jet29

We are planning a trip to France and we will be using a car to travel around for 3 weeks.

We are considering the following models:

Peugeot 307 or 407
Renault Megane or Laguna

What is the nearest model equivalent in size and trunk space to North American models?

Thank you

jet29

Michael

We had a 307 two years ago. It was fine for four adults, so if you are only two, it will be more than enough. I prefer a car one size smaller, but we travel light (two 22 in. suitcases)

Wayne

I don't like to be a nit-picker, but all those cars have an equivalent in one or more North American models. Maybe you forgot to state which North American type of car you are referring to.

Anyway, if there are only two of you, any of those cars should be OK. I like a car with a little more room, so I would probably pick the Peugeot 407. But as Michael said, for two of you the 307 is probably big enough---unless you have an awful lot of luggage.

I'm assuming you are aware that you can go to the web site of the auto rental company and get information on the size and typical luggage capacity of all those cars. Good luck.

Underhill

We've had the Renault Laguna several times and liked it quite a lot. It's quite roomy and has good luggage space.

m_kingdom2

407 is larger than 307.

As for "trunk space", if they're only the two of you, assuming you have two huge cases, virtually any car with folding rear seats will take your luggage.

MorganB

The 407 was just released this month and is a lovely car. I would go for that as it will be more comfortable for longer drives.

jet29

Thank you all for your comments.

Wayne:

Perhaps I didn't make my question clear enough but what I'm asking is this: is the 407 or Laguna in the same class and capacity as...let's say...a Malibu, Gallant, Camry, etc., and the 307 or Megane equivalent to a Cavalier, Ford Focus?

We will be travelling with 2 suitcases-with wheels (21x31x11-54cmx79x29 and 18x27x10-47cmx68x26)and we'll be requiring a car with enough trunk space and a locking trunk such as in a sedan.

Thank you.

jet29

MorganB

You are spot on with your comparisons. The 307, Megane and Laguna are all hatchbacks. The 407 has a trunk.

Wayne

Luggage with the largest dimension of 31 inches is, in my opinion, HUGE. You'll need a 407 and you still might not be able to get two pieces that size into the trunk. Good luck.

jet29

Thank you all again for your comments, which are greatly appreciated.

Wayne:
Actually, the 2 suitcases we are using are rated 30" and 26" and are uprights with built-in wheels-type. We know from past experience that they will fit into '03 Gallant and Malibu. I'll probably be looking more towards the Laguna or a 407 for this trip.

In as far as your other comment about finding info. on the Net, it could be very confusing i.e. some sites will rate the trunk capacity of the Peugeot 307 as 341dm and another one as 420dm. I prefer to ask this type of question on a travel site i.e. Fodors in the hope of being provided with the proper answer from seasoned travellers.

Thanks you,

jet29

jet29

MorganB

BTW, the 307 is available as a 5-doors and the Megane as a 4-doors sedan

jet29

talexander

We had a Laguna wagon last summer- an upgrade that we did not request but appreciated the more we drove. Lots of luggage space for a family of four and still fairly easy to manouvre. It might be more than you need, but I don't think you can go wrong with a Laguna!

BTilke

We have a Laguna and it's a four door hatchback, full size by Euro standards (I think it's comparable to a Taurus). The hatch/trunk locks and has a cover which keeps things out of sight.
The 307 is a nice little car, definitely smaller, but very popular; I don't recall off hand if the hatch has a cover. The 407, as stated, is a new model, a sedan. We saw our first one on the road last Friday. It looks very nice. Peugeot, by the way, has been running some extremely clever and funny ad campaigns lately.
The 407 or Laguna are closer in size to a typical American car. The Megane (or Scenic, which is a slightly sportier car built on the Megane platform) is fine but it doesn't have an American counterpart.
Getting a diesel will save you considerably on fuel costs.

melr

Go for the Laguna. The 407 looks like a basking shark:

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/picture...11384.jpg?1410

http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/Galler...mouth2copy.JPG

MorganB

melr, thats a prototype for a coupe. It is not the final car.

Jet29, yes right forgot about the trunk version of the Megane. I guess if you want to be precise the 307 comes in 3 and 5 door variants, a station wagon, as well as a 2 door hardtop convertible. The Megane come in 3, 4 and 5 doors, a station wagon and a hardtop convertible.

I was more thinking what you would probably see at a rental location. Of course if you are getting a Eurodrive lease then you could probably get any of them.

BTilke

I passed by a few 307s on the way home and they do have a cover for the hatchback. However, the hatch/trunk area is considerably smaller than in the Laguna, 407 (4 door model) or Megane. I don't know if you could fit two full size suitcases in it but I'm sure it wouldn't take two full size suitcases and two carry-ons. So if you want to keep everything hiden while you're journeying from hotel destination to hotel destination, go for the bigger car (unless you're traveling light).