Benchmarking
AUTOMOTIVE BENCHMARKING
Benchmarking is the process of comparison of similar products on some dimensions of performance
Automotive Benchmarking is the process of analysing the choices of similar products based on the selection factor and deducing it to final conclusion.
Case:
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.
Note: Pughazhyendhii is fond of big cars
2. Prepare a report explaining what is Bench-Marking
3. Compare at least 4 vehicles.
4. Provide a proper conclusion for the report, suggesting a single suitable vehicle among the comparison made with images.
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| Key Highlights | Sonet | Venue | Nexon | XUV300 |
| Price | ₹ 9.06 Lakh | ₹ 9.18 Lakh | ₹ 9.28 Lakh | ₹ 10.23 Lakh |
| Engine Capacity | 1197 cc | 1197 cc | 1199 cc | 1197 cc |
| Power | 82 bhp | 82 bhp | 118 bhp | 109 bhp |
| Transmission | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| Fuel Type | Petrol | Petrol | Petrol | Petrol |
| Engine | 1197 cc, 4 Cylinders Inline, 4 Valves/Cylinder, DOHC | 1197 cc, 4 Cylinders Inline, 4 Valves/Cylinder, DOHC | 1199 cc, 3 Cylinders Inline, 2 Valves/Cylinder, SOHC | 1197 cc, 3 Cylinders Inline, 4 Valves/Cylinder, DOHC |
| Fuel Type | Petrol | Petrol | Petrol | Petrol |
| Max Torque (Nm@rpm) | 115 Nm @ 4200 rpm | 113.8 Nm @ 4000 rpm | 170 Nm @ 1750 rpm | 200 Nm @ 2000 rpm |
| Mileage (ARAI) (kmpl) | 18.4 | 17.5 | 17.5 | 17 |
| Driving Range (Km) | 828 | 789 | 773 | 714 |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD |
| Transmission | Manual - 5 Gears | Manual - 5 Gears | Manual - 6 Gears, Sport Mode | Manual - 6 Gears |
| Emission Standard | BS 6 | BS 6 | BS 6 | BS 6 |
| Seating Capacity (Person) | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| No of Seating Rows (Rows) | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Bootspace (litres) | 392 | 350 | 350 | 257 |
| Fuel Tank Capacity (litres) | 45 | 45 | 44 | 42 |
| Good Things | · Flamboyant styling - Great concoction of modern/youthful looks with a rugged stance | · Interior quality - Segment standout quality, good fit/finish, sorted ergonomics | · Upmarket looks - Exciting and impactful design, proper no-nonsense SUV stance | · Looks handsome - The majority will agree that the XUV300 has an attractive front end |
| · Refined motors/gearboxes - Peppy/smooth performance, good refinement, frugal | · Road presence - Edgy design with an attractive grille and fittingly huge wheels | · G-NCAP safety - A five-star NCAP safety rating ensure buyers get a very safe car | · NCAP safety rating - This SUV's five-star rating satisfies growing concerns about safety | |
| · Easy to drive - Compact size, steering that's light with reasonable feedback | · Powertrain options - There are refined and efficient petrol and diesel motors | · Performance - The powertrains offer a satisfying mid/top-end grunt for most situations | · Equipment list - The top-spec variant has a long list of features, safety equipment | |
| · Good quality - Quality and fit/finish are on par with segment expectations | · Choice of gearboxes - A variety of smooth transmissions that ease driving chores | · Spacious cabin - Despite the compact footprint, it is roomier than segment rivals | · Potent drivetrains - The engines respond well to throttle inputs and aid drivability | |
| · Boot capacity - Reasonably sized boot good for occupants to last seven days | · Equipment - The new Venue feels more modern due to the revised features and trim | · Sorted ride/handling - Nicely tuned suspension offers apt damping at most speeds | · Comfortable ride - One of the few cars that offer a plaint ride regardless of the speed | |
| Could be Better | · Firm ride quality - Never feels settled, bounces at high speeds under full load | · Cramped rear seat - Does not feel airy, uncomfortable for three occupants | · Interior quality, fit/finish - Scratchy hard plastics, rough edges, panel gaps | · Needs a makeover - An update would help attract prospective buyers to the XUV300 |
| · Rear seat space - The rear bench is a squeeze for anything more than two adults | · Unsorted ride - Broken surfaces are felt within the cabin, bounces at higher speeds | · Low-end grunt - The diesel motor needs some revving to get off the line properly | · Interior fit/finish - It is not in the league of segment rivals such as the Venue/Seltos | |
| · Rear visibility - Is hampered by the chunky C-pillars and compact rear windscreen | · Pricey top-end variants - One can upgrade to a lower-spec Creta instead | · Infotainment screen - Slow responses, low-resolution screen, interface not intuitive | · Petrol AMT gearbox - The engine feels less refined due to the discernible shift shocks |
Tata Nexon Verdict
It is hard not to recommend the Nexon, especially after its comprehensive update. The stand-out exterior changes make it much more handsome, the cabin is still comfortable and there’s a long list of features. Apart from that, the diesel motor and well-judged suspension make this compact SUV an enticing buy.