When buying a new car, you certainly aren’t strapped for choice. You could opt for a sedan, a practical SUV crossover, or city-centric hatchback, a sporty coupe, or a burly pickup trick. But beyond body style, you also have to consider the role that size plays. The best new midsize cars are ideal for city living, though compacts are also extremely popular. These vehicles maintain high levels of driveability and practicality while still fitting perfectly into the city lifestyle. However, there is something to be said for even more size, and many shoppers are willing to pay the price, both literal and figurative, to enjoy the benefits of large cars. These include more space to stretch out inside, a good amount of cargo capacity, and usually a potent powertrain that can move all that heavy metal.
If you’re looking to haul the whole family around in style and comfort, lug heavy loads with ease, or just cruise in the lap of luxury, then you should probably consider one of the top full-size models available in the USA.
America’s most wanted
When it comes to popular large cars, there really is no beating the good old pickup truck. These monstrous brutes have enjoyed the top spot in sales for years, with names like the Ford F-Series and Ram Pickup leading the way. The F-150 and its Raptor variant are among the most beloved, building on national pride with a reputation for reliability and a dedication to being the best in their respective classifications.
That being said, Ram and Chevrolet are usually right there alongside Ford. Each brand vies to provide the highest towing and hauling capacities, and when the Silverado surpasses the F-150, it’s only a matter of time until Ford strikes back with a few hundred pounds extra to stay ahead of the competition.
For consumers who need to do even harder work, there are 250/2500 models and super- and heavy-duty variants that often include dual rear wheels to handle the insane loads these trucks enjoy playing with. To top it all off, many of these pickups boast exceptional off-roading capabilities. This isn’t actually all that uncommon among large cars, especially SUVs, but pickups make use of 4×4 drivetrains to really dominate rough terrain.
Style and substance
To many, the best full-size cars are those that make a statement, and large luxury sedans have long been seen as rolling status symbols. This is the segment where you will find most premium automakers’ flagship models, like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW 7 Series. Despite their size, these cars are not known for their practicality. They have loads of passenger space, both in the front and rear seats, but their trunks are generally very small in comparison to similarly sized mainstream models.
Other downsides include a very high starting MSRP and relatively poor fuel economy. The latter stems from the fact that these cars often come equipped with powerful engines, usually V6 or V8 units. This is not about instilling them with peerless performance, but rather allowing them to effortless float around town or fly down the highway.
The few drawbacks are further offset by the fact that these cars are simply gorgeous, inside and out, and come laden with loads of standard features. Audi and Volvo, in particular, are known for their high-tech specs, whereas Mercedes and BMW will often charge extra for desirable features. Most consumers considering a premium vehicle won’t really care about this.
But, for those who actually care about getting the best bang for their buck, there are newer brands like Genesis. These are birthed from mainstream and affordable brands like Hyundai or Toyota, so they bring decades of experience in producing highly reliable cars on a tighter budget. As such, these new premium upstarts like the Genesis G80 compete with the established German giants while undercutting them in terms of price.
High-riding people haulers
While compact and midsize SUVs may be preferable for most city dwellers, there is no denying that they struggle to accommodate particularly large families. Many shoppers want a three-row SUV, but when they end up buying a midsize model, they are disappointed that the rear-most seats are barely usable, and usually come at a significant cost to trunk space.
Full-size models, however, can provide ample and comfortable seating while still maintaining a certain level of practicality. The Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator are good examples of this, and if you feel that they still don’t offer enough room for cargo, you can opt for an extended-wheelbase variant that adds a few inches of length to increase overall cabin space appreciably.
These are rather expensive options, but there are more economical alternatives like the Ford Expedition and Chevrolet Suburban. The latter is is particularly popular among buyers that find the Tahoe just a smidge too small for their needs. And while each of these nameplates may be great around the city, if you want to take the whole family on an extended camping trip, then the Land Rover Range Rover is a great full-size SUV.
