Note: costs mentioned below are given in US dollars as a general point of reference — actual prices vary by country, currency, and local market.
Every ranking or "best of" list on True Motion Auto is built from a weighted scorecard covering performance, running costs, reliability, safety, and value for money. No manufacturer, dealer or advertiser can pay to move up a ranking — placement is earned on the numbers. Scores are refreshed at least twice a year or sooner when a model is updated, recalled, or repriced.
How the scorecard is weighted
| Criterion | Typical weight | What we look at |
|---|---|---|
| Running costs | 25% | Fuel/energy use, insurance groups, servicing, depreciation |
| Reliability & ownership | 20% | Manufacturer warranty, recall history, owner-survey data |
| Safety | 20% | Independent crash-test ratings, standard driver-assist tech |
| Performance & drivability | 20% | Real-world acceleration, ride, handling, road-test notes |
| Value & equipment | 15% | Price versus standard kit, finance offers, resale strength |
Why we publish a methodology at all
Rankings only mean something if readers can see how they were built. We publish this page so anyone can check our working, challenge a result, or understand why one car scores higher than another that looks similar on paper.
Where the data comes from
- Manufacturer specification sheets and press materials, cross-checked against the vehicle's official configurator
- Independent crash-test bodies (for example Euro NCAP, IIHS/NHTSA depending on region)
- Our own road tests and long-term loan cars, driven by the same reviewer panel each cycle
- Public recall and reliability databases, plus aggregated owner-survey results where available
- Real-world pricing pulled from dealer and marketplace listings, not just list price
How a ranking is built
- Shortlist every model that qualifies for the category (e.g. "family SUVs under $40,000")
- Score each vehicle against the five criteria above using the weightings shown in the table
- A second editor independently re-checks the scoring inputs before publication
- The ranking is published with the scorecard visible, not just a final order
- Rankings are re-run on a fixed schedule and after any material change (facelift, recall, price cut)
What does not influence a ranking
Advertising spend, affiliate commission rates and dealer partnerships play no role in scoring or ordering. A vehicle with an affiliate link can rank below one without any commercial relationship at all, and often does.
Where True Motion Auto earns a commission from a link in a ranked list, that is disclosed under our Compliance & Monetisation policies — but disclosure is separate from and never a factor in scoring.
Limitations we're upfront about
No methodology is perfect. Owner-survey samples vary in size by market, some new models launch without a full reliability record yet, and "best value" always reflects a snapshot of pricing that moves week to week. Where a score is based on limited data, we say so in the article rather than presenting it as more certain than it is.
Frequently asked questions
Can a manufacturer pay to rank higher on True Motion Auto?
How often are rankings updated?
Do you test every car yourselves?
What if I disagree with a ranking?
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.
