Whether you’re buying or renting, it’s essential that you learn the key differences and benefits of both intermediate and compact cars. The most obvious difference is size, with the intermediate range of models noticeably larger than their more compact alternatives. However, this might not make as much a difference to your fuel consumption as you might expect. Where the differences really start to become noticeable is when you start to look at your personal needs, and whether you’re looking for passenger capacity, storage space, or performance, here’s everything that you need to know when you’re coming down to your final decision on compact vs intermediate car.
How Many Passengers?
The average compact car option can usually seat five people, although they will often find the conditions a little cramped. If you’re planning to rent a compact car and you’re traveling with two to four people in total, then you’ll have much more room to relax in. Intermediate cars may be larger, but the difference in seating is negligible, so it’s worth considering just how much space you really need. Even intermediate cars will struggle for space with five adults in the car, although for those driving with children, space becomes much less of an issue. If you are traveling with young children, then it’s worth checking out whether the model you’re looking at will be able to fit any and all of the car seats that you need.
Perfect for the City
One of the best places to drive a compact car is in the city. Due to their size and their maneuverability, compact cars are ideally suited to city driving. If you want a better option that will see you able to drive around stalled traffic or drive much more safely down smaller roads or even multi-story car parks, then the compact car is perfect. If your road trip includes some city driving, then consider the compact range if you’re looking for better performance. However, if safety is a concern, then it may be worth having a closer look at some of the newer intermediate models. Being slightly larger than most compacts means that they are noticeably safer when it comes to packed and busy roads in rush hour.
Price Comparisons
There may not be as much of a difference as you might think when it comes to a compact vs intermediate rental car. Both of them are much cheaper to run than their larger competitors, and that means that their fuel costs are noticeably lower than you might expect. Both ranges of car are smaller than the majority of their counterparts, meaning that fuel costs are significantly lower. Obviously, the smaller the model, the better your fuel consumption is likely to be, which is why the compact range is always going to come out ahead in an overall price comparison. However, when compared to standard or large vehicles, the cost-saving potential with compact or intermediate models are always worth looking at in more detail.
Storage Space
If there’s one area that the intermediate range beats the compact models hands down, it’s in storage space. That slightly larger vehicle size means that the trunk is much more spacious, and that can make all the difference if you’re planning a long road trip. While both styles are easily capable of storing two large suitcases, an intermediate car will be able to pack a few more bags in as well, whereas a compact car is most likely going to struggle to fit much more. If you need to pack a lot of belongings with you, then there’s no doubt that the intermediate range may be much more suitable. For short trips with minimal packing required, then you might be much better off with a compact.
Assess your Needs
As you can see, many of the key difference between the midsize intermediate cars and the compact models are slight, and your final decision will come down to meeting your personal needs. If you’re traveling with more people and plenty of baggage, then renting a compact car is going to lead to discomfort. They may be slightly cheaper when it comes to costs, but paying that bit extra for an intermediate model may be worth the expense if you value your comfort.
It’s always worth doing a final check of your itinerary and assessing the driving conditions that you’ll be facing. For city drives, you may feel safer in a larger car, but that safety may cost you in maneuverability. When it comes to finding the perfect car for your journey, always evaluate your own strengths and find a model that suits your purpose.
