Which type of vehicle is most susceptible to experiencing understeer?

Front-wheel drive vehicles are most susceptible to experiencing understeer due to their design and weight distribution. In a front-wheel drive configuration, the engine's weight is typically positioned over the front wheels, which can lead to a situation where the front tires lose grip during cornering. When cornering at speed, if the front tires begin to slide, the vehicle's tendency to continue straight instead of turning is indicative of understeer.

Understeer occurs when the front tires cannot maintain adequate traction, making it difficult for the driver to steer the vehicle through the intended path. This situation is exacerbated in front-wheel drive vehicles because they also rely on the front tires for both steering and acceleration, placing increased demands on the front tires during cornering. Thus, when drivers encounter understeer in a front-wheel drive vehicle, they may need to reduce speed to regain control and allow the tires to regain grip, making them particularly susceptible to this handling characteristic.