Which car to hire for a family of 6

Question

We are travelling to Florida with 5 adults and 1 18month old baby. So will have 6 cases in total. Looking at far hire for all of us, plus room for suitcases. Seems to be a bit of a minefield as some of the larger cars state they can only fit 2/3 cases.

Just wondering if anyone has any experience or pointers as to the type of car they have hired and would accommodate all of us and luggage.

Many thanks

Answer

Short answer: go for either a large 3-row minivan (Chrysler Pacifica / Voyager, Toyota Sienna, Honda Odyssey) or a full-size SUV (Chevrolet Suburban / GMC Yukon XL / Ford Expedition EL) — and if you really need guaranteed luggage room for six checked suitcases, consider a passenger/12-passenger van or add a roof box. Minivans give the best mix of seats + usable cargo behind the third row; extended full-size SUVs (Suburban/Yukon XL) usually offer the largest trunk volume behind the 3rd row.

Why those choices?

Minivans (best everyday family option) — they seat 7–8 with three full rows, sliding doors for easy baby/child access, and a deep cargo well behind the 3rd row so you can usually squeeze 4–6 medium suitcases depending on model and how seats are configured. Rental fleets commonly provide 7–8 passenger minivans (Enterprise, Avis, etc.).
Full-size SUVs (best if you want more cargo volume without a roof box) — extended models such as the Chevrolet Suburban or Yukon XL have substantially more rear cubic feet (Suburban ≈ 41.5 cu ft behind the 3rd row in tests) and will more reliably take 5–6 large suitcases while still seating 7–8.
Passenger van (best guaranteed space) — an 8- or 12-passenger van gives the most room for both people and luggage if you can tolerate a less comfortable ride. Rental companies list these in their van categories and they’re common for big family trips.

Practical recommendation for your party (5 adults + 1 infant + 6 suitcases):

First choice: Rent an extended full-size SUV (Chevy Suburban / Yukon XL / Ford Expedition EL) — seats everyone comfortably and gives the best chance of fitting six checked suitcases behind the 3rd row without folding seats. If you choose this, confirm the exact cargo capacity on the rental listing.
Second choice: Rent an 8-passenger minivan (Chrysler Pacifica / Voyager, Toyota Sienna, Honda Odyssey) — more practical for child access and car-seat installs; you’ll probably fit 4–6 medium suitcases but may need to stow a smaller item in the cabin or use a rooftop box if all cases are large.
Backup/guarantee option: Rent a passenger van (8 or 12 seater) or reserve two cars — passenger vans have the most cargo space but are less comfortable; two cars split driving and parking but are more expensive and less convenient for a single group.

Baby seat + arrangements

Decide whether to bring your own infant car seat (recommended for safety and familiarity). If you rent one from the company, reserve it in advance — rental availability varies. Make sure the chosen vehicle has appropriate anchors or seat belt routing for the seat.
Check the car-seat laws and requirements for Florida and follow the manufacturer installation instructions; rental companies will typically supply infant seats on request.

Tips to make sure everything fits

Check official rental vehicle specs before booking — many rental sites list typical luggage capacity or vehicle class notes (e.g., “luggage: 2 large suitcases” for some 7-seat SUVs). If the web listing is vague, call the rental branch and ask for exact model examples and cargo guidance.
Measure your luggage or use a common size — a “large checked suitcase” is usually ~27–30" high; many specs are given in cubic feet so comparing helps. If you have six large checked bags, prioritize a Suburban/Yukon XL or passenger van.
Consider a rooftop cargo box — cheap and flexible way to add ~10–15 cu ft (or more) of protected cargo space; check rental company rules and roof-rack availability on the model you book.
Ask about folding/removable seats — some minivans let you stow the 3rd row in floor wells (Odyssey/Pacifica/Voyager family), gaining big cargo volume when needed.
Reserve early and confirm model — for peak travel periods reserve well ahead and call the location a day before pickup to confirm they can supply the exact class (Suburban/minivan/8-passenger).

Quick checklist for booking

Choose vehicle class (Suburban/Yukon XL or 8-passenger minivan / 12-passenger van).
Reserve infant car seat if you won’t bring your own; confirm LATCH/installation support.
Confirm luggage capacity with the rental branch or ask if a roof box is available.
Bring printed photos of correct car-seat installation or download instructions if you plan to install it yourself.
On pickup, physically check trunk/cargo area with your bags if possible — rental counters usually allow a quick look to confirm fit.

If you’d like, I can now:

pull typical luggage-counts for specific models (exact cubic feet behind 3rd row for Suburban vs Pacifica vs Sienna) so you can compare against your suitcase dimensions, or
give a one-line preferred booking: e.g., “Book a Chevrolet Suburban (or similar) from [rental company] at MCO, reserve infant seat and ask for roof rails/box option.”

Bottom line: for 6 people + 6 checked cases, aim for an extended full-size SUV or an 8+ passenger van for peace of mind; a minivan often works and is the most family-friendly, but only if you’re okay using a roof box or stowing a few items inside the cabin. Call the rental branch and confirm before you drive away.

Which car to hire for a family of 6

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