Top 3 mid-size family SUVs for boot space

01. Volkswagen Tiguan

With a mighty 615 litres (VDA) at its disposal with all seats in place and the sliding second row set for maximum cargo - and indeed the Tiguan has one of the most generous cargo holds around. This space increases to 1655L with the 40:20:40 second-row seats stowed, and loading is made easy by a large wide opening and pretty flat surface.

The boot is the best you can get in this segment in terms of space, with up to 610 litres (VDA) when you slide the rear seats all the way forward. (image credit: Matt Campbell)

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With the seats folded down, the volume is a huge 1655L. (image credit: Matt Campbell)

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The Tiguan has a fold-down armrest with cupholders, bottle holders in all four doors. (image credit: Matt Campbell)

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The floor is height adjustable, there are nets, hooks and luggage cover to keep your cargo in check. The boot space can increase and decrease by sliding the second row forward and aft.

If you think the Tiguan has oodles of room, keep an eye out for the seven-seater Volkswagen Allspace which is expected here late in 2018. That has a whopping 760L with five seats in use.

02. Toyota RAV4

The RAV has always been a bastion of spacious versatility and the current iteration sings from the same hymn sheet. Expect 577 litres (VDA) with the second row in place increasing to a cavernous 1666L when the split system is folded flat. 

Choose the optional full-size spare which now sits under the boot floor rather than the back the tailgate, and you will lose 71L.

The space is practical with a squarish opening and a smooth floor allowing you to load even awkwardly-shaped items easily.

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Expect 577 litres (VDA) with the second row in place.

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The space increases to 1666L when the split system is folded flat.

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Still, the space itself is rather practical with a squarish opening and a smooth floor allowing you to load even awkwardly-shaped items easily. There is a cargo net and hooks with a 100L underfloor storage area which is handy for wet clothes or keeping valuables out of sight.

03. Honda CR-V

With a tall shape and flat cargo floor, the five-seater Honda CR-V makes good use of the 522 litres (VDA) of boot space it offers buyers. A one-pull lever on either side of the boot allows the 60:40 split rear seat to fold over easily and be raised without fuss too.

The Honda CR-V makes good use of the 522 litres (VDA) of boot space it offers buyers.

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A one-pull lever on either side of the boot allows the 60:40 split rear seat to fold over easily and be raised without fuss too.

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An LED light helps to locate possessions when it’s dark and a powered tailgate also makes loading and unloading easier.

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An LED light helps to locate possessions when it’s dark and a powered tailgate in all but the entry opener also makes loading and unloading easier. You can avail yourself of the 1084L on offer (1648L to the roof) with the second row lowered, a boon when faced with the occasional trip to Ikea or Costco.

The seven-seat VTi-L model loses space to the added third row seats, offering 150L with all seats in play and 472L and 967L respectively with the third and second rows lowered.

04. Worth a mention - Peugeot 3008

The Peugeot 3008 has 520L/1580L (SAE) of space set up in a convenient 60:40 arrangement. The front passenger seat folds flat, too, which allows you to transport longer objects if needed. The floor can slide over the rear bumper making for a convenient picnic table or seat when watching your kids play sport.

The Peugeot 3008 has 520L/1580L (SAE) of space set up in a convenient 60:40 arrangement.

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The front passenger seat folds flat, too, which allows you to transport longer objects if needed.

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05. Worth a mention - Mitsubishi Outlander

The Mitsubishi Outlander seven-seater may only claim 128L (VDA) with the third row in use and 477L with it lowered but that grows to a very useful 1608L with all five rear seats stowed.

06. Worth a mention - Mazda CX-5

In case you were wondering, the Mazda CX-5 comes in at 442L (VDA) with all seats in use, with a maximum cargo capacity of 1342L.