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Family SUV with a big boot: which used models offer real space with all five seats in use

Karoq, Tiguan or Tucson? Boot space of used SUVs with all five seats in use, differences between versions and what limits usable space when loading.

October 27, 2026

Family SUV with a big boot: which used models offer real space with all five seats in use

Key takeaways

The Hyundai Tucson IV (from 2020) offers the biggest boot of the three. With five seats in use, the manufacturer quotes 620 l under the VDA 211 standard for the non-hybrid 1.6 T-GDI, 616 l for the full hybrid and 577 l for the petrol 48V mild hybrid.
The Volkswagen Tiguan II (2016–2024) recorded 465 l up to the load cover in the ADAC test. It suits families whose balance between luggage and rear passenger space keeps changing.
The Škoda Karoq I (from 2017) with standard rear seats offered 450 l up to the load cover in the ADAC measurement. It is a sensible choice if you don't want to move up to a bigger SUV just for the boot.
A lower load lip saves your back when loading a pushchair. ADAC measured roughly 68 cm above the road on the Karoq I and 74 cm on the Tiguan II.

A family SUV with a big boot has to swallow the pushchair, the shopping and the holiday luggage while the children are sitting in the back. Folded seatbacks are no help to a family, because the rear seats are occupied on holiday. What counts, therefore, is the volume with all five seats in use, and in a layout you can actually fill. Besides the figure itself, the shape of the boot, the height of the load lip and the design of the floor all make a difference. Two used examples of the same model can have different boot sizes because of their powertrain or equipment.

Which family SUVs with a big boot should make your shortlist?

For a family with a bulky pushchair and plenty of luggage, the best candidate is the Hyundai Tucson IV. Anyone who wants a smaller, more manoeuvrable car for town will go for the Škoda Karoq I. The Volkswagen Tiguan II stands out because the rear space can be adapted to the load.

Model, generation and years	Boot with five seats in use and version	Measurement method and source	Who it suits
Škoda Karoq I, from 2017	450 l, 1.5 TSI Selection DSG with standard rear seats	ADAC, to the lower edge of the load cover	A family that wants a usable boot in a smaller SUV
Volkswagen Tiguan II, 2016–2024	465 l, 2.0 TDI SCR BMT Highline 4MOTION DSG	ADAC, to the lower edge of the load cover	A family whose mix of luggage keeps changing
Hyundai Tucson IV, from 2020	620 l, non-hybrid 1.6 T-GDI; 616 l, full hybrid; 577 l, petrol 48V mild hybrid	Manufacturer figure under VDA 211	A family with bulky loads that is also choosing by powertrain type

ADAC measures the basic volume up to the lower edge of the load cover or roller blind. Hyundai quotes its own figure under the VDA 211 standard, so don't compare the Tucson's numbers litre for litre with the Karoq and the Tiguan. What they do show clearly is that the Tucson IV has the roomiest boot of the three. Why measurement methods differ is explained in our article on boot space.

If none of these cars can take your biggest regular load, the next step is to move up a class, for example to the five-seat Škoda Kodiaq I. Seven-seater SUVs are covered in a separate article.

Škoda Karoq I: a practical boot without moving up to a bigger car

The Karoq I suits a family that carries a pushchair, shopping and weekend luggage but doesn't need a bigger SUV. In the version with standard rear seats, ADAC measured 450 l up to the load cover. The load lip sits roughly 68 cm above the road, so for everyday loading you don't have to lift things as high as in the Tiguan.

With used cars, distinguish between the standard rear bench and the optional VarioFlex layout with three individual seats. The measured 450 l applies to the standard bench and can't be assumed for every Karoq on offer.

For a large dog crate or an extra-wide pushchair, the Karoq is often at its limit. Such a family will be better served by the Tucson.

Volkswagen Tiguan II: space that adapts to the load

The Tiguan II has a rear bench that slides fore and aft. Depending on the situation, the family can give more room to the luggage or to the children in the back. Sliding the bench forward, however, reduces legroom. If you carry teenagers or rear-facing child seats, count on the boot volume with the bench in the position your passengers normally use.

In the 2.0 TDI SCR BMT Highline 4MOTION DSG version, ADAC measured 465 l up to the load cover. The load lip, at a height of 74 cm, is around 6 cm higher than on the Karoq, which you'll notice every time you lift a heavy pushchair or travel bag.

Hyundai Tucson IV: the powertrain changes the boot size too

The Tucson IV is a strong candidate for a family with bulky loads. According to the manufacturer, the non-hybrid 1.6 T-GDI version has 620 l with five seats in use and the full hybrid 616 l. The petrol 48V mild hybrid has 577 l, more than 40 l less.

The Tucson shows clearly why reading the model name in a listing isn't enough. The mild hybrid has a smaller boot than the full hybrid, even though its electric system is less powerful. The volume isn't determined by the powertrain badge, but by where the manufacturer has placed the battery and other components. When searching for a used car, filter by the exact powertrain version first.

What limits how usable an SUV boot is?

A large volume doesn't necessarily mean space that a family can use in everyday loading. A pushchair needs a continuous flat area, a dog crate a wide enough opening and a heavy bag easy access over the bumper.

Feature	Impact on family use
High load lip	A heavy pushchair has to be lifted higher, an older dog needs help getting in
Narrow tailgate opening	A wide item won't go through, even though it would fit in the boot
Sloping rear window	Restricts a tall crate and luggage at the back of the boot
Protruding wheel arches	Reduce the continuous width for a pushchair and another item next to it
Double floor	The upper position makes sliding loads out easier, the lower one gives more height
Spare wheel and hybrid battery under the floor	Take up space that another version offers for small bags

The floor: easier loading or more space?

In the upper position of an adjustable floor, you get a flat surface with no step at the load lip, and heavy items slide out easily. The lower position adds height for tall loads, but creates a step between the boot floor and the lip. Underneath the floor is a good place for things you won't need on the way, such as a first-aid kit, a charging cable or rain jackets.

Spare wheel and hybrid components: a different car under the same name

A spare wheel often replaces a lower storage compartment or raises the floor. On a used car, its presence is therefore part of the boot layout, not just an equipment item. Hybrids only sometimes have a smaller boot: the Tucson IV shows that solutions differ even within a single generation.

What to watch out for with a used SUV

The most common mistake is choosing by the biggest number in the listing. It may belong to a different powertrain version, a different seat position or the space with the seatbacks folded. What serves a family is the boot in the layout it will use every day.

On a used car, the load cover, the adjustable floor or its supports are also often missing. A damaged floor sags under a heavy load. Moisture or a musty smell underneath point to a leaking tailgate or rear lights.

A short checklist is enough for the viewing:

Put your largest regular load in the boot, such as a folded pushchair or a crate, with the rear seats in their travel position.
Inspect the floor and the space underneath, including the supports, the spare wheel and any signs of moisture.
Close the tailgate and fit the cover with the load inside. The boot must be usable without pressing the luggage against the glass.

Carvago: the exact SUV version, in checked condition

With a roomy SUV, the exact powertrain and equipment matter. Carvago has the widest selection of used cars, around a million cars from dealers in several European countries. Finding a Tucson with the powertrain you want or a Karoq with the right seats is therefore a matter of a filter, not weeks of driving round local listings.

Before the sale, every car is inspected by a technician as part of the CarAudit™ inspection with up to 270 checkpoints. The inspection includes a check of the available information on the car's history and legal status, an inspection of the exterior, interior and technical components, diagnostics and a test drive. The customer knows the result before deciding to buy the car, and Carvago guarantees the condition stated in the certificate.

Carvago buys the car from the original seller before the sale, becomes its owner and takes on its risks. The customer buys directly from Carvago. Once the purchase is approved, Carvago uses a power of attorney to handle the paperwork, including registering the car in the customer's country, and delivers it to the door as standard. Straight after handover, the family can load the pushchair and set off.

FAQ

Does a compact SUV have a bigger boot than an estate?

Mostly not. According to ADAC measurements, the Škoda Octavia Combi IV has 505 l up to the load cover with five seats in use, while the compact Karoq I has 450 l. An SUV offers a higher seating position and easier access, but an estate of the same class tends to be roomier. A detailed comparison can be found in our article Estate or SUV for a family.

Does a power tailgate help with loading?

It makes things easier when your hands are full, but it doesn't lower the load lip. On a used car, the tailgate should move smoothly and hold reliably in the open position. For a low garage, the option to limit the opening height is useful.

Can I load luggage above the load cover for a holiday?

Yes, but the load must be secured so it can't move towards the passengers. Heavy items go at the bottom and as close as possible to the rear seatbacks. Loose items above the cover are dangerous under hard braking.

Why check the payload on a roomy SUV too?

The volume tells you how much space the car offers, not how heavy a load it may carry. The payload includes the passengers, so a fully occupied car can reach its weight limit before you fill the boot.