Full size car vs standard SUV

[bauzkraut]

I currently have reservations for full size car with Hertz and a standard SUV with Dollar. Does anyone know which will give me the most “people” room. We will be 5 adults with minimal luggage. Thanks in advance!

 

[Carol_]

I’d go with car. SUVs can be tight around the hips when you’re packed in.

 

[Akck]

I think it’s more a matter on whether you want to sit “down” in a full size car or sit “up” in a standard SUV. Likewise, you’ll need to stand “up” when exiting the car versus just sliding out or down from a SUV. Personally, I like that you can see better in a SUV with it being higher. Plus, you can stack more luggage in a SUV. The car may limit you to 3 bags in the trunk with any extra on the laps of the passengers in the back.

 

[_19disnA]

Always check the rental car website to see exactly what vehicles they consider in those categories since there is no standard on how things are named. Most of what you and I would consider 'midsize' the rental companies call 'full-size'. SUV generally gives you more interior room as well as a place for luggage, but again there are many different SUV's out there. Also depends on how much driving you will do. If only going to/from the airport, it doesn't matter as much if the vehicle is a bit cramped. If driving to the ocean, touring or going many other places, your group will be more comfortable in a larger vehicle.

 

[jec6613]

Always check the rental car website to see exactly what vehicles they consider in those categories since there is no standard on how things are named. Most of what you and I would consider 'midsize' the rental companies call 'full-size'.

And what the manufacturer calls compact, rental companies call, "Full size," nowadays.

That being said, assuming it's an apples to apples (e.g. Ford Fusion and Ford Edge, or Ford Focus and Ford Escape) the room inside is functionally identical. True truck-based SUVs nowadays are basically the Ford Bronco, Chevy Suburban, Ford Expedition, Jeep Wrangler, and a few derivatives - the rest are all just crossovers, AKA station wagons with a lift kit (not meant derisively, I like mine a lot!)

That being said, rental companies lie much more about SUV size than they do sedan size, because the newer boxier back means that you can theoretically cram more suitcases into it, and suitcase capacity and number of seatbelts are how they measure things on their website. For instance, standard SUV is most likely a Ford Escape or Chevy Equinox, both of which are compact station wagons, while a full size car is the substantially larger Toyota Camry, Ford Fusion, or Chevy Malibu, with half a foot or more legroom and hiproom in the back.

 

[decheez]

As others have said, it depends on the model. I'm pretty sure the last SUV we rented in Florida was a standard size and it was a Kia Sportage. It was very squishy in the back with 3 adults. We fit, but not well and were very crammed in. I'm glad we didn't have far to drive or it would have been very uncomfortable.