Benchmarking

BENCHMARKING IN AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY

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.

Benchmarks are tools different industries use to understand their performance and position within the market. They can help companies set standards, improve processes, and measure growth. Benchmarks can be internal indicators of change when companies compare their current numbers against other areas of their business or historical data.

Benchmarking examples are instances of companies or departments measuring their results against other departments or others in their industry, a practice that can help them understand how they're performing compared to their competitors. Different industries use benchmarks in various ways to accomplish unique objectives.

Benchmarks are also important because they:

• Help companies gain a competitive edge in the marketplace
• Encourage employees to work together toward a common goal
• Relate goals to measurable metrics and performance indicators
• Help companies discover innovative strategies to help their products and services stand out in the marketplace
• Make it easier to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of a product or service

8 steps in benchmarking are as follows:

• Select a subject to benchmark.
• Decide which organizations or companies you want to benchmark.
• Document your current processes.
• Collect and analyse data.
• Measure your performance against the data you've collected.
• Create a plan.
• Implement the changes.
• Repeat the process.

The vehicle benchmarking program considers 10 main attributes scoring up to 815 single criteria. The 10 main attributes are as follows:

• Performance
• Driveability
• Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)
• Sound / NVH
• RDE: CO2 / Real life fuel consumption
• Pollutant emissions
• Friction
• Thermal, energy management
• Vehicle dynamics, handling
• Ride Comfort

AIM: To find out the best car for Mr. Pugazhyendhii from the current Indian market which falls under his budget.

Requirements:

• Budget in between 8-10 lakhs on road price.
• As he is fond of big cars I would likely to suggest him compact SUV type cars with 5 seats.

Based on my research in the year 2022 on road Price in Madurai, these are some models which I opted to meet his requirements.

1. Hyundai Venue S 1.2 Petrol

Key specifications

Engine 1197 cc, 4 Cylinders Inline, 4 Valves/Cylinder, DOHC

Engine Type 1.2 Kappa

Fuel Type Petrol

Max Power (bhp@rpm) 82 bhp @ 6000 rpm

Max Torque (Nm@rpm) 114 Nm @ 4000 rpm

Mileage (ARAI) 17.52 kmpl

Driving Range 789 Km

Drivetrain FWD

Transmission Manual - 5 Gears

Emission Standard BS 6

Fuel Tank Capacity 45 litres

Boot Space 350Litres

2. Tata Nexon XM

Key Specifications

Engine 1199 cc, 3 Cylinders Inline, 2 Valves/Cylinder, SOHC

Engine Type 1.2L Turbocharged Revotron

Fuel Type Petrol

Max Power (bhp@rpm) 118 bhp @ 5500 rpm

Max Torque (Nm@rpm) 170 Nm @ 1750 rpm

Mileage (ARAI) 17.57 kmpl

Driving Range 773 Km

Drivetrain FWD

Transmission Manual - 6 Gears, Sport Mode

Emission Standard BS 6

Turbocharger/Supercharger Turbocharged

Fuel Tank Capacity 44 litres

Boot Space 350Litres

3. Kia Sonet HTK 1.2

Key Specifications

Engine 1197 cc, 4 Cylinders Inline, 4 Valves/Cylinder, DOHC

Engine Type Smartstream G 1.2

Fuel Type Petrol

Max Power (bhp@rpm) 82 bhp @ 6000 rpm

Max Torque (Nm@rpm) 115 Nm @ 4200 rpm

Mileage (ARAI) 18.4 kmpl

Driving Range 828 Km

Drivetrain FWD

Transmission Manual - 5 Gears

Emission Standard BS 6

Fuel Tank Capacity 45 litres

Boot Space 392 litres

4. Renault Kiger RXT MT

Key Specifications

Engine 999 cc, 3 Cylinders Inline, 4 Valves/Cylinder, DOHC

Engine Type 1.0L Energy

Fuel Type Petrol

Max Power (bhp@rpm) 71 bhp @ 6250 rpm

Max Torque (Nm@rpm) 96 Nm @ 3500 rpm

Mileage (ARAI) 19.17 kmpl

Driving Range 767 Km

Drivetrain FWD

Transmission Manual - 5 Gears

Emission Standard BS 6

Fuel Tank Capacity 40 litres

Boot Space 405 litres

Quick Compare

• Engine & Transmission

Engine	Hyundai Venue s 1.2 1197 cc, 4 Cylinders Inline, 4 Valves/Cylinder, DOHC	Tata Nexon XM 1199 cc, 3 Cylinders Inline, 2 Valves/Cylinder, SOHC	Kia Sonet HTK 1.2 1197 cc, 4 Cylinders Inline, 4 Valves/Cylinder, DOHC	Renault Kiger RXT MT 999 cc, 3 Cylinders Inline, 4 Valves/Cylinder, DOHC
Engine Type	1.2 Kappa	1.2L Turbocharged Revotron	Smartstream G 1.2	1.0L Energy
Fuel Type	Petrol	Petrol	Petrol	Petrol
Max Power (bhp@rpm)	82 bhp @ 6000 rpm	118 bhp @ 5500 rpm	82 bhp @ 6000 rpm	71 bhp @ 6250 rpm
Max Torque (Nm@rpm)	114 Nm @ 4000 rpm	170 Nm @ 1750 rpm	115 Nm @ 4200 rpm	96 Nm @ 3500 rpm
Mileage (ARAI) (kmpl)	17.52	17.57	18.4	19.17
Driving Range (Km)	789	773	828	767
Drivetrain	FWD	FWD	FWD	FWD
Transmission	Manual - 5 Gears	Manual - 6 Gears, Sport Mode	Manual - 5 Gears	Manual - 5 Gears, Sport Mode
Emission Standard	BS 6	BS 6	BS 6	BS 6
Turbocharger/Supercharger		Turbocharged

• Dimensions & Weight

Length (mm)	3995	3993	3995	3991
Width (mm)	1770	1811	1790	1750
Height (mm)	1617	1606	1625	1605
Wheelbase (mm)	2500	2498	2500	2500
Ground Clearance (mm)	195	209		205

• Capacity

Doors (Doors)	5	5	5	5
Seating Capacity (Person)	5	5	5	5
No of Seating Rows (Rows)	2	2	2	2
Boot space (litres)	350	350	392	405
Fuel Tank Capacity (litres)	45	44	45	40

• Suspensions, Brakes, Steering & Tyres

Front Suspension	McPherson Strut with Coil Spring	Independent, Lower Wishbone, McPherson Strut with Coil Spring	McPherson Strut with Coil Spring	McPherson Strut with Lower Triangle & Coil Spring, Anti-roll Bar & Traverse Arm
Rear Suspension	Coupled Torsion Beam Axle with Coil Spring	Semi-Independent; closed profile Twist beam with Coil Spring and shock absorber	Coupled Torsion Beam Axle with Coil Spring	Torsion Beam Axle
Front Brake Type	Disc	Disc	Disc	Disc
Rear Brake Type	Drum	Drum	Drum	Drum
Minimum Turning Radius (metres)	5.1	5.1	5.1
Steering Type	Power assisted (Electric)	Power assisted (Electric)	Power assisted (Electric)	Power assisted (Electric)
Wheels	Steel Rims	Steel Rims	Steel Rims	Alloy Wheels
Spare Wheel	Steel	Steel	Steel	Steel
Front Tyres	195 / 65 R15	195 / 60 R16	215 / 60 R16	195 / 60 R16
Rear Tyres	195 / 65 R15	195 / 60 R16	215 / 60 R16	195 / 60 R16

Features

• Safety

Overspeed Warning	1 beep over 80kmph, Continuous beeps over 120kmph	1 beep over 80kmph, Continuous beeps over 120kmph	1 beep over 80kmph, Continuous beeps over 120kmph	1 beep over 80kmph, Continuous beeps over 120kmph
Puncture Repair Kit	No	Yes	No	No
NCAP Rating	Not Tested	5 Star (Global NCAP)	Not Tested	4 Star (ASEAN NCAP)
Airbags	2 Airbags (Driver, Front Passenger)	2 Airbags (Driver, Passenger)	2 Airbags (Driver, Front Passenger)	4 Airbags (Driver, Front Passenger, Driver Side, Front Passenger Side)
Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)	Yes	No	No	No
Child Seat Anchor Points	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
Seat Belt Warning	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

• Braking & Traction

Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)	Yes	Yes	No	No
Brake Assist (BA	Yes	Yes	No	No
Electronic Stability Program (ESP)	Yes	Yes	No	No
Hill Hold Control	Yes	Yes	No	No
Traction Control System (TC/TCS)	Yes	Yes	No	No

• Locks & Security

Engine immobilizer	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Central Locking	Remote	Remote	Remote	Keyless
Speed Sensing Door Lock	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Child Safety Lock	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

• Comfort & Convenience

Air Conditioner	Yes (Manual)	Yes (Manual)	Yes (Manual)	Yes (Automatic Climate Control)
Front AC	Single Zone, Common Fan Speed Control	Single Zone, Common Fan Speed Control	Single Zone, Common Fan Speed Control	Single Zone, Common Fan Speed Control
Anti-glare Mirrors	Manual - Internal Only	Manual - Internal Only	Manual - Internal Only	Manual - Internal Only
Parking Sensors	Rear	Rear	Rear	Rear
Steering Adjustment	Tilt	Tilt	Tilt	Tilt
12V Power Outlets	1	1	Yes	2

• Seats & Upholstery

Driver Seat Adjustment	6 ways manually adjustable (seat forward / back, backrest tilt forward / back, headrest up / down)	6 ways manually adjustable (seat forward / back, backrest tilt forward / back, headrest up / down)	8 ways manually adjustable (seat forward / back, backrest tilt forward / back, headrest up / down, seat height up / down)	8 ways manually adjustable (seat forward / back, backrest tilt forward / back, headrest up / down, seat height up / down)
Front Passenger Seat Adjustment	6 way manually adjustable (seat forward / back, backrest tilt forward / back, headrest up / down)	6 way manually adjustable (seat forward / back, backrest tilt forward / back, headrest up / down)	6 way manually adjustable (seat forward / back, backrest tilt forward / back, headrest up / down)	6 way manually adjustable (seat forward / back, backrest tilt forward / back, headrest up / down)
Seat Upholstery	Fabric	Fabric	Fabric + Leatherette	Fabric
Rear Passenger Seats Type	Bench	Bench	Bench	Bench
Interiors	Dual Tone	Dual Tone	Single Tone	Single Tone
Interior Colours	Black and Greige	Off-White and Grey	Black	Black
Folding Rear Seat	Full	Full	Full	Full
Head-rests	Front & Rear	Front & Rear	Front & Rear	Front & Rear

• Storage

Cup Holders	Front Only	Front Only	Front Only	Front & Rear
Driver Armrest Storage	Yes	No	Yes	Yes

• Doors, Windows, Mirrors & Wipers

Outside Rear View Mirrors (ORVMs)	Body Coloured	Black	Body Coloured	Black
Power Windows	Front & Rear	Front & Rear	Front & Rear	Front & Rear
Adjustable ORVM	Electrically Adjustable	Electrically Adjustable & Retractable	Electrically Adjustable	Electrically Adjustable & Retractable
Turn Indicators on ORVM	No	Yes	No	Yes
Interior Door Handles	Silver	Painted	Silver	Black
Door Pockets	Front & Rear	Front & Rear	Front & Rear	Front & Rear
Boot-lid Opener	Electric Tailgate Release	Electric Tailgate Release	Electric Tailgate Release	Internal with Remote

Manufacturer Warranty

Warranty (Years)	3	2	3	2
Warranty (Kilometres)	Unlimited	75000	Unlimited	50000

Expert's Take

Good Things	Quality Road presence Multiple powertrain options	Upmarket looks, five-star G-NCAP safety Spacious cabin compared to rivals Easy to drive and live with	Flamboyant styling Easy to drive, refined motors Boot capacity	Sprightly performance Feature-packed cabin Good-looking, affordable SUV
Could be Better	Cramped rear seat Unsorted ride quality Expensive top-end versions	Interior quality Low-end grunt from motors Infotainment screen not as good as rivals	Slightly stiffer ride quality The second-row seat isn’t spacious	Tight for three in the second row The boot has a high loading lip Cost-cutting is evident

Conclusion

I would suggest TATA NEXON XM based on the current market price.

TATA Nexon is a Petrol variant with 1.2L turbocharged Engine which gives a power output of 118bhp@5500 Rpm and Torque of 170Nm@1750 Rpm which is much better among other cars in this comparison. It will give a certified mileage(ARAI) of 17.57kmpl. Also the 5 Star G-NCAP safety loaded with additional safety features, Riding Comfort, higher ground clearance and spacious cabin Compared to rivals makes it a better option available in this price range.

It has Better Build Quality and Ride Quality in this segment.

The on road Price of TATA NEXON XM in Madurai is ₹ 9.92 Lakh whereas in banglore is ₹ 10.41 Lakh.