Car Advice

What is the best car for tall people in Australia?Even at my own relatively average height of 182cm, finding a comfortable fit can be a challenge, so we’ve looked at some of the most spacious cars available to make tall people’s lives easier.Serendipitously, as a teenager of the 1990s, I was distracted at the media launch of the Kia Tasman by the guest appearance of basketball legend Luc Longley.The Australian who played alongside Michael Jordan in the dominant Chicago Bulls is now a brand ambassador for Kia and was thus very complementary of the new ute.He was particularly impressed with was the size of the cabin, which is important to him given he stands 2.18m tall, making me feel like a hobbit in his presence.Longley lamented that for someone of his size finding the right car is difficult, even when you’ve got NBA career earnings to help you choose any car you find comfortable.So let's see if we can help Luc and other tall timber types.Well the silly answer would be a convertible with the roof down, but that’s not a solution unless you’re a cartoon character. Instead, for those over 2.0-metres tall, looking for a comfortable car is a challenge. That’s because those who aren’t vertically challenged often struggle in a few key areas. The most obvious problem is usually a lack of headroom, which can lead to the driver having to crane their neck forward to see more clearly.But there are other challenges, such as a lack of leg room and leg clearance, as taller folk often have long legs this can lead to a lack of clearance from the steering wheel or compromised seating positions that are uncomfortable.Therefore, the best car for tall people is typically one with plenty of headroom, good legroom and, just as importantly, good adjustment on the seat so you can find a comfortable and safe driving position.Obviously this will depend on just how tall you might be and what sort of car you’re trying to fit into, but as a general rule car companies try their best to accommodate everyone.Of course, that doesn’t mean everyone will fit comfortably, but most modern cars are bigger than 10-20 years ago and provide better seat position adjustment to make it easier for taller drivers.As mentioned above, the keys to finding a comfortable car for taller folks is space and adjustment. You should look for a vehicle with a lot of head clearance and, just as importantly, good leg clearance.The latter helps not only with comfort but also safety, as taller people’s knees and legs can get too close to the steering wheel and make it difficult to drive, or a lack of space can lead to discomfort behind the wheel.Now is a good time for taller drivers, as the current wave of SUVs and utes provide roomier cabins than traditional sedans and small cars.Your individual needs and budget will dictate what you can buy, but we’ve assembled a list of five best cars for tall people across the size and price spectrum, that have plenty of interior space and would suit taller drivers.There’s a lot of reasons why the Ranger is Australia’s most popular new vehicle, and its spacious cabin is certainly one of them. With 1041mm of headroom, there’s plenty of space for taller drivers to get comfortable. There’s also good adjustment for the driving position, with a reach and height adjustable steering column and powered seats in the higher grade models. However, while the cabin is tall, it’s not particularly long, so you may compromise rear seat space behind the driver to get in your best position up front.Hyundai veered away from the swooping roofline trend of recent years and adopted a straighter, boxier look for its latest generation Santa Fe - which is good news for tall people.And not just the driver, there’s a generous 1043mm of front row headroom but also 1031mm of headroom for those in the second row (thanks to that flat roofline).If you want something more luxurious, the Land Rover Defender is a luxury SUV with a roomy cabin; its headroom is measured at 1031mm.Just because you’re tall doesn’t mean you need or even want a big car. So, what are the alternatives? Subaru’s Forester has been praised online by taller buyers for its cabin space, so it makes a good alternative for someone looking for a smaller package.Officially the Forester has 1046mm of headroom, which is more than a Toyota LandCruiser (1016mm), so it has a ‘reverse Tardis’ effect going for it (with apologies to non-Doctor Who fans may need to google that reference).And just to prove that tall people don’t have to drive SUVs either, here’s a sedan/wagon combination for your consideration. The Czech four-door has a whopping 1049mm of headroom, which is more than many SUVs, proving you don’t need ‘high cars’ when you have internal room. It also has very good seat adjustment, which is critically important, as mentioned earlier. Notably it also has a generous amount of space in the back, so the compromise for rear seat passengers is lessened.For our final entry we’re giving you an electric option, for taller buyers who want to ditch internal combustion. The EV9 is a big SUV in every dimension, so unsurprisingly it has plenty of headroom, a healthy 1051mm (the most on this list).But the best part is, it has even more room in the back (or at least more headroom) with 1087mm claim on paper, which is a rare achievement. So, that means taller types don’t even have to drive to be comfortable in the EV9, they can jump in the back and be chauffeured.

Can P-platers drive V8 cars? Literally and physically yes, and perhaps even if you have a time machine, yes, but in Australia, at this time, the answer depends on your age and where you got your provisional licence

It’s often said by car enthusiasts that you’re not a real car guy until you’ve owned an Alfa Romeo. Perhaps, but there’s an Australian variation on that theme: You can’t be a proper car bloke (or gal) until you’ve owned a V8.

What is the best car for Uber in Australia? The obvious answer is a Toyota Camry Hybrid. That’s not just because it seems like almost every other Uber you catch is a Camry, nor even because Uber’s own research reveals that it’s the most popular model of car used by its gig economy drivers in Australia, it’s because it really is the best blend of comfort, space and economy for taxi-style work.

Are wheel spacers legal in Australia? No, wheel spacers are not legal in Australia unless the manufacturer of the vehicle has fitted them to the vehicle in question.

Do you need an international driver's licence in Europe? Yes, in most European countries Australian drivers are recommended to have an International Driving Permit, as well as a valid Australian licence (obviously). You don’t need one for the United Kingdom, but for the vast majority of Europe you should carry one with you if you intend to drive overseas.

Why are beadlocks illegal in Australia? Beadlock wheels/rims are designated as strictly for off-road use (only). They are not legal for on-road use in Australia because they have not yet been approved for use on sealed surfaces and do not comply with existing vehicle standards in accordance with Australian Design Rules (ADR).

What is the darkest legal window tint Australia? Generally speaking, tinting laws in Australia are very similar in every state but the darkest legal tint accepted Australia-wide it 35 per cent VLT on front side windows, and 20 per cent VLT on any windows behind the driver.

Is it illegal to have sex in a car in Australia? A better way to phrase this question would be: Is it illegal to have sex in public? That’s because whether you’re in a car or not, as far as the law is concerned, is kind of secondary. The real concern is whether you’ve exposed yourself (or somebody else) in a public place.

Can I use dishwashing liquid to wash my car? Well, you can, but you could also technically jump out of an aeroplane with no parachute. But both are pretty bad ideas.