For shoppers with large families or those who just don’t feel that a popular compact vehicle is spacious and luxurious enough, a full-size car may be just what they want. Due to their size, these vehicles have unparalleled passenger and cargo capacity, with many SUVs in this classification offering seating for up to seven people. Most luxury brands use this segment to showcase their flagship models, meaning that full-size vehicles are often the pinnacle of an automaker’s expertise and achievement. Naturally, competition between such models is fierce, so we have developed a ranking of the best full-size cars of 2024 for you.
2024 Toyota Grand Highlander
- Base MSRP
- $43,070
- Fuel Economy
- 21/28/24 mpg (FWD) | 21/27/23 mpg (best AWD)
- Horsepower
- 265 hp
Characteristics of Full-Size Vehicles
Since you can fit so much into large cars, there is a lot of room for variety and customization. As such, there may be fewer similarities between competing brands and models. That doesn’t mean you won’t notice some common threads when you compare them, though. These are the qualities that you will almost always encounter in the best large cars:
What to Consider When Buying Large Cars
Just because full-size cars are often considered the best an automaker has to offer, that doesn’t mean they are the best choice for you. There are so many cars available in the USA that you may just as easily find a midsize model that manages to tick all the right boxes at a lower price. If you’re looking to buy a new car, keep these points in mind when looking at the full-size market:
Pros
- Plenty of powerful engine options
- Loads of passenger space and often a decent amount of cargo room
- Luxury models generally showcase the best a brand has to offer
- Larger, heavier cars usually have good crash-test scores
- Presence on the road is a given
- Usually loaded with features to make for a comfortable ride
Cons
- Way more expensive to own and run than smaller cars
- Not always as practical as they may seem
- Less suited to busy urban streets
- Cumbersome handling
FAQs
What defines a full-size car?
The EPA recognizes any vehicle with more than 120 cubic feet of cabin volume as a full-size car. In the case of naturally more spacious vehicles like station wagons, the figure has to exceed 160 cu-ft. Many vehicles straddle segments, however.
What are the best full-size cars?
While there is no shortage of options when it comes to large vehicles, there will always be those that stand above the rest for one reason or another. Any list of the best full-size cars should include the Genesis G90, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7 Series, Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator, and Land Rover Range Rover.
Are there any cheap full-size cars?
There are certainly a few large vehicles that don’t ask for an equally large investment. The Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 are both particularly good deals in the large sedan segment at just over $30,000. Naturally, SUVs are a bit pricier, but you can pick up a Chevrolet Tahoe or Nissan Armada for about $50k.