XC60 as a rental car for 5 people with 4 bags

[BlizzardX]

Hi folks

Coming back to the UK for a family visit. Need to hire car for 3 weeks that can take 3 adults and 2 kids plus associated baggage; intent is that the kids share a case and the adults have 1 each. All planned to be soft shell not hard so squishable. I've found an XC60 (or similar) from Enterprise for a reasonable price from Heathrow (as we'll be ending out stay in London) and all the reviews and vids suggest that the XC60 would take the number of cases but I was hoping to see if anyone had any real life examples and/or advice?

What's motors view on the size of them?

Ta

Chris

 

[BlizzardX]

Thanks, when you mean a dog net do you mean to stop anything above the parcel shelf level from sliding in to the back seats? The dimensions are fab though as that will allow me to 'test' the sizes and ensure that the females in the trip do not over pack

 

[BlizzardX]

I'd probably book an estate over an SUV. Partly due to the risk mentioned above over being given exact model. Most estates would fit 4 large suitcases.

Estates are really expensive at the moment via rental agencies. Looking at 5K NZD plus for the same period as the XC60. They where my first choice until I saw the price.

 

[BlizzardX]

The "or similar" part is what would worry me. I can't personally comment as to whether everything would fit in an XC60, but there's a fair chance they won't even give you that exact car. I rent cars fairly often and I'd say I end up with the exact model I booked less than 50% of the time.

Yeah this has always concerned me when I'm doing long haul with lots of people. I've reached out to the company to find out if they can qualify what 'or similar' means, obviously it could be something else but you would expect it to be in the same class i.e. another 'full sized SUV'. I'm really looking at boot volume and practicalities of loading at the moment as we can tailor our luggage to suit that somewhat.

 

[BlizzardX]

You won't get an XC60, you'll get something else that's arguably similar. Enterprise (and Alamo - who get you Enterprise service at lower prices) state for their vehicles how many people and bags they'll take - book based on that instead of on the basis of an exact model.

This is the concern. When you read the reviews of various 'large SUVs' they can carry more than 3 bags yet the firms only show 3 bags max and this includes the estates. Does anybody know of any sites that may hold what vehicles are rented where? There must be some rental nerds out there that track the rental fleet and what is where, like bus spotters do??

Is there a definition for 'Large SUV' etc? that could be relied on?

 

[BlizzardX]

The kids are 8 and 11 with 3 adults me included. Max boot space is only needed when we transition from areas e.g. moving regions and accommodation this will only happen 3 times in 4 weeks so not using the parcel shelf during this time is fine; the kids will share a check in luggage and two of the adults will have soft cases. Longest journey is about 4 or 5 hours as we head out from Wales to the NW England with probably a couple of stops so loading above parcel shelf is fine - as long as I have wing mirrors I can drive... In NZ they appear to be quite optional!

How did you end up with the an estate from an SUV? I thought they would have to give you a similar class or was the estate 'an upgrade'?

 

[BlizzardX]

Thanks all for the replies... I went ahead and booked it (paid up front + additional GPS) as it was one of the better deals compared to the other providers, NZ > UK exchange rate will fluctuate and we're in a reasonable place right now conversion wise, and the other cars where simply too expensive. Its 3 adults and 2 kids, kids are 8 and 11 and skinny, myself (the driver), the mother in law and the missus. The missus is small too and she can fit in our Audi S4 back seats in between the kids booster seats. We're going to look at purchasing slim booster when we arrive if we need to but she can probably tolerate a journey in the back if its at least the same width as the S4.

 

[BlizzardX]

So a bit of a necro revival In the UK for a few weeks and I figured I'd update this thread. Got an XC60 T6 Hybrid recharge - nice interior, touch screen is annoying (prefer buttons) but the digital dashboard is cool. Boot is big enough for 2 large suitcases, 2 medium, 1 duffle type bag with wheels and backpacks loaded on the top... so yes it does fit what I expected!

It also allowed me to realise that I hate SUVs and much prefer low slung sedans but this T6 does have good grunt but man it wallows into corners!