What Makes a Car Handle Well?

Car handling is all about how well a vehicle responds to your inputs, ensuring safety, stability, and control in various driving conditions. Here's what matters most:

• Suspension System: This helps the car stay steady when driving over bumps. It keeps the tires touching the ground so you don’t bounce all over the place.

• Weight Distribution: This is how the car’s weight is spread between the front and back. If it’s balanced (like 50/50), the car is easier to control, especially when turning.

• Steering Response: This is how quickly and smoothly the steering wheel reacts when you turn it. Good steering makes it feel like the car is connected to your hands.

• Tires: These are super important because they grip the road. Good tires help the car stay stable, even in rain or on rough roads.

• Chassis Design: The chassis is the frame of the car. If it’s strong and doesn’t bend too much, the car reacts better when you drive it fast or make sharp turns.

   

Modern advancements like adaptive suspensions and electric power steering enhance handling but may reduce road feedback. When test-driving a car, focus on steering feedback, body control, and tire grip to ensure a smooth and controlled experience.

How Suspension Works

Modern cars typically rely on one of three main suspension types:

• MacPherson struts: These combine the spring and shock absorber into one piece. They’re small, save space, and are common in lots of cars.

• Double wishbone: These give better control of the wheels during turns and help reduce the way the car leans (called body roll). Performance cars often use this system.

• Multi-link: This setup is more complicated but gives a good mix of comfort and performance. It works well for lots of driving situations.

The damping rate is how fast the suspension absorbs bumps. Some cars use adaptive dampers that automatically adjust to the road. These help the tires stay in contact with the road, which keeps the car steady and easier to control.

Weight Balance

Weight distribution significantly influences how a car handles. For example, front-engine cars tend to understeer, which means they don’t turn as sharply as you might want. Rear-engine models can oversteer, where the back of the car swings out too much, if not balanced properly.

A 50/50 weight distribution (half the weight in front, half in back) is ideal. It gives the car neutral, predictable handling that makes drivers feel more confident.

Steering Systems

Steering systems are another critical factor in car handling. Two common types include:

• Electric Power Steering (EPS): This uses electric motors to help steer. It changes how much help you get depending on how fast you’re going. It also works well with other driver-assist features.

• Rack and Pinion: This is a more direct, mechanical system. It gives great feedback from the road and usually needs less maintenance.

Modern steering systems often adjust how sensitive they are depending on your speed and how much you turn the wheel. So, steering feels light and easy in tight spaces and more firm and stable when driving fast. These features make the car easier and safer to drive in different situations.

Tires and Chassis Effects

Tire Performance

Tires play a crucial role as the only contact point between the car and the road. Their performance depends on:

• Keeping the right air pressure

• Having good tread patterns that move water away in the rain

• Using rubber that sticks well on dry and wet roads

Grip is super important. Without it, the car can’t stay balanced or stable, even if everything else is perfect.

Chassis Structure

A well-designed chassis (the car’s frame) has to be strong but not heavy. It keeps the tires connected to the road. Things like extra bracing and reinforcements help stop the chassis from twisting when driving hard or fast.

Together, good tires and a strong chassis are the backbone of reliable, predictable car handling.

What’s the Best Suspension System Setup for Your Vehicle?

Australian Handling Tests

In Australia, there are tests that check how well cars stay steady and in control during fast turns or sudden moves. These tests are designed to copy real-world, tricky driving situations. They give useful data about how a car handles in tough conditions.

Cornering Force

Cornering tests check how well the car can turn when there are strong sideways forces. They look at how all the handling features—like suspension, steering, and tires—work together to keep the car balanced and controlled.

Speed and Brake Tests

These tests also include quick changes in direction and emergency stops. They check how the steering reacts, how much the car leans (body roll), and how it stops in a hurry. This information helps engineers and drivers see how safe and reliable a car is when pushed hard.

Current Handling Issues and Fixes

New technology in steering and suspension is making cars better, but it also brings new problems. One big change is the rise of electric power steering (EPS).

Impact of Electric Steering

One problem with EPS is that it gives less tactile feedback—meaning the driver can’t feel what the tires are doing as well as with older, hydraulic systems.

To fix this, car makers use calibration techniques that adjust how the steering feels, depending on how fast you're going or what the road is like. This makes the steering feel more natural and helps drivers feel more connected to the road.

Conclusion

Several factors come together to make a car handle well, providing a smooth and controlled driving experience. Key elements like suspension systems, weight distribution, and steering response all play a role in shaping how a car performs on the road.

When test driving a car, pay attention to these critical areas:

• Steering feedback: Ask yourself, can I feel what’s happening on the road through the steering wheel? The steering should feel just right—not too light like a toy, and not super heavy either. It should respond quickly and smoothly when you turn it.

• Body control: Watch how the car reacts when you go around corners or hit the brakes. A car that handles well won’t feel wobbly or lean too much. Even in tight corners, it should stay steady and flat.

• Tire grip: Try the car on different kinds of roads—wet, dry, smooth, bumpy. The tires should always feel like they’re holding onto the road, not slipping or sliding. Tires that match the car’s design and purpose make a huge difference in how safe and controlled it feels.

Every part of the car needs to work together for it to handle its best. A fancy suspension won’t help if the tires are cheap or worn out. And even the best steering system won’t feel right if the weight of the car isn’t balanced properly.

That’s why it’s so important to look at the whole package—not just one feature. All the systems—suspension, steering, tires, weight balance, and chassis—have to support each other. When they do, the result is a car that feels natural, safe, and fun to drive.

Check out the next section for financing options tailored to performance cars.

Financing Performance Cars

Once you've made sure the car handles great, the next step is paying for it. Ausloans makes this easy. We help you find car loans that match your budget and what you need.

We use AI technology to check your application against more than 40 lenders. It finds great rates for you without hurting your credit score.

Why Choose Ausloans for Performance Car Financing?

These features make it easier to explore your financing options and confidently invest in a high-performance vehicle.

By using Ausloans' car loan calculator, you can estimate your monthly repayments and establish a budget that works for you. Choosing the right financing ensures your investment in a performance car is smart both financially and mechanically.

With over 150 asset finance brokers across Australia, Ausloans offers personalised guidance on loan options. We clearly explain terms and conditions, ensuring transparency throughout the process. Apply today and drive away!