Starting a new thread as I have been reading car rental advice here - first trip to Ireland, renting a VW Touran (or "similar") for 5 adults to trek around for a week. Three passengers are gals and we tend to pack more than the guys do - looking at pictures of the "boot" space and find that we will have "743" liters of storage space - I found a diagram of measurements as well but not sure how to figure that out with the boot cover that can be used to cover up the luggage. Anyone rent a VW Touran (or "similar") lately?? Diagram I found (not even sure if its for the Irish version of the Touran) appears to me that its 1269 wide (but is that from window to window or base to base?) and 1139 from 2nd row of seats back to the hatch? I also do not know what year van they will have available or even if we will get a Touran. Rental car website shows 7 passengers and 3 luggage icons. Thanks for any advice!!
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
11178 posts
For reference/comparison, a Toyota Rav4 is 5 inches longer and the same width as a VW Touran---(overall exterior dimensions)
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23267 posts
The luggage is the question. It would be very tight with five adults and five carry on size bags. Might tuck in the corners a couple of small shoulder bags. The other concern is "similar." The similar could be smaller but still hold five adults. If you have more than one carry on size bag each, you need something bigger or willing to have luggage on your lap. And the space is not completely square as wheel wells intrude into the storage area. Visit you local VW dealer.
Posted by
Denver
787 posts
I have very specific recent experience with our rental of a VW Touran in Spain; we were traveling the 2nd week of May. It was me and my parents; my mother and I had 22" pieces of luggage, and my father had a 25" bag. I also had a small duffle bag (size of a backpack) with some extra stuff, and my mom had a crossbody bag/purse.
When I travel with my husband, we rent one size smaller than the VW Touran, but I thought my 80yo father and 78yo mother would appreciate the extra room for themselves and luggage.
I obsessed about the vehicle size because I wanted something small enough to easily drive on the small roads in the countryside, but roomy enough for my parents.
We had more than enough room for our three bags and could close the hatchback with the cover over it, so our bags couldn't be seen from the outside. I'm not sure that a 4th bag could have fit in back, though it probably could have if all 4 bags were 22". In terms of driving, I would have rather had the smaller vehicle, but this size worked fine for driving. Also, if my parents had the ancillary gear that my grown children have, I'm not sure that would have all fit in the back with the cover over it.
I would definitely NOT want to try to fit five adults in a VW Touran, with or without their luggage.
Posted by
OP
Chicago
7 posts
thanks to all who replied - visiting a VW dealer is a great idea and I appreciate the input from lexma who actually rented a touran...Will see what we can do, leaving on the 10th of June!!
Posted by
OP
Chicago
7 posts
Watching Youtube videos about the boot space is very helpful, just wanted to pass that along to the next traveler trying to pack! Also found a drawing with measurements of the boot space on google images which is exactly what I needed. Just hope we actually get the Touran when we arrive!
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32745 posts
please write a report when you return so we can learn how it worked out
Posted by
OP
Chicago
7 posts
Here is my rental car report - we got the "similar" instead of a Touran and they had to scramble to find us an automatic! (even though we reserved one) We rented a VW Caddy which may have been bigger than the Touran. We managed 4 suitcases (for 5 adults), 1 was size 28 (?), a 26x18 size suitcase and two 22 inch cases. Our 20 year old son sat in the 3rd row seat with the 2 small suitcases and the two larger ones went in the boot and we fit our assorted backpacks and carry ons where we could. He was a good sport about climbing out. My husband did the driving and the car rental agent just gave him the keys and off we went with no advice or direction! Used google maps on our phones to get around - a couple times we had calls come in and it knocked the bluetooth out of course when we were out on country roads and by the time we figured out how to get the bluetooth back on (as you just cannot hear the directions from the phone itself when driving, kind of an issue with the APP) we would be re-routed thru back country roads, the long way but we did get to see the beautiful countryside that way and some towns we would otherwise not have seen. Lost a hubcap somewhere too!!
Posted by
akron, ohio
503 posts
Four of us (all women) rented a Touran a few years ago. We loved the car and had no problem with luggage space. Having said that, I think it will be a bit difficult with five adults on board. We did use the space between the two in the back seat for odds and ends. I don't imagine it will be very comfortable with three in the back seat and that 5th piece of luggage.......not sure how it will fit.
Posted by
1412 posts
Op..... it is the job of 20 yr olds to crawl out of tight spaces ;) he probably liked having his own corner