Which mid-size SUV has the best boot space?

Australia’s largest selling category of new car is the medium SUV, with over 163,000 examples of the type rolling out of new-car showrooms in up to the end of July 2025. That’s nearly 23 per cent of the total market.

The medium SUV segment is also the most competitive, with no less than 33 makes – including the prestige brands – 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.

One can argue the VDA method is more realistic, with the SAE method typically providing a higher figure than VDA.

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. We have confined the list to mainstream models priced below the $60,000 cut-off where VFACTS draws a line below prestige models, including a few electric SUVs from Japanese and Korean brands.

Perhaps better known as the SsangYong Actyon, and then the KGM-SsangYong Actyon, and now just the KGM Actyon, the newly launched model from South Korea has been through as many name changes as John Mellencamp.

This current Actyon is very much an SUV and is handsome and well equipped to boot. Speaking of boots, the Actyon’s is generous to a fault.

KGM Actyon dimensions
Length – 4740mm
Width – 1910mm
Height – 1680mm
Cargo capacity – seats up: 668L/seats down: 1440L

A long-time player in the segment, the Tiguan is now in its third generation, as of this year. The Tiguan formerly measured 615 litres of cargo space with the rear seat up, but this dimension has now improved by 37 litres.

Volkswagen Tiguan dimensions
Length – 4539mm
Width – 1842mm
Height – 1659mm
Cargo capacity – seats up: 652L/seats down: 1650L

Don’t be fooled by the name (or the number in fact), the Chery Tiggo 7 is a five-seater and with the 60/40-split folding second-row seat up, it boasts 626 litres that expands to a hefty 1676 litres when you drop it.

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

Chery Tiggo 7 dimensions
Length – 4513mm
Width – 1862mm
Height – 1696mm
Cargo capacity – seats up: 626L/seats down: 1676L

The latest and largest Honda CR-V to date continues to offer 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 just 150 litres of luggage space available, while dropping both rows gives you 1457 or 1488 litres, depending on the variant you choose.

Turning to the five-seaters snares you 581 or 589 litres, for the hybrid or conventional variants, respectively. With the 60/40 split-fold second-row seat lowered there’s either 1636 or 1671 litres on offer, again depending on the model. All CR-Vs share the same external dimensions.

Honda CR-V dimensions
Length – 4704mm
Width – 1866mm
Height – 1681mm
Cargo capacity – seats up: 581-589L/seats down: 1636-1671L

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 deliver 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 465 litres. The X-TRAIL also features the unique ‘Divide-N-Hide’ system, providing a multitude of storage configurations with adjustable dividers and shelves.

Nissan X-TRAIL dimensions
Length – 4680mm
Width – 1840mm
Height – 1725mm
Cargo capacity – seats up: 465-585L/seats down: no data provided

Imported from China and distributed by Stellantis, the Leapmotor C10 is the highest-ranked EV in this list, although the range also features a plug-in hybrid variant priced from below $44,000, and the most affordable battery-electric model costs just $2000 more.

And you do get plenty of battery range and big-boot bang for those bucks. While the plug-in variant is limited to a still respectable 546 litres, the EV stumps up 581 litres. The cabin is also very flexible, with front seats that fold flat and flush with the rear seats, so you can really stretch out for a decent nap while waiting for the C10 to recharge.

Leapmotor C10 dimensions
Length – 4739mm
Width – 1900mm
Height – 1680mm
Cargo capacity – seats up: 546-581L/seats down: no data provided

The GWM Haval H6 is available in front- and four-wheel drive variants, with hybrid and plug-in options as well. Only one figure is quoted for the conventional front-wheel drive models – 560 litres with the 60/40-split folding rear seat in the upright position.

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
Length – 4703mm
Width – 1886mm
Height – 1730mm
Cargo capacity – seats up: 560L/seats down: 1485L

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 586 litres of space in the rear for the hybrid variants, but that drops to 543 litres with the full-size alloy spare wheel occupying additional space in the boot of the conventionally powered variants. If you drop the seats of the Sportage, that will free up an impressive 1829 litres, or even better still, 1872 for the hybrid Sportage.

Kia Sportage dimensions
Length – 4685mm
Width – 1865mm
Height – 1660mm
Cargo capacity – seats up: 543-586L/seats down: 1829-1872L

The Toyota RAV4 is the most popular model in this segment and has narrowed the range to hybrid powertrains only, in front and all-wheel drive configuration. All variants will seat five.

A two-level boot floor is available on all models other than the entry-level GX grade. Leave the 60/40 split-fold rear seat upright and you have either 542 or 580 litres, depending on the floor setting, while laying the seat down provides a substantial 1951 litres.

Toyota RAV4 dimensions
Length – 4600mm
Width – 1855mm
Height – 1685mm
Cargo capacity – seats up: 542-580L/seats down: 1951L

The Hyundai Tucson has come a long way since it originally launched in Australia – detouring along the way for its own identity crisis as the ix35.

Second-row settlers are pampered with heated seats in all but the base-grade variants, and all models come with cup and bottle holders in the second row along with two USB charging points. There’s also a 12V outlet in the boot.

Leave the 60/40 split-fold seat in place and the naturally-aspirated models promise 539 litres; flick the seat down and you have 1860 litres. Even more space is available in the hybrid variants, which use a space-saver spare rather than the full-size alloy alternative.

Hyundai Tucson dimensions
Length – 4640mm
Width – 1865mm
Height – 1665mm
Cargo capacity – seats up: 539-582L/seats down: 1860-1903L

Two trim levels are offered in the Skoda Karoq range as of 2024, Select and Sportline. While the Karoq Select is front-wheel drive only, the Sportline grade is available with an uprated performance all-wheel drive variant as well.

Previously, the Karoq Select came with a 40/20/40-split folding rear seat whereas the Sportline offered the more traditional 60/40 split-fold set-up. Now, both trim levels make do with the asymmetric layout, and the boot space has been reduced from 588 litres to the 521 litre capacity now shared with the Karoq Sportline 4x4 140TSI.

Both powertrain variants are rated the same for seat-down luggage volume too, now 1630L. Bottle holders in the doors and cup holders in the rear centre arm rest are standard for both grades, as are shopping hooks in the boot. The Karoq Sportline also boasts a luggage net and tie-down points.

Skoda Karoq Select/Sportline dimensions
Length – 4390 (front-wheel drives)/4384mm (Sportline 4x4 140TSI)
Width – 1841mm
Height – 1603 (front wheel drives)/1612mm (Sportline 4x4 140TSI)
Cargo capacity – seats up: 521L/seats down: 1630L

A fresh new model of MG HS was unveiled last year. Occupants in the 60/40 split-fold rear seat are provided with their own cupholders, a centre armrest and two USB charging ports to keeping things running smoothly on the entertainment front on long trips.

Cargo space with the rear seat in place is 507 litres for the conventional HS and Hybrid+ variants, increasing to 1484L with the seats down, but measured to the windows, not the roof.

MG HS dimensions
Length – 4655/4670mm (HS and Hybrid+)
Width – 1890mm
Height – 1655mm
Cargo capacity – seats up: 507L/seats down: 1484L

What distinguishes the BYD Sealion 7 from its stablemate, the Sealion 6? Simply this: An all-electric powertrain, versus the plug-in hybrid setup for the latter.

The Sealion 7 claims 500 litres of luggage space in the rear, and a further 58 litres for smaller items in the ‘frunk’ (the front trunk – or the ‘froot’ as we might call it in Australia). The figure with the 60/40 rear seats lowered is somewhere north of 1700L.

Rear-seat occupants benefit from cupholders in the centre armrest and USB ports.

BYD Sealion 7 dimensions
Length – 4830mm
Width – 1925mm
Height – 1620mm
Cargo capacity – seats up: 500L/seats down: No data provided

The sixth generation of Subaru Forester has just landed in Australia. Subaru markets the Forester in a range comprising four conventional powertrain variants and three hybrids. Thanks to the adoption of a puncture repair kit for the hybrids, they come close to matching the load volume of the conventional variants – 484 litres versus 496 respectively, with the rear seats upright.

Measured to the beltline with the seats lowered, the luggage capacity grows to 1174 litres for the petrol Foresters and 1162L for hybrids. Taken all the way to the headlining, the seats-folded measurements are 1719L for base-grade Forester, 1617L for Forester Sport and Forester Touring, 1707L for the basic Forester Hybrid, and 1655L for the Forester Hybrid Sport and Touring variants.

Every variant in the Forester range, hybrid or otherwise, comes with cargo hooks, tie-down points, a cargo blind, cupholders front and rear, door pockets in all four doors, USB-A and USB-C ports for the rear passengers and two 12V power outlets.

Subaru Forester dimensions
Length – 4655mm
Width – 1830mm
Height – 1730mm
Cargo capacity – seats up: 484-496L/seats down: 1655-1719L (to the ceiling)

A stalwart in the range, the Mitsubishi Outlander has been available for years 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 seating splits in three sections, in a 40/20/40 set-up, with the third row splitting in a 50/50 ratio. Both second- and third-row seats recline, and all variants other than ES and Aspire variants also offering a slide function for the second-row seats. All variants offer cupholders in the second row.

Mitsubishi quote a figure of just 163 litres of useful stowage with the third-row seats raised, or 191 for the plug-in seven-seaters. Lower the third row, however, and the volume increases to 478 litres for seven-seat front-wheel drives and five-seat four-wheel drives. For the ES grade – with both front- and four-wheel drive, the figure improves slightly to 485 litres.

The plug-in variants are all-wheel drives, promising 461 litres for the seven-seat versions and 494 litres for the five-seat models.

With all rear seats folded down, the maximum capacity all the way to the headlining varies from 1387L for the seven-seat plug-in variants to 1473L for the Outlander Exceed and Exceed Tourer – both five-seat four-wheel drive models.

Mitsubishi Outlander dimensions
Length – 4720mm or 4710mm (Plug-in)
Width – 1862mm
Height – 1740-1745mm
Cargo capacity – seats up: 163L or 191 (three rows, for PHEV) 461-494L/seats down: 1387-1473L

Yet another entry into the Australian market from China’s GWM, the GWM Haval H7 is gearing up to make a name here with just one variant as its standard bearer, a hybrid.

The H7 does provide respectable boot space, along with what appears to be a competitive equipment level at a good price.

GWM Haval H7 dimensions
Length – 4705mm
Width – 1908mm
Height – 1780mm
Cargo capacity – seats up: 483L/seats down: 1362L

Fresh off the boat, the Skoda Elroq is the third electric SUV to appear in this list.

Skoda is gunning for the BYD Atto 3 with the appealing Elroq, but the Skoda is more expensive. As against that, the Elroq holds a trump hand in its extra 30 litres of luggage space with the rear seats occupied.

Those seats fold in a 60/40 split, and they incorporate a centre armrest with a couple of cupholders. In addition, rear-seat occupants do have two USB-C ports to keep their portable entertainment devices charged.

And in typical Skoda fashion, the Elroq packs a lot of cleverness into a compact space. There’s a net that clips into place under the cargo blind (which rises with the tailgate) to pack away the charging cable, conveniently out of harm’s way. There are cargo hooks on the side of the luggage compartment, plus additional storage nooks, and the centre armrest can convert to a ski-port facility.

Finally, the parcel shelf/cargo blind can be detached from the tailgate and placed lower in the boot, providing a genuine parcel shelf to keep lighter items separate from the heavier stuff in the base of the compartment.

Skoda Elroq dimensions
Length – 4488mm
Width – 1884mm
Height – 1625mm
Cargo capacity – seats up: 470L/seats down: 1580L

Labelled a ‘full-sized medium SUV’ by its local importer, the KGM Torres sits in the former SsangYong range between the Korando and the large SUV that is the Rexton. It’s slightly smaller than the Actyon on which it’s based.

KGM Torres dimensions
Length – 4700mm
Width – 1890mm
Height – 1720mm
Cargo capacity – seats up: 465L/seats down: 1526L

The Koleos can be had in two front-wheel drive variants and one recently arrived four-wheel drive, both 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 458 litres of cargo when upright and a substantial 1690 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
Length – 4672mm
Width – 1843mm
Height – 1678mm
Cargo capacity – seats up: 458L/seats down: 1690L

The Deepal S07 is a determined tilt at taking the sales mantle away from Tesla’s Model Y. Like other SUVs on this list, the Deepal is an EV, it’s roomy inside and impresses with its build quality and infotainment technology.

Equipment includes a couple of cargo hooks in the boot, USB-C charging ports, a control pad in the rear centre armrest with two integrated cupholders, a powered tailgate and a one-touch lever to raise and lower the 60/40 split-fold rear seat.

As a package, it has the goods, but the boot space with the seats upright is relatively light on at 445 litres. Lowering the seats raises the volume to 1385 litres.

Deepal S07 dimensions
Length – 4750mm
Width – 1930mm
Height – 1625mm
Cargo capacity – seats up: 445L/seats down: 1385L

The Mazda CX-5's 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. It’s a pleasant place to ride… there in the back seat of the CX-5.

But the Mazda was never in the big leagues for boot space. Not compared with the Nissan X-TRAIL or Mitsubishi Outlander. Leave the Mazda’s rear seat up and there’s 438 litres to fill; lower it and you have 1340 litres.

But with a new CX-5 due in 2026, perhaps Mazda’s iconic mid-size SUV will get the packaging boost it has needed all along.

Mazda CX-5 dimensions
Length – 4575mm
Width – 1845mm
Height – 1680mm
Cargo capacity – seats up: 438L/seats down: 1340L

A plug-in alternative to its near namesake, the BYD Sealion 6. All three variants of the Sealion 6 do offer one each of USB-C and USB-A charging ports for the rear seats, along with recline adjustment and centre armrest with two integrated cupholders.

But the luggage space doesn’t measure up against some of the BYD’s rivals. With the seats in place, the volume is 425 litres. Folding them down will liberate 1440 litres in total.

BYD Sealion 6 dimensions
Length – 4775mm
Width – 1890mm
Height – 1670mm
Cargo capacity – seats up: 425L/seats down: 1440L

The Jaecoo J7 is sold here in a range comprising two turbocharged front-wheel drive models, an all-wheel drive model featuring the same engine and dual-clutch transmission, and a plug-in hybrid that tops the range but only drives through the front wheels. In accordance with the VDA standard, the luggage compartment measures 340 litres for the J7 Ridge – the all-wheel drive model – up to the cargo cover. But taken to the headlining, the measurement is 500 litres, or 1265 litres with the seats folded flat.

For the conventional front-wheel-drive models, the dimensions are 424 litres to the top of the cargo cover, 584 litres to the headlining, and 1349 litres maximum, with the seats lowered into the floor.

All models gain the seemingly mandatory two cupholders/centre armrest and 60:40 split-fold seat, with one each of USB-A and USB-C charging ports for the rear passengers.

Jaecoo J7 dimensions
Length – 4500mm
Width – 1865mm
Height – 1680mm
Cargo capacity – seats up: 384-424L/seats down: 1265-1349L

The ZR-V is an ‘urban’ SUV – without an all-wheel drive model for even the pretend off-roaders among us.

Only four variants are currently available, one of those the range-topping hybrid, which Honda is setting up to be the mainstay of the ZR-V’s sales base.

In conventional form, the ZR-V provides 380 litres of luggage space – or 1312 litres with the seats folded flat. The hybrid model loses about 10 litres of volume, dropping back to 370 litres or 1302 litres with the seats lowered.

Honda ZR-V dimensions
Length – 4568mm
Width – 1840mm
Height – 1620mm
Cargo capacity – seats up: 370-380L/seats down: 1302-1312L

While the Geely EX5 is notionally limited to 302 litres of storage in the boot (with the seats in place), there’s additional storage below the floor, taking the total up to 410 litres. Fold the seats down, furthermore, and you squeeze in 1877 litres behind the driver and front passenger.

The Geely is an electric SUV, driving through the front wheels. Available in two trim levels, the EX5 is very affordable, kicking off from just $40,990 before the on-road costs. Even the entry-level grade features reclining seats for the rear passengers. The seat folds in a 60/40 split, and there’s a centre armrest with USB-A and USB-C charging ports for the portable devices.

Geely EX5 dimensions
Length – 4615mm
Width – 1901mm
Height – 1670mm
Cargo capacity – seats up: 302-410L/seats down: 1877L

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