Greg is a 6-foot-6, 250-pound guy who currently drives a Kia Rio that is surprisingly comfortable for his size. However, he wants a vehicle that sits a little higher off the ground for easier entry and exit, but doesn’t want a giant truck. With a budget of $20,000, which car should he buy?
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Here is the situation.
I’m 6’6″/250, and have always (happily) driven small cars. I currently have a small Kia Rio that I got for a good price. It performs well. I like the economy and maneuverability of smaller cars in urban and suburban situations, and I find driving space has nothing to do with vehicle size.
However, I was reluctant to consider a larger car, and by larger I mean higher off the ground. My problem with cars is not that they are too small, but that they are too low. With my weak knees and occasional back problems, I can have a hard time getting 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 jumping straight to a full-size pickup or SUV is that I have a hard time justifying 15-20 mpg—especially since I don’t need the towing/hauling capability.
It’s hard to find advice for very tall drivers. I’ve done a lot of searching, and most “tall” drivers are around 6’2. That’s a legal height—and I know some taller than me—but inches matter when you’re working on the edge.
I suspect this puts me in the CRV or RAV4 range, but I’m concerned about driver space. And I can’t decide whether a compact SUV is the best of both worlds or too much of a compromise to do anything well. So the secondary question: should I get a big car and a small car, or a car that tries to combine them?
To me, the two most important features a car can have are 1) running and 2) paying for it. So luxury, performance, etc. are not top priorities. A car that can hit 200-300k miles is much more impressive than a low 0-60 time.
* Driving position is higher off the ground (easier for a tall person to get in and out of the car)
* Enough room for my frame. The Rio has 40″ of headroom, which is plenty. I’m full-footed. Even at 250 pounds, I’m not too wide. I have the build of an old basketball player.
* High reliability. I would reasonably expect this car to last around 100,000 miles.
* Maximum fuel economy possible from a large enough vehicle.
* Has room for me plus 3 passengers. Mainly just me, but the ability to take the family somewhere would be useful. Kids qualify as tall, but not as tall as me.
Quick Info:
Budget: $20,000
Location: Austin, TX
Daily driving: Correct
Want: Higher ride, comfortable for tall people, respectable MPG
Don’t want: Something big
Expert 1: Tom McParland – Just a Little Older
Greg, given your size, finding the right car can definitely be a challenge, especially if you don’t want to drive a giant truck. Based on some quick research, the Rio has 42 inches of front legroom and about 40 inches of headroom. If you want to keep your car small and save on gas but want a little more ride height, the Kia Niro might be the answer.
With 40.5 inches of headroom and 41.5 inches of legroom, it’s pretty close to your current car, but the Niro is a weird crossover/hatchback/wagon hybrid that’s a few inches taller. It also has a hybrid engine as a standard option that gets up to 50 MPG. Finding a Niro hybrid under twenty grand without higher mileage isn’t easy, But this is a certified Kia with under 50,000 miles and a price tag under $19,000.
Expert 2: Collin Woodard – Small Car, Slightly High Seat Height
Yeah, yeah, yeah, Greg. Looks like us average-sized people finally have a thing for your Talls. You may be busy dunking basketballs and dating model doctors, but I can fit into a Miata and you can’t, so booyah! I mean, thanks for choosing Jalopnik to advise you as you begin the difficult process of deciding what car to buy.
Normally, I would recommend a Mini Cooper. Logan Carter is also 6’8” and loves his car, so how could I not steal his answer if he didn’t live on the West Coast and work late nights? However, if you’re tired of getting in and out of your Kia Ria, I don’t know if a Mini is the answer. So how do you keep your car small while still providing a high seating position? The Toyota Crown might do the trick, but it’s too expensive and probably too big.
The Crown isn’t the only pickup you can buy, though. Since this is Jalopnik, I recommend treating yourself to a nice used Volvo S60 Cross Country. Compared to your Rio, it’s incredibly comfortable and comes with all sorts of new features. It also seats four without being too big. And with a crossover-like ride height, it’s much easier to get in and out of.
The good news is that you won’t have any trouble finding a Volvo S60 Cross Country for under $20,000. The bad news is that, for some reason, the idea of a souped-up luxury sedan doesn’t really resonate with customers, so there aren’t many for sale, and there really aren’t any in your area. If you’re willing to look a little further afield, perhaps Check out this list in Albuquerque for a 2016 model with 78,000 miles for $14,450.
Expert 3: Logan Carter – Advice from the Only Writer Taller Than You
Hey Greg, it’s great to hear from a really tall person. Nothing annoys me more than when a 6-foot-1 guy starts complaining about needing more space; I’m 6-foot-8, 230 pounds, and I’m also full-footed. I have a suggestion for you that will give you a good bang for your buck, although I have to admit I’m not sure it’ll have enough room in the front. Luckily, I have a backup that will definitely fit you.
While this may seem like an odd suggestion, I think you should consider the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport or Eclipse Cross. The price you pay will get you a newer Mitsubishi than most other cars, which will give you and your family more safety and convenience features. The Outlander Sport isn’t a sports car, it’s basically the equivalent of a Rio hatchback raised a few inches, but it sounds like it’s perfect for what you’re looking for. Edmunds The Outlander Sport says it has 39.4 inches of front seat headroom and 41.6 inches of legroom, so in theory it’s about the same amount of space as your current car, but as a tall person I know that measurements don’t always directly equate to actual space. Always sit in the car before you buy it.
Another benefit of buying a used Mitsubishi is the 10-year, 100,000-mile transferable powertrain warranty and the 5-year, 60,000-mile transferable new vehicle limited warranty, so buying a newer car with lower mileage means you’ll be covered for longer under those warranties. That said, from tall to tall, the only cars in your price range that I can guarantee will have enough room for big people like us are Subarus. I recommend the Mitsubishi first because Subaru resale values are high and you won’t find a low-mileage Crosstrek or Outback for under $20,000. If all else fails, go with the Subaru.
I think a Mitsubishi Outlander Sport like this 2022 model with under 40,000 miles for sale in Round Rock, Texas would suit you and your needs. while still retaining the peace of mind of thousands of miles of warranty remaining. It’s a 2022 model, which means you get heated seats and a rearview camera, along with automatic emergency braking as an added safety net. It’s AWD, which may be overkill for your needs, but I like the color. I don’t mean to be self-congratulatory, but I think I’ve solved your car-buying dilemma; I really hope this helps the big guy! Good luck to you and your family.
Expert 4: Bradley Brownell – The Unorthodox Choice
Okay, I’m not as tall as Logan, but I’m 6’2″ and most of my height is in my torso, so headroom is sometimes an issue for me. I think your best bet for a great daily commuter is to find the best second-generation Scion xB in the world and drive it until the inevitable heat death of the universe. This car is clearly built for exactly what you need, the seat height is relatively high, which is a big selling point for older drivers who don’t want to lower themselves into the car. They call this the “h-spot” and it’s the xB’s biggest selling point.
This example isn’t exactly the one you want, but it’s bright blue and caught my attention. This one is way below your budget at $6,791 with 159,000 miles on the odometer. I’m almost certain you can find a nicer example with fewer miles, and maybe even a manual transmission. All examples in the US were sold with the Toyota 2AZ-FE 2.4-liter engine, also found in the popular Camry. The car will outlast you if you take care of it. And it gets over 30 mpg on the highway. Perfect!
