drivability
How cars handle
Drivability is how pleasant and responsive a vehicle feels to operate.
Good drivability means smooth acceleration, predictable handling, and easy control in everyday conditions: The new suspension improved the car's drivability.
Mechanics use the term diagnostically—poor drivability suggests problems with engine performance, transmission, or other systems affecting how the vehicle responds to driver input.
Readiness to react
- corneringForcing into position
- gripSecure manual hold
- tractionAdhesive friction enabling movement
- stabilityResistance to displacement
agility · balance · precision · control · understeer · oversteer · body roll · weight transfer
Comfort over rough terrain
- smoothnessFreedom from irregularity
- quietnessLack of sound
- suspensionTemporary halt or exclusion
- vibrationRapid oscillating movement
sound insulation · road noise · damping · isolation · harshness · compliance · plushness · cushioning
Rate velocity changes
- throttle responseEngine's reaction to pedal
- power deliveryTransmitting energy to users
- torqueRotational force measurement
- transmissionSending of information
gear changes · turbo lag · downshifting · overtaking · CVT · automatic · manual · dual-clutch
Easy to operate
- intuitiveKnown without reasoning
- effortlessRequiring no strain
- manageableAble to be controlled
- forgivingInclined to pardon offenses
predictable · accessible · controllable · docile · obedient · low-effort · visibility · turning radius
Anti-lock braking system
- traction controlSystem limiting wheel spin
- stability controlSystem preventing vehicle skids
- lane keepingSystem preventing unintended drift
- collision avoidancePreventing objects from hitting
emergency braking · adaptive cruise · brake assist · warning systems · crash avoidance · predictability · controllability · recovery
responsiveness
Readiness to react
stability · agility · balance · precision · control · understeer · oversteer · body roll · weight transfer · turn-in
ride quality
Comfort over rough terrain
- smoothnessFreedom from irregularity
- quietnessLack of sound
- suspensionTemporary halt or exclusion
vibration · sound insulation · road noise · damping · isolation · harshness · compliance · plushness · cushioning · ergonomics
acceleration
Rate velocity changes
- throttle responseEngine's reaction to pedal
- power deliveryTransmitting energy to users
- torqueRotational force measurement
transmission · gear changes · turbo lag · downshifting · overtaking · CVT · automatic · manual · dual-clutch · kickdown
user-friendly
Easy to operate
- intuitiveKnown without reasoning
- effortlessRequiring no strain
- manageableAble to be controlled
forgiving · predictable · accessible · controllable · docile · obedient · low-effort · visibility · turning radius · maneuverability
ABS
Anti-lock braking system
- traction controlSystem limiting wheel spin
- stability controlSystem preventing vehicle skids
- lane keepingSystem preventing unintended drift
collision avoidance · emergency braking · adaptive cruise · brake assist · warning systems · crash avoidance · predictability · controllability · recovery
drivabilityroughness
Uneven surface quality
difficulty · unpredictability · jerkiness · harshness · unmanageability
drivabilityhorsepower
Rate of mechanical work
raw power · top speed · acceleration · lap times · peak performance
drive, driven, driver, driving, drives, drivers, bus driver, screwdriver, overdrive