08:18 18-02-2026

ADAC rates city usability for cars: top picks and tips

Discover the ADAC city usability rating for cars, highlighting top electric models like Renault Twingo E-Tech and factors like turning radius for urban driving.

The German automobile club ADAC has released a city usability rating for cars. The evaluation considered turning radius, body length and width, all-around visibility, and fuel or energy consumption in urban driving cycles. The data is based on ADAC Autotest results.

The compact electric Renault Twingo E-Tech achieved the best score with a rating of 1.9. Second place went to the Honda e (2.0), and third to the Smart ForFour EQ (2.2). All three models are fully electric and belong to the small or microcar segment.

Experts point out that a short wheelbase contributes to a small turning radius. In some cases, rear-wheel drive is used, which allows for a greater front-wheel turning angle and improves maneuverability.

At the opposite end of the ranking are larger vehicles. Last place, with a score of 5.1, was shared by the Ford Ranger Raptor and VW Amarok pickups. The BMW 7 Series showed a nearly identical result at 5.0. The reasons cited are large dimensions and limited wheel turning angles, especially in all-wheel-drive models.

ADAC recommends considering your intended use scenario before buying and checking maneuverability during a test drive. In heavy traffic, compact electric city cars can save time, money, and stress. The club also notes a reduction in the model lineup for the small segment and rising prices for such vehicles.