Citroen C3 Aircross or Berlingo 5 PAX for 4 adults?

Are you sure you would get one of those as opposed to the standard rental car language of " or similar"
which may have a different configuration of space?

The C3 will be too small, the Berrlingo would be a better choice but are you guaranteed to receive those exact vehicles at collection?

What bags do you have? I've found the claims for luggage capacity often misleading. For four adult passengers I'd avaoid a compact or mini.

There are SO many gotchas to rental vehicles.

I agree that I should avoid a compact or mini. But is a C3 Aircross in that category? I would be OK with a car of the size of a Toyota Camry. Is a C3 Aircross similar in size to a Camry?

My wife and I will have 2 large check-in-size bags (~20 kg each) and 2 small backpacks (~10 kg each). I don't know what the other couple will bring - probably something similar.

Since we are getting a short-term lease, not a rental per se, I understand we get the exact vehicle specified. The language on the AutoEurope site says "We guarantee your model of choice. "

Ah, you didn't mention you'll be leasing, in which case if AutoEurope state that they guarantee your model of choice then go by that. I can't compare the C3 to a Toyota Camry as I have no experience of one however having looked at pictures online I would suggest that it's larger than a C3 and certainly has more boot capacity. With the C3 I would imagine that you might just about fit you and your wife's luggage in, if your friends are bringing similar then you can forget about it, in fact you may struggle to find a car that would comfortably accommodate all that luggage. The Berlingo might manage the luggage but bear in mind that you may have to remove the parcel shelf which exposes your luggage to opportunistic thieves.

Personally I wouldn't choose either car but in the circumstances you're in, including the amount of luggage then I would opt for the Berlingo. I'm not sure what your friend means when describing the ride as being like a pickup truck, I've not ridden in many but a decent, new pickup should drive no diferently than most new cars within reason. Neither the C3 or Berlingo are going to have much oomph so the drive factor isn't going to matter much, I'd focus more on space particularly with four adults in the car.

So you are looking for a vehicle that can roughly fit four full-sized suitcases and 4 backpacks or daypacks?

A Camry has 15 cubic ft trunk(boot)

The luggage you describe 4 checked bags of 26" or larger (?) and a 10 kg 2nd bag. (which describes my 21" rolling carry on) I doubt would fit

You may want to do a test fit and what volume of space your bags fill and make sure the car you reserve has that storage space plus a bit extra to allow for some unusable space

We leased a Berlingo last summer. Since it’s more boxy, had plenty of room for all our luggage we brought with for our move to Italy. Two large suitcases, 2 carryon in rollers, two backpacks, and a few other smaller loose pieces.