When determining how to rank SUVs, we take into account all the significant aspects of the vehicles: engine and performance, interior, price, warranty, safety & reliability, and fuel economy. Our team also conducts an extensive analysis using data from third-party sources, taking into account the reviews of acclaimed automobile critics and the awards received by a particular model. Then we calculate an all-around score to specify which model is best in each category. 

Our car ranking methodology consists of three stages with the following weightage:

Stage 1- 35% 

Stage 2- 40%

Stage 3- 25%

Stage 1 – 35% Weightage

Carrying the weightage of 35%, the first stage assesses SUVs on the parameters of engine and performance, interior, price, and warranty. The data pertaining to these areas are sourced from the manufacturer’s website, as well as the reviews of car experts. 

Engine and Performance

For this category, we analyze authoritative resources such as the opinions of leading car critics, newspapers, and automotive magazines to attribute a score to a particular SUV. The vehicles are evaluated based on overall qualitative features, including power, torque, acceleration, fuel consumption, braking, and quality of ride. 

Interior

In this category, we rank each vehicle based on the overall comfort, quality, space, design, and style. These are the criteria we look for: 

• Freshness of design, fit and finish, quality of materials
• Cockpit layout and storage space
• Comfort, including seats, heating and cooling, sound system
• Ease of cleaning and maintenance

We analyze the level of convenience each SUV has to offer and assign a score based on our assessment. 

Price & Value

To arrive at our price value score we compare the price to the actual value of each vehicle based on interior, engine & performance, and exterior categories. We consider multiple SUVs with a similar line of features and compare their prices to check which one offers the most value-for-money. We also take into account any available discounts for specific vehicles to derive the price and value score. 

Warranty 

For the warranty score, we take a look at the duration of the standard warranty provided by the manufacturer, the extended warranty, complimentary maintenance, and dealer service contracts. 

Stage 2 – 40% Weightage 

The second stage is the most crucial part of our ranking methodology, as it contains 40% of the total weightage. In this stage, our main focus is on the safety and reliability of the vehicle, fuel economy, cargo, and towing capacity of the SUV. 

Safety & Reliability 

Safety and reliability are a pivotal part of our SUV ranking methodology. Safety rankings by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) help us determine how safe a particular vehicle is. Besides these, we also take into consideration the additional safety features provided by the manufacturers such as: 

• Forward-collision warning 
• Lane departure warning 
• Automated brakes
• Pedestrian detection
• Lane-keeping assist 
• Adaptive cruise control
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Adaptable cruise control 

We evaluate the vehicle against these standards to assign it a rating. The reliability rating is derived with the help of the Vehicle Dependability Study conducted by J.D. Power and Associates. 

Fuel Economy

For fuel economy, we rank each of the vehicles according to their average MPG and calculate its average score based on that. Additionally, we also determine if any special features are available that help in improving fuel economy performance and award bonus points if applicable.

Towing & Cargo 

For this category, we rank each vehicle on their available cargo space as well as their towing capacity. The manufacturer’s website contains this information, and we combine it with the available data, such as critical reviews and user reviews. 

Stage 3 – 25% Weightage

In the third stage of our evaluation, the two primary factors are critics’ opinions and awards. This stage holds 25% of the total weightage in our SUV ranking system.

Critics’ Opinion 

In this final category, we bank upon the reviews of automotive experts and assign points to each vehicle according to their opinion. As industry leaders and professional car connoisseurs, the critics can make a fair judgment of a vehicle in a more efficient manner than an average driver. We combine their observations with our experience of a particular vehicle and assess its ranking accordingly.  

Awards 

Automotive journalists and organizations award cars based on their overall performance. While ranking SUVs for our website, we consider the number of awards won by different vehicles, and the categories for which they have been awarded. 

SUV Ranking: The Final Step 

The final step is to combine the points obtained by the vehicle in the categories mentioned above. The three stages combine to a total of 100, and each vehicle receives a score out of 100. Based on this score, we compare and contrast different SUVs, and give them a rank. 

Conclusion 

The methodology we follow for our SUV ranking is completely transparent, unbiased, and objective. Our goal is to provide valuable inputs to the users and help them in making informed decisions. The reviews and rankings are based on thorough research and verified data obtained from third-party sources and the company websites. We update our lists and rankings on a regular basis, as new SUVs keep coming into the market almost every day. Keep an eye on our website to stay in touch with the latest buzz in the automotive industry.