The Best Hybrid Cars for Tall People

Tall drivers might need additional head space or legroom to be comfortable during the drive. No one wants to be squished in the driver’s seat as they try to navigate the roads. Not every popular vehicle is a good fit for every driver.

Tall drivers might worry about hybrid models and the space they offer. In the past, hybrids were compact and perhaps space constrained (think the Toyota Prius). Now, though, hybrids come in all sizes and many offer plenty of space for tall drivers. The best hybrid cars for tall people include these spacious and budget-friendly models:  

• Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid
• Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
• Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid
• Honda Accord Hybrid
• Honda Insight

A Few Considerations for Taller Drivers

Those who are taller in stature or who might just have longer legs might look for a few features in their vehicle to simplify their space needs and maximize their comfort. While headroom and legroom are obvious space needs, consider these features, too (some might be upgrades, though):

• Power seats (this can make positioning seats a bit easier)
• Memory seats (this feature could let drivers program their seat position)
• An extra spacious back seat (this can provide even more room to adjust the front seat)
• Adjustable steering wheel

Not all vehicles might offer every option. In addition, some buyers might not wish to pay an additional charge if these features are upgrades for a particular vehicle. However, these features could make the drive a bit more comfortable for those who are taller, plus features like memory seats also are extremely convenient since car owners won’t constantly have to readjust their seat.

About the Best Hybrid Cars for Tall Drivers

The best hybrid cars for tall drivers also could include luxury or premium models. However, this list focuses specifically on vehicles that are budget-friendly and accessible to all buyers.

Those who are looking for spacious hybrids can compare models based on headroom and legroom. Safety also could be a concern for buyers.  Most models on the list received top scores from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

2022 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid

The 2022 Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid is priced at $36,345. Drivers looking to maximize fuel efficiency will appreciate that the Crosstrek Hybrid can get up to 90 MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent).

How spacious is the Crosstrek Hybrid? It offers 39.8 inches of headroom in the front seats and 43.1 inches of legroom in the front.

The Crosstrek Hybrid is a plug-in hybrid, and owners could opt for either a level 1 or level 2 charger. The level 1 is a cord that plugs into a standard outlet. However, the level 2 is an additional cost and requires a 240 volt outlet; the level 2 charges faster than the level 1.

The Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid received a Top Safety Pick+ rating/award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. This is the highest safety recognition from the IIHS.

2022 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is fairly economical for a hybrid mode; it has a starting MSRP of $27,350. The Hybrid can get up to 54 MPG combined (city and highway).

Taller drivers will appreciate the extra space in the Sonata. The Sonata Hybrid offers 40 inches of headroom for front seat passengers and 46.1 inches of legroom in the front seat.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata received a Top Safety Pick award/rating (with specific headlights) from IIHS; the Hybrid did not have a separate safety report.

2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid

The Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid has a starting MSRP of $34,300, which is more affordable than the Crosstrek. It offers 36 MPG in the city, 31 MPG on the highway and 34 MPG combined. The Santa Fe isn’t the most fuel efficient option, but city drivers could appreciate the bump in efficiency.

The Santa Fe Hybrid offers the most space of the models listed. The Santa Fe features 41.2 inches of head room and 44.1 inches of space to stretch out the legs.

The standard Santa Fe received a Top Safety Pick+ award/rating from IIHS. However, the IIHS did not provide a separate safety report for the hybrid.

2022 Honda Accord Hybrid

The 2022 Honda Accord Hybrid has a starting MSRP of $27,320 and offers 48 MPG in the city and 47 MPG on the highway.

The Accord Hybrid offers plenty of head and leg room for taller drivers. The front seat has 42.3 inches of legroom for drivers who need to stretch their legs. Those who have a longer torso will benefit from 39.5 inches of head room.

The 2022 Honda Accord received a Top Safety Pick+ rating/award from the IIHS. However, the hybrid did not have a separate safety report.

2022 Honda Insight

The 2022 Honda Insight has a starting MSRP of $25,760, making it the most affordable model on the list. The Insight also offers great fuel efficiency—55 MPG in the city and 49 MPG on the highway.

How much space does it offer for taller drivers, though? The Insight provides 37.5 inches of headroom and 42.3 inches of leg space in the front seat.

The Insight also received a Top Safety Pick+ rating/award from IIHS.

What Model offers the Most Leg Room?

Car buyers might have different space needs. Tall drivers might have longer legs and want a hybrid model that offers the most leg room. Of all the models on the list, what hybrid has the most leg room?

The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is the best choice for leg room; it offers drivers 46 inches of space to stretch the legs.

What Model offers the Most Head Room?

Some tall drivers need more head room. They might sit higher and need that extra space. What model offers the most head room?

The 2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid is the best choice for those who need extra head room. The Santa Fe Hybrid offers 41.2 inches to help ensure that drivers don’t have to crouch down while driving.

What About Fuel Efficiency?

Taller drivers might simply look for the hybrid with the most space in the front seat. However, fuel efficiency might play a part in the decision, too.

A hybrid model typically is more fuel efficient than their standard model counterparts. The most fuel efficient hybrid that also offers extra space for taller drivers is the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid. The Crosstrek is a plug-in hybrid and offers up to 90 MPGe.

The Crosstrek Hybrid also is the most expensive option on the list, with a starting MSRP of more than $36,000.

Add the Prius to the Most Spacious List, Too!

Gone are the days when fuel efficient vehicles like hybrids were smaller or more compact. When the Prius first debuted it might have been more spacious than many realized. The Prius became en vogue among celebrities.

Today’s models offer space for taller drivers and many include spacious back seats for passengers, too. The 2022 Prius offers 39.4 inches of headroom and 42.3 inches of legroom. In fact, it can be added to the list of spacious hybrid models for tall people.

While those small Prius models might seem diminutive, they actually are fairly spacious for drivers.

Don’t Forget the Test Drive

Analyzing specs can help car buyers understand what hybrid models could be best for their height. However, the best way to determine if a vehicle is a comfortable fit is to take it for a test drive.

While the front seat specs might seem spacious, drivers could find that the vehicle isn’t comfortable to drive. Maybe they still have to move the seat back, and this could create a smaller space for potential back-seat passengers.

In addition, the space of a car doesn’t tell the whole story. The driver might not feel that the car has decent acceleration. The seats might not be comfortable. Maybe the steering wheel isn’t easy to adjust.

Taking a test drive lets potential buyers test out different aspects of the vehicle. Buyers might even have a list of two or more models that they want to compare. Take them for a test drive to determine the model that is the best fit and offers the smoothest ride.

If drivers feel that they need to move their seat back towards the rear passenger space, they might have a partner or friend sit in the back to determine if moving the seat impairs the back space. This could be a problem if the car needs to have back seat space for children or other family members.

Consider a test drive to be a final interview for the vehicle. If the potential buyer isn’t impressed, they might keep looking.

RelayCars Can Help Buyers Find the Best Car

Drivers who want to find the best hybrid can visit RelayCars’ website via a mobile device or download the app. RelayCars includes thousands of images of makes and models that buyers can explore when they are researching their vehicle options.

RelayCars’ mobile website lets buyers explore vehicles via 3D imagery on the screen. Use a fingertip to rotate the car to check it out from any angle. The mobile site also gives buyers the option to explore cars in an augmented reality showroom. Drop a model of a vehicle into the real environment.

The RelayCars app lets buyers explore vehicles via 3D imagery or using virtual reality technology (with Google Cardboard). Interact in a virtual space with favorite vehicle models. 

Car buyers also can use RelayCars to find all the data on their favorite models. Compare MSRP and vehicle specs of different models. When buyers are ready to purchase their car, they can visit CarSaver.com (a RelayCars partner).

Ready to explore and research? Download the RelayCars app today!