Car Suggestions for Very Tall, Very Large Man - New or Used, Petrol/Diesel or Electric - Budget up to $100k

LMetaphor on 27/05/2025 - 07:15

I'm significantly taller than average (6'8"/203cm), very heavy, and most cars are simply not suitable for me as a driver (or passenger frankly).

My current car is a Holden Statesman, which has served me well as it's a long wheelbase sedan. However, it is now over 20 years old and is basically falling apart and the repairs are both difficult (because Holden doesn't manufacture this model anymore) and expensive. I'd get a newer model of Statesman if I wasn't afraid I'd just run into the same problem again.

My requirements (new/used, petrol/electric) are very open and my budget is (what I consider to be) high (AUD$100k) because the number one consideration is that the driver's side can accommodate my frame.

Range (for electric) is not that important, I would only need about 40 km per day. Won't generally need high-speed charging as I WfH for some of the week and can trickle charge.

Versatility not that important - I don't need SUV power or to transport things or have kids that need to be accommodated. I don't give a shit about 'sport' features.

I have no brand loyalties. I have never owned a new car but would be happy to do so. A car that held value would be nice but I do intend to keep for many years so not that important.

Any suggestions or ideas from personal experience, or where I can do some of my more own research? Importing a car is out of the question because I would have to have sat in it at least once.

Automotive

Comments

  • Randolph Duke on 28/05/2025 - 14:23

    Patrol Y63 or Land Cruiser 200/300 series.

  • Thinkscape on 28/05/2025 - 15:08
    +1

    I’m similar size, so is my brother.
    Most cars feel suffocating and crammed.

    Model Y has very few redundant plastic trim elements, retaining a lot of actual liveable passenger space. It’s much bigger inside compared to other vehicles in the mid-sized SUV segment… but has small enough footprint for urban environment, easy parking etc.

    Recommending a test drive or renting one for weekend on https://www.evee.com.au/

  • Waltervp on 28/05/2025 - 16:47
    +2

    I used to listen to Car Talk on an American NPR radio station. They had a particularly large fan call in about this subject. The caller, a regular fan, was in same situation as OP. He parked his big Cadillac in the parking lot in sight of a XXXXL shop where large people buy clothes. He got comfy with a supersize coke and a bucket of popcorn and binoculars around his neck. He watched large people go in and out of their vehicles…. he found what he needed… and actually got one and raved about it: the New Beetle! He says not only are people not giving him the finger and yelling abuse at him, they are now treating him like a little princess on the road and giving way with a wave! And surprisingly he has no trouble getting in and out of it! The seat goes way back, the roof is very high, and he loved it. No longer a sensible choice these days, but was a great cartalk episode i recall….

  • koplik8 on 28/05/2025 - 16:51

    Toyota LandCruiser

  • smigglejiggle on 28/05/2025 - 17:31

    Land Cruiser 200 or 300, Everest / Ranger or even the American utes.

    • LFO on 28/05/2025 - 20:20

      OP is seeking a car, as a sedan rather than a utility one

  • User000 on 28/05/2025 - 19:27

    A couple of the newer EVs entering the market have a relatively long wheel base for the size. Check out Xpeng, Geely, BYD (I can’t recall which one it was)

  • LFO on 28/05/2025 - 20:20

    There is a car commentator named Jeremy Clarkson. Somehow famous form the TV series Top Gear in the UK.
    He is a bit shorter than you (1.96m / 196cm) and don't know his weight but he drives and has a fondness for the VW Golf, particularly the GTI model.

    Perhaps, just perhaps, you could try a VW Golf for a test drive. I am really curious to know if it is actually suitable to a driver your size or it is all mindless nonsense.
    Just a test drive will do.

  • OldSchoolHarry on 28/05/2025 - 20:22

    Get a 2023 Kluger Grande used for around $70k. Kluger seats are larger than most other cars on road. Even the previous gen Kluger Grande for around $35k would be a comfortable car.

  • zuuutoootuuu on 28/05/2025 - 21:01

    Toyota Landcruiser 200 series, they will fit a bigger framed person much better than a 300 series.

  • bondy28 on 28/05/2025 - 21:06

    I'm a large 6'8" bloke and I own a BYD Shark 6. Beware… if you test drive one, you will buy it on the spot.

  • SuperMid on 28/05/2025 - 21:06
    +2

    Simple, no longer identify as a tall large man. Problem solved.

  • EagerEagle on 28/05/2025 - 22:24
    +1

    here's the comparison;

    Feature Toyota Kluger Subaru Forester Hyundai Palisade
    Front Headroom (mm) 1034 1046 1060
    Front Legroom (mm) 1123 1100 1120
    Front Shoulder Room (mm) 1506 1470 1555
    Seat Comfort (big body) Good Moderate Excellent
    Cabin Width Medium Narrow Very Wide
    Ease of Entry/Exit Good Very Good Excellent
    Driver Seat Adjustability 8-way power (some) 8-way power (some) 12-way power
    Interior Space Overall Spacious Compact-Mid Very Spacious
    Ride Height (mm) 200 220 200
    Best for Tall Drivers? Good Fair Excellent

    Hyundai Palisade is the best choice for a very tall and heavy person.
    Toyota Kluger is decent but not as roomy or adjustable.
    Subaru Forester has good headroom but is narrower and less spacious overall.

    • LFO on 29/05/2025 - 10:49

      Brought to you by Hyundai Research and Market Analysis.

      • EagerEagle on 29/05/2025 - 13:20

        it's chatgpt answer mate, would love to work for research team for big bucks though

  • slimpickings on 29/05/2025 - 04:35

    Thanks for posting this, as a 6'7" guy soon to be looking for more headroom than an ix35, the suggestions in this thread are going to save me many hours of research.

  • AnotherRedLight on 29/05/2025 - 10:59
    +2

    The homer - By Powell motors

    • FireRunner on 30/05/2025 - 17:51
      +1

      Canyonero is another great option

  • YoursTruly on 29/05/2025 - 13:23

    I don’t think any car in the current market would be perfect for the height (unless you’re looking at those height ceiling vans)

    What I do is push the driver seat back as much as it’s possible. It’s cozy but it works (for me at least)

  • ATangk on 29/05/2025 - 14:06

    Tall vans have huge amount of headroom, like Sprinters, Transits, etc. Though they aren't especially wide, nor are they generally daily drivers, so it might not be suitable.

  • gccmelb on 29/05/2025 - 14:14
    +1

    In a similar position as my VT Berlina probably needs replacing soon, however I am only 6'1.

    If you asked me 1 or two years ago, something Korean or Japanese due to reliability and after market care.

    However the Chinese have been killing it recently. Maybe have a look at a jaecoo j7. Couple of independent car writers like John Cadogan and Paul Maric have done reviews and have praised the jaecoo j7, especially considering the 3 variants are priced around $35k-$45k.

    Edit: Plus eight year unlimited warranty

  • JuryWheel on 29/05/2025 - 16:20

    A mate of mine is around 6'3-4" and is always having trouble getting a car with good head room due to his long torso, short legs. He finds Subi Foresters good and Mitsubishi Pajeros (he has one and actually replaced the drivers seat in it to improve the driving position). I'd imagine the right car for you probably depends on whether you need the legroom, or the head room more….

  • Jaspa7 on 29/05/2025 - 21:37

    6'4 here.. i've learnt to adjust seats as much as possible and just slump..
    every car is going to have more or less the same seats which are designed to fit the middle portion of the population bell-curve.
    for what it's worth, I drive a BYD Seal - no better or worse than any other car in the size department..
    other than the depreciation - ripper of a car

  • Donmega123 on 29/05/2025 - 23:21

    A good mate of mine who is your height and easily 150 kilos drives a Porsche 911 and swats chicks half his age away with a stick

  • tamerg on 30/05/2025 - 10:23

    D.A.R.Y.L. One of my all time favourites and ahead of its time 🙂

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