Ford Escape or Chevy Impala with luggage?

[MELSMICE]

We are driving from Orlando to Ft. Myers. There are 5 of us.

Any opinions on the better choice for a vehicle.........either a Ford Escape or a Chevy Impala? Either way I know it will be a tight squeeze. The Escape says 2 large pieces of luggage & 3 small. The Impala says 2 large pieces & 3 small.

My brother will be with us in a separate vehicle & we may be able to put 1 or 2 pieces of luggage in his car.

Opinions on what vehicle...........

 

[Thumper4me]

My office has a 2008 Chevy Impala for a work vehicle. One of the reasons it was purchased was because it could hold five people comfortably and there was plenty of trunk space. Now, we don't drive to Florida from Ohio but it is a roomy vehicle.

Good luck!!

Kelly

 

[skiingfast]

I would bet the Impala is bigger.

I would try to guess how big your luggage is. Hard sided suitcases can be a pain and there is not much room behind the seat on an Escape.

A trunk can be nice too, for concealing what you have with you.

 

[MELSMICE]

I would bet the Impala is bigger.

I would try to guess how big your luggage is. Hard sided suitcases can be a pain and there is not much room behind the seat on an Escape.

A trunk can be nice too, for concealing what you have with you.

We have all soft sided or duffles.

 

[cepmom]

the Impala is supposed to have a huge trunk...I booked a full size with Avis over the summer for that reason (also 5 of us) but when we got there the only full size they could give us was a Kia something or other. I would compare it to a Honda Accord or Toyota Camry size. We were still able to fit our bags (1 large and 1 medium suitcase, 1 duffle and several carry on tote bags)Just be aware that they may not have the Impala available and it may be some other fullsize vehicle instead

 

[torquelover]

Are the "5" all adults or a couple of adults with kids? No way I would want to be one of 5 adults crammed into an Escape. Still might be a little tight width wise in the back seat of the Impala, but it's doable.

 

[MELSMICE]

Are the "5" all adults or a couple of adults with kids? No way I would want to be one of 5 adults crammed into an Escape. Still might be a little tight width wise in the back seat of the Impala, but it's doable.

It's my DH, myself & our 3 girls that are 21, 18 & 18. They are not big girls, but they are adults.

 

[honeymo78]

I have a Mariner (the Mercury version of the Escape, exact same interior dimensions). We just returned from driving it to Disney (4 adults). In the back we fit 2 large suitcases (28/29 inch) and 2 medium suitcases (25 inch) plus 2 backpacks, a camera bag and a messenger bag. Of course there was only a little space to see out of the back but with the rearview camera it was just fine.

Another person in the backseat would have been tight as we aren't small - but some teens that aren't too tall would be okay.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Just be aware that they may not have the Impala available and it may be some other fullsize vehicle instead

VERY good point. This is something that should not be forgotten, when making a reservation, in most cases you are reserving a class, not a specific style vehicle (ignoring make/model reservable cars from Hertz, Budget which are more specialized/luxury/sports). Additionally, there is always a risk, they may need to downgrade, or upgrade you and what they consider an upgrade may not be one (it may offer less space).

 

[figment_jii]

I had an Impala on my last rental and I think the car could fit '5' normal sized adults without to much discomfort (or at least as much discomfort the person in the middle seat normally experiences).

The trunk was huge (bigger than my Camry - I think). When it was empty except for one bag, I had to climb into the trunk to get it out (I'm about 5'1"). I'm pretty sure that several duffles and softsides could fit. Hard sides might be more of a problem because they don't squish.