armoredsaint Posted April 29, 2013 Report Share Posted April 29, 2013 Now I know it's not just me, even my previous company car a 2013 300 had a tighter turn. I do notice going into tight parking spaces, it wasn't as smooth as I hoped and hard to believe it's less than 36 feet ;) "Although the C-Max's steering feels normal and not artificially electric as in some hybrids, the car feels like it has an exceptionally wide turning radius. We find ourselves doing multipoint turns just to get into the Starbucks drive-thru. When we look up the actual turning circle reported by Ford, we're genuinely surprised to see it's just 35.8 feet, a typical number for a car this size." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zhackwyatt Posted April 29, 2013 Report Share Posted April 29, 2013 I don't know where you got the quote from, but I drive in a lot of drive-thrus, and never had to do a multi-point turn to get in one. The turning radius is big, but not that big. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
armoredsaint Posted April 29, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 29, 2013 I don't know where you got the quote from, but I drive in a lot of drive-thrus, and never had to do a multi-point turn to get in one. The turning radius is big, but not that big. i think it was edmunds.com review on the c-max Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plus 3 golfer Posted April 29, 2013 Report Share Posted April 29, 2013 I think it's 38.3 feet not what Edmunds says. My 2009 Jetta Tdi was 35.8 feet. There's no way the C-Max is the same as my Jetta. After driving the Jetta for over 4 years, I had to re-calibrate my perspective when pulling into parking spaces and so forth with the C-Max. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
armoredsaint Posted April 29, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 29, 2013 I think it's 38.3 feet not what Edmunds says. My 2009 Jetta Tdi was 35.8 feet. There's no way the C-Max is the same as my Jetta. After driving the Jetta for over 4 years, I had to re-calibrate my perspective when pulling into parking spaces and so forth with the C-Max. i just remember, even today when i first drove the c-max it surprised me when i made a sharp turn or a u-turn. for a small car it does require a larger diameter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnE-nrg Posted April 30, 2013 Report Share Posted April 30, 2013 the car and driver review and the specs on cars.com lists the turning radius as something around 19, so a total circle is going to be close to 40. I know when I test drove one at the dealer it surprised me when I went to park the vehicle back into the place where they had it sitting and I ran out of turning and had to back up once to get it into the spot. The size of the vehicle really makes one think it should have a smaller turning radius. Compared with my current boat of a vehicle the turning radius is approximately the same so I'm sorta used to the wide radius I guess. But even so, the CMAX has a tad bit bigger radius! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tdefny Posted April 30, 2013 Report Share Posted April 30, 2013 Coming from the '02 Prius, which was something like 32', the Max took some getting used to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurel Posted April 30, 2013 Report Share Posted April 30, 2013 Yes, the C-Max takes a lot of maneuvering in tight spots. A wee bit of an ordeal at times. This comes from a former Smart Car owner --me and Pickle could go down bike paths LOL. Tip and I have to have a good look and a plan in tight spots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jus-A-CMax Posted April 30, 2013 Report Share Posted April 30, 2013 As someone who does a lot of turns on the surface street, its not an issue. You're in EV, use the rear camera and turn. Dodge the bins, gates, poles and it helps to have the beeping sensors as well....wallah :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
armoredsaint Posted April 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 30, 2013 i meant lock to lock turns, that you can tell a difference in diameter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jus-A-CMax Posted April 30, 2013 Report Share Posted April 30, 2013 (edited) i meant lock to lock turns, that you can tell a difference in diameter.I know, but still no big deal, its a 3 point turn vs 1...but I ain't too fuss unless its MFT related ;) By the way, this was one of things that I discussed with the Ford Engineers at the Irvine POW-WOW in Feb, they took note of it :rockon: Edited April 30, 2013 by Jus-A-CMax Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hippie'sMom Posted April 30, 2013 Report Share Posted April 30, 2013 I am parking Yippie behind my house and one of the reasons Hippie was on the street (and met its demise) was the really bad turn radius. I parked the PT back there pretty easily and Chryslers are all crap for turning. I have a few yard obstacles that will soon be moved and make it easier, but it is pretty much the 34 point road turn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jus-A-CMax Posted April 30, 2013 Report Share Posted April 30, 2013 I am parking Yippie behind my house and one of the reasons Hippie was on the street (and met its demise) was the really bad turn radius. I parked the PT back there pretty easily and Chryslers are all crap for turning. I have a few yard obstacles that will soon be moved and make it easier, but it is pretty much the 34 point road turn.We want pics of Yippe when he comes home :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dtorres Posted April 30, 2013 Report Share Posted April 30, 2013 You do adjust to and it becomes normal. I did notice in a parking structure where tight turns can be required to pull out of a parking space that the CMax feels like it has the same turn radius as our Taurus X which is a much bigger car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obob Posted April 30, 2013 Report Share Posted April 30, 2013 (edited) My thinking is smaller turning radius means bigger wheel wells, or thinner tires, or smaller tires, or less clearance, or bigger car. The turning radius really isn't an issue with me. I like the sporty tires and ride. Even Toyota sacrificed some turning radius compared to the Prius vs Corolla - Prius is 4 inches shorter yet a little bigger turning radius. Turning Radius in ft ( from consumerreports.org unless I made a mistake in the copying ) 45 Chevy Suburban41 C-Max 40 Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna, Toyota Camry39 Prius V37 Prius36 Corolla34 Fiat Pop30 Smart Edited April 30, 2013 by obob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edsel Posted April 30, 2013 Report Share Posted April 30, 2013 Maybe its just my perception, buy I would swear my '04 F-150 had a better turning radius :sad: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtshinn Posted April 30, 2013 Report Share Posted April 30, 2013 It's noticeable for sure. Just have to get used to it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plus 3 golfer Posted April 30, 2013 Report Share Posted April 30, 2013 My thinking is smaller turning radius means bigger wheel wells, or thinner tires, or smaller tires, or less clearance, or bigger car. The turning radius really isn't an issue with me. I like the sporty tires and ride. Even Toyota sacrificed some turning radius compared to the Prius vs Corolla - Prius is 4 inches shorter yet a little bigger turning radius. Turning Radius in ft ( from consumerreports.org unless I made a mistake in the copying ) 45 Chevy Suburban41 C-Max 40 Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna, Toyota Camry39 Prius V37 Prius36 Corolla34 Fiat Pop30 SmartConsumer Reports numbers are the "bumper clearance" numbers which will be more than the curb to curb turning numbers which are normally reported by the manufacturer. The CR numbers are more relevant when pulling into parking spaces between parked cars or making u-turns with obstacles / cars on the side of the road. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raymond963 Posted April 30, 2013 Report Share Posted April 30, 2013 LOL Try going from a Jeep Wrangler, which has a turning radius of about 16 or 17 feet! Um...Dang! It's okay though, I can't drive over parking blocks with the C-Max either... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edsel Posted April 30, 2013 Report Share Posted April 30, 2013 Does FWD have anything to do with turning radius? Seems like it would. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArizonaEnergi Posted April 30, 2013 Report Share Posted April 30, 2013 (edited) I still find myself having to adjust, e.g. backup when parking and try again, when parking the c-max. One would expect a small vehicle like this would have a better turning radius, but I assume the engineers did the best they could with the big wheels etc. My Honda Element had a terrific turning radius. Zip, zoom, go anywhere. The C-Max is 38.4', and others can be found here: http://db.theautochannel.com/db/newcarbuyersguide/rank_car_criteria.php?sortby=Model&stylename=Wagon&titleid=184 For example, Prius V 5 is 38.1', but other V's are 36.1'. Edited April 30, 2013 by ArizonaEnergi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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