Methodology
How we turn raw automotive data into honest comparisons
Our Goal
Autovex exists to make choosing the right car clearer — not to tell you which car is "best." Every comparison is built from structured data and transparent scoring, so you can see exactly why one vehicle outperforms another and weight the categories that matter to you.
This page documents the criteria we evaluate, where our data comes from, and the formulas behind our scores — so nothing is a black box.
Evaluation Criteria
Every car is assessed across four core categories. Each can be weighted by you using the priority sliders on a comparison page; the defaults below reflect a balanced enthusiast view.
Raw capability: top speed, 0–60 acceleration, horsepower, torque, power-to-weight ratio, and drivetrain layout. Metrics are normalised against the full database so a car is judged relative to its peers, not in isolation.
Formula example — power-to-weight: hp ÷ (weight in kg ÷ 1000), giving hp per tonne for a level playing field across light and heavy vehicles.
Real-world usability: boot capacity, front-trunk storage, folding seats, ground clearance, turning circle, visibility, and parking ease. Each raw value is mapped to a 1–5 scale using tier thresholds derived from the dataset's own range.
The cost and reality of living with the car: base price, average used-market value, annual maintenance, fuel type and cost, full-tank cost, MPG, warranty, and (for Pro) depreciation trend and annual running cost.
Qualitative character drawn from consensus professional reviews and enthusiast discussion — covering driving character, interior & cabin, daily usability, and ownership. Each dimension carries a core strength, a defining trait, and a trade-off, so you see what a car excels at and what it sacrifices.
Where Our Data Comes From
Specifications — manufacturer-published figures and established public automotive references (e.g. press kits, homologation data). Where a figure is disputed, we favour the manufacturer's claimed value and note the conflict.
Pricing & running costs — current market listings and averages for used values, manufacturer RRP for new prices, and region-typical estimates for maintenance, insurance, and fuel costs.
Experience summaries — generated from consensus insights across professional automotive reviews and enthusiast communities, distilled into structured strengths, traits, and trade-offs rather than a single opinion.
How Scoring Works
Each metric is first normalised to a 0–100 scale within the database, using min-max normalisation:
normalised = (value − min) ÷ (max − min) × 100
For "lower is better" metrics (e.g. 0–60 time, turning circle), the scale is inverted. Category scores are the weighted average of their normalised metrics. The overall score is the weighted sum of the four category scores, with weights set by your priority sliders (or the defaults above).
Scenario scores (Daily, Weekend, Long Distance, City) apply preset weight profiles to the same underlying scores, so a car that wins on paper doesn't automatically win for your lifestyle.
Transparency & Limitations
Autovex is a comparison aid, not a definitive verdict. Specifications can vary by market year, option pack, and trim; experience summaries reflect general consensus and may not match every owner's view. We update the database regularly and welcome corrections via the Feedback page.
Pro analytics (depreciation models, market demand, track index) use the same normalised foundations but add deeper modelling — documented inline on each Pro panel.