What is Torque?

You’ve got the basics. You understand that horsepower measures the amount of weight that a given motor can move in exactly one second, but what exactly is torque in cars? Definitions generally describe torque as a twisting or rotational force—and specifically, within the world of vehicles, as the amount of twisting force that a motor can generate when operating at full power. Even more specifically, torque measures the amount of rotational force generated by the crankshaft, which converts the downforce generated by your pistons into rotational force that spins your gears and axles.

Torque in Cars: Definition & Usage

Torque is essentially the same thing as leverage. Engines with higher torque offer more leverage: more get-up-and-go on the roads of Providence. When you press down on the gas pedal and you feel yourself shift backward in your seat, you’re feeling the force of your vehicle’s torque.

What does torque mean in a car? Let’s look at an example:

• Imagine that you’re trying to unscrew a bolt. The longer your wrench, the more rotational force you’re able to apply. In other words, using a longer wrench gets you more torque (or more leverage).
• To translate this example into automotive terms, the pistons in your car’s engine are a lot like your muscles. The gears that turn the axle are a lot like the wrench. And as you might be able to guess by this point, a bigger gear offers more torque than a smaller one because it has a larger radius.

Horsepower vs. Torque

Horsepower is what keeps your vehicle moving at a consistent speed when you’re already moving at a steady clip. It also determines your vehicle’s top speed. Torque is what determines your ability to accelerate, and models with good torque tend to have impressive 0–60 times.

Shopping for an EV? Horsepower is just one measure of power, and if you’re buying electric, you may also see power measured in kilowatts. Torque, on the other hand, applies to any kind of motor.

What is Good Torque in a Car?

There is no single, standardized measure for what is considered good torque in cars, trucks, or SUVs. Larger, heavier vehicles need more torque than smaller, lighter alternatives. Most new vehicles offer between 100 lb-ft and 400 lb-ft of torque.

Torque is most important if you need to generate lots of power at low speeds. For example, if you spend a lot of time towing or driving up and down hills, being able to access lots of power at all times will make your life a lot easier.

A vehicle with “good” torque should be able to reach peak torque output at roughly 2,000 RPMs—and maintain peak torque at higher rotational speeds, too. If the number that marks the low-end of your peak torque range is too high, you’ll need more time to accelerate—and since you need more power to get up to speed, you’ll also burn more fuel.

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Whether you’re an automotive enthusiast or you’re currently in the market for a new car, we’d love to be a resource that you can rely on. Browse our car-buying tips or our Mercedes-Benz research guides from your home in East Greenwich or Cranston, and get in touch if you have any questions at all!