Ask a MAZDA Dealer: Torque vs. Horsepower

Buying a new vehicle can feel like buying a computer — there are so many numbers and performance metrics to keep track of. Any Mazda dealer will tell you that two we are often asked about are “torque” and “horsepower.” Here’s what these two really mean.

Torque

Torque is the turning force your vehicle’s engine is capable of. This relates to distance: specifically, the distance travelled for your pistons to make a full circuit can increase or decrease the amount of torque produced. Higher torque equals more power while accelerating.

Horsepower

Horsepower refers to how fast the engine can perform a full cycle. The difference is that more horsepower is more important to your top speed than acceleration. When you hear more talk about horsepower than torque, it usually refers to racing for that top-speed factor.

Higher Torque vs. Higher Horsepower

As you can see, these two are very related. Increasing your horsepower means you must increase either torque or RPMs. Though, increases to one doesn’t necessarily match the same increases to the other. So, it’s not a straightforward question of which is more important — they both are.

However, if you want more towing capabilities, the power you get from high torque is more important than a greater top speed of more horsepower. If you want to rip around a racetrack, higher horsepower is what you are looking for.

Still Have Questions? Reach Out to a MAZDA Dealer in McKinney, TX

Whether you want acceleration or top speed, we have you covered at El Dorado Mazda. Come down to take a test drive today. While here, check out all the available incentives and lease options at our Mazda finance center. We look forward to helping you find your next ride!