How do I find the ideal vehicle for my height?

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Guide to Finding the Right Vehicle for Tall and Short Individuals

Obtaining a comfortable vehicle can be a challenging proposition for those who are either taller or shorter than average. Luckily, by following a few tips, one can increase the chances of finding a car that suits their unique frame. Read on for our handy guide to finding a properly-sized ride!

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Unsure if you’re tall or short? For reference, the average woman in the United States is 5’ 4”, while the average man is 5’ 9”.

For the Tall

Tall individuals should first determine whether it’s their torso or legs (or both) that are longer than average.

  • If one’s legs are particularly long, it’s good to look for a vehicle with at least 48 inches of legroom.
  • If one’s torso is lengthy, 38 inches of headroom is an ideal minimum.

Headroom and legroom specs for most vehicles can be found with a simple Google search. Another option is to use the Car Finder tool on AutoBlog. Filtering results by “Head Room” and/or “Leg Room” will sort models based on the measurements above.

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For the Short

Those who consider themselves short have a few strategies they can pursue.

  • One option is to look for vehicles that can flexibly cater to height; features to look for include power-adjustable seats, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, and adjustable pedals.
  • Going for an SUV or crossover can help increase visibility due to their high ride height. Such models also tend to boast advanced safety tech such as blind-spot monitoring and surround-view cameras, which can help the vertically-challenged maintain awareness of their surroundings.

Two elements to be wary of when going for larger vehicles like the ones referenced above are ease of entry/exit and ability to access the cargo area. Before choosing such a ride, prospective buyers should test out their ability to get in and out, as well as to reach the raised cargo liftgate (or into the trunk). If these elements are a concern, a smaller vehicle may be in order.

Test-Drive a New Vehicle in Milwaukee, WI

No matter what vehicle you lean towards to accommodate your height, taking a test-drive is an essential step to make sure everything fits as it should. If you’re in the Milwaukee area, come on down to Eric Von Schledhorn. We’ll be happy to get you set up with a test drive of any model in our new and/or pre-owned inventory that you desire.

Thanks for reading, and we hope to see you soon!