A sub-compact sedan like the Mercedes A-Class sedan, the Audi A3 limousine, or the BMW 1-series Gran Coupe are indeed sedans when it comes to a sedan layout, but when it comes to space and comfort, they are not all that sedan-like.
True compact sedans like the Mercedes C-Class, the Audi A4, or the BMW 3 series are a different story. As cars tend to grow in size as the years go by, a 2021 Audi A4 offers more interior space than a 10-year-old Audi A6. And most compact sedans, European or not, offer an ample amount of interior space for taller individuals.
Mid-sized sedans like the Mercedes E-Class, the Audi A6, or the BMW 5-series are comfortable and spacious inside for 99% of individuals. And the biggest sedan options are full-sized luxury limos like the Mercedes S-Class, the Audi A8, or the BMW 7-series.
But the best sedans for tall drivers are the Hyundai Sonata, the Subaru Legacy, Chevy Impala, or the Nissan Altima. But they are not all that impressive as sedans though, so you might want to take a look at the cavernous Genesis G90 if you are willing to swallow the price.
Best compact sedans for tall drivers
Answering this question mostly depends on what you value the most. If you want a great sedan that is probably spacious enough, go for something like a BMW 3-series, Audi A4, Mercedes C-Class, Jaguar XE, Lexus IS, or a Volvo S60.
But if you primarily value space, and you are not all that keen on luxury and comfort, or you are being sensible with your budget, a Nissan Versa offers 44.5 inches of legroom. Which is a lot more than most of its compact sedan rivals.
For a spot of context, a BMW 3-series offers 38.7 inches of headroom and 42 inches of legroom. The Audi A4 offers 37.3 inches of headroom and 41.3 inches of legroom, and the Mercedes C-Class is almost identical to the Audi.
If you want an EV, the Tesla Model 3 also offers a decently sized cabin at 40.3 inches of headroom and 42.7 inches of legroom. All these compact sedan options are more than plenty for most tall drivers, but some might still struggle with something like an Audi A4 or a Mercedes C-Class.
Best mid-size sedans for tall drivers
As far as outright space is considered, the Hyundai Sonata offers 40.4 inches of headroom and 45.5 inches of legroom. The Subaru Legacy and the Nissan Altima both offer 40 inches of headroom and 42.9 inches of legroom for the Legacy and 45 inches for the mighty Altima.
A Chevy Impala is also a fairly popular choice for really tall individuals as it offers 39.9 inches of headroom and an impressive figure of 45.8 inches of legroom. A BMW 5-series is the most spacious of the German trio at 38.8 inches of headroom and 41.4 inches of legroom.
It’s fairly obvious that the 5-series can not match any of these when it comes to outright space, but if you can fit into a 5-series, your journey is likely to be more comfortable. It’s also worth mentioning that the aforementioned Japanese and US cars are not bad, but they aren’t comparable to the German trio.
And the price tag certainly does reflect that. A 6’7’’ inch individual is likely to fit in all of the aforementioned mid-size sedans, and also in a bunch of compact sedans as well. So the story here is more about choosing the best sedan because most sedans are large enough for 99% of the population.
Best full-size sedans for tall drivers
Buying a full-size sedan is never about increased driver headroom and legroom because the BMW 5-series and the BMW 7-series are almost identical when it comes to driver interior space. It’s all about style, comfort, status, and luxury, lots of luxury.
The Genesis G90 is a newcomer in a well saturated full-size luxury sedan market. Even though the G90 costs almost as much as the famous trio from Germany, the G90 offers 41.1 inches of driver headroom, but a fairly superior 46.3 inches of driver legroom.
For a spot of context, the BMW 7-series is the most spacious German luxury sedan on sale, but it only offers a ”measly” 39.9 inches of driver headroom, and 41.4 inches of driver legroom. So it’s rather safe to say that the G90 will accommodate a stupendously large individual without breaking a sweat.
No matter the case, all full-size sedans are indeed spacious enough for everyone. Less than 0.000038% of people will struggle in a Genesis G90, so if you are one of them, well, go buy a train.
FAQ Section
Should I buy a full-size, mid-size, or compact-size sedan if I am tall?
Well, it depends, but you can probably fit in all three of these. As a matter of fact, I myself am 6’5”, and I daily drive an Audi A3 Sportback, and I am fairly satisfied with the space on offer. Choosing between these is more dependant on factors such as price, wishes, and a good bit of reason.
An Audi A4 will offer plenty of space, an Audi A6 will offer a bit more, and the Audi A8 slightly more still. You might as well opt for an SUV if you want even more space, but it’s safe to say that any of these will suffice for most taller people.
What are the benefits and drawbacks of larger vehicles?
More space, more cargo room, usually sleeker styling, increased safety. These are some of the benefits you might experience with a larger car. Larger cars are usually also better equipped, more comfortable, and more enjoyable on longer journeys.
But they are almost always more expensive, heavier thus less fuel-efficient, harder to manoeuver and park, and harder to see out of. Of course, all modern cars come equipped with parking sensors and numerous cameras, but small cars offer these features too.
What is the best car for chauffeuring tall people?
If you picture yourself as an NBA player, you would probably like to be chauffeured in an S-Class LWB, a BMW 7-series L, an Audi A8L, or a Jaguar XJL. Best chauffeur-driven cars are longer wheelbase cars such as these, or a Range Rover if you prefer an SUV.
But the best chauffeur-driven car in existence is almost certainly the Rolls Royce Phantom. Phantoms are mostly reserved for royalty though, even NBA players are not usually driven in a Phantom. A Bentley Flying Spur LWB is also a great chauffeuring option, but both of these costs obscene amounts of money.
