*Updated for 2022*
So, you have arrived at your destination. Luggage and family in tow, you locate the correct car hire supplier, hand over your details and are given the keys to your holiday hire car, simple! The only thing left to do is embark on a life-size game of Tetris. We’ve all been there. Faced with a vehicle you may have overestimated in size you now have two options:
- You accept the challenge and neatly pack your suitcases, handbags, backpacks, and beach ball into your vehicle. Oh, and the other passengers.
- You upgrade to a larger car at a potentially inflated price.
Neither is ideal. However, it doesn’t have to be this stressful! Always check up on the rental car luggage capacity before booking.
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Understand your needs | Car rental extras | What are the different sizes of rental cars? | Book the right rental car for your needs now
Understand your needs
The first thing you should know is that hire vehicles are grouped into categories: economy, small family, estate / small MPV, large family, people carrier / large MPV, executive, jeep / SUV, and coupe / cabriolet. They are not priced by make or model. Secondly, to ensure you book the right vehicle for your needs you need to consider these key factors.
Location: If you are going to be based in a town or city a smaller car that is easier to park will be more practical. On the other hand, if you are heading further afield to somewhere more rural then you may want to consider a larger car with a bigger engine.
People & luggage: Whilst most cars typically seat 4-5 adults, some have limited boot space. If there are only 2 or 3 people travelling you may be able to use the back seat for extra luggage space. However, if all the seats are full you may need to plan to travel light or rent a larger car.
Budget: Everyone wants to save money on their hire car. So, it’s only natural you consider the overall cost of the type of vehicle you want to hire. If you’re on a budget check fuel types and select the more economical option.
Extras
Child Seats: If you are travelling with young children you must adhere to the local laws. If you require a child seat make sure you hire a car that can accommodate it on top of your head count and luggage.
Season/ climate: In the summer months your main concern will be air conditioning. It isn’t always guaranteed so make sure you check if it is specified. Travelling in snowy conditions? You may need snow chains or winter tyres and a car that is easy to handle in inclement conditions.
Top tip: If you are travelling to a winter resort remember to consider any sports equipment you may be taking with you. You are unlikely to fit your ski gear into an economy-sized vehicle.
Once you have taken these into account, match up your needs to the appropriate car categories within the booking quote results page!
What are the different sizes of rental cars?
Our luggage capacities are worked out using a medium-sized suitcase which has an average size of 68x44x27cm. With our filter tool, you can filter rental cars by how many seats they have, the category they reside in, any inclusions, and the rental car luggage capacity.
| Rental Car Category | Luggage Capacity & Passengers |
|---|---|
| Mini | 2-4 x seats & 1 x medium size suitcase |
| Economy | 2-5 x seats & 2 x medium size suitcase |
| Small Family | 5 x seats & 3 x medium size suitcase |
| Estate / Small MPV | 5 x seats & 3-5 x medium size suitcase |
| Executive | 5 x seats & 4 x medium size suitcase |
| Jeep / SUV | 4-8 x seats & 3-4 x medium size suitcase |
| Coupe / Cabriolet | 2-4 x seats & 1-2 x medium size suitcase |
| People Carrier / Large MPV | 7 x seats & 2-5 x medium size Suitcase |
| Large Family | 5 x seats & 4 x medium size Suitcase |
Mini
2-4 x seats & 1 x medium size suitcase
As the name suggests this is a very small car. They are best suited to one or two people and usually have just two doors. With limited boot space your luggage will need to be minimal. However, the small engine size makes these cars very budget friendly. If you just need a car to whizz round the immediate area, then these vehicles are perfect. They can also squeeze into nearly any parking space!
Example vehicle: Kia Picanto, Fiat 500
Economy
2-5 x seats & 2 x medium size suitcase
These cars can comfortably fit around two to four passengers and a tad more luggage. Economy vehicles are aptly named for their relatively low petrol costs. With small engines they won’t win a race but are ideal for shorter trips and will be easy to park. A great compromise between size and value!
Example vehicle: Opel Corsa, Renault Clio
Small Family
5 x seats & 3 x medium size suitcase
This type of car is a great choice for a family on a budget travelling shorter journeys. Whilst they can cope with longer journeys these cars are ideal for driving in city locations. They are easy to park and offer good fuel economy. Most small family cars feature air-conditioning but it is always best to check this in advance.
Example vehicles: VW Golf, Ford Focus
Estate / Small MPV
5 x seats & 3-5 x medium size suitcase
These vehicles have a large boot space and will fit at least 3 medium suitcases! Estates are perfect for families or medium groups with lots of luggage and equipment. Whether you’re packing up golf clubs for a round of golf or heading to the seaside with all your beach gear, an estate would be perfect for you. Most estate vehicles include air-conditioning.
Example vehicles: Ford Focus Estate, Skoda Octavia Estate
Executive
5 x seats & 4 x medium size suitcase
This choice will be perfect for those who want to travel in style! Executive vehicles offer a substantial amount of room for passengers and luggage whilst providing luxury comfort to relax you on your road trip. Whilst executive vehicles are certainly more lavish, they are less budget friendly. All executive cars include air conditioning.
Examples vehicles: Mercedes E-Class, BMW 5-Series
Jeep / SUV
4-8 x seats & 3-4 x medium size suitcase
These cars are typically better equipped for hilly and mountainous areas. They also tend to be fairly sizeable so your passengers and luggage will fit in the car comfortably. The amount of seats within an SUV can vary so make sure to check the booking quote before booking. Air conditioning is included within most of the cars within this category.
Example vehicles: Nissan Qashqai, Renault Captur
Coupe / Cabriolet
2-4 x seats & 1-2 x medium size suitcase
This category is ideal for a small number of people taking a road trip who want to soak up the nearby scenery.Also these cars are great for sightseeing, you will only be able to fit around 1 or 2 medium suitcases within the vehicle. However, sometimes sacrificing boot space for a convertible roof is worth it for the view!
Example vehicles: Fiat 500c, Ford Mustang Cabriolet
People Carrier / Large MPV
7 x Adults & 2-5 x Suitcases
People carriers provide extra space and therefore extra leg room. They are ideal for larger parties and big families, or smaller groups travelling with extra luggage. The back seats can be folded down to make extra boot space if you require room for more than two suitcases. These vehicles are often a popular choice for long journeys as the extra space ensures everyone’s comfort.
Example vehicle: Opel Vivaro, Renault Grande Scenic
Large Family
5 x Adults & 2 x Suitcases & 2 x Hand Luggage
With the space of a saloon or estate-sized vehicle and a bigger engine, these cars can comfortably handle longer journeys without anyone feeling cramped. They typically feature more boot space so are well-equipped to fit extra luggage. Whilst specifying a vehicle with a diesel engine will slightly improve the fuel economy, a car with a petrol engine is still considered budget friendly. Air-conditioning usually comes as standard with intermediate and standard sized vehicles.
Example vehicles: Skoda Octavia, VW Passat
Book the right hire car for your needs now
Now you’ve figured out which type of hire car will best suit you, get a quote for your next trip away now. If you want some ideas on how to travel light check out our holiday packing guide. Or for more travel tips and tricks take a look at our other travel guides.
Got any funny car hire stories? We’d love to hear them! Share them with us here, just leave a comment below.
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“Thanks for this insightful guide on choosing the right size car for different needs! It’s incredibly helpful to have such clear and practical advice when considering rental options. Your breakdown of vehicle sizes and their ideal uses makes the decision-making process much easier for travelers like myself. Keep up the great work!”
Thanks for the awesome article. Its really the best blog, Much obliged for the amazing article. Its actually the best blog ,that is extremely beneficial and interesting.
Hi,
We need a car that will comfortably accommodate 4 adults with 4 large suitcases & 4 carry-on, most cars seem to state only 3 large suitcases?
Hi Gaye,
This is a great question! We would advise in that case, to look for either an Estate or SUV. This category should give you enough space for your luggage.
If you have any further questions, please do get in touch with the team.
Thanks, Shaun.
does Germany require car seats for children under 2 years old?
Dear Edward,
Thank you for your query. Do you have any dates and times in mind for your rental in Germany? Prices vary depending on what time of year you wish to collect. Do you have a pick-up and drop-off location in mind as well? If you can let me know, I can advise you of the most suitable options. German law does require children up to the age of 12 to be secured in a suitable child seat or booster seat. You can either reserve the child seats with the car rental supplier, or take your own, which ever option you prefer.
Kind regards
Gemma
Economy Car Hire
I need a car rental which holds 4 adults and 2 children….what can you recommend?