driveability
How it drives
Driveability is how pleasant and responsive a vehicle feels to operate.
Good driveability means smooth acceleration, predictable handling, and easy starts: The old truck had power but poor driveability.
Mechanics use the term when diagnosing performance issues that affect the driving experience but don't cause outright failure.
Also spelled drivability.
Controlling direction of movement
- responsivenessReadiness to react
- corneringForcing into position
- maneuverabilityEase of controlled movement
- gripSecure manual hold
traction · feedback · turn-in · understeer · oversteer · road feel · weight distribution · balance
Comfort over rough terrain
- suspensionTemporary halt or exclusion
- cushioningSoftening force or fall
- vibrationRapid oscillating movement
- smoothnessFreedom from irregularity
harshness · compliance · damping · float · jitteriness · speed bumps · undulations · composure
Rate velocity changes
- torqueRotational force measurement
- horsepowerRate of mechanical work
- transmissionSending of information
- gearboxEnclosed system of cogs
shifting · power delivery · turbo lag · differential · clutch · gear ratios · power curve · CVT
Rain-soaked pavement
- snowFrozen crystalline precipitation
- iceWater's solid form
- gravelLoose small rock fragments
- hillsLow natural elevations
traffic · highway · off-road · weather · fog · traction control · stability control · inclines
Unobstructed viewing paths
- mirrorsReflective glass surfaces
- blind spotsUnperceived areas of awareness
- A-pillarForemost roof column
- window sizePane's height and width
rearview · reversing · parking sensors · night visibility · defrosting · glare · HUD
steering
Controlling direction of movement
- responsivenessReadiness to react
- corneringForcing into position
- maneuverabilityEase of controlled movement
grip · traction · feedback · turn-in · understeer · oversteer · road feel · weight distribution · balance · agility
ride quality
Comfort over rough terrain
- suspensionTemporary halt or exclusion
- cushioningSoftening force or fall
- vibrationRapid oscillating movement
smoothness · harshness · compliance · damping · float · jitteriness · speed bumps · undulations · composure · refinement
acceleration
Rate velocity changes
- torqueRotational force measurement
- horsepowerRate of mechanical work
- transmissionSending of information
gearbox · shifting · power delivery · turbo lag · differential · clutch · gear ratios · power curve · CVT · automatic
wet roads
Rain-soaked pavement
hills · traffic · highway · off-road · weather · fog · traction control · stability control · inclines · stop-and-go
sightlines
Unobstructed viewing paths
- mirrorsReflective glass surfaces
- blind spotsUnperceived areas of awareness
- A-pillarForemost roof column
window size · rearview · reversing · parking sensors · night visibility · defrosting · glare · HUD
driveabilitydifficulty
State of being hard
unpredictability · awkwardness · clumsiness · finickiness · jerkiness
driveabilityrawness
Unrefined or exposed state
harshness · brutality · rough edges · savagery · ferocity
driveabilityimpracticality
Being unworkable in reality
drive, driven, driver, driving, drove, driveway, drives, drivers, overdrive