If you’re over six feet tall then getting into some cars can feel like a somewhat arduous task. However, there are some new models in the different car categories, including the smallest, which can offer a decent amount of room.
In this guide we highlight some of the best new cars on sale that offer good headroom and legroom. We’ll cover a wide variety of different categories from city cars and superminis, to crossovers, sports cars and 4x4s.
City cars
Fiat Panda
The Fiat Panda is one of the most likeable city cars on the current market. The main reasons include its cute design, robustness, reliability and low running costs.
Because of how dinky its dimensions, it is a car you’re admittedly not likely to think of if you’re tall or have a tall passenger to cater for. However, Fiat has cleverly designed the interior of its Panda to offer an impressive amount of legroom, while the tall body shape means decent headroom too.
As a further indicator of the Panda’s ingenuity, there are fourteen storage compartments dotted around the cabin. Also, the front passenger seat can even be fitted with a backrest that folds down to form a table.
Smart ForTwo
The Smart ForTwo is famous for being small by even city car standards, so you might be wondering what the heck it is doing in a guide about cars for tall people.
This car seats just two people but those occupants actually get comfortable seats and a decent amount of space, thanks in part to the Smart’s tall stature. It’s realistic for people above six foot to fit into the ForTwo, even if you go for the coupe model and have the panoramic glass sunroof included.
If you’re after a new car that’s really compact and deceptively practical, the Smart ForTwo is worth a look.
Superminis
Volkswagen Polo
The Volkswagen Polo’s cabin not only impresses with its smart presentation and high quality materials, but there’s also a lot of space on offer – particularly at the front.
If you’re after a very practical supermini that also mixes in high standards for comfort and equipment, then the Polo is a sound option. If the Polo’s price is just out of your budget, however, consider the Polo’s siblings which include the Skoda Fabia and SEAT Ibiza.
Honda Jazz
The Honda Jazz may be a supermini but it’s near MPV-esque in terms of how practical it is. For passengers of all sizes getting in and out of the Jazz is really straightforward and Honda says there’s more rear knee room inside than you get in a Mercedes S-Class.
There’s also a lot of storage space within too. The standard boot capacity of 354 litres is a lot for a supermini, and there’s also some handy storage spaces including one under the boot floor storage.
Family hatchbacks
Volkswagen Golf
There’s a lot to like about the latest Volkswagen Golf hatchback and one of its biggest strengths is how practical and well made the interior is.
The current Golf is longer and wider than any previous Golf. That allowed VW to increase legroom by 20mm at the front and 15mm at the back with their latest hatchback, compared to the previous generation. In any trim the interior also has a sophisticated and well-made feel and there’s loads of equipment to access especially for higher trims.
Nissan Pulsar
The Nissan Pulsar is one of newest entries in the family hatchback segment and while it can’t quite equal the class leaders overall, it is still a fine effort by its makers.
One advantage the Pulsar does have over many of its hatchback rivals is the amount of space it offers. The Pulsar has a long wheelbase by family hatchback standards, which gives Nissan the opportunity to offer generous amounts of legroom both front and back. That’s certainly an important note for tall drivers to make.
Executive cars
Skoda Superb
The Skoda Superb is a practical, smartly designed and comfortable cruiser with an interior that’s difficult to fault.
All-round passenger space for both front and rear passengers can rival luxury saloons, never mind other executive cars. The Superb is not only adept for tall passengers, it’s also a fine example of how Skoda has moved forward in recent years from both an engineering and design point of view.
Audi A4
The Audi A4 is a very appealing executive car offering premium class and a large and clever array of technology.
As part of recent major updates for the A4, headroom has increased by 24mm and rear passenger legroom has gone up by 23mm. For tall people, head and legroom are unlikely to be concerns with the Audi A4 and the interior has a high quality feel plus loads of standard kit.
Sports cars
Ford Mustang
When it comes to purchasing a new Ford Mustang, buyers are likely to be lured in by the sports car’s looks, heritage and engine line-up which includes a tasty V8 engine.
Another possible incentive though, for tall drivers at least, is the amount of room you get in the 2+2 cabin. A lot of sports cars on the market tend to have compact, low-slung interiors which aren’t so friendly towards long legs. This is much less of a problem with Ford’s sports car and it has a decent-sized boot too measuring at 408 litres.
Mercedes SL-Class
The Mercedes SL-Class is a two-seater luxury convertible with a lengthy wheelbase. Convertibles aren’t really known for having spacious interiors but the SL is actually very roomy and there’s even some stowage space behind the seats.
With engines including a 329bhp V6, two V8s with 429bhp or 530bhp and a 621bhp V12, the SL is no slouch either. Even the standard model can do the 0-62mph sprint in just 5.2 seconds.
Crossovers
Mazda CX-5
As well as offering a solid, efficient engine choice and appealing looks, the Mazda CX-5 is also one of the roomier crossovers around.
Fitting four tall adults plus a child in the middle rear seat can be done in the CX-5 with ease. It’s not only spacious, whoever’s in the driving seat gets to enjoy a simple and uncluttered layout.
Hyundai Tucson
One of the fresher instalments in the crossover market, the Hyundai Tucson is very competent at what it sets out to do. One of its aims is to deliver a cabin that caters to a wide variety of passengers.
The front seats are very roomy all-round and there’s enough space at the back to keep adult passengers happy on long journeys. The boot is also massive, offering 513 litres as standard, which is 80 more than the Nissan Qashqai.
4x4s
Land Rover Discovery
It’s hard to envision any person struggling to fit themselves inside a Land Rover Discovery, such is the amount of space found in this 4x4.
You can even seat up to seven people in this vehicle. With all the seats up, there isn’t much boot space but the second and third of seats can be folded flat if you wish. While the third row of seats in a lot of seven-seaters are best for children only, the ones in the Discovery should prove comfortable for even adults.
Audi Q7
The latest and large Audi Q7 is a premium 4x4 with understated exterior styling but a magnificent interior.
Even with its large size, the Q7 does feel comfortable and easy-going to drive, and the experience is helped a lot by how spacious and well insulated the cabin is.
You can seat up to seven people within, though the two rear seats are best saved for children only. There’s decent head and legroom for the front and middle row seats, and you can slide the middle bench if you prefer even more room in this area.