The best small cars for tall people

My Mum is quite short. So is my Dad as a matter of fact, and my sister. How then have I ended up towering above all of them at 6’3”? I don’t understand the genetic trickery, but I do know that my height has ruined a lot of my favourite cars.

A classic Mini? No chance. Mk3 Toyota MR2? I had to buy a Mazda MX-5 instead because my knees wouldn’t fit under the steering wheel properly. And I can dream on about all of the Japanese Kei cars I’ve been checking out in the classifieds.

So which new small cars are best for tall people? Well here are five of my favourites.

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1. Dacia Sandero
2. Alpine A110
3. Renault Clio
4. Skoda Fabia
5. Hyundai Inster

1. Dacia Sandero

The Dacia Sandero is the small hatchback I would buy, because it’s such great value for money. For around £15,800 you can get a mid-spec version with all the kit you’ll ever need, and this drops to £15,300 if you buy through Carwow at the time of writing.

It’s spacious inside, with plenty of room to accommodate my long legs, surprisingly refined on the motorway and I think it looks pretty cool as well, with a rugged, no frills design which is refreshing to see these days. The lack of safety aids such as adaptive cruise control may put you off though.

2. Alpine A110

When I first walked up to the Alpine A110, I thought it would be another broken dream. The cabin looks pretty compact and bijou at first glance, but once I clambered aboard I was surprised to find that the seat went back so far that I couldn’t reach the pedals anymore.

The reason the A110 is so accommodating of taller drivers is that Alpine’s former managing director, Michael Van Der Sande, stands at a towering 6’7”, and the car was designed so that even he could get comfortable for a B-road blast. And it’s on a twisty road that the A110 shines with its pin-sharp steering, featherweight body and mid-engine balance.

3. Renault Clio

As small cars go, the Renault Clio feels the most like a big car. Sounds weird I know, but let me explain.

When you step inside there’s loads of room to get comfortable up front, and it feels really posh as well thanks to the soft-touch plastics and solid switchgear. It’s also really comfortable to drive, with motorway refinement which can shame some much more expensive alternatives.

The rear seats are a bit tight, especially with the driver’s seat set up for me, but the Clio makes up for this with a massive boot. At 391 litres it’s 40 litres bigger than a Volkswagen Polo, 56 litres up on the Audi A1 and a whopping 80 litres more than a Peugeot 208.

4. Skoda Fabia

I love a Skoda, and the Fabia is a great small hatchback. It’s comfortable up front, spacious in the back and you get a massive, practical boot as well. On top of that, there are the Skoda “Simply Clever” features, like an umbrella in the door pocket and an ice scraper in the fuel filler cap.

I’d avoid the entry-level 80hp engine unless you drive exclusively in town, because on faster roads it feels a bit weedy. Go for the 116hp petrol version and you’ll get plenty of poke, as well as 50mpg.

5. Hyundai Inster

I couldn’t believe how spacious the Hyundai Inster was inside when I first saw it in person. On the outside it’s around the same size as a Hyundai i10 or a Kia Picanto, but I can sit comfortably behind my driving position in the Inster.

It also looks really cool, and you can get it with sliding seats which allow you to expand the boot space when you’re not carrying rear passengers. I did find that some of the interior plastics feel a bit cheap, but then again it’s an affordable electric car so I can let it slide.

Small cars for tall people to avoid

There are a couple of small cars which I would steer clear of as a taller person, although it’s always worth trying them out for yourself as well. We’re all built differently after all.

Dacia Spring

The Dacia Spring is the cheapest electric car on sale in the UK today, but I found it quite cramped behind the wheel. I could do with a bit more adjustment in the seat to make room for my legs, and the narrow body made it feel a bit claustrophobic as well. The Leapmotor T03 feels more roomy if you’re after a super-cheap, super-small EV.

Peugeot 208

It pains me to say it, but the Peugeot 208’s driving position just doesn’t work for me. It’s a shame because I love the way it looks, it has a lovely interior and it’s great to drive. All new Peugeots have a small steering wheel with the dials set above it, and it works for me in every other model, but in the 208 the wheel is either in my lap or blocking the driver’s display.

Car change? Carwow!

Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.

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