What are the three types of steering systems?

The three primary types of modern automotive steering systems, categorized by how steering assist is provided, are hydraulic power steering (HPS), electric power steering (EPS), and electro‑hydraulic power steering (EHPS). These systems perform the same job—turning the wheels in response to driver input—but differ in how they generate assist, how much energy they consume, and how they integrate with today’s driver-assistance technologies.

The three types explained

Automakers generally classify steering systems by their assist method. Below are the three types most widely recognized in current passenger and light commercial vehicles.

• Hydraulic Power Steering (HPS): Uses an engine-driven hydraulic pump to provide assist via pressurized fluid. It delivers strong, familiar steering feel but consumes engine power continuously and requires hoses, fluid, and a power-steering pump.
• Electric Power Steering (EPS): Uses an electric motor and sensors to provide assist, typically on the column, pinion, or rack. It’s the efficiency leader, integrates cleanly with ADAS and lane-centering features, and is standard in most new cars and EVs because there’s no engine-driven pump.
• Electro‑Hydraulic Power Steering (EHPS): A hybrid system that retains hydraulic assist but drives the pump with an electric motor. It reduces parasitic losses versus HPS and was a bridge technology for vehicles transitioning toward fully electric assist, especially in heavier applications.

Taken together, these categories reflect both the industry’s move toward electrification and the need to balance steering feel, packaging, and efficiency across vehicle types.

How they compare in efficiency, feel, and upkeep

While all three systems aim to make steering easier and more precise, they differ in energy use, driving feel, and maintenance demands.

• Energy and efficiency: EPS is most efficient, drawing power only as needed; HPS runs a pump continuously and is least efficient; EHPS sits in between.
• Steering feel and tuning: Modern EPS offers wide-ranging software tuning (comfort/sport modes), while traditionalists often praise HPS for natural, linear feedback. EHPS blends elements of both.
• Maintenance: HPS and EHPS require fluid, hoses, and potential leak fixes. EPS eliminates hydraulic service but can require diagnostics for sensors or motors.
• Integration with ADAS/automation: EPS is best suited for lane-keeping, parking assist, and over-the-air refinement. HPS offers limited integration; EHPS supports some electronic control but with more complexity.

These differences help explain why EPS dominates new-vehicle production, while HPS remains common on older vehicles and some heavy-duty or off-road applications.

Where each type is used today

Real-world adoption varies by vehicle class, market, and engineering priorities such as cost, weight, and feature set.

• EPS: Standard on most new passenger cars, crossovers, and nearly all electric vehicles due to efficiency and ADAS compatibility.
• HPS: Found on older cars, some trucks and off-road vehicles where robust hydraulic assist and durability are valued.
• EHPS: Used as an interim or niche solution, including some performance and heavier vehicles that needed strong assist before EPS systems matured for high loads.

As EPS hardware and software have improved, it has largely displaced the other two in mainstream segments, though specific use cases still keep HPS and EHPS relevant.

Related terminology: steering gears vs. assist systems

It’s common to see “types of steering” used to describe the mechanical gear that converts steering-wheel rotation into wheel angle. That’s a different classification from assist method.

• Rack-and-pinion: The prevalent gear in modern cars, prized for precision and packaging; works with HPS, EPS, or EHPS.
• Recirculating-ball (worm-and-sector): Common on older and heavy-duty vehicles, valued for durability and high-load capability; can also be paired with hydraulic or electric assist.
• Steer-by-wire (emerging): Eliminates a continuous mechanical link in favor of electronic control with fail-safes. It’s an EPS-era development being piloted in select markets and models.

Think of the steering gear as the mechanical layout, and HPS/EPS/EHPS as the assist technology layered on top.

Summary

The three types of steering systems by assist method are hydraulic power steering (HPS), electric power steering (EPS), and electro‑hydraulic power steering (EHPS). EPS now leads new-vehicle adoption thanks to efficiency and ADAS integration, HPS persists where simplicity and robust feel are priorities, and EHPS serves niche and transitional roles. Understanding both the assist method and the underlying steering gear helps decode how a vehicle will feel, maintain, and integrate with modern driver-assistance features.

What are the three major subsystems in a steering system?

The three major components for your steering system include:

• The steering wheel and attached shaft in the steering column.
• The steering gear that is responsible for changing the rotary motion of the steering wheel to linear motion.
• The steering linkage that carries the linear motion to the steering-knuckle arms.

What are the three main types of power steering systems?

There are three main types of power steering systems such as hydraulic power steering (HPS), electric power steering (EPS) and hydroelectric power steering (EPHS).

What is the most common steering system?

The most common steering system in modern vehicles is the rack and pinion steering system. This simple and effective design uses a pinion gear that meshes with a toothed rack, translating the steering wheel’s rotational motion into the linear motion needed to turn the vehicle’s wheels. This system provides precise and responsive handling and is favored for its simplicity and direct feel compared to other steering systems.
 
This video explains the basic components and working of a rack and pinion steering system: 1mCountermanYouTube · Jan 5, 2024
How a Rack and Pinion System Works

1. Steering Wheel Input: When you turn the steering wheel, you rotate the pinion gear. 
2. Rack Movement: The pinion gear moves the toothed rack back and forth in a linear motion. 
3. Wheel Steering: The rack is connected to the vehicle’s tie rods, which then push or pull the wheels, causing them to turn. 

Key Features

• Simplicity: Fewer components compared to other steering systems, making it lightweight and efficient. 
• Precision and Responsiveness: Offers direct and precise control of the vehicle’s wheels. 
• Direct Feel: Provides a clear connection between the steering wheel and the road, enhancing the driving experience. 
• Power Steering: Most modern vehicles use rack and pinion systems with power steering (either hydraulic or electric) to reduce the effort required to turn the wheel, especially at low speeds. 

What is the 3 mode steering system?

Due to spur gear arrangement, the rear wheel steers in opposite direction to the front wheel. This results in third mode steering. Three steering modes can be changed as needed which assists in parking at heavy traffic conditions, when negotiating areas where short turning radius is needed and in off road Driving.