It is time to purchase a new (gasp!) car or mid-size SUV (NOT a pickup truck or van). Both our family's cars (Jeep Grand Cherokee, Saab 9-3) can be coerced into fitting my bicycle (a tall touring bike) into the trunk: Both cars need one back seat folded down, the Saab 9-3 requires me to also remove the front wheel (which I don't mind at all!).

So, when it is time to get a new car I need to make sure my bike can still fit (first things first, and all that!). Instead of spending long tedious hours trawling dealership lots with a tape measure (or worse, bringing my bike for test fitting!), has anybody collected data on what the cargo area is for different cars, or which cars might fit a (tall touring) bicycle?

Sites such as Carpoint give cargo volume (in cu.ft.) which isn't very useful for this puirpose 1) because it is measured with backseats up and 2) the length of the cargo area is more critical than volume for fitting a bike.

Thanks for any thoughts!