What’s the difference between torque and horsepower?

When you’re browsing car specs, two numbers usually stand out: torque and horsepower. But what do they actually mean for your daily drive? If you’ve ever wondered why some cars feel "zippy" at a green light while others excel on the highway, it all comes down to the relationship between these two forces. At Carma, we want to help you understand what’s happening under the hood so you can choose the car that best fits your lifestyle.

What is torque? The “grunt”

Think of torque as the "muscle" or the rotational force generated by your engine's crankshaft. It is the initial strength that gets things moving.

• The analogy: imagine the strength required to turn a rusted, heavy wrench. That initial "grunt" used to break the bolt loose is torque.
• The science: in technical terms, torque is the amount of rotational force in the engine, usually measured in newton-meters (Nm).
• The result: this is the force that actually gets the car moving from a standstill and provides that "push-back-in-your-seat" feeling during fast acceleration.

What is horsepower? The “hustle”

If torque is the muscle, horsepower is how fast that muscle can work. It is the rate at which the engine can perform the work over a period of time.

• The analogy: if torque is the strength to turn a wrench once, horsepower is how fast you can turn that wrench repeatedly for a minute straight.
• The science: mathematically, horsepower is a function of torque multiplied by the engine's speed (rpm).
• The result: horsepower is what determines a vehicle’s top speed and its ability to maintain high speeds for longer periods, such as overtaking on a freeway.

How do they relate to each other?

To truly understand the difference, we have to talk about RPM (revolutions per minute). Torque usually peaks at lower engine speeds, while horsepower peaks much higher.

When you take off from a stoplight, you are feeling torque. As the needle on your tachometer climbs and you feel the car continue to pull harder and faster at high speeds, you are feeling horsepower. This is why a heavy truck might have massive torque but low horsepower, it can pull a house, but it can't move it very fast. Conversely, a Formula 1 car has high horsepower but relatively low torque, it’s incredibly fast, but it needs to be "revved up" to get moving effectively.

Do I want more torque or more power?

1. The case for high torque (the daily driver)

For the everyday driver, engine torque often plays a more important role than top-end horsepower.

• Effortless driving: high torque allows for quick acceleration to moderate speeds without the engine having to work as hard.
• Efficiency: vehicles with high torque, like electric cars, offer instant peak torque. This means they have quick, quiet starts and smooth acceleration from 0km/h. This often conserves resources, potentially lowering fuel costs and reducing strain on traction control and tyres.
• Towing and loads: if you frequently pull trailers or carry heavy loads, torque is your best friend. It provides the pulling power needed to move heavy weight without the engine straining or overheating.

2. The case for high horsepower (the performance enthusiast)

A vehicle with lower torque but lots of horsepower usually needs to use its gears more frequently to keep the engine in its "sweet spot" (high rpm).

• High top speeds: This is the realm of performance cars. Horsepower allows a car to reach and maintain a very high top speed.
• Highway overtaking: If you do a lot of driving on open roads where you need to pass long trucks quickly, having a car that produces high horsepower in the upper rpm range is a major advantage.

Modern tech: turbos and EVs

In the past, you usually had to choose one or the other. Today, technology is bridging the gap:

• Turbochargers: These "force" more air into the engine, allowing small engines to produce high engine torque early on while still maintaining high horsepower for the highway.

• Electric vehicles (EVs): Electric motors provide 100% of their torque instantly. This is why even a standard family EV can often out-accelerate a petrol sports car off the line.

So which one do I want more for my car?

Your preference depends entirely on how you use your car. If you want a relaxed, responsive drive for commuting or towing, look for a car with a high torque rating. If you’re more interested in high-end performance and top speeds, horsepower will be your focus. Understanding these specs is just the start of being a savvy car owner. To learn more about how your vehicle handles the road, check out our guide on why your car behaves differently when you start it in the morning or see our monthly car maintenance checks to keep your engine performing at its peak.