My husband and I are planning to rent a car in Orvieto in May for a couple of days. The two automatic choices are: Fiat 500L and Jeep Cherokee. The Fiat is less expensive - of course we'd rather go that way. But, my husband is rather large - 6'5" and not thin - think lumberjack or aging NFL lineman. There are a number of cars in the U.S. that he can't fit into and still drive. We cannot locate that model Fiat anywhere within at least 200 miles of us, so we can't "try it on". Which car should we reserve?
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
We found the Fiat 500L big enough for three or four adults, plus luggage, but none of us is over 6'. Hopefully someone will suggest a comparison. You may have to park the Jeep and do some walking if you are going into towns with really narrow streets (where people park partially on the narrow sidewalks).
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
15269 posts
The 500L is rather spacious. Probably more so than a VW Golf. Can he fit in a VW Golf?
I would not recommend a Cherokee. That's too large for the streets you will be driving on. Tuscany and Umbria are not Kansas. Roads are narrower than the typical American highway and town streets so narrow that you will get stuck between the walls like the Vacation movie with Chevy Chase. If a Golf is too small go for something a bit bigger but not a Cherokee or any large SUV
Posted by
4558 posts
Also, the Cherokee is not very spacious inside despite being a big vehicle, at least for a tall person. Perhaps just taking the train and bus might be smarter and more comfortable.
Posted by
HENDERSON, Nevada, United States
91 posts
I am 6' 8" and 290 lbs, usually I rent a Ford C-max because they have so much room. Last October in Florence, all Hertz had was a Fiat 500L. I was very impressed with the amount of room and I was very comfortable. Lots of room for luggage also. The Fiat wold be my choice.
Posted by
Long Beach, California, USA
3391 posts
The Fiat is similar in size to a Mini Cooper - we had a Mini Cooper in Norway last summer and my 6'4" and 6'2" son and husband were quite comfortable...I would much rather have the smaller car on Italian roads in that region of Italy than a Jeep Cherokee!