can longer cars turn faster

[JuniperLee]

No, generally speaking, longer cars cannot turn faster. A vehicle's turning capability, or agility, is primarily determined by its wheelbase—the distance between the front and rear axles. A shorter wheelbase allows a car to rotate more quickly into a turn, resulting in a smaller turning circle. While a longer wheelbase can contribute to high-speed stability, it inherently reduces low-speed maneuverability.

The key factors affecting a car's turning performance are:

• Wheelbase: This is the most critical factor. A shorter distance between the axles means the car has less "resistance" to changing direction.
• Steering Geometry and Lock: The design of the steering system and how far the front wheels can turn (the steering lock angle) directly impact the turning circle diameter.
• Suspension Tuning: A well-tuned suspension system manages weight transfer effectively during cornering, maximizing tire grip.
• Tire Grip: The ultimate limit of any turn is the amount of grip provided by the tires.

The following table compares the turning circles of vehicles with different wheelbases, illustrating the general trend:

Vehicle Model	Approx. Wheelbase (inches)	Turning Circle Diameter (feet)
Mini Cooper Hardtop	98.2	35.4
Honda Civic Sedan	107.7	38.0
Toyota Camry	111.2	39.0
Ford F-150 Crew Cab	145.4	47.8
Mercedes-Benz S-Class	126.6	41.3

As you can see, the compact Mini, with its short wheelbase, has a significantly tighter turning circle than the long-wheelbase pickup truck. However, on a highway sweeper or a racetrack, the longer, wider stance of a performance sedan like the Camry or S-Class provides more stability. It's a classic engineering trade-off: agility versus stability. For daily driving, a car with a balanced wheelbase that offers a reasonable turning circle without sacrificing too much ride comfort is often the ideal compromise.

[DelMaci]

Not really. Think about trying to turn a short skateboard versus a long surfboard. The short one whips around instantly. It's the same with cars. My old compact hatchback can U-turn on a dime, but my brother's long crew-cab truck needs a three-point turn to get around the same corner. For quick, tight maneuvers, shorter is definitely better.

[JanelleMarie]

From an engineering perspective, a longer chassis generally reduces cornering agility. The primary reason is the increased moment of inertia; it's harder to change the direction of a longer object. This is quantified by the turning circle diameter, a standard industry metric. While features like rear-axle steering can mitigate this on some luxury vehicles, the fundamental physics favors a shorter wheelbase for minimizing the arc of a turn. The trade-off is often improved high-speed stability.

[McJosie]

I learned this the hard way parallel parking in the city. My sedan is okay, but I once rented a long-wheelbase luxury car and it was a nightmare. It just didn't want to pivot into the spot. You had to swing out wider, which is stressful with traffic behind you. For urban driving where tight turns and parking are constant, a shorter car is just easier and less stressful to live with. It feels more nimble.