Avis - Chevrolet Impala Or Ford Escape ?

Hi all, i may need your suggestion since i have never used those cars...

for my next trip to ORD we have to rent a car for 3 adults, i think we have 3 standard suitcases and 2/3 cabin cases and 3 lap-top bags.

Is the Impala's cargo volume enough for that? or its better the Ford Escape?

the estimated price is €60(Impala) Vs €78(Escape), plus fuel money.

thanks in advance.

The Impala has 18.6 cubic feet, the Escape has about 30 cubic feet, although that's simply because there's more vertical space in the trunk. I don't know the Escape well enough - if it comes with a cargo cover and you want to keep your luggage out of sight when the vehicle's unattended, there's probably more room in the Impala.

Between the two, I'd go with the Impala. It's a much older design, but it gets decent mileage (probably better than the Impala when fully laden) and is a comfortable cruiser. As a grown adult, I'd probably prefer to be in the back of Impala for a long trip.

A few precautions:
-You might not get either the Impala or Escape so don't go by exact measurements for those vehicles. Note Avis (and all car companies) say "or similar"
-Don't put a lot of faith in interior cubic feet of space. They rely on measurements at specific locations on the interior and wheel wells, trunk hinges, arm rests, lips, etc, can significantly impact the DOT measurements vs. real world storage ability.

For your specific case: The Impala or another large car should have a much more comfortable back seat for an adult. However, the trunk will NOT hold 3 suitcases, 3 small bags and 3 laptop bags (the dreaded Crown Vic/Town Car might, but they are different classes). You can stuff some in the back seat as long as you don't mind everyone seeing that. The Escape will also be tough to get all the bags in the back but you're more likely to get them there (again, they will all be visible). But the back seat rider can share space with bags.

My suggestions:
1. Book the Impala (that's a 30% upcharge for the SUV) and use a free upgrade coupon. Ask at the counter for an SUV or something for your stuff
2. Try to use AWD S767700 for a cheap SUV. Some locations have them as low as $22/day or $159 for the week.
3. 60-78€ is not much... Is this a short rental (2-3 days)? If so, can you pack lighter and save space/weight/etc? Your arms will also appreciate this as you won't have to lug as much stuff everywhere.

A few precautions:
-You might not get either the Impala or Escape so don't go by exact measurements for those vehicles. Note Avis (and all car companies) say "or similar"
-Don't put a lot of faith in interior cubic feet of space. They rely on measurements at specific locations on the interior and wheel wells, trunk hinges, arm rests, lips, etc, can significantly impact the DOT measurements vs. real world storage ability.

For your specific case: The Impala or another large car should have a much more comfortable back seat for an adult. However, the trunk will NOT hold 3 suitcases, 3 small bags and 3 laptop bags (the dreaded Crown Vic/Town Car might, but they are different classes). You can stuff some in the back seat as long as you don't mind everyone seeing that. The Escape will also be tough to get all the bags in the back but you're more likely to get them there (again, they will all be visible). But the back seat rider can share space with bags.

My suggestions:
1. Book the Impala (that's a 30% upcharge for the SUV) and use a free upgrade coupon. Ask at the counter for an SUV or something for your stuff
2. Try to use AWD S767700 for a cheap SUV. Some locations have them as low as $22/day or $159 for the week.
3. 60-78€ is not much... Is this a short rental (2-3 days)? If so, can you pack lighter and save space/weight/etc? Your arms will also appreciate this as you won't have to lug as much stuff everywhere.
thanks for your more than detailed reply, IAHtraveler.

i think i will take yr 1st suggestion. but how can i get a free upgrade coupon? May I get it at the counter with agents?

AWD S767700 seems not work well, i get even lightly higher rate by using this code. €67 for full size and 87 for ESCAPE. looks strange, isnt it?

3: its just 1-day-rental, we need a car to arrive the town where our son-company locates. so we make a single way, ORD-BRL. eventually, we may make this 4hrs trip in Impala with some loads on the back seat...

but i'd like to try the feeling of driving a SUV since i never experienced yet.
i'll attempt my fortune at the counter.

Hey, if you want the feeling of driving an SUV then go ahead and rent an SUV. Bear in mind that an Escape isn't a particularly big SUV and there certainly several classes of SUV larger than that.

Also, just to repeat what IAHtraveller said, Avis fleets in the US are huge and diverse, and if you book an Escape-or-similar you're incredibly likely to be offered something that isn't an Escape.

If I were you I'd book the Escape-or-similar, wait to get to the airport and be told that I've actually been given a Chevy/Dodge/Hyundai/Kia/Nissan/Mazda/Jeep, then simply ask "is this going to be big enough for three people and three suitcases?" If not, they're as likely as not to put you in an SUV one size up.

Joining Avis Preferred might help, if you're not already a member.

Hey, if you want the feeling of driving an SUV then go ahead and rent an SUV. Bear in mind that an Escape isn't a particularly big SUV and there certainly several classes of SUV larger than that.

Also, just to repeat what IAHtraveller said, Avis fleets in the US are huge and diverse, and if you book an Escape-or-similar you're incredibly likely to be offered something that isn't an Escape.

If I were you I'd book the Escape-or-similar, wait to get to the airport and be told that I've actually been given a Chevy/Dodge/Hyundai/Kia/Nissan/Mazda/Jeep, then simply ask "is this going to be big enough for three people and three suitcases?" If not, they're as likely as not to put you in an SUV one size up.

Joining Avis Preferred might help, if you're not already a member.

Thanks!

My parents own a 2011 Impala, and I have driven it many times. It has a huge trunk. You shouldn't have any problems fitting quite a bit of luggage. It will, in fact hold 3 suitcases plus other stuff.

If you are just renting for 1 day, an SUV will likely have more space. I avoid renting SUVs because there is no locking trunk to stash things.