Hot hatches for tall people

[BlondyBeast]

Hi guys,

Long time lurker here, mainly in the classifieds. I'm getting my driving license back soon (medical reasons,) so I'm getting excited to start driving again!

I've been looking at hot hatches as I'd like something which is fun to drive but also has space. My budget is around £20k, so I have been looking generally at 1-2 year old cars which have less then 20k miles on them as it would a semi-daily driver (as I cycle to work but am pretty social in the evenings and weekends.)

I've been looking at the smaller hot hatches (VW Polo GTi, Pug 208 GTi, Ford Fiesta ST etc,) how much space is there in the back of these? I'm 6'2, my friends, family and girlfriend are around the 6ft mark, the tallest being 6'4. Would there be issues when driving 4 people or am I just being silly?

Thanks

[HJMS123]

I am 6ft1 and had a fiesta ST for 2 years and didn't struggle one bit with room. Rear leg room behind the driver was very tight but that was mainly down to the recaro seats being quite thick/deep so they rob a couple of inches regardless of how tall the driver is.

The main problem will likely be the seating position, as with all fords the seats simply don't go low enough. I got used to it after a while but I don't think I'd go back to a hot hatch with a similar seating position again.

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say that you need to look at the Focus/Megane sized hot hatches as they'll be more accommodating for 6ft plus people & you can easily get those cars to fit your requirements.

The Megane was right up until they stopped production the best drivers hot hatch so would always be my first recommendation in this class.

2016 Megane RS275 (Cup Chassis Sunroof & Recaros) 4k 275bhp

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

2016 Focus ST-3 10k 250bhp

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2016 ST-3 5k 250bhp not as kitted out as the above.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2016 Vauxhall Astra VXR (these cars are bargains well equipped & a decent drive) 2k 280bhp

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

2016 VXR 4k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2016 Seat Cupra DSG 7k 280bhp

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2016 Golf GTI with the Performance Pack (with Service Plan Inc) 9k 230bhp

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Leftfield Options:

2016 Kia Pro Ceed GT Tech (these are underrated as well as a decent steer & come loaded with kit as well as 6 year worth of warranty left make these worthy of consideration) 7k 200bhp

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2016 GT Tech 100 miles 200bhp

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2016 Alfa Romeo Giulietta TBI 3k 240bhp

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

2016 TBI 12k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

2016 BMW 120i M Sport (Not a hot hatch but not a bad steer) 4k 180bhp

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

From the above list I'd be looking at the Megane first & foremost after that I'd be looking at the Focus then I'd take a hard look at the Kia if it wasn't for me then the Astra would be my pick, but I'd suggest once you get your licence back take a friend with you (with your friend or salesman in the back giving you an idea of space) & go take some test drives to see which suits your requirements best

[toon10]

One of my mates has a Megane and he's 6ft 3 and not exactly slim. He tried a few larger cars but said the driving position and comfort was greater in the Renault. Not a car I'd go for personally but they have a good rep as a fun hot hatch and should fit you no problem. I can't comment on the rear space at all, might be a bit of a squeeze if your seat is far back and you try and get another tall chap behind you.

[BlondyBeast]

Thanks for the replies,

I have a list of cars to look at this evening!

[Big GT]

I'm 6'6 - Loads of Room in Octavia VRS

Also 4 Series coupe is massive for the lanky - 240bhp

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

[DoubleD]

Ignore the Megane if you carry adult back seat passengers any decent distance

[steve-5snwi]

I'm 6ft 4" and drive a R55 Mini Clubman, the driving position is perfect for me and i can get people behind me if i move forward, the 4 series isn't the biggest in the back and neither is the A5, A4 or 3series ....

I think you will find most of your choices will have enough legroom up front but nothing below an A6 will have enough room with comfort for a car full of 6ft tall people. Buy a car that works for you not that suits others that you might occassionally carry.

[ZX10R NIN]

So OP do you have a top 3?

[BlondyBeast]

Thank you all for all the replies.

ZX10R NIN said:

So OP do you have a top 3?

Until I can begin test driving, it won't be definitive but I have a "top 2" which is the Renault Megane RS and Ford Focus ST.

I will look at the following closely as well;

Vauxhall Astra GTC VXR
Seat Leon Cupra
Golf GTI (bit on the higher end though!)
Kia Pro Ceed GT
Peugeot 308 GTi
Skoda Octavia vRS
Mini Cooper/Clubman (not keen, but supposed to be fun so will be a curious look more then anything else)

[TameRacingDriver]

I'm surprised they aren't all suitable nowadays seeing as they are nearly all the height of vans nowadays.

[GrumpyTwig]

DoubleD said:

Ignore the Megane if you carry adult back seat passengers any decent distance

Yup, fronts fine (6'2 myself) but the coupe shape makes the back hard for anyone nearing 6'

[DoubleD]

You cant get your feet under the Recaro seats either. Very cramped.

[Pistonheader101]

6ft4 here. Most hot hatches I've tried I've managed to fit in fine.

Less room in the vauxhall astra vxr though.

[Colonial]

I'm a similar height. I had a Citroen DS3 for a while. Felt like I was sitting on it rather than in it.

Previous Golf Mk6 and current Skoda Octavia are much, much, much more comfortable.

[BlondyBeast]

Thanks for replies all.

GrumpyTwig said:

DoubleD said:

Ignore the Megane if you carry adult back seat passengers any decent distance

Yup, fronts fine (6'2 myself) but the coupe shape makes the back hard for anyone nearing 6'

DoubleD said:

You cant get your feet under the Recaro seats either. Very cramped.

I shall look at the Megane with less interest (or get my friends to play sardines!!)

[otolith]

You will still need to go and sit in them, because not all people the same height are the same proportions - someone with relatively long legs might be fine for headroom while someone the same height but with short legs isn't, and so on.