Do You Know What to Look For On A Test Drive? - Kunes Auto Group

Feb 3, 2023

When you test drive a car, there are several things you should keep in mind to make sure you get a good feel for the vehicle and that it meets your needs. Here are a few things to consider:

Comfort: Adjust the seat, mirrors, and steering wheel to your preferences.  Make sure you’re actually comfortable in the driver’s seat and that all of the controls are easy for you to reach and use.

Handling: Ask yourself, “Does the car feel stable and responsive?”  Pay close attention to how the vehicle handles on the road. More specifically, take note of the steering, braking, and acceleration.

Noise: Listen closely for any unusual noises, such as squeaks, rattles, or engine noises.

Ride: Test the vehicle’s suspension by driving over bumps and uneven roads. Is it a smooth or rough ride?  It’s also a good idea to test drive the car on different types of roads, such as city streets, highways, and winding roads, to get a well-rounded sense of how it handles.

Power: Test the acceleration on the highway and merging with traffic. Does the car have enough power for your needs?

Space: Check the vehicle’s interior and trunk space to make sure that it has enough room for your passengers and cargo.

Visibility: Make sure you have good visibility while driving.  The best way to do this is by testing the blind spot monitoring system and rearview camera, if it has one.

Safety Features: Check if the vehicle is equipped with all the safety features you want like lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control.

Fuel Economy: Review the vehicle’s fuel economy and make sure it meets your needs.

Price: Compare the price of the car with other models in its class and make sure it is within your budget.

When you’re shopping for a vehicle, the test drive can make or break your purchase. You should take all of the key factors into consideration: Comfort, handling, noise, ride, power, space, visibility, safety features, fuel economy and price, to ensure that the vehicle is a good fit for you and meets your needs.

It’s equally important to test drive the car on different types of roads to get a well-rounded sense of how it handles. When you take the time to test drive a car and consider all of these factors, you can make a more informed decision when it comes to buying your next vehicle.

At Kunes, we stand by our No Fear Warranty that comes with qualified new and used vehicles. Vehicles that are less than 10 years old with less than 100,000 miles are considered qualified after passing our 125-point inspection. Look for the No Fear sticker on the next model you test drive and ask your sales representative for more information!