Is this car big enough for 4 ?
 

Hi,

For our next vacation into your beautiful country ;-) we booked a SUV at Hertz (Phoenix Airport).

It's of the SFAR category and probably will be an Nissan Xterra or simular.

As we don't have xterra's over here my question is, is this car spacy enough for 4 adults and luggage?

Except myself we are all medium build.
I'm about 6'6 and 280 pounds and will be the driver.

Does anybody know what cars are also in the SFAR category?

Thanks

Bert
The Netherlands

It's a mid-sized SUV, and has plenty of room for 4 adults and luggage. You may find it a little too large...

I am not real sure what a SFAR is...some type of Sport Utility?

In any case, a Nissan Xtera is not for you and your traveling companions. I am 6'2 225 and would not get one. Not enough luggage or backseat space either.

I recommend a mini-van or a full size SUV. Something like an Explorer.

We don't use those 4-letter codes in the US, but the Nissan Xterra is in the "Stardard 4WD" category on Hertz's US website. They have seating for 5, plus room for 3 large suitcase and 3 small suitcases. Since Hertz used to part of Ford, and still retains close ties, I think you're more likely to get the Ford Explorer that's in the same class. [I don't know how they categorize the Ford Freestyle, but it's actually quite spacious and have great fuel economy; but has lower ride height and ground clearance.]

Now, if you worry about your own size, then they have the "Fullsize AWD", "Premium AWD" and "Luxury AWD" categories as well, all with 3rd row seat and room for 7-8 persons.

Hi Bert,
The Nissan XTerra is just a bit larger than the Jeep Liberty, which is currently sold as the Jeep Cherokee in Europe, if that helps any. It can certainly hold 4 people and 4 suitcases, so it really depends on how much luggage you plan to have. Remember it won't get very good gas mileage. You would get more space and better mileage in a minivan, but if you are looking specifically for an SUV, the XTerra is very nice.

Bertorelli

I am about the same size as you and the only types of vehicles I will drive or own are full size. I have a full size Ford van and I fit in that comfortably. See if the rental company can provide a full size Conversion Van for you. That will hold 4 full size people with all the comfort you need including luggage....

We had an Xterra from Hertz and it was pretty big. We had 3 adults, one about the size of your largest travelling companion. He drove and sat in the front passenger seat during the trip - no problems for him. The trunk space was quite big. This is the sort of vehicle people take camping or carry their kids and associated sports equipment around.

Europeans and Americans have different expection and definition in terms of car size. I don't know what the OP drives in the Netherlands, so if we can get some information from him what kind of car is acceptable, then we'll get a better idea of what's "big enough".

I agree with RKKWAN's last post (differing expectations) and on the basis of that, it "might" be large enough.
But I will also say that the long distance driving that it would seem to be in front of our Dutch friends is also not what they might expect.
And from what I have seen of this car on the road, I would want a slightly larger vehicle.
Oops--the driver. You really want a different vehicle.
A mini-van can be very comfortable;

A full size conversion van is overkill, in my opinion.
A mini-van--or a full size car would be very adequate.
The Xterra will also be a "rougher" stiffer ride--not very relaxing for those long SW distances.

Just want to make this clear. Hertz simply names the Xterra as a representative of a "Standard SUV" in this class. I don't know what they stock at PHX, but they'll get something different most likely. They may even get upgraded, who knows...

I booked a compact car from Hertz at YEG (Edmonton) last year. When I arrived, they ask what kind of SUVs I want - they have a Ford Freestyle, a Ford Explorer and even a Ford Expedition. I could choose any one of those at no extra charge, but they didn't have a compact car.

[Anyways, I chose the Freestyle, as it's smallest with the best fuel economy; but that's not important in this discussion.]

Hi

Thanks for all the response.
We picked a SUV because we want to take some dirt roads too.

I guess we will see what car they offer us next year.
If it doesn't fit we can always go for an upgrade i guess.

Most car rental companies prohibit their renters from going off-road. You may want to find out from Hertz before you do so.

I would agree with RKKWan again about the 4 wheeling. They aren't gonna like that. AND not all SUVs are 4WD, although they will designate those that are.
That said, our kids who live in Denver used to love it when friends would come with a rental car (not even 4WD) and they would take one of the back pass roads to nowhere!!
And again, the XTerra is comparable to a class of SUVs, just like the Expedition is comparable to another class of SUVs--and they would not rent for the same price--at least when I have priced them. The small SUVs are just that-small.

Dirt road does not equal off-road. There are many, many forest service roads in AZ that will lead you to various trails, etc. Don't assume the OP is going on an off-road thrill ride. The standard recommendation on many of these roads is to use a high-clearance vehicle (not necessarily 4WD).

Gretchen

I have owned three full size Ford vans and have put over 400K road miles on them. I would not leave home without one.

I drove the Lolo Motorway last summer in our van. Like was said all that is needed is a high clearance vehicle.

http://edbrenegar.typepad.com/photos...gns/index.html

rkkwan......Just FYI, the "SFAR" designation is indeed standard lingo for car types that are booked thru an airline GDS system.So, yes "we" do use them.Maybe not me and you but they are well known especially to a TA.For example if my TA wants to knwo what car types are available from Hertz in PHX,here is what he would see...

TYPE CLASS EXAMPLE OF MAKE/MODEL PSGR/DOORS/NO.OF BAGS
---- ----- --------------------- ---------------------
ECAR A HYUNDAI ACCENT 4 / 2-4 /
CCAR B FORD FOCUS 4 / 2-4 /
CDAR B FORD FOCUS 4 / 2-4 /
ICAR C MAZDA 626 4-5 / 2-4 /
IDAR C MAZDA 626 4-5 / 2-4 /
ISAR C4 HYUNDAI SONATA GREEN 5 / 4 /
SCAR D GRAND AM 4-5 / 2 /
SBAR D6 FORD MUSTANG V6 4-5 / 2 /
EXAR E4 FORD FUSION GREEN 5 / 4 /
Now, if indeed i wanted an "SFAR" my printed tinerary would reflect "STD 4WD AUTO A/C".

Most SUVs here in the south are not 4WD.

REdRock, you may be amazed to know that we have also owned 2 full size vans and have gotten over it--although we loved them for the use they had when we had them. They are great for particular uses--and it was from having them that I will always have a "sit up high" vehicle. The ability to see further ahead has saved us a couple of notable times
For these folks, I just don't think it is a fit, it is expensive to rent, it is fuel guzzling--and did I mention, expensive.
Let the car fit the need, particularly when renting.

Beachboi - Thanks for the clarifications. I know car booking sites for Europe use those 4-letter classifications. Not a bad idea to use them here too!

This may have already been pointed out, but I don't think we've ever, in all our years renting, gotten the exact model of vehicle as is advertised on the rental agency website. It's always been another make of comparable size. You may not get a Nissan Xterra, it may be a comparable model.

Gretchen

Anyone coming from Europe would look at our gas prices and think they were in heaven. Besides if you are going to travel do it and not be cramped. We may agree to disagree, but all I was doing was suggesting a vehicle that would fit a person that size and in comfort. I am that size and no way would I or would I want to travel for any length of time in some of these smaller SUV's or cars. It is not uncommon for our road trips to exceed 10K and last for many weeks. Like everyone I was just making a suggestion, mine was for a vehicle that may or may not be known in that part of the world. It is up to "Bertorelli" the OP to make up his mind.

The OP is 78" tall and 280 (two hundred eighty) pounds?? In an Xterra? Uhhh, somebody is going to be cramped that's for sure.

We recently rented a Ford Escape for a week and were quite happy with it. Went through the desert, high mountains, dirt roads, cities. It's, I guess, what is called a small SUV - not a behemoth by any means. Petrol around 21-25 MPG. I was very comfortable (and I'm even taller than you.)

http://www.the-ford-escape.com/

I didn't say you were wrong to suggest it--why think I did. I even said, "my opinion".
And it is indeed up to him to decide. There are many factors.
Yes, the gas prices are high in Europe. So is the gas MILEAGE per gallon, something we could emulate.

Hello again,

About the 'dirt roads'.
We are not planning to go far from the main roads, just a few of the unpaved roads like the one into Monument Valley (Monument Valley Tribal Park Road).

Week 1 and 2 we will be travelling with 4 adults (My parents and my wife and myself)
After that my parents will fly home and just the 2 of us will go on for another 2 weeks. So we don't want to rent TOO big.

Our route for the first 2 weeks will be something like this;
Phoenix, Flagstaff, Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Cortez (CO), Ouray, Moab, Torrey (UT), Panguitch, Kanab, St. George, Las Vegas. (Mom&Dad fly back from Vegas)
That's about 1.500 miles so just over 100 miles a day. So theres enough time to stop wherever we like.
After that we head to New Mexico and back throu Southern Arizona to Phoenix.

We will try the cars in the category we booked and see if they fit.
An upgrade to a fullsize is always an option.

In Europe we are used to smaller cars, but most roads and parking spots are much smaller too.
It's also much more populated.
(Example; Netherlands 1023/sq mi, Utah 27.2/sq mi) :-)

Thanks

Bert
Zeewolde
The Netherlands

Sound great. There was a guide book The Southwest in 14 Days that was a little goldmine of information--at the time. I'll check and see if it is around because if it is, it would give you some nice jumping off points.
Have agreat time. There is literally nothing in the WORLD like the American West--that was a quote from my late father who had lived all over the world.

It's plenty big enough for 4 democrats. But if you don't believe that global warming is going on...go ahead and book something larger.

Bertorelli

Unless they have really done some work to improve the road at the Monument Valley Tribal Park its about a half dozen rocks from being a 4WD drive. We did it in a full size van and the going was rough, you will need a high clearance vehicle to negotiate that road. They also offer tours, they drive their own vehicles and all you need to do is ride. When I was there the last time vehicles that they were driving on the tour were all 4WD vehicles. While in CO if you get to the Cripple Creek/Victor area in the high country drive the Phantom Canyon Road, nice drive, it will take you to US-50 just to the east of Canon City. We have done that several times in vans and pickups. As far as the van to rent I was mostly think about your size and confort. Once you start driving in the American West you will find the place is much biger than you realize. Enjoy.

I think the book I recommended is long gone but I found this on AMazon. You might enjoy it.
http://www.amazon.com/Little-Known-S...F8&s=books

Thanks for the book link.
We already own a couple of books.
The Lonely Planet Southwest is one of them.
I will take a good at this one too.

Bertorelli - You've got an incredible journey planned which I imagine you will enjoy tremendously. I've done a similiar itinerary and it was a very memorable experience.

Since you will be traveling on some dirt roads I think an SUV like the xterra will work well for you. If you do get an Xterra it will be a little more on the rugged side of SUVs but you wouldn't want to take a luxury SUV like a Navigator across dirt roads in the desert. I will say that the seats are not going to be as comfortable as they could be in a different SUV but you have plenty of stops planned along the way and that will help break up the driving. Regarding the space in the xterra size SUV, I think you should be fine.