We rented a compact a compact car (size of VW Polo)4 dr for our trip next week in France. I am somewhat concered about luggage space. There are three of us going ( wife and 6yr old kid). We want to take one bag that is about 26"x 20" and a smaller carry-on. The car pictograms for this size car only show one decent sized bag. I know it is going to be fairly tight in this car, but I just want to be fairly sure that this fairly big bag will fit. Will it?

Rick

26x20 would take up most of the boot, so the carryon would probably have to share the back seat with a piece of luggage.

But it depends on the size of the carryon & whether it is a hard rollerbag or a soft cargo bag / daypack

Hi, rs,

are you planning to take anything else in your car? eg picnic things, bags of toys/books for your offspring, maps, coats, etc.etc.

If so, i would definitely look at moving up a size - a golf or similar. and definitely 4 doors - the 2 door type will drive you mad!

regards, ann

Expect a very, very small car in this category. You will not have much space even in the front seats. Luggage will fit if you put some bags on the rear seat. But think about upgrading to a higher category. VW Golf or Opel Astra will be more comfortable for a little more cost.

Compact is not that small, especially since one of you is a kid.

My parents and I had an economy (one size smaller) in Italy - Renalt Clio - and we had plenty of room. The trunk will fit 2 22&quot; rollerboards plus one backpack with wheels <b>on the bottom</b>. More room for smaller carryons as well as groceries on top.

From your description, compact is large enough.

But yes, get a 4-door. The first two code for compact 4-door is CD. Or get a compact wagon, CW.

And whatever size you hire don't forget to hire a booster seat for your child.

To check sizes, not sure if the Polo is included....

Go to the Hertz web sight and tell them what you're doing and where. They will have bunch of choices. Click on viewing all of them. Each car shown has the number of large and small suitcases and the max number of people that can 'fit' in a car. This should help you.

You might be surprised at the price compared to a Euro rental company, I've found Hertz to be usually cheaper for the same product. They do offer AAA members a good discount, and give you frequent flyer miles, if that matters to you.

On most of my driving trips I look for a car with a proper trunk so that any luggage is out of sight. Lunch stops, etc... are good places for someone to lighten your load.

Just an aisde - the current Polo is the same size as a Golf Mark 1.

Guess not just us folk get middle aged spread

I drove a Polo in Mexico last year.

I got a 22&quot; and a 24&quot; rolling suitcase and two small carryon's under the trunk cover. (It didn't close all the way, but you could not see the luggage which was all I cared about)

It is a small car, but we did just fine in it. (No pickup, but what do you expect LOL)

This car is a four-door so it shouldn't be all that bad, I hope. All our luggage is soft -sided. We are dragging along a cast-off booster seat (bottom cushion only) that will add to the refuse problem in Paris, after it sees a good vacation. As for toys, all my daughter will be concerned with is if the laptop works off the power inverter. We've got lots of software and DVDs to keep her busy. But I hope she will be mature enough to look out the window. She's into princesses so maybe she will be enthralled with a tour of the Loire.

Rick