What Is the Standard Turning Radius for a Vehicle?
The turning radius of a vehicle is the diameter of the narrowest circle it is capable of maneuvering and is dependent on many design factors, including wheelbase length, axle width, and the steering mechanism design. Midsized cars, depending on brand, normally have a turning radius of 34 to 38 feet.
When talking about a specific vehicle, a smaller turning radius translates into a more maneuverable vehicle. The amount of maneuverability desired is determined by the expected use and the qualities that use demands; small city cars, such as Smart cars, can have turning radii as small as 23.9 feet, while large trucks used for hauling cargo can have a turning radius over 50 feet.
Vehicles in the middle range of AutoChannel.com’s 2015 and 2016 sedan turning radius list, such as the Chevrolet Malibu, Volkswagen CC, Toyota Avalon and Nissan Altima, turn with a radius of 37.4 feet. Pickup trucks in the middle range turn with a radius of 49.2 feet and include different models and years of the Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD and the GMC Sierra 2500HD.
Other vehicles, such as luxury cars and utility vehicles, turn with different radii, and the range of values varies based on year.
