These Are Your Favorite Types Of Driving

A recent reader poll asked automotive enthusiasts to share their favorite types of driving, and the responses revealed a surprising mix of mature, practical, and adrenaline-fueled preferences.

Gone are the days when hooliganism and track days dominated the conversation—today’s drivers are just as likely to praise the joys of safe, family-oriented cruising as they are to wax poetic about Baja-style off-roading or rally driving. The results underscore a generational shift in what drivers truly value behind the wheel.

One reader confessed to a personal evolution, admitting that while spirited mountain drives once defined their happiness, the thrill has been replaced by the simple pleasure of cruising with family.

The nostalgia for raw, unfiltered driving experiences remains, but it’s now balanced with a newfound appreciation for safety, comfort, and shared moments.

For others, the allure of driving lies in the adrenaline of rally courses, where drifting and precision merge into a high-stakes dance with the tarmac.

The appeal of getting paid to drive someone else’s car also surfaced, with respondents reminiscing about the freedom of long highway miles in everything from a Cadillac Escalade EXT to a Porsche 911.

Safe driving, once seen as the antithesis of excitement, was proudly championed by some as the ultimate flex.

Autocross emerged as a hidden gem, offering a controlled environment to push limits without the risk of real-world consequences.

Meanwhile, the call of tight, forest-lined roads beckoned to those who crave the visceral feedback of a lightweight car carving through corners at redline.

The thread also highlighted the enduring appeal of slow cars driven fast, a testament to the idea that passion isn’t measured in horsepower but in the connection between driver and machine.

Whether it’s the memory of a Ford Bronco Raptor’s desert antics, the discipline of rally school, or the quiet satisfaction of a well-executed family road trip, the responses painted a vivid picture of what driving means to enthusiasts today.