Which mid-size SUV has the best boot space?

Medium SUVs are Australia’s biggest sellers with almost 270,000 examples rolling out of new-car showrooms in 2023, making up almost a quarter of the total market.

It’s also the most competitive segment with no less than 22 makes and countless more models vying for buyers’ attention.

Throw into the mix petrol, turbo-petrol, turbo-diesel, hybrid, plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and full-electric (EV) powertrain options – not to mention two- and four-wheel drive layouts – and there’s no shortage of choice.

These high riders offer comfort and practicality, but which one offers the best boot space with the second and, in some cases third, row of seats, up and down?

How is boot space measured?

There are two measuring methods employed by the international car industry – SAE and VDA.

SAE is an acronym for the Society of Automotive Engineers in the US and this method uses small objects to fill the entire cargo area, including the nooks and crannies, which aren’t totally accessible.

In contrast, the Vehicle Design Area (VDA) method employs one-litre blocks measuring 200x100x50mm. The blocks are counted and the tally converted into cubic metres.

Often the SAE method provides a higher figure than the VDA method, though one can argue the VDA method is more realistic.

The data used in this comparison comes from manufacturers’ official figures, where possible utilising the VDA method.

It’s also important to note that some manufacturers claim the seats-down figure to the window line, others to the roof. We’ve made the distinction where relevant.

Ranked by their seats-up luggage capacity, let’s line them up to see which will be crowned the cargo king.

Getting the gong for the biggest cargo space with the rear seats upright is the Citroen C5 Aircross.

Now, you may be scratching your head as to the last time you saw a Citroen, but the French brand does have a rusted-on band of loyal followers, who are often repeat buyers.

The C5 Aircross is unique in the segment, offering three individual seats in the second row. Each slides forwards and backwards and reclines, giving the C5 Aircross excellent flexibility.

With the rear seat in its rearmost position, cargo space is 580 litres, but slide the row forward and it grows to 720 litres. Lay them down, pack it to the rafters and there’s a generous 1630 litres to play with.

Citroen C5 Aircross dimensions

Grabbing silver is the new Chery Tiggo 7 Pro. This is Chery’s second bite at the Aussie market after withdrawing many moons ago.

Despite the name, the Tiggo 7 Pro is a five-seater and with the 60/40-split folding second-row seat up, it boasts 626 litres that expands to a hefty 1672 litres when you drop it.

There’s a USB charging port in the second row, the cargo bay has a 12V outlet and it comes with a full-size spare.

Chery Tiggo 7 Pro dimensions

The final podium step goes to the Volkswagen Tiguan. A long-time player in the segment, the Tiguan offers 615 litres of cargo space with the rear seat up and a sizable 1655 litres when the 40/20/40-split folding rear seat is dropped.

Some models have a slide-out drawer under the front seats and all have a 12V outlet in the cargo area. Rear seat dwellers have a USB charging point and bottle holders in the doors.

Volkswagen Tiguan dimensions

The Haval SUV range launched in Australia in 2016, coinciding with parent company GWM becoming a fully-fledged subsidiary here, having been represented by an independent distributor for the seven years prior.

The Haval H6 has boot space of 600 litres with the 60/40-split folding rear seat in the upright position, expanding to 1485 litres with the seatbacks folded. There’s a charging port for those in the second row, a 12V outlet in the cargo bay and, depending on the model, you get a spare tyre or a tyre repair kit.

GWM Haval H6 dimensions

The seven-seat Peugeot 5008 is another road rarity. Like the Citroen C5 Aircross, the second row of seats is split into three individual chairs.

There’s also a fold-down picnic table for those in row two, while the third row of seats are removable and there’s a 12V outlet in the back.

According to the information from Peugeot, boot volume with seats in place is 591 litres, and while it doesn’t clarify, this is almost certainly the figure with the third row stashed. But flatten the second row out, too, and you get 1670 litres.

Peugeot 5008 dimensions

Despite its smaller external dimensions, the Peugeot 3008 equals its big brother for cargo volume with the rear seat in place, coming in at 591 litres. It also ties with the 5008 when you fold down the 60/40-split seat, giving you 1670 litres.

However, if you go for the 3008 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version you’ll lose some carrying capacity, with the figures dropping to 529 litres (rear seat up) and 1608 litres with it down. A 12V outlet is parked in the cargo area too.

Peugeot 3008 dimensions

Another member of the broader VW Group family is the Skoda Karoq. Two models are offered, the Style and 4x4 Sportline. The Style comes with a 40/20/40-split folding rear seat whereas the Sportline offers the more traditional 60/40 split-fold set-up.

The Style serves up the greater seats-up cargo room at 588 litres compared to the Sportline’s 521 litres, the latter due in part to the all-wheel drive configuration underneath.

Naturally, the seat-down figure varies, too, with the Style winning that one 1810L to 1630L, a decent margin. Both get a 12V outlet in the cargo area, bottle holders in the doors and cup holders in the rear centre arm rest.

Skoda Karoq Style/4x4 Sportline dimensions

Honda, along with Toyota, were the SUV pioneers, their first models hitting the streets in the late 1990s. New for 2023 was the latest and largest Honda CR-V to date, offering five- and seven-seat layouts.

Stealing space in some models is the all-wheel drive layout, hybrid battery or the subwoofer. In the seven-seaters, with the 50/50 split-fold third-row seat up, there’s 150 litres, while dropping both rows gives you 1457 or 1488 litres, depending on the one you go for.

Turning to the five-seaters snares you 581 or 589 litres, depending on the model, and with the 60/40 split-fold second-row seat lowered there’s either 1636 or 1671 litres, again depending on the model. All CRVs share the same external dimensions.

Honda CR-V dimensions

With the debut of the new-generation Nissan X-TRAIL in late 2022 came a sizeable boost on every level, making it far more impressive than its predecessor. The latest X-TRAIL comes in five- or seven-seat layouts with two- or all-wheel drive.

Five-seaters get a 60/40-split folding second-row seat while the seven-seaters feature a 40/20/40-split second row. To the roof, the five-seaters have a boot space of 585 litres or 575L in the hybrid e-POWER.

In the seven-seaters with the second row up and third down you get 464 litres. The X-TRAIL also features the unique ‘Divide-N-Hide’ system, giving you a multitude of storage configurations with adjustable dividers and shelves.

Nissan X-TRAIL dimensions

Next is the Kia Sportage, which is offered with a variety of powertrains. The rear seat is a 60/40 split-fold number and there is a pair of USB-C ports in the front seatbacks. The cargo area also scores a 12V outlet.

Attached to the front seats are bag hooks, which come in very handy. Keeping the rear seats up still provides a decent 583 litres of space in the rear, and if you drop the seats an impressive 1829 litres is yours to fill.

Kia Sportage dimensions

The Toyota RAV4, an SUV pioneer alongside Honda, is the most popular make and model in the segment. Two petrol engines and petrol-electric hybrid complete the range, with front- and all-wheel drive offered in a two-row, five-seat package.

A two-level boot floor is available on most models and there’s also a 12V outlet in there. Leave the 60/40 split-fold rear seat upright and you have either 542 or 580 litres, depending on the floor setting, while laying it down provides a substantial 1951 litres.

Toyota RAV4 dimensions

Since the original Hyundai Tucson hit the roads, it has come a long way, and today it’s the most popular model in the Hyundai portfolio.

The Tucson was a finalist in carsales’ 2021 Car of the Year and won our Best Mid-Size SUV mega-test the same year. In some models, second-row settlers are pampered with heated seats, but all models have cup and bottle holders in the second row along with two USB charging points, with a 12V outlet in the boot.

Leave the 60/40 split-fold seat in place and you have 539 litres; flick it down and you have 1860 litres, the second-highest in the segment.

Hyundai Tucson dimensions

One of the Subaru brand’s longest-serving nameplates is the Forester. The boxy shape of the latest Subaru Forester gives it a user-friendly cargo space and a decent 498 litres with the 60/40 split-fold rear seat upright.

When you chuck it down you get up to 1740 litres if it has a sunroof fitted or 1779 litres if not. Conveniences include a 12V outlet and shopping bag hooks in the boot with cup and bottle holders in the second row.

Subaru Forester dimensions

It’s hard to believe the Renault Koleos has been around since 2007. It entered its second (and current) generation in 2016 and has been progressively updated ever since.

The Koleos can be had in both two- and four-wheel drive and is powered by the same 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine found in the Mitsubishi Outlander and Nissan X-TRAIL.

Inside is default SUV, with a 60/40 split-fold rear seat allowing for 493 litres of cargo when upright and a substantial 1707 litres when dropped down, with a flat floor making loading and carting goodies a breeze.

The tailgate has gesture control, there’s a 12V outlet in the boot, and second-row occupants get two charging points.

Renault Koleos dimensions

The MG HS range offers both turbo-petrol and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain options.

Occupants in the 60/40 split-fold rear seat are provided with a pair of cup holders in the arm rests and two USB charging ports keeping things running smoothly on the entertainment front on long trips.

The boot has a plastic liner to contain any spills and not damage the floor. Cargo space with the rear seat in place is 451 litres in the PHEV and 463 litres in the other models, increasing to 1275/1287L respectively seats down, but measured to the windows, not the roof.

MG HS dimensions

A long-serving nameplate in the Mitsubishi range, the latest Mitsubishi Outlander is available as a five- or seven-seater with either petrol or plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain options, across a raft of model grades.

The second-row bench seat slides and reclines and has a 40/20/40 split-fold set-up, with the third row a 50/50 split-fold unit, which also reclines.

Leaving the back two rows in their sitting position provides 163 litres in the petrol and 191 litres in the PHEV. Drop the third row and this expands to 461L (PHEV), 478L (seven-seat) and 485L (five-seat).

Drop the lot and you get 1466L in the five-seaters, 1461L in the seven-seaters, dropping to 1414L in the PHEV five-seaters and 1387L in the PHEV seven-seaters.

Mitsubishi Outlander dimensions

The BYD Atto 3 is the EV offering in this pack. It sports a 60/40 split-fold rear seat and when in place the Atto 3 can take 440 litres of cargo, increasing to 1340 litres with it down.

You only get a tyre repair kit, not ideal in this country, but there’s a 12V outlet in the boot and in the second row one USB-C and one USB-A port.

BYD Atto 3 dimensions

Once the best-selling model in the mid-size SUV class, and still hugely popular today, the Mazda CX-5 has been around since 2012. Powering the current range are four-cylinder petrol and turbo-petrol engines.

A clever reversible cargo floor comes standard and likewise a 12V outlet in the boot. Some models get heated rear seats.

The rear seat split-folds 40/20/40 and occupiers have two USB-A ports and cup and bottle holders. Leave the rear seat up and there’s 438 litres to fill; lower it and you have 1340 litres.

Mazda CX-5 dimensions

A new name to Australia and part of the broader VW Group, the Cupra Formentor is possibly the sportiest-looking medium SUV going around.

There’s also a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version in addition to its turbo-petrol powerplants.

For added convenience, the Formentor has a powered tailgate and a 60/40 split-fold rear seat with a ski hatch, which when upright has 345 litres in the PHEV, with the battery robbing some space, or 450 litres in the others. There’s no figure given for the seat-down position.

Cupra Formentor dimensions

SsangYong is almost a forgotten brand in Australia. The Korando is the brand’s longest-running model and has been around since the 1980s.

It also boasts a seven-year warranty including seven years’ roadside assistance cover and seven-year capped-price servicing.

This current Korando debuted in 2019. In its seated position, the Korando has 407 litres of cargo space, expanding to 1104 litres once it’s lowered.

SsangYong Korando dimensions

Given the falling roofline of the Haval H6 GT, it is no surprise its cargo carrying capability is much less than its H6 sibling. However, of all the makes and models here, the H6 GT is the longest at 4727mm.

For convenience, a 12V outlet is in the boot and there is a USB charging port in the second row. The rear seat is a 60/40 split-fold unit, delivering 392 litres of luggage space when upright and 1390 litres when down. Also standard is a tyre repair kit.

Haval H6 GT dimensions

Launched in 2023, the Honda ZR-V slips in between the HR-V and the larger new-generation CR-V. At a glance, the newcomer looks similar in size to a mid-2000s CR-V.

It’s available as a turbo-petrol or petrol-electric hybrid, in a five-seater layout only. There are no fewer than eight cup holders across the cabin, with two in the rear centre arm rest.

Leave the rear seat in place and the hybrid has 370 litres in the boot area and the petrol 380 litres. Lower the 60/40 split-fold seat and this increases to 1302 litres (hybrid) or 1312 litres (petrol).

Honda ZR-V dimensions