Photos: The ultimate city car
You know all too well what it's like to shoehorn yourself into a tight parallel-parking spot, squeeze between Dumpsters and delivery trucks, or witness your bumpers accrue a patchwork of dimples. No wonder State Farm Insurance reports that a driver living in central Illinois would pay 30 percent lower premiums than if the driver lived in downtown Chicago.
Some cars ease the urban burden better than others. To find them, Cars.com editors surveyed vehicle lengths, turning circles, driving visibility and parking aids. We considered our own driving impressions, looked at EPA city mileage ratings and called out cars that don't have folding side mirrors. From an initial list of 58 models — all 2011s — here are the top 10.
Some cars ease the urban burden better than others. To find them, Cars.com editors surveyed vehicle lengths, turning circles, driving visibility and parking aids. We considered our own driving impressions, looked at EPA city mileage ratings and called out cars that don't have folding side mirrors. From an initial list of 58 models — all 2011s — here are the top 10.
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2011 Mini Cooper
The Mini Cooper refuses to release its grip on the title of Ultimate Urban Car. Yes, it's short — just over 12 feet long — and it turns a fairly tight circle and offers rear parking sensors. But being the ultimate urban car isn't just about parking. The Cooper's wee size and nimble handling make it good for scooting around delivery vehicles or slowpokes, especially if you opt for the turbocharged S trim level. All Coopers have excellent brakes, too, so you're well-protected against the indiscretions of others, such as cellphone-obsessed pedestrians who don't know street from sidewalk. Consider the convertible if you live in a warm climate, but if you're in a wintry city, think twice about the S trim level, which rides too firmly for pothole-ridden streets.
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