What size Christmas tree will fit in your car? Find out how much cabin space these popular models have for your spruce
Knowing how much cabin space your vehicle has will save you a whole lot of hassle when it comes time to shop for a tree
THERE'S nothing more frustrating than finding the perfect Christmas tree, only to discover it won't fit in the car.
And nobody wants to suffer the disappointment of taking home a second choice just because they forgot to plan ahead.
So to save you any gloom this festive season, it's important you go out tree shopping armed with the measurements of your car's cabin space so you know exactly the kind of spruce you can manage.
An investigation by broke down the amount of room each of the UK's most popular motors has for a Christmas tree, helping you to plan how you will get it home.
Unfortunately for lovers of tall trees, nothing over 162cm will fit inside any of Britain's top five best selling motors.
But if you can manage to put the front passenger seat down, you may be able to squeeze out an extra 30-40cm of cabin space and get yourself a decent sized feature.
What size Christmas tree will fit in the UK's most popular motors?
- Mini Hatch - 118cm (small tree)
- Ford Fiesta - 126.5cm (small tree)
- Vauxhall Corsa - 130.5cm (small tree)
- Ford Focus - 147cm (small tree)
- Honda Jazz - 149.5cm (small tree)
- Volkswagen Golf - 151cm (medium tree)
- Kia Sportage - 151.5cm (medium tree)
- Nissan Qashqai - 161.5cm (medium tree)
- Honda Civic - 170cm (medium tree)
- Mercedes-Benz CLS - 200cm (large tree)
- Audi SQ7 - 201cm (large tree)
- Volvo XC90 - 204.5com (large tree)
Owners of the UK's best selling car for 2018 (Ford Fiesta) will have to settle for a small tree if they want the real deal - or go for a plastic one, boxed up and condensed in a conveniently-sized package.
As far as small cars go, the VW Golf packs a sizeable amount of room inside for your decoration, while the large Volvo XC90 has one of the most spacious interiors on the market.
How to get your Christmas tree home safely
- Measure: Even if you car is listed above, measure its maximum cabin length yourself before you set out. When you find your tree, remember to measure that as well before purchasing.
- Net it: Covering the tree in a net will make it easier to get into the car, and will also stop branches springing out and obstructing your view. It may also be worth covering your seats with plastic liners to protect them.
- Fold your seats: Flatten down rear passenger seats as much as possible to maximise space from the boot. If you can also fold down the front passenger seat, this will make it even easier.
- Don't block your view: The tree shouldn't be blocking or obscuring any part of your view out of the car. Also make sure it's not touching the gearknob, steering wheel or anything else that may distract you. Tie or wedge the tree in place so it doesn't shift during the journey home. And it's always best to avoid driving with anything hanging out of an open boot, as even if you have tied it down, it can limit your view out the back windscreen or pose a hazard.
If you simply can't fit the tree in your motor, but you still have your heart set on it, you do have one other option.
Short of hiring a van to transport a larger tree, you can try loading it onto your roof.
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But you will need a roof rack, so don't try securing it straight onto a bare roof.
Make sure you tie the tree down tightly with the trunk towards the front of the car, adding a bright flag to the end if it pokes out past the either end of the car.
If possible, try to avoid motorway driving, as high speeds could potentially cause the tree to shift or fall from the roof.