The most common booking mistake is choosing by seat count. A five-seater really does have five seats, but the boot of a small hatchback swallows two cabin cases and a backpack, not four full-size suitcases for a two-week trip. Boot volume decides, not the number of seats.
How much luggage fits into each class
A small car such as a Fiat Panda or VW Up has roughly a 200-litre boot, which means two cabin cases. A supermini like a Seat Ibiza or Renault Clio offers around 300 litres: one large case plus two cabin ones. An estate or compact SUV reaches 450 to 600 litres, which is three large suitcases. Watch out for seven-seat MPVs — with the third row up, the boot is often smaller than in an Ibiza.
Automatic or manual
Manual gearboxes are the default in southern Europe, and an automatic typically adds 8 to 15 euros a day. If your route includes cities like Barcelona or Naples, coastal traffic jams and mountain hairpins, that surcharge pays for itself. Automatics are also far rarer in local fleets, so book early, especially for July and August.
When a big car becomes a liability
Seven-seaters and large SUVs are awkward to park in historic centres, and narrow mountain roads — the descent to Sa Calobra on Mallorca, for instance — are simply unpleasant in them. For six people or more, two smaller cars are usually both more practical and cheaper than one big one. Bonus: the group can split up during the day.
If you are unsure, tell us in your enquiry how many of you are travelling, how many suitcases you have and where you are heading. A person puts the offer together, not an algorithm, and you will hear back within 48 hours. The enquiry is non-binding and our service is free of charge.
