The overall Which? test score is made up of the following star ratings, all determined by our rigorous lab tests.
How we test ease of driving
To find out how easy a car is to drive, we assess cars across a number of areas from visibility and handling to the layout of the cabin and how smoothly the engine delivers its power.
How we test performance
We test braking distances and whether the effectivess of the brakes fade with repeat use. Performanc is based on in-gear acceleration.
How we test comfort and practicality
Comfort and practicality includes how easy it is, or not, to get in and out of the car and the maximum height of occupants. We also measure road, wind and engine noise and assess how well the car deals with bumps from large potholes to jittery surfaces like cobble stones.
How we test model reliability 0-4 years
How reliable this car is, based on the real life feedback of current owners as collected in our annual Which? car survey. We divide all reliability feedback into three age groups: cars aged up to four years, five to nine years, and 10 to 15 years.
How we test brand reliability 0-4 years
Our reliability ratings are based on the feedback from tens of thousands of UK motorists, as collected in our annual Which? car survey. We divide all reliability feedback into three age groups: cars aged up to four years, five to nine years, and 10 to 15 years.