understeer
noun
un·der·steer ˈən-dər-ˌstir 
: the tendency of an automobile to turn less sharply than the driver intends
understeer
ˌən-dər-ˈstir
intransitive verb 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web In Furiosa mode, the stability-control system is disabled, and Pininfarina is still working out the final tuning of the torque-vectoring system, but the chassis is balanced and planted if slightly biased toward understeer. 
Basem Wasef, Car and Driver, 30 Aug. 2021 The Tonale resists understeer impressively well, too, with the Pirelli P Zero tires finding plentiful adhesion and biting hard in tighter turns. Mike Duff, Car and Driver, 5 May 2022 The Maverick manages a not-terrible 0.81 g on the skidpad, but attaining that number requires torturing the front tires with drastic understeer. Ezra Dyer, Car and Driver, 27 May 2022 Excessive oversteer aside, this all-wheel-drive 2 has a friendly rear-drive feel that doesn't require you to get on the power early to cancel understeer as in the TLX Type S. Dave Vanderwerp, Car and Driver, 7 Feb. 2022 Instead of steady understeer, the X5 M is playful and works all its tires hard, not just the fronts. Tony Quiroga, Car and Driver, 7 Feb. 2022 Oversteer and understeer are dealt with during the Drifting course. Kyle Edward, Forbes, 31 Jan. 2022 Punch the gas out of corners and the system resists power understeer by shifting torque rearward, which then is split side to side by its torque-vectoring rear differential to create a rear-steer effect. Tony Quiroga, Car and Driver, 20 May 2021 The brute is a challenge to control, with serious understeer, a suspension that transmits every pebble and a recalcitrant shift linkage, all battled from a stiflingly hot, cramped interior full of gasoline fumes. Robert Ross, Robb Report, 24 July 2021 See More
Basem Wasef, Car and Driver, 30 Aug. 2021 The Tonale resists understeer impressively well, too, with the Pirelli P Zero tires finding plentiful adhesion and biting hard in tighter turns. Mike Duff, Car and Driver, 5 May 2022 The Maverick manages a not-terrible 0.81 g on the skidpad, but attaining that number requires torturing the front tires with drastic understeer. Ezra Dyer, Car and Driver, 27 May 2022 Excessive oversteer aside, this all-wheel-drive 2 has a friendly rear-drive feel that doesn't require you to get on the power early to cancel understeer as in the TLX Type S. Dave Vanderwerp, Car and Driver, 7 Feb. 2022 Instead of steady understeer, the X5 M is playful and works all its tires hard, not just the fronts. Tony Quiroga, Car and Driver, 7 Feb. 2022 Oversteer and understeer are dealt with during the Drifting course. Kyle Edward, Forbes, 31 Jan. 2022 Punch the gas out of corners and the system resists power understeer by shifting torque rearward, which then is split side to side by its torque-vectoring rear differential to create a rear-steer effect. Tony Quiroga, Car and Driver, 20 May 2021 The brute is a challenge to control, with serious understeer, a suspension that transmits every pebble and a recalcitrant shift linkage, all battled from a stiflingly hot, cramped interior full of gasoline fumes. Robert Ross, Robb Report, 24 July 2021 See More Word History
First Known Use
1936, in the meaning defined above