Turning radius explained: Comparing >1,000 cars and their turning circles

What is turning radius?

The turning radius of a vehicle is the smallest circular turn that the vehicle is capable of making. It's typically measured from the center of the circle formed by the vehicle's path to the outermost wheel. It's usually calculated by driving the vehicle in the tightest possible circle and measuring the outermost forward wheel.

Factors affecting turning radius

Wheelbase: The distance between the front and rear axles
Steering angle: The maximum angle at which the front wheels can turn
Vehicle length and width
Tire size and configuration
Suspension design

Why turning circles are hard to define?

To truly understand how a specific car model performs in terms of maneuverability, it's essential to look beyond just the turning radius number. Each vehicle has its unique characteristics that influence its turning behavior.

For instance, each wheel of a car traces its own unique path during a turn. The inner front wheel will make a tighter turn than the outer front wheel, while the rear wheels follow yet different paths. This complexity is why simply pivoting a car around its center isn't an accurate representation of how it actually turns.

To address this complexity, automotive engineers use Ackermann steering geometry. This principle describes how to arrange the steering linkages so that the inside and outside wheels can trace appropriate turning circles without skidding.

It's also crucial to understand the difference between curb-to-curb and wall-to-wall turning circles:

Curb-to-curb turning circle: This is the diameter of the circle traced by the outermost front wheel when the car makes its tightest possible turn. It represents the space needed for the wheels to complete a turn.
Wall-to-wall turning circle: This measurement accounts for the entire vehicle's body swing during a turn, resulting in a larger diameter than the curb-to-curb measurement. It represents the total space needed for the entire vehicle to complete a turn without hitting any obstacles.

These nuances in turning behavior and measurements explain why two vehicles with similar turning radius numbers might perform quite differently in real-world maneuvering situations.

Visualizing turning circles by brand and model

Mercedes-Benz (44 models)

Toyota (43 models)

Fiat (40 models)

Renault (40 models)

Nissan (40 models)

Citroen (39 models)

Ford (38 models)

Volkswagen (38 models)

Volvo (37 models)

Opel (36 models)

Peugeot (36 models)

BMW (33 models)

Hyundai (29 models)

Audi (28 models)

Alfa Romeo (27 models)

Mazda (27 models)

Chevrolet (26 models)

Mitsubishi (25 models)

Honda (22 models)

Kia (20 models)

Suzuki (20 models)

Subaru (19 models)

Lancia (18 models)

Ferrari (18 models)

Seat (16 models)

Daihatsu (15 models)

Chrysler (15 models)

Skoda (15 models)

Porsche (12 models)

Jaguar (11 models)

Lexus (11 models)

Cadillac (11 models)

Infiniti (10 models)

Aston Martin (10 models)

MG (10 models)

Mini (9 models)

Maserati (9 models)

Mclaren (9 models)

Daewoo (8 models)

Land Rover (8 models)

Rolls-Royce (8 models)

Jeep (8 models)

Datsun (8 models)

Rover (8 models)

Dacia (7 models)

Ssangyong (7 models)

Smart (7 models)

Talbot (6 models)

BYD (6 models)

Bentley (6 models)

Saab (6 models)

Lada (6 models)

Cupra (5 models)

Lamborghini (5 models)

Dodge (5 models)

Abarth (5 models)

Morgan (5 models)

Daimler (5 models)

Tesla (4 models)

Lincoln (4 models)

FSO (4 models)

DS (4 models)

Austin (3 models)

Mercury (3 models)

NIO (3 models)

Donkervoort (3 models)

Pontiac (3 models)

Yugo (3 models)

Polestar (3 models)

Fisker (2 models)

Morris (2 models)

Hummer (2 models)

Lotus (2 models)

Landwind (2 models)

Triumph (2 models)

Alpine (2 models)

Maybach (2 models)

Zeekr (2 models)