If you're looking for a fun to drive or high-performance vehicle, is torque or horsepower more important? It’s a matter of some debate, but a Mazda dealer from Tumminia Mazda can answer this common question.
What is Horsepower?
Horsepower measures the rate at which work is being done. A car’s horsepower rating expresses how quickly the engine can deliver its torque and get your car going, and a car with higher horsepower is generally going to be a lot faster.
Horsepower has a huge effect on the top speed of a vehicle and its zero-to-60 speed. So if you're looking for a car that can deliver and maintain a high rate of speed, higher horsepower makes a significant difference.
What is Torque?
Torque is often described as a twisting or rotational force. It's created by the engine and helps turn the wheels and move your vehicle. It's measured in pound-feet, generally abbreviated to lb-ft.
An engine that produces more torque can help a vehicle accelerate faster, especially from a full stop. Heavier vehicles rely on higher torque because they need more Heavierenergy to get moving, and for applications like towing and hauling. Higher torque in smaller cars translates to a quicker start off the line.
Which One is Better?
Whether horsepower or torque should be your top priority can depend on a few factors. High horsepower might be preferable if you're usually driving around on highways and could get the opportunity to use that power more often.
On the other hand, torque could be more important to you if you're usually navigating crowded city streets at lower speeds where you have to stop and start often. Torque can also be more important if you're planning to tow with your SUV or truck.
Test-Drive a MAZDA Vehicle at Tumminia MAZDA Today
If you're looking for a new Mazda car of your own, visit our Mazda dealership in Olathe, KS. We'll help you find a new car or SUV that offers the kind of performance you've been searching for.
