Benjamin Raven | braven@mlive.com

The tall person's guide to cars and the Detroit auto show with 6-foot-6 reporter Benjamin Raven

The task of finding a comfortable car when you're 6-foot-6 with long, gangly legs can be quite daunting.

With our larger readers in mind, 6-foot-6 reporter Benjamin Raven set out to find out which showroom cars he could and couldn't fit into at the 2017 North American International Auto Show in Downtown Detroit.

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Benjamin Raven | braven@mlive.com

2017 Mazda Miata

Not much to say about this beautiful Miata.

With my head floating above the windshield, I'd need a pair of goggles and about an extra foot of legroom for this two-seater to be an option.

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Benjamin Raven | braven@mlive.com

2018 Audi R8 Spyder T

I think I was doomed from the start after asking the model showing off the 2018 Audi R8 Spyder whether I'd fit inside.

"Either way, I think you're going to look great," she said.

I then blushed and proceeded to fail my way into the driver's seat of a great-looking car meant for more compact-sized humans.

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Benjamin Raven | braven@mlive.com

2018 Audi R8 Spyder T

A still shot offers a better view of why this could never work.

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Benjamin Raven | braven@mlive.com

2018 Mercedes Benz E-Coupe

In the video, I struggle a little bit with head room, but am surprised by an ability to move my legs around and reach the gas pedal without contorting like a circus performer.

Mercedes touted the vehicle as capable of comfortably fitting a 6-foot-3 man in the driver's seat during the vehicle's unveiling, and I would have to agree with them.

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Benjamin Raven | braven@mlive.com

Dodge Viper

You normal-sized people will never know the feeling of seeing a gorgeous, mid-life-crisis-type sports car and immediately think: "I can never have you."

This new Dodge Viper was one of the most crammed fits on this slightly depressing voyage.

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Benjamin Raven | braven@mlive.com

The $400,000 Ford GT Supercar

Ford really tried to get me in this car. They told me a 6-foot-8 guy had previously been able to squeeze in, and even that Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander was able to get inside the $400,000 Ford GT Supercar.

Well, I couldn't.

I tried two different angles, and even punched on my knee to try and squeeze into the driver's seat. Sorry Ford, it just wasn't meant to be, thanks to these spider legs.

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Benjamin Raven | braven@mlive.com

2017 Ford Fiesta

While bending my knees to get into the new Ford Fiesta, I thought "nope, not going to happen."

Turns out, I was wrong.

While slightly cramped, I not only fit inside, but could drive this one.

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Benjamin Raven | braven@mlive.com

2017 Fiat 500c Cabrio

A repeat of the Miata experience, I'd need those goggles and that extra foot of leg room to drive this Fiat 500c Cabrio.

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Benjamin Raven | braven@mlive.com

2017 VW Golf R

One of the more pleasant surprises of this endeavor was the 2017 VW Golf R-Line.

Not only was the headroom adequate, but the legroom and knee space under the steering wheel were solid.

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Benjamin Raven | braven@mlive.com

2017 Volkswagen Alltrack

While I technically fit inside of VW's Alltrack, the feeling of my head pressing against the sunroof would create an uneasy feeling if this thing were in motion and not planted on the showroom floor.

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Benjamin Raven | braven@mlive.com

2017 BMW i3

If you watch closely, you can see me almost smack my head on the way into the 2017 BMW i3.

But, while it seemed like an ill-fated attempt, I found decent headspace and enough room to clap my knees together, which is all I can ask for.

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Benjamin Raven | braven@mlive.com

2017 Smart Fortwo

All right, I didn't expect to fit in this one, but just figured the sight of me forcing myself into a hot pink 2017 Smart Fortwo was too good to pass up.

Not a chance, tall people. Carry on.

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Benjamin Raven | braven@mlive.com

2017 Hyundai Veloster

Sorry for possibly slaughtering the name of this car, Hyundai.

But the Veloster was one of the biggest surprises on my journey to find comfortable cars.

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Benjamin Raven | braven@mlive.com

2017 Chevrolet Spark

Leg room? Yes. Head room? No.

Sorry Chevy.

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Benjamin Raven | braven@mlive.com

Funnier in photos

Still images do a better job of capturing the hilarity in this investigation.

View a photo gallery here.