swissquilter

We`re making a 12 day roadtrip this summer and for the first time will be travelling with 3 (our 13 year old nephew). We`re touring the National parks in Utah, plus Grand Canyon and Vegas. I envision us each having a medium suitcase and a carryon and am beginning to wonder what the best type of car would be to rent. There will be times when the luggage will be with us when we stop to sightsee so don`t want to have to leave anything in the backseat. Any suggestions?

JohnD

In my experience the Chrysler Sebring (e.g. Convertible) has the most trunk storage capacity, unless you want the most storage available in an full size SUV (e.g. Jeep Cherokee)

jenifer

My Mercury Sable (same platform as Ford Taurus, which is a commonly available full size rental) has waaaaay more trunk space than my MIL's Chrysler Sebring.

Though the Sebring is pretty good for a convertible in terms of trunk space, I'd guess any full size car will have bigger trunk space than any convertible, but could be wrong.

J_Correa

The Chrysler/Dodge cars have large trunks - Stratus, Intrepid, 300M, Contour. The Chevy Impalla is pretty roomy as well.

The Sebring trunk is very nice, but for a road trip through the west in summertime, I would not go with a convertible. You will want to have a hard top car that will protect you from the sun and hold in the cool air from the AC. Plus, the back seat on the Sebring convertible is not all that comfortable for long drives.

rjw_lgb_ca

I love my Sebring convertible, but I sure didn't buy it for trunk space. jenifer is right: If trunk space is a major consideration, go with a standard sedan. Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable duo are good in that regard; Chrysler Sebring sedan/Dodge Stratus sedan are also good. I'm currently renting a Chevy Impala (Sebring's being repaired), and it has a huge trunk; I wouldn't OWN one, but as a rental it's great. All of these have standard trunks-- no hatchbacks, so no one can simply peer into the back and see luggage.

easytraveler

Several times in 2003 I rented a mid-sized car from Alamo. The model that I ended up with had the most trunk space, more than even the full-sized models that I've rented.

Can't remember the name - never do, a car's a car's a car. It had a funny snub trunk hood, could have been the Grand Am.

plummie

We've rented Intrepids (Dodge?) a couple of times and been very pleased with the trunk space - got 2 golf club bags plus large suitcase plus a couple of small cases. Driving an old ('94) Le Baron convertible and will be in the market for a new one this spring - looks like the Sebring has the most trunk space of any convertible, but we really wish somebody would make a 2 seater convert with a big trunk, similar to the old Cadillac Allante.

swissquilter

Thanks everyone. I`ve made notes of everyone`s suggestions!

seahatch

Hi,
I have rented a Cadillac Devile Sedan twice in recent years from Alamo and it was great for two adults and two kids, plenty of room for luggage in the trunk.
Great comfort for long drives, it would be my choice for my next trip.

Mellyz

If you will doing any mountain touring - a BIG engine like the V-8's in Suburbans handle the inclines the best. We've done the Rockies and The West in our own Suburban, and in rentals (A Ford Excursion was the WORST in mountains) in both summer and winter. I wouldn't do the mountains without a Suburban.

J_Correa

I disagree with Mellyz about the necesecity of a V8 in the mountains. If you opt for a big SUV, then 8 cylinders is necesary to carry the weight of the vehicle. Otherwise, with a car 6 cylinders will be plenty. We drove a 4 cylinder manual through Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming with no problems.