Have you ever seen a long limousine and wondered what is really inside? They have a long body, a stylish look and luxury features that make them different from standard cars and easily recognizable. Even if you have never ridden in one, you probably wonder how long they are, how many people they can hold or how much it costs to rent one. These are some of the most common questions people ask before booking a limousine.
This guide answers those questions. You will learn what is a limousine, what is a stretch limousine, how they are made, what is inside, how many passengers they can carry and much more. By the end, you will have a clear understanding of what makes a limousine different from other vehicles.
How Do You Spell Limousine? And What Does the Word Mean?
The correct spelling is L-I-M-O-U-S-I-N-E. Many people misspell this word because it is longer than it sounds when spoken. In everyday conversation its shorter version “limo” is used.
The word limousine comes from “Limousin” which is a region in central France. In the early days of automobiles the driver sat in an open front section while passengers were in a fully closed covered compartment. This covered design looks similar to the style of cloaks worn by shepherds in the Limousine region of France, so the name Limousine was given to these vehicles and have been used since then.
When Were Limos Invented and How Are Limos Made?
The first limousines appeared around 1902. They became transportation vehicles for wealthy families, politicians and prominent figures across Europe and North America. The limousines today are stretch limousines from the late 1920s.
Limos are not produced as complete vehicles directly from a manufacturer like standard cars. The process works like this:
- A coachbuilder or conversion company purchases a standard vehicle, typically a Lincoln Town Car, Chrysler 300 or SUV body
- The vehicle is cut in half at a point behind the front door
- A custom-built extended section is welded into the middle of the vehicle
- The roof, floor and body panels are extended and reshaped
- The new interior section is built and fitted with all the custom features
- The exterior is finished, painted, and inspected
This whole process is called a conversion or coachbuilding. The finished vehicle must meet the safety and certification standard before it can be legally operated as a passenger vehicle.
What Are the Long Cars Called and What Is a Stretch Limousine?
The long cars you see at weddings, proms and special events are called stretch limousines. The name comes from the stretching process which is used to extend the original vehicle body. A standard limousine is a large, luxury car with a professional driver. A stretch limousine is that same concept but the body is extended significantly to create a much larger passenger cabin.
The term stretch limo is used interchangeably with stretch limousine in everyday language. Both refer to the same vehicle. You might also hear them called party, luxury limos or simply limos all are the same vehicles with different context and the occasion.
How Long Is a Limousine and How Long Is a Stretch Limo?
Standard luxury sedans are approximately 16 to 19 feet in length. When that same vehicle is converted into a stretch limousine the length increases depending on how much extension is added.
| Limo Type | Approximate Length |
| Standard sedan (non-stretched) | 16 to 19 feet |
| Entry stretch limo | 22 to 24 feet |
| Mid-size stretch limo | 25 to 28 feet |
| Full stretch limo | 28 to 32 feet |
| SUV stretch limo (Hummer) | 30 to 36 feet |
How Many People Fit in a Stretch Limo and How Many Seats Are in a Limo?
Passenger capacity of a stretch limo varies based on the length of the vehicle and how the interior is structured. Most stretch limousines use side-facing lounge seating along the walls rather than forward facing seats, which provides more space for passengers to sit comfortably.
| Limo Type | Maximum Capacity | Comfortable Capacity |
| Entry stretch (22 to 24 ft) | 8 passengers | 6 to 7 |
| Mid stretch (25 to 28 ft) | 10 passengers | 8 to 9 |
| Full stretch (28 to 32 ft) | 12 passengers | 10 |
| SUV stretch (Hummer) | 14 to 20 passengers | 12 to 18 |
Max capacity is the legal limit of a vehicle, meaning how many passengers a vehicle can sit. The comfortable capacity is the number where everyone has personal space and room for coats, bags and personal items. So a book is always based on the comfortable capacity it is often less than the maximum capacity of a vehicle.
So when people ask how many people can a limo hold or how many people can a stretch limo hold, the answer is that it depends on the specific vehicle. Standard stretch limos comfortably sit around 8 to 10 passengers.
What Is Inside a Limousine and What Are Stretch Limo Essentials?
Seating and Layout
A limousine has side-facing leather lounge seating along both sides of the extended cabin. Some configurations have a rear-facing bench at the end. The seating is padded and polished in premium leather or vinyl.
Lighting
They have LED mood lighting throughout the cabin. The best setups add color changing LED strips along the floor, ceiling and bar areas. They have fiber optic ceiling panels that create a starfield effect.
Sound System
A full entertainment sound system with speakers throughout the cabin are added in standard limousines. They have bluetooth connectivity which allows passengers to play music directly from their phones. Subwoofers in the floor or panels provide bass.
Bar Area
There is a built-in bar counter area in the limousine with cup holders, ice storage and flat surface space. Typically glassware and ice are provided. Some limos have multiple bar sections in different parts of the cabin.
Entertainment Screens
Flat screen TVS are positioned throughout the cabin at eye level. These display music videos, personal media or slideshows for events like birthdays and weddings.
Privacy Partition
A partition is added between the driver’s cab and the passenger cabin to give complete privacy. The partition usually has a small sliding window for communication with the driver if needed.
Climate Control
A separate climate control system for the passenger cabin keeps the rear section at a comfortable temperature independently of the driver’s area.
Do Stretch Limos Have Seat Belts?
This is the most common question asked by people because the seating structure is different in limousines. In a standard passenger car, seat belts are required for every seating position. In a stretch limousine the situation is different because the side-facing lounge seating makes traditional lap and shoulder belts impractical.
Many older stretch limousines do not have seat belts at every seat. Some have lap-only belts at some positions. Modern stretch limousines are required to meet federal motor vehicle safety standard and therefore the seat belts are added in them.
How Much Does a Stretch Limo Cost to Buy?
New stretch limousines are not purchased directly from a manufacturer. They are ordered from coachbuilders who perform the conversion process which is described earlier.
Here is a general price range for new stretch limousines:
| Vehicle Type | New Purchase Price |
| Lincoln Stretch Limo | $70,000 to $100,000 |
| Chrysler 300 Stretch | $65,000 to $95,000 |
| SUV Stretch (Hummer) | $90,000 to $150,000 |
Used stretch limousines are available at lower prices. A used stretch limo in decent condition sells for $15,000 to $40,000 depending on age, mileage and condition.
Who Makes Limos?
Major automakers like Lincoln, Chrysler and Cadillac produce basic vehicles. Coachbuilders perform the actual stretch conversion. Some of the most well known coachbuilding companies in the United States are Krystal, Royale Limousines and Empire Coach.
How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Stretch Limo?
Stretch limo rental pricing is based on hourly rates with minimum booking requirements. Prices vary by location, vehicle type and day of the week.
| Vehicle | Hourly Rate | Minimum Hours | 4-Hour Booking |
| Entry Stretch Limo | $100 to $150 | 3 hours | $400 to $600 |
| Full Stretch Limo | $130 to $180 | 3 to 4 hours | $520 to $720 |
| SUV Stretch (Hummer) | $150 to $250 | 4 hours | $600 to $1,000 |
Additional costs:
- Gratuity: 15 to 20 percent of the total
- Fuel surcharge: $20 to $75 on longer bookings
- Peak date premium: 10 to 20 percent on busy Saturdays
- Cleaning fee: If the vehicle requires extra cleanup
Are Limos Still a Thing?
Yes, absolutely. Stretch limousines are still popular. Their market has shifted over years but it has not disappeared. They are commonly booked for weddings, proms, birthday parties, bachelor and bachelorette parties and other special events.
What has changed is the market share. Now, rideshare and luxury SUVs have given consumers more options for premium transportation. But the stretch limo still holds a specific space that no other vehicle can fill. When a group wants to go out together no rideshare or SUV can match the limo better.
Does Uber Have Stretch Limos?
Uber does not offer stretch limousines through its app and platform. Uber Black provides a premium ride in a luxury sedan or SUV with professional drivers but it is not a stretch limo service.
Uber Black drivers operate their own personal vehicles under Uber’s quality standards. A stretch limo requires a commercial coachbuilt vehicle, commercial insurance and chauffeur commercial licensing for that vehicle type. These requirements make stretch limousine services more suited for professional transportation.
Travel in Style with AA Limousine and Sedan
AA Limousine and Sedan operates a professional fleet of Lincoln Stretch Limousines and Stretched Hummer Limousines across Washington DC, Texas, Virginia, and Maryland. Limousines are lengthy vehicles which can only be driven by professional and experienced drivers. Our chauffeurs are commercially licensed and experienced to drive limousines. Whether it is a wedding, a prom, a bachelorette party or any special occasion, contact our team today to check availability and get a custom quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you spell limousine?
The correct spelling is limousine. L-I-M-O-U-S-I-N-E. The short version used in everyday speech is limo.
How long is a stretch limo?
Stretch limos typically range from 22 feet for entry models to 32 feet for full stretch versions. SUV stretch limos like the Hummer can reach 34 to 36 feet.
How many people can a stretch limo hold?
Standard stretch limos can comfortably seat 8 to 10 passengers. SUV stretch limos like the Hummer can hold 14 to 20 passengers depending on the specific vehicle.
How much does it cost to rent a stretch limo?
Hourly rates for a standard Lincoln Stretch are about $130 to $180 per hour. A typical four-hour booking costs $520 to $720 before gratuity.
Do stretch limos have seat belts?
This varies by the age of the vehicle and the state regulations that apply. Modern stretch limos include seat belts at passenger positions. Older vehicles may not.
How much does a stretch limo cost to buy new?
A new Lincoln Stretch Limo costs approximately $70,000 to $100,000 from a coachbuilder. SUV stretch conversions like the Hummer costs $90,000 to $150,000 new.