Note: costs mentioned below are given in US dollars as a general point of reference — actual prices vary by country, currency, and local market.
Put two to five vehicles in a table of your own — price, fuel or energy cost, cargo space, safety ratings and warranty terms. These are the categories buyers most often want compared and most rarely see lined up together outside a dealership brochure. Half an hour with a spreadsheet, the manufacturers' configurators and the safety-rating sites gets you a table that is actually about your shortlist, and one you can take to the dealership on paper.
At a glance
| Comparison field | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| MSRP and typical transaction price | Sticker vs. what buyers actually pay |
| 5-year cost to own estimate | Depreciation + fuel + maintenance + insurance |
| Cargo and passenger space | Real usability, not just trim badge |
| Safety ratings (NHTSA/IIHS) | Independent crash test results |
| Warranty terms | Bumper-to-bumper and powertrain length |
Why a custom table beats generic 'top 10' lists
Most published comparison articles pick vehicles for clicks, not for your specific shortlist. If you're deciding between a compact SUV and a midsize sedan on completely different platforms, a generic list rarely puts them head to head the way you actually need. Building it yourself means the table contains the vehicles you are actually choosing between, in the fields that matter to your decision rather than to a publisher's.
How to build one
- Search and add each vehicle you're considering (2-5 vehicles works best for readability).
- Choose which comparison fields matter to you — price, running costs, space, safety, tech features.
- Fill in published specifications and ratings from the manufacturer's configurator and the safety-testing bodies.
- Add the figures nobody publishes — a specific dealer's quoted out-the-door price, your own insurance quote — as you gather them.
- Save, print, or export the table to reference while negotiating or test driving.
Worked example: compact SUV shortlist
| Spec | Vehicle A | Vehicle B | Vehicle C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $27,400 | $28,900 | $26,100 |
| EPA combined MPG | 30 | 27 | 32 |
| Cargo (seats up) | 29.7 cu ft | 33.4 cu ft | 27.5 cu ft |
| IIHS Top Safety Pick | Yes | No | Yes |
| Bumper-to-bumper warranty | 3yr/36k | 3yr/36k | 5yr/60k |
Laid out this way, trade-offs jump out immediately — Vehicle C undercuts on price and warranty but gives up cargo space, which a bullet-point review buried three paragraphs down might not make as clear.
Fields worth adding beyond the obvious specs
- Insurance cost estimate for your specific ZIP/postcode and driving profile — this varies more between models than most buyers expect.
- Resale value projection at 3 and 5 years.
- Availability of the trim/color combination you actually want, not just the base model advertised.
Published MSRP and EPA figures are standardized, but dealer markup, available incentives, and real-world fuel economy can shift the picture — treat the generated table as a strong starting point, then verify current local pricing and incentives before deciding.
Frequently asked questions
How many cars can I compare at once?
Where do the specs and safety ratings come from?
Can I compare a new car against a used one?
How should I keep the table?
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.
