Car big enough for luggage for 4?

Four adults and luggage can be a problem even with a standard Am sub compact. You might get by if each has only one carry bag a piece. You might check to see if that model is available in the US -- the Ford focus -- and go take a look at it. Call a Ford dealer. They should be able to get the specs for you. But am guessing the cheapest would be too tight.

Two things to keep in mind when renting a car in Italy. Most are standard shift and not automatic and don't drive in Florence. Florence has restricted zones with cameras that will get your rear license plate. Hard to avoid in Florence.

I would always advise to take the trains if available. However, when renting a car, it is always an option to upgrade or upsize upon arrival. Look at the car you've rented and try to squeeze your luggage into the trunk. If it just won't fit then go back to the counter and tell them you need something larger. But be careful about getting a large vehicle in Italy. Roads can be tiny and parking non-existent.

Notker, I have an Astra convertible (less boot size that the sedan)and four would manage luggage if you kept to 'soft'bags, not too large. Perhaps visit a car showroom?? I always use a rolling duffle type thing. LLBean has them,as with any decent store catering to backpackers, travellers and the intrepid. Pack light and be prepared for your hand lugggage - courier bags or whatever, to be with you in the car. Don't leave visible luggage when you park anywhere, and remember to push the side mirrors in when you park too, when in a town. They can get whacked. Have fun.

Try to get a wagon. A compact/midsize wagon will offer more room for luggage than a 4 door sedan of that size.

I'm not sure what mature is. I'm with Peter Pan. :-)

My choice would be the Zafira, S-Max or Scenic. They are taller cars with better legroom in the back and more luggage space. For the more mature, they are easier to get in and out of, and the additional height means you have a better view of the countryside.

Externally, they are about the same size as the Astra and Focus, just taller. They are as easy to drive, although they tend to roll a bit more. We have a Citroen Picasso, which is a similar design.

If you test models on Autoeurope's website, they're pretty accurate about illustrating how many adults and how much luggage each model will hold. Remember, though, you're not assured to get the exact model of car you reserve - just a car in that class.

I would try to get a sedan - no smaller than the Renault Laguna - so that you can safely store the luggage in the trunk and not a visible hatchback.

Also, get a diesel.

Hubby and I had an Opel Astra SW. Since hubby was on military leave he had to have uniform stuff with him in addition to his travel clothes. I also ended up buying a suitcase while I was in Rome. I bought lots of stuff and I had my hubby's cold weather sweater and some other clothes for him.

Anyway, we had a 25in suitcase and a military duffle bag his huge backpack and my carry on in the way back, also think we had another small bag with us I can't remember off the top of my head. If you each have a carry on plus a small personal item every thing should fit. You might have to be patient the first time you pack it to figure out how to fit it. If you all are heavy packers, you might want a bigger car. I enjoyed driving the car. It was alittle slow on the Autobahn but it was comfy and enjoyable.

Oh yeah, the back had a cover on it so you couldn't see in to the hatchback.

I called AutoEurope (phone number on their website; they are in Maine) regarding an upcoming rental in Europe. They were able to tell me the cubic feet of cargo space of all of the models I was considering. Good luck!

Hi Notker, The Alfa 159 will work for your travels. We have traveled with four adults and too much luggage in a Renault Laguna (the same class of car). But with a little creative packing, we got it all in and the hatch lid closed. Consider taking a couple of "ratchet straps" available at hardware shops and motorcycle shops. Then if necessary you can tie a bag or two on the top. Many Europeans do this when they go on holiday. We were on the motorway from Lyon to Avignon on the first Saturday of July (not a good day to travel) and every second car had something tied on the roof. Have a look at http://www.alfa159.com/ for information.

Four adults with luggage. How much luggage?

We leased a seven passenger car (Renault Grand Scenic II on our last big trip to Europe). We had two adults and three kids, age 16, 12 and 8. Each of us had only one carry on. The car was about right for us. It would have been cramped if we had bigger people or more luggage.

Make sure you get a big enough car. Most Euro cars are very small by our standards. I can't imagine you enjoying your trip if you have luggage on your lap.

A Ford Focus would be a stretch even with one carry on each. It wouldn't work at all if you have two pieces each. The station wagon suggestion is a good one. Keep in mind leaving visible luggage in your parked car is courting disaster.

The Ford Mondeo is a good suggestion, especially if you can get it in the hatchback or wagon version. We loved the wagon...it had plenty of room for 4 adults and luggage, and was a comfortable drive. If the rental firm doesn't specifically list the Mondeo, e-mail or call them, and ask them for a list of comparable vehicles (specifying hatchback or wagon) and they should be able to tell you which other European models would be in the same rental class.

Having just done that with 4 women and luggage AND negotiating tight parking spaces in a Ford Mondeo wagon (longer than the Focus), I recommend going with the Focus station wagon. We could have done it with that and had less trouble parking the thing. Unless you are changing hotels every night, your luggage won't spend a lot of time in the car anyway. I saw the Focus SW several times while there so I know that it would have worked.

We rented a ford focus in Italy last year for 4 adults.It was very comfortable(im 6foot 1 in)to drive and ride in.We had limited luggage and we wanted everything in the trunk and it fit.I have also rented a Ford Mondeo and that also was good.We also rented a Nissan Primera and that was Ok also.

As I posted before, the Ford Mondeo is very difficult to park in the parking garages (unless you get lucky and find a garage with several empty spaces side-by-side). I would seriously consider the Focus SW instead. Also regarding luggage in the SW, the car rental companies are a step ahead on that and have dark tinted windows in that area so that no one can see that there is anything in there. They also usually have a cover you can pull over the luggage. As long as everyone packs light, the smaller station wagon should work just fine.

Actually, the new Focus is a bit wider than the Mondeo in all versions...with the mirrors in the proper positions, they're the same width. The difference comes in Mondeo's bigger internal space for back seat passengers, and for cargo in the hatchback and wagon versions.

Norm,

The width wasn't the issue. It was the length. The Mondeo has a very long turning radius which makes backing and filling to get into a parking space extremely difficult. I managed, with much cursing and lots of help from the passengers, but would rather have had a shorter car. Well, I managed until the last day we had the car. Still waiting to find out if we owe anything for the scraped left front quarter panel. At least it was a wall and not another car that I brushed against.

Yes, you do have to back and fill a lot in European parking garages. But for 4 adults and luggage, personally, I think that's a small price to pay for the extra room.

I think one other thing is important and that is the shape of the luggage.If you have bags that are soft sided they fit better then hard side.Bags with wheels take more room them Steves carry bag.We had no problem fitting in two Steves wheeled bags and four soft sided carry on pieces .This was a Ford Focus.

The Astra is large enough for four people with luggage, we owned one and did road trips with my parents and everything fit.