I’m A Tall Driver That Likes Small Cars! What Should I Buy?

Greg is a tall man at six foot six and 250 kilos, he presently drives a Kia Rio that’s surprisingly comfy for his body. However, he needs one thing that sits a little bit larger off the bottom for simpler entry/exit, however doesn’t desire a large truck. With a $20,000 funds, what automobile ought to he purchase?

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Here is the situation.

I’m 6’6″/250, and have always (happily) driven small cars. I currently have a little Kia Rio I got for a good price. Does its job. I like the economy and maneuverability of smaller cars in urban and suburban situations, and I find driver space doesn’t have anything to do with car size.

However, I am reluctantly considering a larger vehicle, and by larger I mean higher off the ground. My issue with cars isn’t that they’re too small, but that they’re too low. With bad knees and occasional back issues, it can be hard to fold myself in and out of such a low car.

My driving needs are “Civic” and my comfort needs are “Silverado”. The only thing that keeps me from going straight to a full-size pickup or SUV is that it’s hard for me to justify 15-20 mpg — especially since I don’t need the towing/hauling capabilities.

It’s hard to find advice for very tall drivers. I’ve searched a lot, and most “tall” drivers are like 6’2. That is legitimately tall — and I know a bunch of people teller than me — but inches matter when you’re working at the edges.

I suspect this puts me in CRV or RAV4 range, but I’m concerned about driver space. And I can’t decide if compact SUVs are a best-of-both-worlds situation or are too much compromise to do anything well. So side question: am I better off with a big vehicle and a small vehicle, or with one vehicle that tries to blend them?

For me, the two most important features a car can have are 1) runs and 2) paid for. So luxury, performance, etc., are not high priorities. A car that can hit 200-300k miles is way more impressive to me than a low 0-60 time.

* Higher-off-the-ground riding position (easier for a big tall guy to get in and out of)

* Enough space for my frame. The Rio has 40″ of driver headroom, and that’s sufficient. I’m all legs. Even at 250 lbs I’m not notably broad. I’ve the construct of an outdated basketball participant.

* High reliability. I wish to moderately count on a pair 100k miles out of this factor.

* As a lot gas financial system as I can squeeze out of a big sufficient automobile.

* Room for me plus 3 passengers. It’s largely simply me, however the capability to take the household someplace can be helpful. The youngsters qualify as tall, however received’t be practically my dimension.

Quick Facts:

Budget: $20,000

Location: Austin, TX

Daily Driver: Yes

Wants: Higher journey, comfy for a taller individual, respectable MPG

Doesn’t need: Something large

Expert 1: Tom McParland – Just A Little Bigger

Greg, at your dimension discovering the fitting automobile can actually be a problem particularly when you don’t wish to drive a large truck round. Based on some fast analysis a Rio has entrance legroom of 42 inches and headroom of about 40 inches. If you wish to preserve that small automobile utilization and gasoline mileage however have one thing with a bit extra journey peak, the Kia Niro may be the reply.

With a headroom of 40.5 inches and legroom of 41.5 inches, it’s fairly near your present automobile, however the Niro being a bizarre combo of crossover/hatchback/wagon sits up a couple of inches larger. It additionally has a hybrid powerplant as the usual possibility that returns as much as 50 MPG. Finding a Niro hybrid, below twenty grand with out larger miles isn’t simple, however here’s a Kia Certified instance with below 50,000 miles for below $19,000.

Expert 2: Collin Woodard – Small-ish Car, High-ish Seat Height

Well, properly, properly, Greg. Looks like these of us of common peak lastly have one factor on you Talls. You could also be busy dunking all of the basketballs and relationship doctor-models, however I can slot in a Miata, and you’ll’t, so booyah! I imply, thanks for selecting Jalopnik to advise you as you start the tough means of deciding which automobile to purchase.

Normally, I’d advocate a Mini Cooper. Logan Carter can also be 6’8” and loves his, so how may I not steal the reply he would have already given if he didn’t reside on the West Coast and work later hours? If you’re already bored with getting out and in of your Kia Ria, although, I don’t know if a Mini is the reply. So how will we maintain your automobile small whereas additionally guaranteeing the seating is tall? The Toyota Crown would possibly match the invoice, nevertheless it’s too costly and in addition most likely too huge.

The Crown isn’t the one lifted automobile which you can purchase, although. Because that is Jalopnik, I say it’s best to deal with your self to a pleasant, used Volvo S60 Cross Country. Compared to your Rio, it’ll be extremely comfy and include every kind of latest options. It additionally has room for 4 with out being too huge. And with a crossover-like journey peak, it ought to be a lot simpler so that you can get out and in of.

The excellent news is, you shouldn’t have any hassle discovering a Volvo S60 Cross Country for lower than $20,000. The dangerous information is, for some motive, the concept of a lifted luxurious sedan didn’t precisely resonate with prospects, so there aren’t a number of them on the market, and there aren’t actually any in your space. If you’re prepared to look a little bit additional, perhaps try this itemizing in Albuquerque for a 2016 mannequin with 78,000 miles for $14,450.

Expert 3: Logan Carter – Advice From The Only Writer Taller Than You

Hey Greg, it’s good to listen to from another person who’s actually tall. Nothing grinds my gears like when somebody who’s 6’1 begins complaining about needing extra space; I’m six-foot-eight, 230 kilos, and I’m all legs too. I’ve a advice for you that may supply a great bang on your buck, although I’ve to confess I’m not sure it would have sufficient room up entrance for you. Fortunately, I’ve a backup that may undoubtedly fit your needs.

As unusual as this suggestion is, I believe it’s best to look right into a Mitsubishi Outlander Sport or Eclipse Cross. Your value cap will get you into a more recent mannequin yr Mitsubishi than most different automobiles, which is able to afford you and your loved ones better security in addition to comfort options. The Outlander Sport shouldn’t be a sporty automobile, it’s mainly gonna equate to a Rio hatchback that’s been lifted a couple of inches, however that sounds about good for what you’re searching for. Edmunds says that the Outlander Sport has 39.4-inches of front-seat head room and 41.6-inches of leg room, so on paper it’s corresponding to your present automobile’s house, however as a tall individual I do know measurements don’t at all times immediately equate to real-world room. Always sit in a automobile before you purchase it.

Another profit to purchasing a used Mitsubishi is the transferrable 10-year 100,000-mile powertrain guarantee and a transferrable 5-year or 60,000-mile new automobile restricted guarantee, so getting a more recent automobile with decrease miles means you get extra time lined below these warranties. That stated, from tall individual to tall individual, the one automobiles in your value vary that I can say for sure has sufficient house for giant folks like us are Subarus. I beneficial the Mitsubishi first as a result of Subaru resale values are sturdy and also you received’t be capable of discover a low-mileage Crosstrek or Outback for below $20,000. If all else fails, go for a Subaru.

I believe a Mitsubishi Outlander Sport like this sub-40,000-mile 2022 instance on the market in Round Rock, Texas will swimsuit you and your wants fairly properly whereas retaining the peace of thoughts of hundreds of miles of guarantee protection left. It’s a 2022 mannequin which implies you get heated seats and a backup digicam, and automated emergency braking as an additional security internet. This one is AWD which may be overkill on your wants, however I favored the colour. I don’t imply to toot my very own horn, however I believe I solved your automobile shopping for dilemma; I actually hope this helps huge man! Best of luck to you and your loved ones.

Expert 4: Bradley Brownell – The Unorthodox Choice

OK, I’m not as tall as Logan, however I’m 6’2″ and most of my height is in my torso, so headroom is occasionally a problem for me. I think your best bet for a nice daily commuter is to find the best second-gen Scion xB in the world and drive it until the inevitable heat death of the universe. This vehicle was explicitly built for exactly what you need, the seat height is relatively high, which was a big selling point among senior drivers, who didn’t want to lower themselves down into a car. They call this “h-point” and that’s the xB’s biggest selling point.

This instance isn’t essentially the one you need, nevertheless it’s shiny blue and caught my eye. This one is means below your funds at $6,791 with 159,000 miles on the odometer. I’m virtually constructive yow will discover a nicer instance with fewer miles, and probably even a handbook transmission. All of the U.S. examples had been offered with a 2.4-liter Toyota 2AZ-FE engine, additionally discovered within the ubiquitous Camry. The automobile will last more than you’ll when you care for it. And it will get over 30 miles per gallon on the freeway. It’s good!