Every EVThrottle vehicle review ends with a score out of 10. This page explains exactly what that score means, what goes into it, and how we do our homework.
The scale
- 9.0–10 — Exceptional. Among the very best in its class. Easy to recommend.
- 8.0–8.9 — Excellent. A top pick with only minor flaws.
- 7.0–7.9 — Good. A solid choice, worth cross-shopping against rivals.
- 6.0–6.9 — Average. Competent, but outclassed by better options.
- Below 6.0 — Not recommended. Better choices exist for the money.
What we score
Six categories, weighted by how much they matter to real buyers:
- Value — 25%. What you get for the price, plus running costs like fuel or charging, insurance, and maintenance.
- Performance & driving — 20%. Acceleration, handling, braking, and ride quality.
- Range & efficiency — 15%. EPA-rated range and real-world efficiency for EVs; fuel economy for everything else.
- Technology & features — 15%. Infotainment, driver-assistance systems, and charging capability.
- Design & comfort — 15%. Interior quality, space, seats, and how it looks and feels day to day.
- Reliability & ownership costs — 10%. Warranty coverage, predicted reliability, and long-term costs.
The weighted total becomes the final score. We don't round up to make a car look better.
Research-based vs. hands-on
Every review states clearly at the top whether it's hands-on or research-based. Most of our reviews are research-based: we build them from manufacturer specifications, EPA data, instrumented test results published by established outlets, and owner feedback. We never present a research-based review as hands-on. When we have driven the vehicle ourselves, we say so up front and describe the driving conditions.
Spec verification
Specifications come from the manufacturer and are cross-checked against EPA data at fueleconomy.gov where applicable. If sources conflict, we say so in the review instead of picking the flattering number.
Pricing
Prices are US MSRP including the destination charge, verified at the time of writing. Dealer pricing varies by region, inventory, and incentives — always confirm with a dealer before buying. Prices change; we note the verification date in each review.
Comparisons
We compare every vehicle against same-segment rivals actually on sale in the United States, and we say which one we'd spend our own money on and why. Nobody can pay for a better score or a spot in a comparison — see our disclosures page.
Keeping scores current
Cars change and prices move, so scores aren't frozen in time. When a new model year brings meaningful changes — more range, a price cut, new standard features — we revisit the review and update the score, noting the revision date at the top. Minor running changes, like a new paint color or a trim reshuffle, don't trigger a re-score. Each review shows when its pricing and specifications were last verified.
What a score can't tell you
A number is a summary, not the whole story. Two cars can both score 8.2 for completely different reasons — one might win on value while the other wins on driving fun. Read the pros and cons, not just the headline number, and weigh the categories that matter for how you actually drive. A 7.5 that's perfect for your commute beats a 9.0 that doesn't fit your garage or your budget.
What we won't do
Manufacturers can't buy a review, pay for a higher score, or see our verdict before publication. We don't accept free travel or gifts in exchange for coverage — if a manufacturer flies us to a launch event, we disclose it in the review. And we never trash a car just to generate outrage clicks; when we score something low, the reasoning is in the text for you to judge yourself.
Last updated: October 16, 2026.