10 Popular Car Terminologies and Jargon You Should Know

Horsepower (HP)

Horsepower is the unit of measurement used to indicate the power of the car’s engine. The higher the number, the more power the engine produces, translating into a higher speed. If you want to go faster while also being able to get up to speed faster (better speed pick-up), you should always consider cars that are more powerful such as the Toyota GR Line-up.

Car Airbag

What is a car airbag? An airbag is a car safety device that functions as an occupant-restraint system. It only activates in the case of an emergency. It is made up of an airbag cushion, a flexible fabric bag, an inflation module and an impact sensor. When the impact sensor is triggered, all the airbags in the car will quickly inflate, protecting the driver and occupants from physical impact damage. Quality cars now come with 7 airbags (Fronts, Front Sides, Curtains & Driver Knee), including the all-time-favourite Toyota Vios and the brand-new Toyota Corolla Cross.

Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)

What is a car ABS? ABS stands for anti-lock braking system, and it prevents your car’s wheels from locking up under hard braking conditions. This translates into more control overall, reducing the likelihood of your car skidding when you make emergency brakes. Cars with ABS will have an ABS indicator on the speedometer that lights up every time you start your car.

Automatic or Manual Transmission

Transmissions are known as gearboxes. It is a component that’s responsible for your vehicle’s gear ratios. An automatic transmission vehicle automatically switches gears when you achieve specific speed thresholds, while a manual transmission requires you to switch gears on your own. The biggest difference will be convenience for the driver, followed by the car’s pick-up speed.

Crossover

A crossover is a term used to describe a vehicle that’s a combination of a normal car (saloon or hatchback) and a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV). Compared to SUVs, crossover cars have a more comfortable interior. A great example of a crossover car is the amazing Toyota Corolla Cross.

Four-Wheel Drive (4WD)

Often abbreviated as 4WD or nicknamed 4×4 (four by four), all the four wheels of a four-wheel-drive receive power from the engine. If you didn’t know, a non-4WD car only has two of its wheels receiving power from the engine, either the front or rear. One of the more reliable four by fours in Malaysia is none other than the robust Toyota Hilux.

Hatchback

A hatchback is a type of car that’s easily recognisable for its petite build and its signature rear door that swings upward to reveal the cargo area or boot. Most hatchbacks utilise a two-box design, with the first box being the fronts, while the second one being a 2-in-1 of the rear seats and cargo area. The Toyota Yaris is one of the more well-known hatchback cars in Malaysia, loved for its performance and utility.

Hybrid Cars

One of the more popular car jargon, a hybrid vehicle is a car that is powered by two different sources of energy, which is usually petrol or diesel engine with an electric motor. The pros of a hybrid vehicle are higher mileage, silent drive on EV mode, cleaner energy, and reduced fuel consumption. However, you should know that not all hybrid cars are built equal. The Toyota Synergised Mobility technology brings with it enhanced safety, comfort, and performance, granting Toyota hybrid cars a competitive edge in the used car market. Toyota is no stranger to the hybrid scene as the Prius and Prius C pioneered hybrid vehicles for the masses. A testament to Toyota’s hybrid system are the number of Prius, Prius C, and Camry Hybrid that are on the road today.

Saloon Cars

Upon Googling “saloon cars”, you’ll often encounter the auto-completed search term of “saloon vs sedan cars”. This is because “saloon” is the British (UK English) version of “sedan,” hence the comparison. A saloon car is a vehicle with four doors and a separate boot at the back of the car to place your belongings. A sedan car can seat four to five people comfortably, and one of the best of its class is the Toyota Camry.

Speedometer

A speedometer is a big part of your car’s dashboard. Have you always wondered what does the speedometer of a car measures? As the term suggests, the speedometer is a gauge that measures the speed your car is moving at. For most cars in Malaysia, speedometers use the unit of measurement of kilometres per hour (km/h).

Now that you have gone through this list of car terminologies and jargon, you now understand cars a lot better. Remember to share it with your family and friends!