Review Methodology
Last updated: August 2026
Every FlamingPiston review is scored out of 10 based on a consistent set of criteria, so ratings are comparable across different vehicles and categories.
What We Evaluate
- Design — exterior styling, interior design language, and how the vehicle presents itself against segment rivals.
- Performance — engine or motor output, transmission behaviour, and real-world drivability as reported by the manufacturer and cross-referenced against comparable vehicles.
- Mileage Potential — claimed fuel or energy efficiency, and how realistic that figure is likely to be in everyday use.
- Comfort — ride quality, seating, cabin refinement, and day-to-day livability.
- Features — infotainment, driver-assistance systems, and equipment relative to the price point.
- Safety — airbag count, active safety systems, and available crash-test data where published.
- Practicality — interior space, boot/cargo capacity, and ease of everyday use.
- Value for Money — how the vehicle's price compares to its equipment and capability against direct competitors.
Each of the eight categories is scored individually out of 10, then averaged into the final Octane Score shown at the top of every review. Every score is explainable against something stated in the article itself, never assigned to make the review sound more authoritative than the facts support.
Scoring Scale
| Score | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 9.0 – 10 | Exceptional, class-leading |
| 7.5 – 8.9 | Strongly recommended |
| 6.0 – 7.4 | Solid, with notable trade-offs |
| Below 6.0 | Significant compromises |
Disclosure on Test Drives
Where a review is based on desk research and published manufacturer data rather than an in-person test drive, this is stated at the top of the article.