and whether data reflects current or prior generation |
| Warranty | Coverage terms, duration, and any recent changes by the manufacturer |
Why a standardized checklist matters
Car comparisons involve pulling numbers from multiple sources — manufacturer spec sheets, government testing agencies, independent reliability studies — and small inconsistencies (an outdated price, a figure from the wrong trim, a reliability score for the previous generation) compound quickly across a comparison table. A standardized checklist reduces the chance that any one of these slips through before publication.
The checklist
- Confirm current model-year pricing directly from the manufacturer or a reputable pricing source, noting the MSRP range across trims rather than citing a single cherry-picked figure
- Confirm the safety rating body, the specific model year tested, and which trim/configuration was tested, since safety equipment can vary by trim
- Confirm efficiency or range figures, noting the testing standard (EPA, WLTP, or manufacturer-claimed) and the specific drivetrain/trim they apply to
- Confirm reliability data source and survey period, flagging cases where data reflects an outgoing generation rather than a freshly redesigned current model
- Confirm current warranty terms directly from the manufacturer, since coverage details occasionally change between model years
- Cross-check at least two independent sources for any figure that will appear in a head-to-head comparison table
- Note the date all figures were verified, and set a review trigger for the next model-year change
Handling figures that vary by trim or region
Many of the most commonly miscited figures — price, range, cargo volume — vary meaningfully by trim level, and sometimes by region within the same market. Rather than presenting a single number as universally true, we note the range and specify which trim or configuration a headline figure applies to, particularly in comparison tables where readers might otherwise assume every number refers to the same trim.
Flagging uncertain or unverifiable figures
If a figure cannot be confirmed against a primary source or a credible independent source within a reasonable research effort, we either omit it, mark it clearly as approximate, or note that it could not be independently verified — we do not publish a precise-looking number that hasn't actually been confirmed.
Review triggers
Every comparison gets a review trigger tied to the featured vehicles' expected next model-year change, redesign announcement, or significant recall, so that the checklist isn't just a one-time gate at publication but part of an ongoing maintenance process. See our related article on updating rankings after a model-year change for the fuller process.
No comparison is published without at least a pass through this checklist. Figures that fail verification are omitted or clearly flagged rather than left in place for the sake of a cleaner-looking table.
Frequently asked questions
Why do published car comparisons sometimes have outdated figures?
How do you handle figures that vary by trim level?
What happens if a figure can't be verified?
How often is this checklist applied?
Do you cross-check figures against more than one source?
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.
