Suggestions for vehicle for big and tall people

Forums › Transport (cars, bikes and boats) › Suggestions for vehicle for big and tall people

1in7000

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#272560 1-Jul-2020 17:58

Hi,
I’m looking for a roomy vehicle for family (4 seater) and need help finding something.
Both Hubby and son are extra big sized so we need generous seats with room to spread (if you know what I mean). Also it is preferable that the central console, glove box, door consoles won’t be uncomfortably tight and seat belts won’t be digging into the hip. We also need head room. We’ve tried lots of cars today where heads are right up against the roof and the legs are cramped and uncomfortably bent.

We have been driving a Toyota Camry 2005 which was just right size-wise but this is needing to be replaced. We tried newer Camrys but there is less room in the newer versions. We’ve tried Toyota Vanguard, Toyota Corolla wagon, Toyota Highlander, Nissan Dualis, Nissan Skyline, Nissan Fuga.

They don’t want a van. I drive a Nissan Elgrand and there isn’t enough leg room for them to be comfortable.

The best fit so far is Rav-4 but I am used to better visibility than this gives so I am concerned they will have an accident.

My budget was originally $15,000 but after looking around, I will spend $25,000 if need be.

If anyone has suggestions I would be extremely grateful.

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3340 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2515863 1-Jul-2020 18:32

What generation of Toyota highlander did you try? Current shape has a lot of room.

In general euro and American brand cars are better for tall people than Asian brands. Obvious exception is Asian brand models designed to serve the american market like the toyota highlander.

Do you need to fit large people in the back as well? Or just the front two seats?

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1in7000

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2515867 1-Jul-2020 18:43

Hi Scott3,
I didn’t take note of the year of the Highlander unfortunately. It was quite expensive despite being older though.

I probably can’t afford anything too new as these are expensive.

The vehicle needs to fit 4 large people. The 2 at the back won’t be as tall or large though.

Thanks for your reply. I will try to make notes next time I go out looking as there are size differences between generations of the same model.

scuwp

3764 posts

Uber Geek

#2515877 1-Jul-2020 19:09

Kia Sportage or Sorento? Hyundai Santa Fe?

I think you will find more space in an SUV style...

Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity - Robert J Hanlon

Stu1

1333 posts

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#2515879 1-Jul-2020 19:15

What about a 2015 ford falcon great space will be a collectors item one day https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/ford/auction-2684424170.htm

tchart

2299 posts

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#2515880 1-Jul-2020 19:18

We went through a similar exercise. Ended up with an LDV T60 Ute. It had the most leg room in the rear. We looked at several SUVs etc but none of them had reasonable leg room. I'm 6 4ish and my two boys are about to pass me so we needed something with leg room. We even looked at the bugger SUVs like the outlander. Same problem.

We had the previous shape Kia Sportage, 2010 model, which wasnt too bad. The newer shape is less roomy in my experience.

RunningMan

7972 posts

Uber Geek

#2515881 1-Jul-2020 19:19

Perhaps add the Ford Territory to your list. Haven't been made since 2016, but plenty second hand around. Pretty comfortable for 3 adults in the back as they are quite wide.

Dingbatt

6421 posts

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#2515888 1-Jul-2020 19:43

I’m surprised you found the newer Camrys had less space than your 2005, which I assume was an XV30. I have an XV50 model Camry, which replaced my Maxima. Both vehicles were designed for the American market and are spacious enough for 4 (US) large adults.

The latest model Camry (XV70) is a different story, particularly in the front, where the designers decided to go for a cockpit style for the drivers position. It’s a shame, in my view, that there are fewer and fewer large sedans available, for those of us that want a family sized vehicle but don’t want an suv.

And why manufacturers insist on putting sun roofs in their top models, thereby reducing headroom, goodness only knows.

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996

1in7000

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2515925 1-Jul-2020 22:16

Hi,
Thanks so much for all your suggestions. I’ve got some great ideas of what next to look at.

Scott3

3340 posts

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#2515937 1-Jul-2020 23:37

Current highlander shape came out in 2014. There is only one at $25k on trademe, but a bunch around $28k. Had one as a rental and found it spacious.

Spec wise these are ment to have heaps of room (Infinity QX70 for $24k): https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/infiniti/auction-2608085927.htm

Could go for an older luxury car, like a Toyota Crown or Lexus LX

https://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=2613565874

https://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=2678217174

1in7000

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2515998 2-Jul-2020 09:38

I’ve added these cars to my list to look at. Thanks so much.

MikeAqua

7623 posts

Uber Geek

#2516002 2-Jul-2020 09:53

I am reasonably broad framed and quite tall above the waist - equivalent to a 6 foot 6 inch tall person in terms of headroom requirement, when sitting down (actually only 6 feet tall). I have been quite overweight at times (up to 42 inch waist).

I found our 2004 Pajero really good. The 2020 version is a bit more snug in the front seats. I used to own a Primera which was really comfy and have a Mazda 3, which is also great.

Mike

Earbanean

724 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2516028 2-Jul-2020 10:48

scuwp:

Kia Sportage or Sorento? Hyundai Santa Fe?

I think you will find more space in an SUV style...

I actually find that not the case. I'm 6'6" and we have 2010 Santa Fe and a Mk6 VW Golf. I find the the seat, leg room etc not great in the Santa Fe, but have heaps of space in the Golf. In the Golf, I don't even have the seat all the way back - which I do in the Santa Fe.

That all relates more to my height, rather than 'width', but I would guess they're correlated. I think it's more that the Golf is German, rather than Korean, so has more driver room, even if it's a smaller car over all.

Rikkitic

Awrrr
17254 posts

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#2516029 2-Jul-2020 10:49

If all else fails, try a traditional London cab. They are extremely roomy and I'm sure you could import one.

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Dairyxox

1591 posts

Uber Geek

#2516040 2-Jul-2020 11:11

BMW 7 series. There is a lot of room in the back, and its not cramped up front either.

There are some second hand 730/740 on trademe in your budget. Check them out.

Dugimodo

168 posts

Master Geek

#2516080 2-Jul-2020 11:18

I'm 6'6" and 140kg and I find it entirely random what cars I can fit in comfortably. If it was only the front seats you'd have plenty of options, but good luck sitting behind me in most cars. Really just go to a car yard and start sitting in things, that's the only way to really know.

Remember when testing that many modern car seats don't just go forward and back, there's often a lever that will pump the seat up and forward or down and back which is the only thing that lets me drive a lot of cars.

I wish I'd kept my 2002 camry, reliable comfortable car with plenty of space. I can easily fit in a corolla but find commodores a bit restricted, it's really weird what works and what doesn't. Even a Yaris has enough space in the drivers seat but would be way to small for 4 people.

I tried an outlander and it seemed fairly roomy, but I didn't like how it drove. Probably just me not liking SUVs though.

A weird issue for tall drivers is the roof line blocks your vision upward making it hard to see overhead lights at intersections, maybe keep this in mind too.

Currently I own a toyota corolla Rumion, odd shaped little car but great head room and I have to lean forward to adjust the mirror :) I also have a nissan leaf and fit in that just fine. I never sit in the back of my cars though and mostly drive alone.

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