Car advice

Hi all,
I wanted to ask you for advice on renting/hiring a car. My wife's mother and sister are coming to visit for two weeks this month and we're going to need a vehicle to get around. We'll be going for a few days through the Scottish Highlands and Western Islands, as well as driving down to London. Does anyone have opinion/experience with a group of 4 and luggage in something similar to a small MPV like a Vauxhall Zafira and/or with a large family car like a VW Passat or Vauxhall Vectra? The price difference between the two is £250, so I'm leaning towards the family car because of cost and size (for the small roads we may run into).

We had this problem when my in-laws came to visit...we did Edinburgh to Loch Ness and then to Moray Firth and back again.  We ended up going with the small car due to the price (I'm cheap that way).  It was fine for us as we were only gone the weekend and felt we could manage.  DH thought the roads were fine.

We did the same when my parents came.  Did Edinburgh to the Caingorms/Grampians, and then up to Loch Ness and over to Isle of Skye.  Also did a trip to Speyside, Braemar and Aberdeen. We were fine in the small car but YMMV.

We had a 2001 Vectra CD 2.2L...they're roomy in terms of sedans. The ride is nice and they're easy to drive. We crammed luggage for 3 for 1 week in the boot, including DD's highchair, travel cot and she and her carseat as well. This was on our holiday earlier this year to Scotland. Plus it had loads of power for the hills and passing on the motorway. I miss that car actually.

You can easily fit 4 and luggage into the Vectra, as they have large boots. The newer ones are even better.