What's the Difference Between Torque vs Horsepower?
Two common terms used to describe the performance of any vehicle are horsepower and torque. Both provide an indication of the car, truck, van, or SUV’s power, but they are measured differently and have other differences that are important to note. What does each measurement really mean, why are they important, and what impact do they have on your driving experience?
We’re comparing torque vs horsepower to help you gain a better understanding of what each term means separately as well as how they work together to power your car, truck, SUV, or van around Richmond or Ashland.
Scottish engineer and inventor James Watt developed horsepower (hp) in the 18th century. He created this unit of measurement as a means to compare steam engine output to horses. Horsepower measures the energy produced by a vehicle’s engine and helps determine the top speed of a vehicle.
Generally speaking, the higher the horsepower measurement, the more energy and power produced by the engine.
Torque is the force behind making a vehicle go. It gets your car, truck, van, or SUV moving from a standstill and keeps it moving, especially when driving up a steep hill or if you’re towing a heavy trailer or large equipment.
To determine torque force is multiplied by distance, and this unit is displayed as pound per foot or lb-ft.
Trucks and buses that need a lot of force to work but don’t necessarily need to move at a fast speed typically have a higher torque measurement than horsepower. Many trucks are designed with an available diesel engine as they generate maximum torque. The pistons get more leverage to rotate from the longer strokes used, which creates greater force.
The main difference when it comes to torque vs horsepower is that torque is the force behind the work and horsepower is how quickly that force works. Both are necessary for your vehicle’s optimal performance.
Horsepower, torque, and the engine’s revolutions per minute (RPM) all work together to determine a vehicle’s acceleration and speed. The amount of horsepower an engine can deliver is directly proportional to the amount of torque generated by the crankshaft, which is directly proportional to the total displacement (size) of the engine and its peak rpm. Vehicles with larger displacement typically produce more torque at lower RPM.
“Torque is more important than horsepower when you first accelerate. Horsepower is more important than torque when you want to maintain peak performance,” said Jason Fogelson, a senior editor at Kelley Blue Book. “Engineers tune for both, balancing horsepower and torque curves for the desired action.”
Vehicles with higher torque are the quickest because they can generate greater force at lower RPM. This allows for a quick acceleration. Vehicles with higher horsepower can go faster. For example, a vehicle with a turbocharged engine can reach higher top speeds than, say, a standard engine. The energy produced by the horsepower at higher RPM allows a vehicle to drive at high speeds.
Which performance measurement is more important to you? If you’re shopping for an SUV or truck that can tow heavy loads, a vehicle with a high-torque engine is right for you. If your focus is on highway driving at higher speeds, an engine with higher horsepower might be a good fit for your needs.
Now that you have a better understanding of torque vs horsepower and how each measurement affects performance, you can experience them in person on a test drive. Whitten Brothers Automotive is a top new and used car dealership with a large inventory of new Mazda, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and RAM vehicles as well as a great selection of used vehicles from these and other popular brands. Contact us to learn more.