Which Type of Car is Suitable for Mountain Roads?
2 Answers
Cars suitable for mountain roads include rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive sedans with strong performance and stable center of gravity. Four-Wheel Drive Sedans: Four-wheel drive cars are the most ideal choice, but they are only suitable for paved mountain roads. When climbing uphill, the vehicle's center of gravity shifts backward, increasing the rear wheels' grip. Power is delivered to the rear wheels, ensuring stable power output for effective climbing. When descending, the vehicle's center of gravity shifts forward, increasing the front wheels' grip. However, four-wheel drive sedans have a relatively balanced weight distribution between the front and rear, unlike front-wheel drive cars, which may experience excessive forward weight shift leading to oversteer. Therefore, four-wheel drive sedans are the best option for mountain roads. Rear-Wheel Drive Sedans: Rear-wheel drive sedans have a weight distribution similar to four-wheel drive sedans. However, when descending, the front wheels lack power, which can cause understeer. Therefore, drivers of rear-wheel drive sedans should control their speed carefully when going downhill. Otherwise, drivers without experience in handling understeer may easily lose control of the vehicle.
Over the past few years, I often drive in mountainous areas, and my car selection experience is to prioritize SUVs with high ground clearance. On bumpy roads, low chassis can easily get scraped and damaged, so it's best to have at least 18 cm. Power is also crucial—naturally aspirated engines require heavy throttle input on steep slopes, while turbocharged engines with good low-end torque make climbing much easier. Choose off-road tires with thick sidewalls to avoid punctures on gravel roads. Pay attention to body rigidity as well, as mountainous roads have many turns, and cars with poor rigidity tend to sway a lot. Space doesn’t need to be too large, but the trunk should at least fit luggage for several people. Also consider repair shops—mountainous areas have few, so it's best to choose popular models with high sales volume for easier access to spare parts when something breaks.
