Which Car Has the Biggest Boot? 2024 Cargo Space Comparison
Boot size matters far more than most buyers realise — especially if you shop at large stores like IKEA, Bunnings, or Lowe's. Here's a comprehensive comparison of cargo capacity across popular vehicle categories, with real-world context for each figure.
How Car Manufacturers Measure Boot Space
Boot volume is measured in litres and represents the space available with all seats in their standard upright positions. The "seats folded" figure applies when the rear seat backs are folded flat, creating an extended load area. However, these numbers can be misleading:
- The VDA method (used in Europe and Australia) stacks standardised 200mm × 100mm × 50mm blocks into the space. It's relatively consistent across manufacturers.
- Some manufacturers are generous with where they measure to — including the space under the parcel shelf, or counting space that's inaccessible above a high load floor.
- Shape matters as much as volume. A 400L square boot is far more useful than a 450L oddly-shaped one that can't fit a standard moving box flat.
- Loading height and opening width are rarely published but critically important for large flat-pack items. A wide, low-sill opening can make a car more practical than its volume suggests.
Hatchbacks
| Vehicle | Boot (L) | Seats Down (L) |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 Toyota Corolla Hatch | 217L | 585L |
| 2024 Mazda 3 Hatch | 295L | 990L |
| 2024 Volkswagen Golf | 380L | 1,230L |
| 2024 Honda Civic Hatch | 415L | — |
Sedans
| Vehicle | Boot (L) | Seats Down (L) |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 Toyota Camry | 524L | — |
| 2024 Honda Accord | 473L | — |
SUV (Mid)s
| Vehicle | Boot (L) | Seats Down (L) |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 Toyota RAV4 | 580L | 1,690L |
| 2024 Mazda CX-5 | 442L | 1,648L |
| 2024 Kia Sportage | 591L | 1,715L |
| 2024 Hyundai Tucson | 558L | 1,860L |
| 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan | 615L | 1,655L |
SUV (Large)s
| Vehicle | Boot (L) | Seats Down (L) |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 Toyota LandCruiser 300 | 919L | 1,894L |
Wagons
| Vehicle | Boot (L) | Seats Down (L) |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 Subaru Outback | 559L | 1,848L |
| 2024 Volkswagen Passat Estate | 650L | 1,780L |
| 2024 Skoda Octavia Estate | 640L | 1,700L |
Utes
| Vehicle | Boot (L) | Seats Down (L) |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 Ford Ranger (tray) | — | — |
Vans
| Vehicle | Boot (L) | Seats Down (L) |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 Toyota HiAce LWB Van | 11,600L | — |
Key Takeaways: Which Vehicle Type is Right for You?
For occasional flat-pack shopping (IKEA, Bunnings)
A mid-size SUV with fold-flat rear seats is the sweet spot. The Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson, or VW Tiguan all offer enough volume with seats down to handle 2–3 large flat-pack boxes without issues. The critical spec is "seats-down volume" — anything over 1,600L is excellent.
For regular DIY and hardware runs
A wagon or a ute is the most practical choice. The Skoda Octavia Estate and Subaru Outback both offer flat load floors and generous space. For longer timber, pipe, or sheet materials, nothing beats a ute's open tray. The Ford Ranger is Australia's best-selling vehicle for good reason.
For moving house
Supplement your own car with a hired van. The Toyota HiAce LWB remains the gold standard for van hire — its flat floor and cavernous interior can hold a one-bedroom apartment's worth of furniture. Use Stowey to figure out what you can take in your own car, then hire a van for the rest.
For city driving with occasional big loads
The Volkswagen Golf hits a remarkable sweet spot — 380L boot and up to 1,230L with seats down, in a car that's easy to park and drive daily. Among hatchbacks, nothing else comes close to its practicality-to-footprint ratio.
Before You Buy: Verify the Fit
Boot volume figures are a useful starting point, but they don't tell you whether your specific items will fit. Stowey lets you enter the exact dimensions of your purchases and your car model, and runs a 3D packing simulation to give you a definitive answer — along with step-by-step loading instructions.
If you're buying a new car and practicality matters, try entering your typical purchases into Stowey and testing a few different vehicle models before you decide.