Everything about Full-size totally explained
A
full-size car is a
marketing term used in
North America for an
automobile larger than a
mid-size car. In the United States, the
EPA uses "large car" to denote full-size cars.
Full-size is defined in measurement as greater than 120 ft³ (3,300 L) of interior volume. Previously, a
wheelbase greater than 2.79 metres (110 inches) was the criterion. The term first appeared in the early 1960's to define what also became known as "standard" size cars from the new compact and intermediate models then being introduced.
Due to the growing length of
wheelbases among mid-size luxury sedan, however, the overall length of the vehicles has become another factor to take into account. Full-size cars should therefore also feature an overall length of more than 5 meters (197 in).
A "
large family car," the equivalent of a full-size car class in
Australian terms, often denoted by width. Therefore, the
Ford Falcon,
Toyota Aurion and
Holden Commodore are considered large cars in the Australian and
New Zealand markets. These cars are sometimes referred to as "family cars" in Australia, and are typically 4.8 meters (about 15 ft, 9 in) or more in length.
In
Europe, the terms "executive car" and "luxury car" may refer to cars of this size (which are mostly luxury cars), such as the
Audi A8,
BMW 7-Series,
Mercedes-Benz S-Class and
Jaguar XJ.
Decline and renaissance
The sales of full-size vehicles in the United States declined after the early 1970s fuel crisis. By that time, full-size cars had grown to wheelbases of 3.07 to 3.23 m (121 to 127 in), and overall lengths of around 5.72 m (225 in). In the 1970s due to the fuel crisis and the resulting rise in fuel costs, many people traded in their full-size cars for smaller models such as the
Chevrolet Nova,
Ford Maverick, and
Plymouth Valiant, also it was during this time Japanese cars such as the
Toyota Corolla and
Honda Civic gained popularity. Starting in with the 1977 model year, American automakers began selling full-size cars with smaller exterior dimensions and relatively smaller, more fuel efficient engines. That, combined with gas being cheap once again in the 1980s, full-size cars regained popularity. Another round of downsizing occurred in 1985 and 1986 when GM released totally redesigned full size cars with front wheel drive, and no V8 engine option. Meanwhile Chrysler discontinued its larger models and repositioned it's existing mid-size cars as full-size. As of 2008, Ford still sells a full size car retaining it's 1978 dimensions.
SUVs have supplanted full-size car sales through the 1990s, due to the fact they maintained rear wheel drive and many had optional V8 engines, and that full-size station wagons have been all but discontinued.
Today, with fuel costs being high once again, people are looking towards today's efficient V6 full size sedans such as the
Buick Lucerne, and
Dodge Charger for their primary family car.
In
Europe, full-size cars have only recently gained in popularity. During the 1980s, full-size cars were rare in Europe, but now they've become a common sight. In
Germany, full-size cars make up 15% of the total number of cars (VDA annual report), roughly the same average as in the United States.
List of full-size cars
Current full-size cars
An asterisk denotes a car available with 6-passenger seating
Recent full-size cars
Mercury Montego
Ford Five Hundred
Buick LeSabre
Buick Park Avenue
Cadillac Deville
Mercury Marauder
Chrysler 300M
Chrysler Concorde
Chrysler LHS
Dodge Intrepid
Lexus LS 400
Mitsubishi Diamante
Oldsmobile Aurora
Oldsmobile 88
Oldsmobile 98Further Information
Get more info on 'Full-size'.
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