Best Full-Size Cars
The best large sedans have extra passenger and luggage room. They’re ideal family cars—here are the best five full-size cars on the market to help you choose.
Read time
4 minutes
Date
06.02.2023
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If you’re thinking of getting a new car, it helps to know if you need a compact, mid-size or full-size vehicle.
Full-size sedans and station wagons have extra room for passengers and cargo, making them ideal for families, people who love road trips and larger-bodied individuals. But they’re something of a dying breed as manufacturers focus more on SUVs and crossovers in the “large car” category.
Here are five of the best full-size cars that are available either as subscriptions or to lease/ buy.
What is a full-size car vs a standard car?
A standard two-seater sedan is classed as compact if its interior volume is 100 to 109 cubic feet and midsize if the interior volume is 110 to 119 cubic feet.
A standard small station wagon measures under 130 cubic feet and a midsize model is 130 to 159 cubic feet.
What is a full-size car vs a standard car?
A standard two-seater sedan is classed as compact if its interior volume is 100 to 109 cubic feet and midsize if the interior volume is 110 to 119 cubic feet.
A standard small station wagon measures under 130 cubic feet and a midsize model is 130 to 159 cubic feet.
What is a full-size car?
As per the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines, full-size vehicles have an interior volume, measured by combined cargo and passenger volume, of:
- More than 120 cubic feet for sedans
- More than 160 cubic feet for station wagons
These classifications were originally designed to be used as a guideline for the fuel economy of vehicles.
SUVs are not usually categorized as “full-size cars”. Manufacturers use terms such as “standard”, “midsize” or “compact” but the EPA classifies them as trucks, alongside vans and minivans—which means they are classified by weight rather than internal volume.
Generally speaking, full-size cars are four-door sedans or station wagons that can fit up to five people and three pieces of luggage.
5 best full-size cars
In this section, we’ll focus mainly on the best full-size sedans, i.e., large sedans with over 120 cubic feet of combined cargo and passenger volume in their 2023 models.
1. Dodge Charger
The Dodge Charger is another vehicle that excels in the roominess department - with a very generous 120.8 cubic feet of passenger volume. Its other notable feature is its supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine that takes it from zero to 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds. This makes it one of the fastest sedans in the world as well as one of the largest.
- Average price: $36,000
- EPA passenger volume: 120.8 cubic feet
- Cargo volume (all seats in place): 16.5 cubic feet
- Number of seats: 5
1. Dodge Charger
The Dodge Charger is another vehicle that excels in the roominess department - with a very generous 120.8 cubic feet of passenger volume. Its other notable feature is its supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine that takes it from zero to 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds. This makes it one of the fastest sedans in the world as well as one of the largest.
- Average price: $36,000
- EPA passenger volume: 120.8 cubic feet
- Cargo volume (all seats in place): 16.5 cubic feet
- Number of seats: 5
2. Volkswagen Arteon
The Volkswagen Arteon is the perfect sedan if you regularly need extra luggage space as well as room for all the family. While it costs a little more than the Impala, the little touches of interior elegance, sleek exterior, powerful engine and sporty handling won’t disappoint.
- Average price: $45,000
- EPA passenger volume: 96.5 cubic feet
- Cargo volume (all seats in place): 27.2 cubic feet
- Number of seats: 5
2. Volkswagen Arteon
The Volkswagen Arteon is the perfect sedan if you regularly need extra luggage space as well as room for all the family. While it costs a little more than the Impala, the little touches of interior elegance, sleek exterior, powerful engine and sporty handling won’t disappoint.
- Average price: $45,000
- EPA passenger volume: 96.5 cubic feet
- Cargo volume (all seats in place): 27.2 cubic feet
- Number of seats: 5
3. Mercedes Benz S-Class
We wanted to include at least one luxury car on our list and this is one of the best full-size sedans on the market. Of course, it’s a Mercedes so you pay a premium but the plush, spacious interior and powerful engine will have you purring. The S-Class is available in a standard or hybrid version that can travel around 40 miles or so on electricity alone.
- Average price: $120,000
- EPA passenger volume: 112 cubic feet
- Cargo volume (all seats in place): 13 cubic feet
- Number of seats: 5
3. Mercedes Benz S-Class
We wanted to include at least one luxury car on our list and this is one of the best full-size sedans on the market. Of course, it’s a Mercedes so you pay a premium but the plush, spacious interior and powerful engine will have you purring. The S-Class is available in a standard or hybrid version that can travel around 40 miles or so on electricity alone.
- Average price: $120,000
- EPA passenger volume: 112 cubic feet
- Cargo volume (all seats in place): 13 cubic feet
- Number of seats: 5
4. Cadillac XTS
The Cadillac XTS is the other luxury inclusion on our list of the best full-size sedans. It balances a roomy and elegant interior with enough cargo space for the family at a surprisingly affordable price for a luxury car—all with the reliability of the Cadillac name.
- Average price: $50,000
- EPA passenger volume: 104.2 cubic feet
- Cargo volume (all seats in place): 18 cubic feet
- Number of seats: 5
4. Cadillac XTS
The Cadillac XTS is the other luxury inclusion on our list of the best full-size sedans. It balances a roomy and elegant interior with enough cargo space for the family at a surprisingly affordable price for a luxury car—all with the reliability of the Cadillac name.
- Average price: $50,000
- EPA passenger volume: 104.2 cubic feet
- Cargo volume (all seats in place): 18 cubic feet
- Number of seats: 5
5. Chrysler 300
The Chrysler 300 boasts one of the largest passenger volumes on our list, so you won’t be disappointed by the roominess it provides. This full-size sedan is also highly regarded for both its exterior and interior elegance, powerful engine and extensive safety features.
- Average price: $35,000
- EPA passenger volume: 106.3 cubic feet
- Cargo volume (all seats in place): 16.3 cubic feet
- Number of seats: 5
5. Chrysler 300
The Chrysler 300 boasts one of the largest passenger volumes on our list, so you won’t be disappointed by the roominess it provides. This full-size sedan is also highly regarded for both its exterior and interior elegance, powerful engine and extensive safety features.
- Average price: $35,000
- EPA passenger volume: 106.3 cubic feet
- Cargo volume (all seats in place): 16.3 cubic feet
- Number of seats: 5
How to choose a full-size car
A full-size sedan can be a great choice for drivers seeking plenty of driver and passenger room as well as luggage space in the back—but only if you shop smartly for the car that matches your needs.
Here are a few pointers:
- Set a reasonable budget
- Save a sizable down payment
- Check your credit history
- Secure pre-qualification for financing
- Approach reliable dealers
- Be prepared to negotiate—and walk away
- Resist the upselling strategies of car salespeople
There are more car-buying tips here. And, if you want a more cost-friendly option with lower insurance and slower depreciation, consider opting for a used car over a new one.
Consider a car subscription for your next car
Car buyers remain attracted by the huge trunks and spacious back seats that big four-door sedans and large station wagons offer—and there’s still plenty of choice despite their dwindling market share.
And, with more ways to finance a car than ever, you don’t need to buy outright. A car subscription is an easy way to get the car you want—without many of the hassles of owning a car.
With a subscription, you pay a fixed monthly fee that includes registration, insurance and maintenance. Contracts range from 6-12 months so you can switch cars more regularly than with a leased car.
Try a FINN car subscription for a quick, convenient and cost-effective way to get behind the wheel of the car you want—and it’ll even be delivered directly to your doorstep.
Consider a car subscription for your next car
Car buyers remain attracted by the huge trunks and spacious back seats that big four-door sedans and large station wagons offer—and there’s still plenty of choice despite their dwindling market share.
And, with more ways to finance a car than ever, you don’t need to buy outright. A car subscription is an easy way to get the car you want—without many of the hassles of owning a car.
With a subscription, you pay a fixed monthly fee that includes registration, insurance and maintenance. Contracts range from 6-12 months so you can switch cars more regularly than with a leased car.
Try a FINN car subscription for a quick, convenient and cost-effective way to get behind the wheel of the car you want—and it’ll even be delivered directly to your doorstep.