Comparison Tests
The stated goal of Edmunds' Web sites is to empower the automotive consumer. We buy cars and test them over the long-term, we let you know the latest automotive news, and we benchmark vehicles against their competitors. While we think individual in-depth reviews of cars are important, we find it invaluable to compare cars head to head to see how they match up in terms of features, performance and price.
In a Comparison Road Test, we take two or more vehicles from the same segment (midsize sedan, large truck, sport coupe, etc.) and analyze them side by side. As their manufacturers are putting them head to head in the marketplace, it's our job to see how they measure up. So we order up the vehicles in question for a period of two weeks and put them through our standardized performance regimen: acceleration, braking, skid pad, and others that are relevant in their sector. If the vehicles in question are hybrids, we'll pay special attention to fuel economy and compare their city and highway mileages. If they're pickup trucks, we'll fill their beds with stuff and use them to tow something up a hill. If they're family sedans, we'll pay extra attention to safety features and ratings. Our goal with Comparison Tests is to provide our readers with a detailed analysis of these vehicles in the real-life situations they're expected to perform in.
As with our standard road tests, several editors will evaluate the vehicles side by side and come up with a winner, paying special attention to the features that matter to buyers in that particular segment, and always with an eye on the bottom line. Perhaps the most telling among our Comparison Test criteria involves "What would I buy if it were my money?"
