Gross weight is the total weight of a vehicle plus anything onboard.

This weight takes fuel, passengers, luggage, and anything else in or on the car into consideration. 

It represents the maximum weight a vehicle can safely handle as specified by the manufacturer – each car will be different, so it's worth checking in the manual.

Gross weight is the total weight of a vehicle plus anything onboard, such as fuel and passengers.

Gross weight

A car’s suspension is designed to keep the tyres in contact with the road, while at the same time absorbing all the lumps and bumps created by driving over uneven surfaces. It also allows the car to accelerate, brake and corner safely.

The suspension system is made up of a number of parts, with the most important being springs and dampers (also known as shock absorbers). When a car goes over a bump, the springs compress and expand to absorb any vertical movement, while the dampers get rid of any motion left in the spring, which stops the car from bouncing.

Another part is an anti-roll bar, which forces each side of the car to lower or rise to similar heights, as it drives over uneven surfaces. It also helps to reduce the amount that a car tilts in sharp corners. All this so you can have a smoother ride

A car’s suspension is designed to keep the tyres in contact with the road, while at the same time absorbing all the bumps created by driving over uneven surfaces.

Suspension

Ride quality refers to a how comfortable a car is to travel in. The main factor that determines ride quality is the set-up of the suspension system, which is a compromise between handling and ride quality. A set-up that offers a softer, more forgiving ride quality means the car’s handling is less sharp. Conversely, a car set up to handle more sportily requires a firmer ride quality.

Ride quality refers to a how comfortable a car is to travel in.

Ride

Handling describes the way a car reacts on the road to what a driver does, using the steering wheel and pedals. So, for example, a car that handles well will feel more stable on the road when cornering, speeding up or braking. Go steady though.

Handling describes the way a car reacts on the road to what a driver does, using the steering wheel and pedals.

Handling

SUV stands for sport utility vehicle, a type of car that was originally a rugged machine, fitted with four-wheel drive and built for use off-road.  However, a growing trend for this type of vehicle – which is often thought to be safer, as the passenger compartment sits higher off the ground, giving the driver a better view of the road – means that SUVs are now available in a variety of sizes. And, as many of them are not required to go off-road, they tend not to be fitted with four-wheel drive.

Sport utility vehicle - or SUV - a type of car fitted with four-wheel drive, which was built for use off-road.

Sports Utility Vehicle

A crossover car is one that combines the design features from two (or even more) traditional types of car. A crossover tends to involve some element of an SUV. Often described as a mid-size or small SUV, it might look like a 4x4 car, but take up the same amount of room on the road as a family hatchback and not have four-wheel drive. Alternatively, it might be an estate car that has had its body raised so it can go off-road. 

A crossover car is one that combines the design features from two (or even more) traditional types of car and often involves some element of an SUV.

Crossover car

Kerb weight is the weight of a vehicle with everything it needs to run but without passengers or luggage.

This includes all the fluids needed to run the car, such as oil, coolant and a full tank of fuel (unless, like an electric car, it doesn't need liquid fuel or oil). 

It represents the vehicle's ready-to-drive condition, with only the essentials onboard.

Kerb weight is the weight of a vehicle with everything it needs to run (e.g. fuel and engine oil) but without passengers or luggage.

Kerb weight

An MPV is a multi-purpose vehicle, which offers more space than a saloon or hatchback. It is usually fitted with five or seven seats. MPVs have traditionally been popular with families, but more recently, Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) models have become the preferred choice.

An MPV is a multi-purpose vehicle, which offers more space than a saloon or hatchback and is usually fitted with five or seven seats.

Multi-Person Vehicle

An estate car has an extended boot area behind the rear seats. A large boot-lid at the back of the car is usually hinged at the top and opens up in the same way as a hatchback car. Most estate cars also have rear seats that fold down, creating an even larger load area for all your gear as well as a mucky Labrador or two.

An estate car has an extended boot area behind the rear seats with a boot-lid at the back of the car that opens in the same way as a hatchback car.

Estate car

Air suspension uses air bags or 'bladders', typically made from rubber or polyurethane, instead of traditional steel suspension springs.

This allows for adjustable ride height and improved ride quality, providing a smoother ride, especially on our rough roads.

Air suspension uses 'air springs' that creates a softer ride

Air suspension

What is air suspension?

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