What are the advantages and disadvantages of a long wheelbase?
4 Answers
Here are the advantages and disadvantages of a long wheelbase: Advantages of a long wheelbase: More spacious interior, especially in the rear seats; more stable at high speeds; Disadvantages of a long wheelbase: Lower body rigidity; heavier body weight, leading to higher fuel consumption; reduced cornering performance; increased risk of scraping the undercarriage. Introduction to wheelbase: It is the distance from the center of the front axle to the center of the rear axle. It is the distance between two vertical lines passing through the centers of adjacent wheels on the same side of the vehicle and perpendicular to the longitudinal symmetry plane of the vehicle. It is divided into fixed wheelbase, bogie wheelbase, and total wheelbase. The total wheelbase is the distance from the foremost axle to the rearmost axle and is a key parameter affecting the 'turntable length' of the train.
Driving a long-wheelbase car on the highway feels incredibly stable, just like mine. The rear seating is spacious, making it comfortable for friends without any crowding, and there's plenty of room for luggage too. However, the downside is parking in the city can be quite challenging—sometimes I even worry about scraping against pillars when entering garages. The turning radius is large, requiring multiple attempts to make a U-turn on narrow roads. Last time I drove in the old town area, it was particularly troublesome, and I had to plan my route carefully in advance. That said, on long trips, this wheelbase really helps reduce bumps, making the ride much smoother—it's almost like gliding forward on a sofa. Another drawback is slightly higher fuel consumption, given the heavier body weight, but overall, it's great for those who enjoy long-distance travel.
As someone who frequently drives on mountain roads, I find that long-wheelbase cars are particularly stable when going uphill or downhill, with less tendency to skid and a strong sense of control, especially feeling solid when taking curves. The advantage is the spacious rear legroom, which makes long rides less tiring. The downside is that it feels bulky on crowded streets, prone to scraping the curb when turning, and difficult to park in tight spaces. I used to drive a short-wheelbase car with good agility, but switching to this longer one has forced me to improve my parking skills. A related point is that some SUVs are designed with long wheelbases, offering high and stable visibility, but they might be stressful for novice drivers. Overall, it balances comfort and handling well, but it's not ideal for daily short commutes.
Driving a long-wheelbase car on the highway is really comfortable, with much less vibration and plenty of space for luggage. But in the city, it's a headache—like the last time I spent several minutes finding a parking spot on the side of the road, and I always worry about hitting something when turning. The downside is the reduced flexibility, making it stressful to drive in narrow alleys. The upside is the smooth ride, perfect for family trips.
