What Size Car is Right for You?

The universal measurement for automobiles' interior space, cubic feet, can be difficult to translate into practical terms. So the best way to determine if a car's size fits your needs is to go to a dealer, sit in the vehicles and open their trunks.

That said, classifications are necessary to help narrow things down, and one of the most common methods for classifying vehicle size is by interior volume, as done by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. That's how most vehicles are grouped here on ForbesAutos.com.

2006 Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG + enlarge image  |  view gallery >

But there are some cars that are huge on the outside and small on the inside, such as the 2006 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class, for which we've used the measurement of the distance between the front and rear wheels (wheelbase) to define its size. This portly coupe has the interior dimensions of a compact car, but we've classified it as full-size according to its wheelbase and in keeping with the car's girth and range-topping status.

This discrepancy illuminates an important point: You might not be getting the roomiest vehicle by only shopping for full-size cars, and choosing a midsize over a compact doesn't necessarily guarantee you more rear-seat room or trunk space. It's better to take the family to the dealer, pile in and see how comfortably everyone fits than rely on hard numbers from a specs sheet. Sit in the backseat of a compact sedan and then a midsize sedan on the same lot to see if there's an appreciable difference in rear leg- and headroom.

Size classifications are useful for indicating other important attributes, such as nimbleness, fuel consumption, ease of parking and price. Generally speaking, the larger the car, the less nimble, the less fuel efficient, the harder to park and the more expensive it is. But larger vehicles tend to be more comfortable on long trips, because longer wheelbases and stouter chassis offer a more composed ride, especially over broken pavement.

Consider a Compact Car if:

• Fuel economy is a top concern

• Nimble, sporty handling is a priority

• You primarily carry children in the back seat or adults only for short distances

• Parking is tight where you live

• You want to spend less than $45,000

Consider a Midsize Car if:

• You need space to comfortably accommodate four adults or two adults and three kids

• You prefer stronger engines and more luxury options than found on compact models

• You want a larger car that still gets decent gas mileage

• You're looking to spend between $45,000 and $65,000 and want the most luxury, comfort and performance for your money.
  

Consider a Full-Size Car if:

• You need space for up to five adults to ride comfortably

• You're looking for a large status symbol on wheels

• You want luxury of the highest level and cost is no object
  

• Fuel economy is not a concern

• The larger the vehicle, the safer you feel

* ForbesAutos.com's definition of compact cars differs from the EPA's: It includes two smaller class sizes that are broken out separately by the EPA and defined as "minicompact" and "subcompact."