| We all know that parking an SUV can be a pain with | | | | In addition, the Isuzu Ascender has other features that |
| the number of compact spaces popping up | | | | make parking a breeze. The most important, is that the |
| everywhere from school parking lots to high rise | | | | vehicle's full-sized spare tire is not mounted to the rear |
| parking structures. For some, it's the sole reason to | | | | tailgate, allowing for better visibility through the rear |
| avoid buying an SUV even though the additional | | | | window (essential when backing out of a parking |
| passenger and cargo space is a plus. If you've been | | | | space). Motor Point warns SUV owners about the |
| thinking about switching from a car to an SUV, but are | | | | safety hazards of tailgate-mounted spares. According |
| afraid the limited parking opportunities will try your | | | | to an online article, Motor Point states, "A very |
| limited patience, here's what you need to know: | | | | important warning for buyers of [SUVs] is the danger |
| First, a vehicles ability to maneuver easily in and out of | | | | of having the spare tire mounted on the tailgate. This |
| tight parking spaces (as well as make U-turns) is | | | | has no upside and is a definite negative. First, it |
| determined by its turning radius. The turning radius of a | | | | reduces badly needed rear visibility. Secondly, it makes |
| vehicle is the smallest possible U-turn the vehicle is | | | | opening the tailgate extremely difficult to open and |
| capable of making. The smaller, the easier it is to | | | | close when on an incline. In addition, if the vehicle has a |
| squeeze in and out of tight places. | | | | tailgate window that opens to enable you to place |
| Most people assume that a vehicle's turning radius is | | | | items inside, the rear spare gets in the way, making it |
| directly correlated to the car's length and width. Those | | | | very difficult to use without getting your outfits dirty. |
| dimensions are only a small part. Other factors, like the | | | | Finally, it makes rear end collision repairs much more |
| type of steering system, also play a part. | | | | expensive. All of our best choices managed to engine |
| If you're interested in which SUV models offer the | | | | engineer a place for the spare tire to reside either |
| tightest turning radius, here's a list of popular models | | | | inside the car or under it clearly indicating better thinking |
| and where they fit in. | | | | and engineering." |
| After comparing several models, we found the best | | | | In short, don't assume that parking an SUV will be a |
| SUV to be the 2008 Isuzu Ascender. With a turning | | | | hassle and certainly don't avoid purchasing an SUV for |
| radius of only 36.4 feet, it's incredibly easy to park | | | | this reason. Do your homework. Find out the turning |
| considering it's a midsize SUV. By comparison, several | | | | radius of your favorite model and pay close attention |
| compact models actually have higher turning radiuses. | | | | to visibility when you're test drivingtest-driving it. Don't |
| The Chevrolet Equinox has a turning radius of 42 feet, | | | | be afraid to ask the salesman if you can try parking it |
| the BMW X3 turns at 38.4 feet, and the Mitsubishi | | | | while you're out on your test drive. Despite an |
| Outlander at 37.5. The Saturn Vue has a turning radius | | | | increasingly compact world, the SUV can be your |
| of 39.4 feet and the Suzuki XL-7 turns at 38.9 feet. | | | | friend, so choose your friends wisely. |