A hill start assist method for a vehicle includes a vehicle-mounted controller for sensing an intention to start on an uphill slope, and converts a sensed gradient resistance into a target torque, and enables the engine to have adequate torque reserve in advance; therefore, in the subsequent start, driving wheels can obtain sufficient driving force to ensure that the vehicle will not slide backward. Furthermore, for a manual automobile, the engine torque is boosted in an early stage during a clutch release by a driver, thus accelerating the rotation speed of the engine, and avoiding, to a certain extent, engine stalling caused by a too quick or too much clutch release, compared with the situation where the engine is completely idling.