I'd like to know how leg room is measured. As someone who as long legs, I have trouble finding cars I can fit in because my knees wind up touching the dashboard, even with the seat all the way back.

When I was shopping for a car a couple of years ago, it was surprising some of the cars that were not acceptable for me. For example, the Cadillac STS and CTS have a huge dashboard that protrude a long ways into the passenger cabinet.

For not much over $25,000, you might want to look at a Chrysler 300. There's a LOT of leg room -- and knee room -- in those things.

actually, for others that are not biased like this journalist, the Impala doesn't have a cheap interior, it ranks just as high as the imports, if not better. The charger does have the cheap interior, but lets not rat on domestic sedans, the impala is the best of the best.

Why is the Ford Five Hundred/Taurus absent? It seems to be the obvious suggestion, since it's known for it's rear legroom (3"-5" more than the others). The base model comes in at under $25K as well.

We could have put in the Five Hundred but we could just go on and on too. That's why we linked to the side-by-side compare where anyone can plug in which cars they want to compare. We're actually working on a post about how legroom et al are measured.

Also, we're not aware of the Impala taking home any award for quality interior. It is merely average and features quite a bit of plastic. The Charger is somewhat cheaper agreed, but neither one has the fit and finish of the Accord or Camry.

I am 6' 10" and an expert on cars for tall people. For pure leg and head room, SUVs tend to be the best. The Accord may look good on paper, but it is fairly tight.

German cars tend to have better seat travel. The Passat has great legroom, but sadly they placed the brake pedal close to the accelerator on the new model.

The old Nissan Altima was the roomiest of the bread and butter sedans. The newer one isn't as good.

Consumer Reports does a nice job posting real numbers that they measure for headroom, good place to check.

I agree 100% with Dave on legroom. I bought a Passat 2x because it fits my long legs. The stats that I read don't seem to translate into reality. My Subaru Outback is bigger on paper but not in reality. The Outback is better, however, for convenience (ie cupholders, ergnomics.

Is there a way to search the Cars.com database with specific criteria in mind? For example, greatest headroom or legroom?

We are looking for an SUV that is not HUGE and has plenty of legroom for the driver. So far we have found the Highlander and the CX-9. Any others we should consider? We weren't looking for more than a midsize SUV but those don't have enough legroom for him.

If you drove the 2007 Highlander, the 2008 is redesigned with more interior room and would be worth checking out. Along the lines of the CX-9 and Highlander are the GM three-row crossover SUVs (Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook), which are similarly sized.

Also, the Ford Taurus X and Hyundai Veracruz may have that extra leg room your guy is looking for. Out of these SUVs, the 2008 Highlander is listed with the most front legroom, but, obviously, be sure to get in one and try it out before you make the deal.

The best leg room for those over 6ft6 are pre 99 taho/Chevy Suburb;Lincoln Town Car/Dodge Trucks. Typically new vehicles have high windshield rake, and intrusive center consoles - all bad for tall drivers.

hello i work as a driver for AvisBudgetGroup in Seattle wa, i stand at 7'0 275 I drive alot of difrent cars & suvs I have driven everything from the small lancers to the oversized GM to Toyota tundras The chrysler 300,Dodge charger & chevrolet impala have the most leg room for me, also the new sonata is roomy, trucks the new f-150 Tundra,Expedition have the best cab space plus the new suburbans are also nice & roomy

How do the automakers measure leg room? One wonders if they are measuring behind the gas and brake pedals where your feet cannot go anyways.
One car on paper might say they have a lot of leg room etc. but with certain molded foot rests, leg room can be actually cramped for the taller driver.
How can they address this issue?

I'm trying to find the measurements of the seat, from back to front, rather than the overall leg room. It seems they have from 18 to 21 inches. I'm tall and my thigh needs something to rest on, but I cannot find this measurement anywhere.

I'm looking at these posts from the very tall people and have to wonder how much you're getting paid! I have a '03 Passat and it's just big enough, but uncomfortable on long drives. I'm only 6' tall but my height is in my legs--the Passat is roomy w/ good headroom but my leg remains bent and on long drives that's tiring. I like that it has a telescopic driving wheel, but it's still not big enough. Does anyone have any useful suggestions??

Carol

Carol

Can someone recommend a car that can accommodate both long legs and shorter arms?
A.G.

Can someone recommend a car that can accommodate both long legs and shorter arms?
A.G.

For my long legs, I found the BMW 3 series coupe with extra legroom and sport seat that has a thigh extension pullout. Coupes seem to place the seats further back to take into account the wider doors. Of course, the back seating disappears!

The Ford Five Hundred, which is now called the 2008 Taurus, has a very roomy back seat, and an overall roomy interior. The 2006 Explorer (don't know about the newer ones) has a lot more leg room in the back seat than previous models, but my 6 foot tall son doesn't like to drive it.

I would have to add in a great bargain car as the Scion XB. it may be a box- but have you seen the rear leg room it's huge.

I'm looking at it so my 2 young boys in booster seats can't reach/kick the back of the front seats.

I'm 6'3" and im searching for my first car but all im getting are legroom numbers like 40.2" or 42.3". Is that a good number or would I be cramped? Is there a table or a measure of hight/leg length to minimum legroom needed.

I would have to put in another vote for the Scion XB. I am 6' 6"" and 245 pounds. I can slide the front seat all the way back and have plenty of leg room. Then, I can sit in the back seat behind "myself" and still have plenty of legroom and headroom. I have 2 pre-teen boys, but the oldest is already showing signs that he will at least be my height. The room in the rear is important. My wife has claimed the "right to ride shotgun" by marriage. She is not giving it up so one of the boys can sit in front.

Tall people need to consider viewing angle thru the windshield, B pillar intrusion on shoulders, legroom, foot room in wheel well, and console instrusion onto leg. Six way power seats help give you more room by allowing seat rake. My 6'4" 300lb brother can fit many vehicles that I cannot = 6'6" 275. If you are over 6ft6, then look at the Honda Ridgeline (Accord and Pilot have intrusive consoles). The Lincoln T/C can be had fairly inexpensively used. Dodge trucks meet my criteria. Older Tahoes <99 are the biggest you can find. Other cars: Old Chrysler Intrepids are recommended. The new 300C's, Chargers, Pacifica are close. Sequoia is the only Toyota that fits -barely. Scion Xb maybe, but the console intrudes. Don't bother with the Tundra - windshield and console problems. The new GM trucks you are peering through the top 1 inch of the windshield. Most tall people are forced to compromise their safety and comfort because the automakers are not building cars with decent tall people ergonomics. Automakers are raking the windows (for reduced coefficient of drag) and faddishly building wide instrusive consoles.

The Impala, all Nissans, all Volkswagens, and some other cars listed on this site, are only acceptable if you compromise. I'm surprised at some of the "big guys" that are misleading the readers here.

At 6'9", I have unfortunately learned that the bottom line is that you have to spend considerable time on the lots, the measurements are almost meaningless because of different dashboard designs, car width, door console designs, roof line designs, extent of seat movement, power seat options, etc. I drive a 2003 Nissan Murano very comfortably thanks to power seats with only a slight bother on the right knee with the radio console, it was not much more expensive than 25K (I paid 30K but it is pretty well loaded). Yes, a few German models are well designed. I was able to drive, e.g., a Jetta, but not the more current pricier lines. Don't get me started on the supposed large sedans, haven't found one yet!

Jaguar used to make XJ8's with optional extended wheelbase. They can often be found for under $25,000. I've NEVER seen anything to compare to the front or rear legroom. Plus, it's a blast to drive, especially on road trips.

I agree with Captain Jim. I am 6'5" and have long legs hence I need thigh support as well as leg room.

We are currently shopping for a new car and I am surprised how much room there is in some of the smaller cars especially the ones with the seat track set back.

I was surprised at how much room there is in the Mini-Cooper S, as long as you can come to terms with the fact that it becomes,in effect,a three-seater when the driver's seat is fully back. The seat cushion is till shorter than I would like though.

Let's face reality,with 5'10" being pretty well the average North American male height, we tall guys basically have to fend for ourselves.

I'm 6'10". Drive a 2003 Dodge Ram with bench seat. Great except it's a truck, and 12 mpg. Reported legroom numbers, independent or from maker, are worthless. Things to be aware of when you sit in and test drive:
1) Center console and it's effect on the right leg and knee. Tried 08 Highlander Hybrid. My right knee kept adjusting the auto temp dial!
2) Where is the shifter? Is it different with manual vs. auto? Wife's 02 Odyssey has shifter that intrudes on my right knee.
3) Trim and options - check out thoroughly. Power seats usually move more, telescoping steering wheel, etc. Avoid moonroofs; they take away head room. Console/controls may differ slightly but importantly between trims, for comfort and reachability behind your right leg. Adjustable pedals, to me, seem designed to help shorter folks, not tall.
4) Front bench seat, but not sure if it is except maybe American big sedans like Crown Vic? Avalon got rid of it I think.
5) For family trips, get the wife a minivan, sit in the third row with your legs up the middle if possible. Or sit in middle row right side with front passenger seat folded down for an ottoman!

I may go try the Scion xB.

My son has the same problem he is 6'7". I am 5'11 and I have a Camry and its fine for me but its too cramped for him in the leg room. The Hyundai Sonata looks big enough in the front leg room, 43.3. My son had a used Madza Millenia and the leg room was great on that, very comfortable to drive. Good Luck

My wife and I just started hunting for a replacement for my '98 S-10. I'm 6'4 and ~270. What the previous commenter said about the driver's view is very true. Particulary for me in the Impala. I drove one for work and, although I was very comfortable with the seating and room, I had very poor visibility to my blindspot over my left shoulder since the pillon was right where look to check that spot. The Malibu, although a nominally smaller car, involved far less compromise on the comfort vs safety issue.

We're currently looking for a "nicer" family sedan and have been debating the merits of the Camry, BMW 3 and 5 series, and Infiniti G35. Any other late model (05-08) I might want to look at in the 25-30k range?

SFC B: We just had the Pontiac G8 in our test fleet and the amount of leg room is quite considerable. Also, the Lexus ES350 also has good leg room from my experience. I'm 6' with long legs.

They are two completely different cars, however. See the links to our content I added below.

The G8 starts at $26,000 for a V-6 model and just under $30,000 for a V-8; the ES350 starts at $33,000.

G8 Expert review: http://www.cars.com/go/crp/research.jsp?aff=national&revid=53010&makeid=40&modelid=8816&year=2008&revlogtype=20&section=reviews

ES350 Expert review: http://www.cars.com/go/crp/research.jsp?section=reviews&crpPage=reviews.jsp&makeid=27&modelid=8315&year=2008&myid=&acode=USB80LEC161A0&mode

SFC B:
I spent a lot of time at dealer lots this week, sat in a bunch of cars, from Hyundai to Porsche. Of the mid-size sedans in the $25-30K range, I thought the VW Passat and Nissan Altima had the most leg room for the driver. I really wanted the Toyota Avalon to work, but I was a little disappointed.

Totally agree about the GM car. I sat in the Buick Lucerne, which I think is the Impala equivalent, and to my left was looking right at the pillar.

The two most comfortable I sat in were not sedans - Honda Ridgeline and Scion xB. But none seem to justify getting rid of my paid-for Ram, so I think I'll just wait despite the price of gas.

I recently tried on the Saturn Aura for size, and it has a surprising amount of room for a midsize car. Tilt and telescoping steering wheel helps a lot for finding a comfortable position. I'm 6ft6 275 lbs. Like the Impala, Passat, and Mini, with the seat all the way back the Aura becomes a three seater. The new Nissan Murano is a bit of a squeeze, but is the biggest midsize SUV for tall people. With the Murano seat racked fully back, the rear passengers still have legroom. I'm fond of the Ridgeline because it lacks a console, as I've noted previously. The Lincoln T/C has no console and more legroom than the specs would suggest.

My son is 6'6 with a 37" inseam. We searched for such a long time looking at trucks and SUVs to no avail. His knees keep interferring with the steering wheel. My auto mechanic told me to look at coupes. That surprised me as I thought we had to go big. He said they tend to have more legroom. So we went back to Honda as I have owned a few and loved them (my current is 10 yrs old). Wouldn't you know it, he fit in the Accord coupe. And he had plenty of headroom and room btwn his legs and the steering wheel. Honda has put height adjustment in their 2007 and 2008 Accords. The Civics may have it as well. So my son could lower the seat. That not only helped with the steering wheel problem, but the headroom problem. They also put in a telescoping steering wheel. That helped enormously as well on the issue of his long legs hitting the wheel.

We must have put my poor kid in 40 different cars and none had the room the accord coupe had once he made the seat and steering wheel adjustments. He didn't even have to go to the max with either so that leaves him room to grow. Which could happen as he is only 16!!

One other note, my son is quite thin. He only weighs 185 lbs, so I am not sure how a big guy would fit. But those two features are also avaiable in the Sedan as well, so that may help the bigger fellows. Hope this helps and saves someone from the endless search we endured.

I am a tall guy, 6'3, and spent a few months testing cars to find the one with the best legroom at a good price. The Passat did the trick. It has great legroom, fuel mileage and performance. I also liked the Chrysler 300, and Jeep Grand Cherokee. With a bigger budget, I would have considered the Mercedes E350 or Audi A6. Surprisingly, big trucks and SUVs had horrible legroom. When will GM and Ford get a clue on comfort for tall drivers?

I am a tall guy, 6'3, and spent a few months testing cars to find the one with the best legroom at a good price. The Passat did the trick. It has great legroom, fuel mileage and performance. I also liked the Chrysler 300, and Jeep Grand Cherokee. With a bigger budget, I would have considered the Mercedes E350 or Audi A6. Surprisingly, big trucks and SUVs had horrible legroom. When will GM and Ford get a clue on comfort for tall drivers?

I am a legit 6'7"+ and am always looking for cars I fit in. If they have enough legroom they usually don't have enough headroom (Infiniti M35/45). If they have enough headroom they usually don't have enough legroom (Honda Element). It seems like every car comes with a sunroof these days and that appears to cut down on the headroom. If you have the means you really can't go wrong with the Mercedes Benz GL450/550. It has good legroom and lots of headroom that allows you to sit up straight and actually see out of the front windshield. If I recall correctly the ML series is the same.

Our problem is related but slightly different. My wife and I are both under 6 feet, however my wife suffers from a thyroid imbalance and is overweight with a large waist. What we need is the car with the best width (shoulder?) room and some space between seats. So far minivans are our best options, but would be interested in a car that had some breadth. Any suggestions?

Speaking of coupes, I can vouch for the '08 Jaguar XKR coupe--I'm 6'7", 240 lbs and have never felt more at home in any other car. Totally comfortable--feels like it was built for guys my size. Comes in a convertible, too.

The '08 Range Rover has the best legroom I've experienced among the SUVs.

This is a topic near and dear to me....... At 7'2 325#, 40" inseam I have had my share of car fittings over the past 20 years. I could go into the benefits of the pre-airbag gass guzzelers most of us drove when fuel was 75cents a gallon. But in moder days most of us are as concerned with efficiency as we are with comfort. Also, being taller we all tilt the seat back a notch or two from the normal position. Rules of thumb I have found... Power seats most of the time give more room than manual. A tilt/telescope wheel is mandatory. Telescoping pedals is a bonus. I will only go into the recent vehicles I have tried and or owned. Currently. the Best leg room is the 2005 E46 model BMW 3 series 2 door convertible. I own one of these and love it. 25+ MPG. any Nissan Murano, sat in one very roomy. Right knee issues. 2008 Acura MDX roomier than Murano and unlike the Honda Pilot, the gear shifter is on the floor, not the column. Audi also has good legroom the A8 is nice. Infinity Q45 not too bad either but neither of these 2 get very good mileage. I am in the market for a truck, with MPG a high consideration. I have narrowed down my search to the Tacoma Double Cab or the Ridgeline. The ridgeline has the dreaded shifter on the column, and with a sunroof it cuts headroom significantly, and my knees hit the dash, but it is a really nice truck that I could sacrifice some comfort for. The Tacoma has more legroom and headroom in the front with manual seats and a slightly higher pricetag. A 2006 Ridgeline can be had for 4-5K less than the comparable toyota product with less bells and whistles. That is my current delemma.

My husband is 6'7 and relatively thin 210 lbs and i am 6 ft. We have had two Mazda proteges (1990 and a 2000)which are great for town driving but kind of crap for trips. But the mpg is awesome. We also have a 2000 Isuzu Rodeo which is ok for trips but the seat does not tilt up for thigh support. I have plenty of room in both but I am not really that tall. He likes the Murano for leg room and head room. I wonder about the Highlander Hybrid but have had bad experience with Toyota slopey windshields that you can't see out of even at my height! We need a third row for the kids (who are already well above average height at 4 and 5). I don't think i can stand another trip to grandmas with their long legs kicking my seat (which is all the way back so I can have leg room!). When will the world catch up to the tall people? I hope my kids end up shorter than my husband!

Do any manufacturers allow for after market seat modification? I recall my dad having the Caddie dealer relocate the front seats to accomodate his frame... of course this was back in the fifites & early sixties.
I'm even a bit larger than he was and now, as I'm getting older, a bit wider and a lot less flexable - it would be a nice option.

I'm glad to know I am not the only one with this problem. I have tried a number of cars and little or no success. I am 6'5 300lbs so I am interested in not only how far back/down the seat goes, but the size of the seat as well. The Nissan Murano, Jeep Commander(telescoping pedals), BMW X5, and the Chevy Tahoe all have decent room. Another alternative that is tight but works is the Volvo SC90. The midsize suv market is pretty bad. The Chevy Trailblazer, BMW X3, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Infinity FX35/45 are close, but have shorter leg room and smaller seats. At this point, if you have any size, you are left with few options. You can either A. buy an older vehicle with room or B. pay an arm and a leg for the vehicle and also pay more at the pump. Good luck, and I hope you all find what you are looking for.

To answer Tony from May 10, who has a "width" problem, not a height problem. Try the Volkswagen Beetle. Large girth people like the car because of the long doors and wide seats. Plus, you can get one with TDI diesel, and be a mileage champ in today's trying economy. Most of us big and tall types on this forum are still waiting for a decent big car that gets good mileage, and that we can fit in comfortably. Maybe an automaker will read this and take heed.

I'm 6'4", looking for Rear Wheel Drive sports sedan. The Infiniti M45 (used to save money) is the only car on my list right now. It is really comfortable: 1) As much headroom (even with sunroof) as our full size SUV, 2) Telescopic stearing moves out far enough for comfortable reach, 3) Gear shift is comfortable for manual mode shifting. The Pontiac G8 has good legroom. However, with the sunroof headroom is borderline. The deal breaker is that when I moved my head slightly to the left, it hit a large bulge in the headliner that doesn't exist in other cars. Althoug a 5-series works to, I don't really want that much of an image car and their used prices are higher. I am really impressed with the Infiniti M45! (I have no relationship with Infiniti in any way)

What car under $25,000 would you recommend for someone who is 6' 5" and has a 36 inch leg length?

I am looking for a mid size car/suv that my son, who is 14 yrs old and is already 6'3", can sit comfortably in the back seat. The only car we have found is the Pontaic Torrent and the Chevy Equinox because they have sliding rear seats, but their track record for repairs has not been great. Any suggestions for BACK SEAT legroom?

i am 6'8", 37" inseam and 280 lbs. currently in a stripped 07 suburban. fits nice. 16.5 MPG is a downer.

have had good luck with impalas, malibus, most honda products.

my advice is to rent something for a weekend and find out how it really fits and works for you over an extended period of time.

seat extensions.

a few years ago i found out that some police departments and highway patrol units had seat extensions retrofitted to their cars because of all the gear they wear that interferes with the steering wheel. you might ask your local police department if they have that done and if so by who.

The new 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan now moves into my top rankings for midsize SUV’s, edging out the Murano. As you know from my previous posts, I’m 6ft6 and 275lbs. I also have a size 15 foot, which makes the pedals/wheel well proposition difficult for many cars. The Tiguan has an 8 way adjustable driver seat, and when fully racked and reclined rearward there is still some room for most average to small adults in the rear seat. If you need a lot of legroom room in the back, then the nod goes to the Murano. The Tiguan is more ergonomically comfortable in the driver space, with door scallops and a non-intrusive console design that affords some legroom. Back seats recline aiding in comfort for passengers. Sight lines through the windows are good, and there is an inch or more of clearance between my fairly wide shoulders and the B pillar. The center console armrest rises up down and forward to make an armchair like arrangement. The steering wheel both tilts and telescopes. Additional positive attributes are an advanced 2.0L TDI intercooled gas engine making about 200 hp. The vehicle is fairly quiet on the highway and the engine has no difficulty pulling the weight around. The economy/space/drive-ability equation means this vehicle will probably sell well for Volkswagen. In my opinion it also becomes the most efficient/sporty vehicle for tall people available. Downsides are the small boot/trunk area. The Tiguan could also use another inch of space to the right of the gas pedal, but that is a small quibble. If you plan on using the vehicle for long trips and need to carry a lot of luggage, then a roof rack carrier should be considered.

My latest rankings for new vehicles:

Midsize SUVs with top vehicles listed first and then in declining order:

Tiguan, Murano, Sorento, Element ,Outlander, Pilot, MDX. Note that the two row (seating) vehicles edge out the three row vehicles, as the automakers are forced to compromise driver legroom on the three row vehicles. If you are above 6 ft 5, then scratch the list to the right of the Murano.

Midsize Cars listed in ranking order:

2009 Honda Accord, Saturn Aura, Nissan Altima, Chevrolet Impala. The Accord has the most greenhouse space with good rear seat legroom and good sight lines. But, it has an intrusive console that impinges on right legroom. All the other cars listed become three seaters when the driver seat is fully racked and reclined,as the driver seat impinges on rear passenger legroom. Pay close attention to the floor board area of the rear seat. For example, when fully racked,the Impala driver seat consumes rear passenger foot space, making it unacceptable for passengers. If you are well above 6 ft 6 consider the lower cost Altima, as it has a plastic console design that is removable, thus giving you more legroom.

Large Cars in ranking order:

Lincoln Town Car, BMW 7 series, Chrysler 300C, Dodge Magnum, Dodge Charger, Cadillac DTS, Buick Lucerne. The Lincoln has the most driver space, has an open cockpit, the biggest seats, and gets 23 mpg on the highway. The Caddy and Buick barely make this list. The Avalon and Azera are too cramped for me and thus not listed. I don’t have any info yet on the new Pontiac G8.

Full size SUVs: Sorry I don’t like any of the new full size SUV’s, as the automakers have made them less ergonomically comfortable for tall people vs those SUV’S from the past. They also suck the gas. I would recommend an old Tahoe, pre 99, with electric seats and no console. If you are really big and tall, say above 6ft7 and plus 320 lbs then this is your vehicle. Buy one and take good care of it. Put the new upcoming Chevy diesel in it when it becomes available in the next year or two.

Small cars:
Scion Xb, Hyundai Elantra, Toyota Prius, BMW mini. The Prius could have more legroom, but Toyota limits seat travel due to the side curtain air bag deployment zone. The roof shape makes side curtain airbag design difficult apparently. The Mini becomes a three seater when fully racked.

Trucks:
F250,Ram,F150,Ridgeline,Silverado,Tundra. The new RAM will have a giant console like the Tundra, so it might not be acceptable.I listed the RAM here without testing it.

Good luck!

Just to add another deminsion to the tall driver situation. I am 6' 5". I have found that even sitting in a car and feeling there is enough legroom is not adequate. I am most concerned about whether or not I can go from the accellerator to the brake multiple times without getting a cramp im my leg. Sometimes I will ask a salesman to just let me sit in the car and go gas/brake gas/brake several times and see how it feels.

I too have found the Passat to have good leg room. I currently drive a 2004 Acura TL and find that to have generous legroom.

I also find legroom feels more generoous when the weather is warm as opposed to the cold weather. This becomes more noticeable as you get older and legs do not bend as well.