When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I knew our cars were bad in regards to turning radius, but I got use to it and it seemed normal, but after driving my new car around, which by any measure is a gigantic boat, holy cripes, the turning radius is tremendously better in the LS.
I go the same grocery store and parking is at an angle. So if I go up a lane and park on the opposite side, it's a steep turn.
In my Acura, I would have to three-point turn to get into those opposite spots. In my huge boat, it makes that almost 180 degree turn in that tight aisle in one fell swoop. I couldn't believe it.
I've been going to this store for years, parking the same way and my mind was already prepared to do a three-point turn since it is burned into my conscious through sheer repetition, and I literally sat there amazed after I parked.
In any case, just thought I would share because it shocked me. No idea why Acura made these cars with such huge turning radii.
Oh yeah, I was so shocked I even took a picture lol. I probably looked like an idiot shaking my head with my phone in hand.
But that's the spot and I can't make that opposite space in my Acura without a three-pointer, no matter how wide of an arc. This thing did it like nothing, and I didn't even arc out as I was prepared to three-point it.
Not sure how AWD could affect it, but my guess was going to be FWD vs RWD. Without a front axle, the hubs are just connected to the two control arms.
FWIW, here are some turning radius specs per Edmunds:
1G RL: 36.1'
2G RL: 39.7'
3G TL: 39.7'
LS 430: 37.4'
LS 460: 36.1'
Could be worse. My Tundra DC is spec'ed at 47.5'.
Interesting. I always felt the 430 had a better turning radius than my RL. Numbers don't lie.
I've noticed a lot of awd suffer worst turning radius. I remember looking at the x drive bmw and they suffered a worst turning radius than the rwd counterparts as well
It's funny that you guys complain about turning radius being poor in the RL, but I think the RL has the best turning radius of any car I've ever owned, judging from turning around in only a 3-point turn in my dad's driveway as my basis.
In the RL, if I cut the wheel all the way, I will end up driving on the hill on the near side of the driveway, where all of the other cars I have owned would be challenged to not hit the fence on the other side.
On paper, several other cars I owned had a lower turning radius, but the only one that could make this turn with room to spare was the RL.
Last edited by Boomstick0; 01-03-2016 at 01:58 PM.
The mechanicals and packaging up front is very crowded, limiting the turning radius. Don't feel bad. One would expect the 2009 MINI Cooper, with a wheelbase of 97.1 inches, to have a small turning circle. But it circles in 35.1 feet! (A larger 2010 Mazda3 can do it in 34.1 feet.)
The 2009 RL, with a wheelbase of 110.2 inches has a turning circle of 39.7 feet, and if you do the math, you will discover that it is directly proportional to the the MINI!