frugal Posted October 12, 2012 Report Share Posted October 12, 2012 One of the things we really liked about our old 2002 Prius was the very small 30.7 foot turning circle. I've yet to see any official Ford spec listing the C-Max turning circle, but several sites have listed it as 38.4 feet. One site said it turned like a large car. My C-Max is supposed to show up next week, after a 3 1/2 month wait, and if this number is accurate, we'll really be disappointed in this aspect of its performance. A car just 4 inches longer than our old Prius takes almost 8 feet more to turn around? A Honda Odyssey turns in less distance. For those folks who already have a C-Max: How do you feel about its ability to turn into parking spots and such? Are you finding it necessary to do three point turns where you would expect to be able to just do a 180? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SavinginNM Posted October 12, 2012 Report Share Posted October 12, 2012 After reading this took the car out to see. Had no problem with either u-turns or turning into a parking spot. Did not have to swing out or three point into any I tried. Did not measured any of what I did and have never driven a Prius but the difference in the turning diameter you show is significant. Afraid you will definitely notice the difference. (Ford shows the turning radius as 19.2' in their specs) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frugal Posted October 12, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2012 Thanks for checking. I'll miss the ability to do a u-turn on a typical suburban side street, but I'll get used to it. BTW: Where did you find C-Max specs that list the turning radius? I've seen it elsewhere, but not from Ford. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rfruth Posted October 14, 2012 Report Share Posted October 14, 2012 The 2012 Prius V is a little over 36, C-Max little over 38 inch, pretty close IMO (not driven either so as they say your mileage may vary) :) http://www.ford.com/cars/cmax/compare/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frugal Posted October 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2012 Actually the Prius V Five, with 17" wheels, is 38.1, almost identical to the C-Max. Since most cars seem to be in the 34 to 39 range, I suspect most people don't care. Of course most people have never driven a car with a small turning circle and therefore don't know how convenient it can be. I'm sure that I'll feel the maneuverability of the C-Max will be adequate. Ford seems to have gotten so many things right on this car that I'm just a little sad that this wasn't a priority. BTW: I've driven the regular Prius (34.2) and the Prius V Two (36.1) back to back in a parking lot and could see a significant difference. If you really want to see the difference, add in the Prius C (31.4). Needless to say, I still chose the C-Max over the Priuses even though I've driven a Prius for over 11 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reedmother Posted February 2, 2013 Report Share Posted February 2, 2013 I can really notice the larger turning radius. I had a Nissan Versa before with the circle 34.7 that was much easier to manuveur. I'll get used to the c-max, I guess. I don't totally understand it though. I was looking at the Subaru Outback specs with 17 inch wheels and the circle was 37.something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
valkraider Posted February 2, 2013 Report Share Posted February 2, 2013 Yeah, this bugs me a little. It's way better than my truck but I feel weird in a small car taking two passes to get into a parking spot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zalusky Posted February 2, 2013 Report Share Posted February 2, 2013 I wonder if it has to do with regenerative breaking and available space. IE the wheels can only turn so far or that stuff gets in the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtberman Posted February 2, 2013 Report Share Posted February 2, 2013 The C Max turning circle is not good. This is frankly the only thing about the car that has disappointed me. I traded an Audi Q5 for my C Max. The Audi cost about $40,000, is about a foot longer and has a wheelbase at least six inches longer. And mine had the upgraded 19" wheels, too. But its turning circle was noticeably better. However, this is a really small thing. I'm a car guy, and it's important to note that the C Max compared favorably enough with a $40K vehicle to get me to trade. This says a lot about how good it really is. I had the misfortune to own a Prius for two years, and that car SUCKED compared to the C Max. The two are in totally different leagues. But yes, the turning circle isn't good. reedmother and altabrig 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill-N Posted February 2, 2013 Report Share Posted February 2, 2013 For those folks who already have a C-Max: How do you feel about its ability to turn into parking spots and such? Are you finding it necessary to do three point turns where you would expect to be able to just do a 180? Our other car is a '98 Grand Cherokee. It has a noticeably tighter turning radius than the C-Max, which is somewhat disappointing. But U turns and parking are generally not a problem with the C-Max. roninsd 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PWBarrett Posted February 2, 2013 Report Share Posted February 2, 2013 Strangely enough one of the few cars I've had where I could make a U-turn on a small residential street, was a big ol' 72 Volvo station wagon!I think it had a tighter turning radius than the Escort we got after that.I suppose it's easier to make rear-wheel-drive cars with a tight radius than FWD because they don't have to worry about the U-Joints for the drive axles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erwhitham Posted February 2, 2013 Report Share Posted February 2, 2013 Actually the Prius V Five, with 17" wheels, is 38.1, almost identical to the C-Max. Since most cars seem to be in the 34 to 39 range, I suspect most people don't care. Of course most people have never driven a car with a small turning circle and therefore don't know how convenient it can be. I'm sure that I'll feel the maneuverability of the C-Max will be adequate. Ford seems to have gotten so many things right on this car that I'm just a little sad that this wasn't a priority. BTW: I've driven the regular Prius (34.2) and the Prius V Two (36.1) back to back in a parking lot and could see a significant difference. If you really want to see the difference, add in the Prius C (31.4). Needless to say, I still chose the C-Max over the Priuses even though I've driven a Prius for over 11 years.I also chose a CMax over another Prius. The turning radius is a bit higher, but its other great features make up for this. The extra umph is noticeable and though I loved the smooth ride of my Prius, I was amazed that the C-Max's is even smoother. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darrelld Posted February 2, 2013 Report Share Posted February 2, 2013 Its turns about the same as my 2010 Outback but about 2 feet wider than my Passat. The Passat is a much larger car 191.6 " vs 173.6 " overall length. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reedmother Posted February 2, 2013 Report Share Posted February 2, 2013 Yeah, German cars handle so nicely and are so fun to drive. The radius is all part of it. valkraider 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maximus Posted February 5, 2013 Report Share Posted February 5, 2013 Yeah, German cars handle so nicely and are so fun to drive. The radius is all part of it. For all intents and purposes, the C-Max is a European car, it was brought over to the US market in hybrid form. Turning radius is limited by when the tires would impact something within the wheel well. Front wheel drive cars have their transmissions mounted up front which limits space for the wheels to turn, same with having a hybrid motor mounted up front. Larger wheel/tire combos have an impact too. On the Focus, the turning diameter is reduced when you get the 18" wheels over the 17" wheels. The C-Max also has a beefier front structure compared to the Prius V (as demonstrated in the "poor" safety rating the Prius V received). That beefier front structure on the C-Max is good for crash protection, but would also limit the space for the wheels to turn. Everything is a trade off. erwhitham 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maximus Posted February 5, 2013 Report Share Posted February 5, 2013 The C Max turning circle is not good. This is frankly the only thing about the car that has disappointed me. I traded an Audi Q5 for my C Max. The Audi cost about $40,000, is about a foot longer and has a wheelbase at least six inches longer. And mine had the upgraded 19" wheels, too. But its turning circle was noticeably better. However, this is a really small thing. I'm a car guy, and it's important to note that the C Max compared favorably enough with a $40K vehicle to get me to trade. This says a lot about how good it really is. I had the misfortune to own a Prius for two years, and that car SUCKED compared to the C Max. The two are in totally different leagues. But yes, the turning circle isn't good. http://www.cars.com/audi/q5/2012/specifications/ The Audi Q5 has a turning radius of 19' and there is only about a 6" difference in wheel base between the two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jus-A-CMax Posted February 6, 2013 Report Share Posted February 6, 2013 I do u-turns all the time in my business so it's not that big of a deal. One more turn on the wheel and just enjoy the rear vision camera - god that thing is awesome as I can back close, close to the bins and not worry about hitting it. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc1174 Posted March 24, 2013 Report Share Posted March 24, 2013 Grand C-Max review - their only negative - the turning circle.. 3:40 I swear my old Jeep Liberty had a better turning circle, but clearly it's not the regen brakes since this is a UK car. Nicer glove box and stereo too and their 1.6 engine gets close to our "47" MPG. Adair 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adair Posted March 24, 2013 Report Share Posted March 24, 2013 (edited) Thanks for checking. I'll miss the ability to do a u-turn on a typical suburban side street, but I'll get used to it. BTW: Where did you find C-Max specs that list the turning radius? I've seen it elsewhere, but not from Ford.If you're used to a really tight turning radius, you will feel the difference. It's about the only thing I miss about my Jeep Liberty...........the ability to do a U=turn in the middle of just about any street in downtown A2. But I'm just learning to pic my streets better :>) It was a small price to pay for all the other +++ that come with the C-Max Edited March 24, 2013 by Adair kc1174 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pemulis Posted May 4, 2013 Report Share Posted May 4, 2013 I don't know the footage specifications for the various cars, but our Honda Pilot and Honda Odyssey both have significantly tighter turning ability than our new C-Max. The C-Max radius hasn't been a problem for most things, including parking, but it does require at least half a lane more of turning space for u-turns from a left turn/u-turn lane, which can be an inconvenience, esp. when you find yourself short of space and have to back up with cars following you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
11StiLimited Posted May 6, 2013 Report Share Posted May 6, 2013 The turning radius is the only thing I seriously HATE about this car. I am used to my old Subaru's, and tho that end, I am spoiled. The C-Max is a terrible 180 turner, IMO. I almost always require 3pts to do a 180 on an suburban street. In the first months of owning it, I had to use 3pts to park. I have since learned to swing out a little wider on approach. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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