If you’ve been in the market for a new car ever in your life, you know how important the test drive is when it comes to deciding if a car is right for you. But you get into that car and immediately all of your questions about it fly out of your head because you get distracted by the drive. It’s okay! We’ve all been there. That’s why we’ve put together this list of things to think about as you take that test drive – maybe even bring a friend with this list to prompt you as you drive! Anyway, here’s the list: check it out and let us know what you think!

As you drive, think about how the ride is. Is it bumpy, smooth, disconnected? Of course, you should take into account the type of vehicle you’re test driving, but is it what you expected? Does the vehicle meet or exceed those expectations?

How are the brakes? Are they touchy or easy? Do you feel like they could save your life? Try a lot of different types of braking. Slow, short, forceful, long… these are all types you should test to see how you feel. If you are test driving a hybrid, remember that they brake differently.

The acceleration should be what you want. Try getting up to highway speed (on the highway, of course!) and see how long the vehicle takes to get there. Can you get up a hill easily?

How are the steering and handling? Can you turn on a dime or does it feel like you’re driving a barge? Basically, think about what you want in a car, and think about how you drive – will the vehicle drive that way for you?

How is it inside the cockpit? Can you see out of all the windows, mirrors, and are there many blind spots? Is it noisy? Think about what you want in a vehicle – don’t be blinded by how much you think you like a vehicle aesthetically if it’s not right for you in every other respect.

Remember that if you have a question about a vehicle or want to test drive more than one (which you should be doing!) the folks here at King Kia are more than happy to help!