Top Cars for City Dwellers

Sections: Awards | R56 (Coupe) Apr 16th, 2008 16 Comments

AOL Autos, via Forbes.com, has assembled a list of cars that would work very well for those of you living in large cities. But, unlike other lists of this type, they stuck primarily to the more upscale small cars, like the MINI Cooper.

But city dwellers want choices beyond the fuel-efficient subcompacts on the market. That includes comfortable vehicles with ample storage space, good road handling and good brakes.

The list, made up almost entirely of Japanes brands, naturally includes the MINI. Other cars on the list are the new Scion xB, Mazda 3 and Audi A3.

[ Ten Best Cars for City Dwellers ]

Written By: DB

16 Comments

Aurel Apr 16th, 2008 Link

as a current Mazda3 owner I am not sure I can reccomend it for “city” dwellers. fantastic car all around, trouble free and a great bang for the buck, but the gas consumption if you live in the city is horrendous. been getting on average 16-18mpg consistently. this is unaxceptable for a 4 cylinder car. bought it mostly because I needed something “bigger” than my old 03 MC, but will be back in a Clubman in a few months.

Jon Apr 16th, 2008 Link

Still kinda funny that the Mini turning radius is only surpassed on the list by the CRV. At a stated 37ft turning radius its a couple feet greater than most of the other cars.

Still no surprise, the Mini Cooper is a fantastic car and one that is a great city car. Having said that if I were honestly looking for a great city car I would go for a classic in a heartbeat.

VMMVMMM Apr 16th, 2008 Link

@Aurel, maybe it is because you have a Mazda, and not a Mazada. Never heard of the Mazada3, but apparently it is a great city car. :)

c4 Apr 16th, 2008 Link

Mazadas are great cars. Highly recommended for stick shift snobs.

zm Apr 16th, 2008 Link

i’ve noticed the same thing. the mini’s turning radius isn’t that great for a small city car. but, i assume that has to do w/ steering/suspension geometry & handling.

the longer wheelbase, rental 4-door sentra i had a few weeks back had a much tighter turning circle.

different beasts, but fsae & various formula cars also don’t have tight turning circles for the geometry & handling reasons.

c4 Apr 16th, 2008 Link

I am not sure if the turning radius has been improved in the new MINIs.

zm Apr 16th, 2008 Link

i would assume the steering & suspension geometry’s of the 53 & 56 are very similar–which would keep the 56’s turning circle large, as well.

DB Apr 16th, 2008 Link

The subtlety of letting me know there is was a typo is greatly appreciated.

I’d give one of those Mazadas a go. Especially if it came with automatic transmission! ;)

gokartride Apr 16th, 2008 Link

It seems to me more and more people are discovering MINIs. Once the initial hype/marketing subsided, I do think folks actually began discovering how good a car it really is. I find most folks are still surprised by the great mpg #s on the 2nd gen Coopers, though. In many ways this could bump it up on the list for many urbanites.

c4 Apr 16th, 2008 Link

I agree. I am very, very pleased with the city mileage of our Clubman S auto. 28-29 MPG is pretty common. This is for a car with just 1,200 miles.

dave Apr 16th, 2008 Link

how can the honda fit be left out of that?

Jon Apr 16th, 2008 Link

Guess it just wasn’t “Fit” for the list Dave ;)

c4 Apr 16th, 2008 Link

The Fit is a good car, but it is ugly and looks flimsy

Stuart Apr 16th, 2008 Link

Nice photo too. Those Park Lane R50s were pretty classy.

Gabe Apr 16th, 2008 Link

I was waiting for someone to notice that. I hijacked DB’s post and threw that photo this morning out of respect for the Park Lane MC I saw with a ticket this morning at Fulton and W Lake in Chicago.

c4 Apr 17th, 2008 Link

Long live the R50 and R53.

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