Looking for an SUV with a genuinely big boot? Boot space varies enormously between models, even within the same size class. Here are the SUVs that deliver the most usable space, with figures for seats up and seats folded.
Quick picks:
- Biggest boot overall: Land Rover Discovery, 1,231 litres
- Best long-wheelbase alternative: Land Rover Defender 130, 1,094 litres in five-seat mode
- Best seven-seat SUV for boot space: Mercedes GLS, 355 litres with all seats up
- Best electric SUV for boot space: Tesla Model Y, 854 litres plus a separate front boot
- Best value pick: Volkswagen Touareg, 810 litres
Land Rover Discovery
The Discovery dominates any list like this, offering 1,231 litres behind the second row. Land Rover measures boot space slightly differently to most rivals. This inflates the figure somewhat. Even accounting for that, the Discovery's boot remains genuinely enormous. Even with all seven seats in place, there's still about as much room as a small hatchback's entire boot. Fold both rear rows and you get a load area that's closer to a van than a car, helped by an inner tailgate that folds down to give you somewhere to sit while changing muddy boots.
Land Rover Defender 130
If you like the idea of the Discovery but want something more rugged looking, the Defender also offers a genuinely massive boot. The shorter 110 model offers 786 litres in five-seat mode. The long-wheelbase 130 goes further still at 1,094 litres. The 130 also seats eight rather than the 110's seven, though with all seats in place its boot drops to 290 litres, a figure still comparable to a small hatchback. The rear door swings outward rather than lifting up, worth bearing in mind if you regularly park in tight spaces.
Peugeot 5008
The 5008 offers a genuinely cavernous 952 litres in five-seat mode, more space than most buyers will ever need. The load area is usefully square, with no lip to lift heavy items over. Put the third row up though and remaining luggage space shrinks dramatically. Folding the second row also doesn't leave the seats sitting completely flat.
Mercedes GLS
For buyers wanting luxury alongside genuine practicality, the GLS offers 890 litres in five-seat mode, ahead of the Range Rover below. In seven-seat mode there's still 355 litres available, an impressive figure given the full passenger layout and only beaten by the Discovery above. A button lowers the rear suspension to make loading easier. Rear seats also fold electronically on all but the entry-level trim.
Tesla Model Y
The only electric SUV on this list, the Model Y offers 854 litres with the rear seats up, around 300 litres more than most alternatives in its class. A separate 117-litre front boot adds further storage, ideal for keeping charging cables away from your main luggage rather than eating into that capacity.
Range Rover
Whether you choose the short or long-wheelbase Range Rover, boot space stays the same at 818 litres in five-seat mode, with the extra length instead going toward rear legroom. Like the Discovery, an inner tailgate folds down to sit on. The rear seats also fold electronically at the touch of a switch. The car's overall length can make it trickier to push large items fully into the boot though.
Volkswagen Touareg
If you want a genuinely posh-feeling SUV without posh SUV prices, the Touareg is worth a serious look. Its 810-litre boot beats several pricier alternatives, with a wide opening that makes loading easy and handy levers built into the boot itself for folding the seats. Plug-in hybrid versions lose some of this capacity, dropping to 665 litres behind the second row.
Audi Q7
The Q7 offers 780 litres in five-seat mode, a strong figure for a genuinely premium seven-seat SUV. The third row folds electronically to create a flat boot floor, though the process is a little slower than some rivals. Useful extras like a 12V socket and luggage tethers come as standard, though there's no underfloor storage to speak of.
Porsche Cayenne
The Cayenne offers 772 litres, plenty for a big weekly shop or a weekend away, with a handy net over one wheelarch that stops smaller items rolling around. Rear seats need folding by leaning in through the back door rather than from the boot itself. They also don't sit completely flat once down.
What Should You Check Beyond the Headline Figure?
A litre figure alone doesn't tell the whole story. Check whether a quoted number applies with all seats up or folded down. The difference between the two can be dramatic on a seven-seat SUV specifically. It's also worth checking the shape of the boot in person. A narrower, deeper space can hold less usable luggage than a wider, shallower one with a similar headline figure. Remember too that Land Rover measures boot volume slightly differently to most of the industry, worth factoring in when comparing its figures directly against rivals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which SUV has the biggest boot space? The Land Rover Discovery offers the largest figure at 1,231 litres, though its measurement method differs slightly from most rivals.
Which seven-seat SUV has the biggest boot with all seats in place? The Mercedes GLS offers 355 litres with all seven seats up, close to the space you'd get in a Volkswagen Golf's entire boot.
What's the best electric SUV for boot space? The Tesla Model Y offers 854 litres, plus a separate 117-litre front boot for extra storage, making it one of the most practical electric SUVs available.
What's the cheapest SUV with a genuinely big boot? The Citroen C5 Aircross is strong value here, with prices starting under £25,000 and up to 720 litres once the rear seats are pushed forward.
Which small SUV has the biggest boot? The Citroen C3 Aircross is a strong choice, offering up to 410 litres in models with a sliding rear bench.
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