Benchmarking
What is benchmarking?
Benchmarking involves a structured comparison between similar products, services or processes on some dimensions of performance. For example it can be used to compare the availability and delivery of features in a product and in this form often provides the basis of consumer tests and reviews. These look at products and services and provide recommendations based on which is best or some form of ranking amongst competitors.
Given scenario:
Mr. D.S. Pughazhyendhii is a married man who lives in Bangalore which is a highly crowded city. His Family comprises five members including his wife, a five-year-old boy, his father, and his mother. He visits his native place Madurai which is 500kms away from Bangalore once a month. Also, he will be using his car to commute to his office. His budget falls between 8 to 10 lakhs on road. Please suggest to him options so that he will buy a good car for his family.
Things we need to consider before selecting a car for Mr. D.S. Pughazhyendi:
1. As he has 5 members in his family and his native place is 500 kms away, he will need 5 seater, spacious and comfortable car with ample leg and head room.
2. Considering he has aged parents and a 5-year old boy, he will also want to have a car with good safety rating.
3. He will also need a car that provides a decent mileage.
4. Considering he lives in the crowded city of Bangalore, he may also prefer to have a car with automatic transmission and also proximity sensors.
Considering the options available in the market, we shortlist the following 4 models.
1. Nissan Magnite XV Premium - Price (On-Road) = Rs 9.94 lakhs
2. Tata Altroz XZ Plus Petrol - Price (On-Road) = Rs 10.49 lakhs
3. Mahindra XUV300 W4 Petrol - Price (On-Road) = Rs 9.85 lakhs
4. Maruti Suzuki Brezza LXi - Price (On-Road) = Rs 9.03 lakhs
Let us compare the features offered by the vehicles.
Engine power figures:
We can see that the XUV300 has the most powerful engine of the lot by providing 109 bhp@5000 rpm and 200Nm@2000 rpm of torque followed by the Maruti Suzuki Brezza which develops 102 bhp@6000 rpm and 136.8 Nm@4400 rpm of torque.
Mileage:
The Maruti Suzuki Brezza claims to have the highest mileage among the four by providing around 20.1 kmpl whereas the rest claim to provide around 18 kmpl.
Size:
The Maruti Suzuki Brezza and the Mahindra XUV300 are the most spacious cars among the lot, Brezza being taller (able to accomodate taller people) and XUV being wider (being able to seat 3 people at the back row).
Bootspace:
The Tata Altroz has the highest available bootspace, meaning the family can carry more luggage on their trip to their native.
Suspension:
The suspension configuration is almost the same in all the 4 cars with MacPherson struts at the front and Torsion beams or twist beams at the rear. So comfort wise, they are almost similar.
Safety Features:
The XUV300 and the Altroz have achieved 5 stars each in G-NCAP rating; Magnite and the Brezza have each achieved 4 stars. Driver and passenger airbags and child seat anchor points are available in all the vehicles. ABS is available in all the vehicles.
Camera and Sensors:
The Nissan Magnite and the Tata Altroz models come with rear parking camera and sensor which is highly beneficial for parking in very crowded places like Bangalore.
Taking all the above points in mind and the preferences of Mr D.S. Pughazhyendhii, we can recommend him to go for the Mahindra XUV300 as hit has checks most of the boxes that he has put forward.
Powerful and torquey engine
Decent mileage
5 Star G-NCAP rating
SUV (as he prefers bigger cars)
Child safety
Spacious and modern interiors.
Comfortable ride ensuring he can make their 500km trip to their native without any problems.
Though automatic transmission isn't available in any of the selected models, he may purchase one with automatic transmission by bumping up his budget by 1 lakh.