The best cars with big boots in the UK
By FergusGuide overview:
- Boot space isn’t just about litres. A wide opening and a square shape often make a big difference for busy family life.
- SUVs and Estate cars are good options, with standout choices including the Skoda Superp Estate, Volvo XC90, and Kia Sorento.
- Smaller family cars can still work well, especially with a square boot shape and an adjustable boot floor to make loading easier.
- Leasing is a great choice for a family, offering affordable monthly rentals and access to the latest models.
Choosing a family car isn’t just about how many seats it has, or whether the tech will keep the kids happy on a long journey. For most families, the real deal-breaker is the boot.
From folded prams and the weekly food shop to sports bags and weekend luggage, boot space is the unsung hero of family life. It’s what makes the day-to-day feel easy, not like a squeeze.
In this guide, we compare some of the best family cars with big boots, focusing on usable boot space, flexibility and everyday comfort, so you can shortlist the right car for your family (and your commute).
Looking for a family car that fits real life? Explore our family car leasing hub and find a practical, affordable option that works for you.
Scratch beneath the surface and you'll find a whole load of cars with generous boot space, but figures from the manufacturer only tell part of the story.
Two cars can have the same boot capacity, yet feel completely different in day-to-day family life. That’s why we’ve compared these cars based on:
- Usable boot space with the seats up (not just volume)
- Boot shape and width
- Flat load floors and split rear seats
- Ease of loading (height and load lip)
This approach ensures you find the most practical family car, not just what looks good on a spec sheet.
A deep but narrow boot can be awkward. Square, wide boots are the jackpot for a family car, especially when loading heavy items or shopping side-by-side.
Cars with flat boots are much more practical. They’re easier to load, better for sliding heavy items in, and far more flexible when the rear seats are folded down.
“Family life is busy, and the small details can go a long way. When choosing your next car, look beyond the litre figure and check the boot’s shape, opening and practical features like an adjustable floor. ”
1. Skoda Kodiaq
The Kodiaq is genuinely practical family car with a wide, square boot that's easy to load. There's plenty of usable space with the seats up and excellent flexibility when you need more room.
- Boot space - Up to 910 litres (5-seat layout) / 2,105 litres (all seats down)
- Load lip - Slight lip but its manageable
- Flat floor - Yes, when the seats are folded
- Additional extras - Adjustable boot floor, sliding rear seats
2. Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace
The Tiguan Allspace is a great family all-rounder with a long, usable boot that's easy to live with. It handles prams, shopping, and sports equipment well, while staying comfortable for commuting.
- Boot space - Up to 700 litres (third row folded) / 1,755 litres (seats down)
- Load lip - Low and easy to manage with a wide opening
- Flat floor - Mostly flat when folded
- Additional extras - Sliding rear seats (up to 180mm), powered tailgate on some trims
3. Peugeot 5008
The 5008's boot is wide, flat and easy to load, making it ideal for busy families looking for flexibility. Clever design means the space feels usable, not just big.
- Boot space - Up to 916 litres (third row folded) / 2,232 litres (all seats folded)
- Load lip - Low and accessible
- Flat floor - Yes
- Additional extras - Adjustable boot floor, underfloor storage, individually folding rear seats, 3-part rigid boot tray (available as an extra)
4. Volvo XC90
The XC90 is a premium car with a wide boot that works for daily life as well as longer trips. As with all Volvo's, there's a strong focus on safety and comfort which makes it ideal for growing families.
- Boot space - Up to 1,950 litres
- Load lip - No load lip
- Flat floor - Yes. When the seats are folded it gives a long usable load bay also
- Additional extras - Powered tailgate, loads of storage
5. Kia Sorento
The Sorento is a seven-seater that's ideal for families who do a lot of driving and like the idea of keeping costs predictable. It's a proper family workhorse that still offers the odd premium feature.
- Boot space - 608 litres (third row folded) / 1,996 litres (all seats folded)
- Load lip - Generally higher than an estate, but the boot is deep and usable
- Flat floor - Yes
- Additional extras - Power tailgate (spec-dependent)
6. Hyundai Santa Fe
For families looking for a big boot and a more premium feeling, the Santa Fe is a great 'comfort-first' choice. It's also pretty big and dominates the road, proving to be a great commuter.
- Boot space - Up to 621 litres (seats up) / 1,942 litres (seats down)
- Load lip - Normal load lip
- Flat floor - Yes, with the seats down it creates a long load area
- Additional extras - Customisable powered tailgate,
7. Volkswagen Passat Estate
The Passat Estate hits the family and commuter sweet spot. With an enormous boot and easier loading than most SUVs, it's made for people live on A-roads and motorways during the week, and love a family adventure at the weekend.
- Boot space - Up to 690 litres (with all seats up) / 1,920 litres with seats folded
- Load lip - Low lip and wide boot opening
- Flat floor - Seats fold to leave a flat load area
- Additional extras - Full electric tailgate as standard, variable-height boot floor, and net partition
8. Skoda Superb Estate
If you're after maximum space for your money, the Super Estate is the car for you. It's almost unfairly practical for an estate car, offering ample interior space and boot space.
- Boot space - Up to 645 litres (all seats up) / 1,795 litres (seats folded)
- Load lip - Low and flat, so is very easy to load awkward items
- Flat floor - Yes
- Additional extras - Powered tailgate, 60:40 split folding rear seats, boot nets, a multifunction storage pocket, and boot hooks
9. BMW 5 Series Touring
The 5 Series Touring is perfect for a young professional who's considering a family. It keeps the commute feeling premium while delivering a spacious boot with easy access.
- Boot space - Up to 570 litres (seats up) / 1,700 litres (seats down)
- Load lip - Low load lip that sits flush, which is brilliant
- Flat floor - Yes
- Additional extras - Automatic tailgate, 40:20:40 split rear seats, and underfloor storage
10. Volkswagen ID.Buzz
This is a bit of a wildcard, but trust us. If you want the most usable family boot space going, the ID.Buzz offers van-like capacity with a massive, tall, body load bay.
- Boot space - 1,121 litres (seats up) / 2,205 litres (seats down)
- Load lip - Can be a high lip, but the adjustable boot floor offers a solution
- Flat floor - Not flat
- Additional extras - Loads of storage solutions, power tailgate available (as an extra), multi-flex board allows you to level out the boot space to match the height of the seats when they're folded flat
It depends on the model. Some smaller family cars can punch above their weight when it comes to boot usability, especially if it's well-shaped and has an adjustable floor. However, due to the actual size of the vehicle, they struggle to carry large items like prams and sports gear all at once.
If boot space is essential, it's worth spending a bit more money and getting a larger car, as this will save you a lot of stress further down the line.
One of the biggest worries for family drivers is committing to a car that no longer suits their needs a few years down the line.
This is where leasing can help. You get:
- Fixed monthly payments
- No long-term ownership worries
- Access to newer, safer cars with the latest technology
- Optional maintenance packages to reduce unexpected costs
“We’ve seen more families switch to leasing because it gives them the flexibility they want. As kids grow and routines change, leasing makes it easy to upgrade to a more practical car every few years.”
Remember, the perfect boot space is the one that fits your lifestyle:
Focus on:
- How usable the boot is and not just its size
- Whether the rear seats can fold flat
- Whether boot space is enough with the seats up
Ready to take the next step? Explore our latest family car leasing deals and find a car that works for your family.
Guide Information
Originally published: 9th November 2021
Last updated: 17th December 2025
Due to be reviewed: 20th January 2026
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