What is the so-called car torque?

[FrankDella]

The so-called car torque is the moment output from the crankshaft end of the engine. Under the condition of fixed power, it has an inverse relationship with the engine speed. The faster the speed, the smaller the torque, and vice versa. It reflects the load capacity of the car within a certain range. The unit of car torque is Newton meters, and the work done per unit distance is torque. Like power, car torque is one of the main indicators of the engine, reflected in car performance, including acceleration, climbing ability, and suspension. The greater the engine load, the greater the impact of torque, such as heavier cars, uphill overtaking, and other high-load conditions. Depending on the car model, the explosive force and throttle response within the first 0.5 to 2 seconds of pressing the accelerator are determined by the torque size, while the subsequent acceleration ability and sustained explosive force are determined by the power size.

[OBradley]

Having driven for fifteen years, I feel that torque is like the strength of a car. To put it simply, imagine two people pushing a box at the same time—the stronger person moves it with one push, while the weaker one struggles for a while. Car torque is this 'strength,' and the higher the number, the more powerful it is. You see those heavy trucks climbing hills effortlessly because diesel engines have two to three times the torque of regular sedans. I once drove a friend's sports car with 400 N·m of torque, and overtaking on the highway was exhilarating—just a light tap on the accelerator and the speed shot up. Actually, focusing only on horsepower when buying a car can be misleading. Horsepower is like top running speed, while torque is the explosive force at the start. Especially for friends in the north, when climbing snowy hills in winter, cars with higher torque experience less tire slippage.

[DelJace]

I used to always get confused about the difference between torque and horsepower until a mechanic explained it using a bicycle analogy. Torque is equivalent to the force you apply when pedaling: a strong person can pedal once and go far, while a weaker person needs several pedal strokes. Engine torque is the rotational force of the crankshaft, measured in Newton-meters (N·m). For example, a common 1.5T engine produces around 250 N·m, making it easy to climb a parking garage ramp. Interestingly, electric cars accelerate quickly because their motors deliver torque instantly, whereas gasoline cars need to wait for the RPM to rise. For those considering an SUV, I recommend paying attention to the RPM at which maximum torque is achieved. A car that delivers peak torque at 2,000 RPM is most comfortable for city driving, as it doesn’t require heavy throttle input.

[LeHolden]

The term 'torque' might sound technical, but it's actually very down-to-earth. It directly affects how hard your car works—like when taking the whole family up a mountain. A car with high torque can climb with just one-third throttle, while a low-torque car needs full throttle and still struggles. Last time I moved using a friend’s pickup truck, its 400+ Nm torque hauled a full load of furniture effortlessly. Nowadays, EVs often exceed 500 Nm, leaving others behind at traffic lights. Remember this tip: choose diesel for mountain roads—they have higher torque; for city driving, pick a small-displacement turbocharged car—ample low-end torque and better fuel efficiency.