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Rental car size in Spain: what's a supermini?

Rental car size in Spain: what's a supermini?

Old Jun 16th, 2013, 01:55 PM
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Rental car size in Spain: what's a supermini?

hello fellow travelers!

I am about to rent a car from Barcelona, to drive around the Costa Brava for 3 days. We are four (short, fit, slim) adults with a 21" rolling suitcase each. The less expensive cars are the Peugeot 107 or VW Polo, both of which are categorized as superminis - not a category we have in the US. (i used to have a Saab hatchback which was fine for us). Will we fit??

Thanks for the help!
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Old Jun 16th, 2013, 02:01 PM
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Doesn't your rental company show you on its website the make of car on offer, plus a cartoon of how many people will fit in the car along with how many pieces of luggage (large or small)?

If not, go to AutoEurope and use their website.

But in the end, what do you mean by "less expensive"? Divide the total cost for a large car vs. a mini car by 3 days and 4 adults. Ask your travel partners if they would be happy in the back seat so long as it saves them XX per day. (or per hour). Personally, I'd rather spend $5 or $10 more per day and buy fewer postcards than feel squished every time I go from point A to point B.
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Old Jun 16th, 2013, 02:05 PM
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Lol, I wish! It's my three kids and it's all my cost.

The suitcase limits they show seem unreasonable as certain cars list 4 people but only 1 suitcase and a briefcase. Does that make sense?

i've been looking at Sixt.com
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Old Jun 16th, 2013, 02:07 PM
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Peugeot 107 or VW Polo would be two small for you. You can seat four adults, but the trunk room will be too small for the amount of luggage you have.
You need at least small medium, such as Seat Toledo, Opel Astra, VW Golf and Ford Focus. Saabs would be large medium, such as Opel Insignia, Ford Mondeo and VW Passat,
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Old Jun 16th, 2013, 02:08 PM
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The peugeot is teensy. No way it would hold your luggage. The polo is a bit bigger but not big enough for 4 adults and 4 suitcases. They are really two passenger cars - or 4 w/ next to no luggage.

And yes, most any rental website will explain how many passengers/how much luggage each class will accommodate. And if not, just google and you will get all the info you need about any car/model.

IMO you would need to go up 2 classes (at least)
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Old Jun 16th, 2013, 02:20 PM
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thanks, i finally broke down and called suto europe...
a supermini is like a smartcar: room for humans but not stuff (i always joke that that's what is smart - you can't shop because there's no room.

we need a compact. thank you for your help.
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Old Jun 16th, 2013, 02:45 PM
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cheryl_b, if you're looking not for a small car but for a good deal I would recommend to consider www.economycarrentals.com. Company is a broker and provide really good rates. I personally booked renal with them twice in Madrid (rental company Sixt.com) for 2 weeks each time, with a good experience. Please note, you'll have a full insurance coverage with some exceptions (read terms carefully).
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Old Jun 16th, 2013, 03:25 PM
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In the super minis back seats are for children or packages.

Not only won;t 4 adults be comfortable but there won't be enough room for luggage. Think something like a smart car - or very large sneaker.
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Old Jun 16th, 2013, 04:46 PM
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LOL, as i said before:

a smartcar: room for humans but not stuff. that's why it's smart, no room for shopping!
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Old Jun 16th, 2013, 04:57 PM
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I'd echo earlier comments and say you should go up at least two sizes for that much luggage. It took me nearly 90 minutes to pick up a rental car in Seville once. Because nearly every person in front of me had to change to a larger size vehicle. We had 4 adults and barely fit our luggage in a large sedan (granted I think at least 2 people had larger suitcases than the ones you describe).
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Old Jun 16th, 2013, 06:29 PM
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great advice, everyone. that's why we post!
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Old Jun 16th, 2013, 07:25 PM
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You should consider a VW Passat at the very least. Large trunk, great fuel economy and easy to drive and park. Anything smaller means you will have your luggage sitting on your lap, difficult when trying to drive.
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Old Jun 16th, 2013, 11:02 PM
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In the us you often see similar models to us the Europe.
Here is the list in Wiki of what is classed as a supermini.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supermini
Now you can compare like for like.
You would perhaps classify them as Subcompact cars
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subcompact_car
To get you over this complex issue of various sectors have a read of wiki's interpretation of it all
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Categor...lassifications
Looking at the list of cars they have and without knowing dates etc i would suggest you go for
Opel Insignia but luggage could be tight.
Peugeot Partner might be better but you may not be able to cover your luggage. This will be fine if you are driving from one hotel to another and dropping off luggage then using the car for trips the rest of teh day.
The others will be too small for your luggage. Others are pricey!
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Old Jun 16th, 2013, 11:04 PM
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Sorry should ask I hope you can drive shift?
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Old Jun 17th, 2013, 02:19 PM
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Try Hertz website to compare cars and prices.

This is their spanish website.

http://www.hertz.es/rentacar/reservation/home
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Old Jun 17th, 2013, 08:02 PM
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thanks ribeirasacra! i can. if only i could teach my kids so i'm not always the only one driving, but i have an automatic. i well remember landing in costa rica and after watching the taxi driver shifting as a refresher course for ten minutes, found myself literally relearning as i was driving up the arenal volcano - in the fog...or the time i got lost trying to get back to perugia from the airport in rome...lol...plenty of stick shift adventures.
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Old Jun 18th, 2013, 03:55 AM
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>>>You need at least small medium, such as Seat Toledo, Opel Astra
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Old Jun 18th, 2013, 05:57 AM
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With 4 you want a mid-size---maybe a wagon as well.
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Old Jun 18th, 2013, 07:02 AM
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mini = small
super = VERY

super-mini = too small for four people plus bags
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Old Jun 18th, 2013, 07:15 AM
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We did 3 in a supermini Renault Clio, and we could have fit 4. In my opinion, these are well designed and can fit what the rental websites suggest. One thing to consider is travel. We had difficulty getting the luggage back cover to cover 3 22 in carryons so anymore means leaving it in the interior which would be a temptation for crooks.
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