What is considered a full-size sedan?

A full-size sedan is the largest conventional passenger car class, defined by size and interior space that exceed those of midsize and compact sedans.

This article explains what characterizes a full-size sedan, typical dimensions and features, how the category is viewed in different regions, and how market trends have shifted the availability of these cars in recent years.

Defining features of a full-size sedan

These cars are distinguished by their generous exterior and interior dimensions, large trunks, and a conventional four-door sedan silhouette. They are designed to offer ample legroom for all passengers and a roomy cargo area, often at a premium price or position in the market.

• Size and exterior dimensions: generally longer than 196 inches and up to about 210 inches in overall length, with wheelbases around 110–120 inches.


• Interior space and practicality: ample front and rear legroom, high cabin volume, and a sizable trunk to maximize everyday usability.


• Powertrains and chassis: historically favored V6 or V8 engines; modern examples often use turbocharged four-cylinders, hybrids, or more advanced powertrains, with front- or rear-wheel drive and refined ride quality.


• Market position and usage: positioned above midsize sedans and shared space with near-luxury and luxury brands in terms of comfort, materials, and features.

In summary, a full-size sedan combines maximum interior space with traditional four-door sedan practicality, aimed at comfort, quietness, and luggage capacity more than aggressive handling or compact dimensions.

Regional perspectives and market trends

The label “full-size” is most commonly used in North America; other regions describe these cars with different terms, such as executive or luxury sedans. These regional differences reflect varying market preferences and regulatory definitions.

• North America: the term is tied to a large-car or full-size classification, emphasizing spacious interiors and trunk capacity relative to smaller sedans.


• Europe and parts of Asia: the largest sedans are often categorized as executive or luxury vehicles (D- to F-segment in some markets), frequently bundled with premium features and materials rather than a pure size label.


• Market evolution: as SUVs and crossovers dominate, true full-size sedans have become rarer in new-car lineups in many regions, with some manufacturers retiring the segment or offering only a few flagship models.

Despite the shift toward larger SUVs, the concept of a full-size sedan remains a benchmark for space, comfort, and practicality in the traditional four-door sedan segment.

Notable models historically associated with the class

• Toyota Avalon


• Chevrolet Impala


• Ford Crown Victoria


• Buick LeSabre


• Buick LaCrosse


• Chrysler 300


• Nissan Maxima

These models illustrate how the category has evolved over time, with many former full-size sedans ceasing production as the market pivots toward SUVs and crossovers, while a few large sedans continue in various markets as near-luxury or luxury offerings.

Summary

A full-size sedan is defined by its size, space, and practicality — the largest traditional four-door sedan in a given market. While the North American market historically used the term “full-size car” or “large car,” other regions use different labels for similarly sized sedans. Today, the segment has contracted in many markets due to a strong shift to SUVs, but the core idea remains: a spacious, comfortable, and versatile four-door car designed to maximize passenger and cargo capacity.

What qualifies as a full-size sedan?

Full-size vehicles have an interior volume, measured by combined cargo and passenger volume, of more than 120 cubic feet for sedans or 160 cubic feet for station wagons. The Chevrolet Impala was sold as a full-size car from 1958-1986, 1994-1996, and 2000-2020, and was the highest-selling full-size vehicle.

How large is a full-size car?

Car sizes vary depending on the type and manufacturer. Generally, the dimensions of compact cars are 10-14 feet by 5.8-6 feet by 4.5-5 feet. On the other hand, midsize cars are around 14-16 feet by 6 feet by 5.6 feet. Full-Size cars measure around 16-18 feet by 6 feet by 4.7 feet.

What is an example of a full-size car?

A list of current and recent full-size cars includes the Lexus LS, BMW 7 Series, Toyota Crown, and Genesis G90. Other models in this class have included the Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, and Toyota Avalon. Full-size cars are the largest non-SUV, non-truck, non-van class of vehicles, and they are characterized by spacious interiors and large cargo capacity.
 
Current full-size cars

• Lexus LS: A flagship luxury sedan known for its comfort, quietness, and build quality. 
• BMW 7 Series: A benchmark for comfort, luxury, and performance with cutting-edge technology. 
• Toyota Crown: A unique option with a blend of sedan style and SUV-like ride height, featuring standard hybrid powertrains. 
• Genesis G90: A luxury full-size car. 

Recent and discontinued models

• Chrysler 300: A rear-wheel-drive sedan with a V6 engine. 
• Dodge Charger: Available as a sedan with powerful V6 or V8 engines. 
• Toyota Avalon: Known for its reliability and spaciousness. 
• Nissan Maxima: The "four-door sports car" from Nissan. 
• Chevrolet Impala: An older full-size sedan with a comfortable interior. 

Characteristics of full-size cars

• Spaciousness: They offer room for five passengers with generous legroom. 
• Cargo capacity: Trunk space typically ranges from 14 to 27 cubic feet. 
• Engine size: They often feature large-displacement engines, though hybrid options are becoming more common. 
• Fuel economy: Fuel economy is generally lower than smaller vehicles, with city MPG ranging from 16 to 24 and highway MPG from 24 to 34. 

Is a Camry a full-size car?

No, a Toyota Camry is a midsize sedan, not a full-size car. It is larger than compact cars like the Corolla but smaller than full-size sedans, a class that the Toyota Avalon used to belong to.
 

• Classification: The Camry is consistently classified as a midsize or intermediate sedan. 
• Comparison to other vehicles:
  • Midsize vs. Compact: It is bigger than compact cars like the Corolla, with more passenger volume. 
  • Midsize vs. Full-size: It is smaller than the historical full-size category, which included the now-discontinued Toyota Avalon. 
• Market position: While it is a midsize car, some rental car companies may sometimes list it in their "full-size" category, though this is not its official classification.