Rental Luggage Capacity Question?

[field4kids]

When looking at rental cars for our Orlando trip, I had a question about the luggage capacity specified at the rental sites. Are these conservative estimates of what can fit? They seem really low.

For instance, a Ford Escape SUV says 5 passengers and 3 pieces of luggage. An Impala says 5 passengers and 4 pieces of luggage.

We'll have 4 people probably 3 carry-on size suitcases plus 2 larger suitcases.

What have other's experiences been with rentals and what fits?

 

[disneydiz]

You will all fit in the Escape, but not sure abou the Impala -- because its a car (as opposed to an SUV).

 

[field4kids]

That's what I thought but just seemed strange they would rate an Impala as having more luggage capacity than an Escape (or other mid-size SUV).

 

[francie57]

We rented a mid-size SUV last year and we had three large suitcases and one carry-on bag plus backpacks and we had all we could do to get the large suitcases in the back. We went with a full size SUV this year and it was great (actually got the full size from Alamo for $300 and the mid-size was much more). As far as the Impala, they have large trunk spaces so that is probably why they are more luggage count wise. The biggest problem we had with the mid-size SUV was that the 29" suitcases had to go in side way since they were too big to close the back the other way.

 

[field4kids]

Yeah, I think we'll go with the full-size SUV so that everything isn't so cramped.

How did you get that rate?? Everything I've looked at has the full-size SUV for between $500-$600 for a week (7 full days).

 

[goofy4tink]

Used to own an Escape. We have one rented for our Oct trip....four adults, 4 carryon bags, and most likely, 2 or 3 checked bags. Not concerned about enough room... I guess that if you wanted to just put in 3 checked bags, without loading anything else on top of them, then yeah, only enough room for 3. But, we've had much more than that in our Escape and it was just fine.