I'm trying to decide on a rental car in Germany. Thrifty seems to have the best price on automatic station wagons. I have found the length and width of all of the cars, but the actual sizes don't seem to mesh with Thrifty's classificaitons.

Here's what I have (per Thrifty classifications):

Mid sized- Ford Mondeo (width 1958/length 4804)

Standard - Audi A4 Avant (width 1772/length 4586)

Full Sized - Mercedes C class (width 1770/length 4596)

Premium - Mercedes E class (width 1822/4888)

Is anyone able to rank these cars as to how roomy they feel on the inside? From the exterior dimensions, it sees like the Ford Mondeo is the second largest car, yet Thrifty classifies it as the smallest.

If you are planning on 4 passengers, you should avoid the A4 Avant. While I think it may be the best driving car of the ones you have listed, the back seat is cramped for adults.

The Ford Mondeo is a competent car for the right lane only of the Autobahn. I've driven them several times and they are not roomy or particularly comfortable.

The new Mercedes C class is likely to meet your needs for space. I don't think that exterior dimensions generally reflect interior space, and leg room is far more important than width IMHO.

Here the ranking regarding inside space:

Mercedes E class
Ford Mondeo
Mercedes C class
Audi A4

Thrifty's classification does NOT reflect size but price. Ford Mondeo is the least expensive car of the four.

In terms of value for money, the Mondeo is not a bad choice. However, driving a Mercedes is something special.

We (4 adults) rented a Mercedes C and were very disappointed. The trunk was very small and we ended up with some luggage inside the car. Also - once there were 4 people and luggage inside it had pick up approximating a Yugo (and I'm used to driving a subcompact - but a peppy one - as my own car).

You don;t say how many you are and how much luggage you will have (the latter is more problematical).

I would be sure not get something underpowered unless you want to be permanently stuck in the right lane behind a mile of overweight trucks.

Hi missypie,

the mondeo [the model should be specified by throift in its quote] should be fine IMO, so long as you don't want to thrash down the autobahn at 150mph. it's the sort of car that lots and lots of european families have with plenty of interior space for people and luggage.

on their web-site, thrifty show that the mondeo takes 5 people, plus two large and two small suitcases.

hope this helps,

regards, ann

We may just go with the Mercedes E Class. As it turns out, once you pres the "Book it" button with Thrifty, they add another 200+ euro in fees (!) so the nova car hire price for the Class E is 184 euro less than Thrifty's price for the Class E. (Nova doesn't show a Ford Mondeo.)

Hi missy,

that's a mean trick.

Thrifty for whom?

you'll fit in well in Germany in the Merc - here in Cornwall you'd stick out like a sore thumb.

Definitely Mondeo country here!

Have a great trip,

Regards, ann

Hi missypie,
As traveller1959 pointed out, the classification is based on price, not size. The Mondeo is the second-largest after the E-Class and should be the best deal. However, you would certainly feel right at home driving around Germany in an A4 Avant or C-Class wagon. (I have to laugh at annhig's comment because she knows that we drove all over Cornwall in an E-Class and we DID stick out like a sore thumb!) Both have plenty of room for four passengers and their luggage. We (4 adults) travelled in an A4 Avant in the winter across southern Germany with no trouble at all.

You mention that you might just go for the E-Class, but I would point out two factors that might change your mind. First, it is a really big car and will be the hardest to handle in tight quarters. Second, as the largest of the four (and especially since you want an automatic) you may very well end up with a small engine and the car will be quite underpowered on the Autobahn.

Practically-speaking, I would pick the Mondeo. If you want the German car experience, I would go with either the A4 or the C-Class.

Don't forget the price of petrol in Europe when thinking about which car to hire. If you Google the options you can find out their petrol consumption and take that it to consideration also!

Also you want all your luggage to be stored out of sight; discourages theft. That is, if you're stopping to sightsee en route. So what I would call a station wagon would not be good.

Station wagons I rented in Germany had a cover for the luggage section which you pulled out like a roller blind from the upper end of the rear row. So luggage was out of sight.

Both the Audi A4 and Mercedes C-class are probably too small for all of you plus your luggage. Spring for the Mercedes E-class, especially as you seem to be able to get a good deal on one.

Remember to ask about the cost of desirable extras: zero-deductible insurance (collision, personal liability, theft); diesel; GPS.

missypie,

Hi, Last year with rented the Mercedes E280 and was very happy with it, we rented through Hertz and it came with a very helpful GPS.

We were able to fit two luggages, a 29 and a 32 inch,plus a small carry on. We had to put the other 32 inch in the back seat.

The back seat will fit three people comfortably, imho.

Have a great time! Can't wait to read your trip report.

I meant to add to my post that you will save on gas by getting a diesel. Of course you then must remember to put diesel in the tank! (Some rentals come with a handy sticker by the gas tank reminding you of this fact.)

As Cowboy pointed out, all of the wagons should have covers for the back so your luggage will be completely out of sight.

I really have to ask - those of you who say an A4 Avant and C-Class wagon are not big enough for four people and their luggage: what on earth are you carrying??? These are full-size cars by European standards; I have experience with both and have travelled comfortably with four people and luggage in both.

We rented a Ford Mondeo Station Wagon for a trip for 4 people with luggage in the UK a couple of years ago. It was fine for the 4 of us just as long as you don't overdo it on the luggage. We were able to get 4 - 21" suitcases in the back as well as a couple of small tote bags.

hausfrau- if you carry sports equipment for scuba paragliding rock-climbing etc those cars are small and i don't even carry tote bags!! bye.

On another thread, missypie said they were travelling as a family of 5. So with luggage a smaller estate wagon just won't do.

Mercedes and Audi are luxury cars - and you pay for luxury. Whether it's worth, you must decide by yourself. It is surely fun to drive a Mercedes or Audi.

If you want a large car and save some money, you will go better with a Mondeo or with an Opel Zafira.

If you want both a spacious car and luxury, then take the Mercedes E class.

And don't be afraid that a Mercedes could not be adequately motorized. I have often rented Mercedes cars and I can tell you: watch the speed limits carefully!

I haven't found any of the rental agencies that have Opel Zafiras (in automatic). I've found Signums and
Vectras-from the pictures, they look pretty small. Are they?

But traveller1959, when the no limit sign pops up, in the Mercedes it is so much fun!