The article deals with the handling characteristics of a car while cornering. Using simple models, dynamic characteristic parameters such as lateral acceleration, lateral forces, and yaw of a vehicle can be theoretically formulated. A car suspension is modelled for a sedan using ADAMS/CAR and simulated for different wheel aligning parameters like camber, toe etc. so as to study the handling characteristics of the vehicle during cornering. From the experimental road data, the tire model parameters (equivalent cornering stiffness and slip angle) are extracted. These parameters are then inserted into the theoretically formulated equations of dynamic characteristic parameters. The results show that vehicle handling performance can be sufficiently represented by the suggested dynamic characteristic parameters. So, it is concluded that the proposed method has practical use for the development of new cars or for the comparison of similar cars since the evaluations of the vehicle handling performance can be efficiently determined by the suggested dynamic characteristic parameters. This method has ample advantages over real time analysis as it saves both time and cost. © Research India Publications.