Best mid-sized SUV boot sizes in Australia

How much boot space a mid-size SUV offers can be important, but capacity varies widely. While some are built with capacious openings and clever underfloor wells, others trade capacity for styling or the option of seven seats. Here’s how the 10 most popular medium SUVs under $60K in Australia stack up, ordered by their maximum boot space with the rear seats folded.

Tesla Model Y

The Tesla Model Y easily tops the charts for boot space. With 854 litres available with seats up and a cavernous 2158 litres with them folded, it rivals some large SUVs for outright volume even surpassing new large SUVs like the newly introduced VW Tayron, which gets up to 2090 litres with the seats laid flat. What makes it stand out further is the clever use of hidden storage. Beneath the main floor is a deep underfloor compartment, large enough to stow backpacks, shopping bags or charging cables neatly out of sight. Add to that a 117-litre frunk, and total usable capacity becomes even more versatile.

Tesla’s electric architecture also means no exhaust system to work around, creating a flat, square loading bay that’s easy to pack. Families often find that the extra depth makes bulky prams or sports gear easier to handle. While the sloping tailgate does limit taller objects, it’s still far more generous than rivals. For anyone regularly carrying camping kit, mountain bikes, or even small furniture items (as this writer can attest!), the Model Y sets a benchmark for practicality in this class.

Toyota RAV4

The Toyota RAV4 is consistently one of Australia’s top-selling SUVs, and luggage space plays a role in that appeal. With 542 to 580 litres available depending on floor setting, the boot feels generous even with all five seats in place. Drop the second row, and capacity stretches to 1590 litres. The split-level boot floor gives flexibility for different loading situations. Keep it on the upper level for a flatter surface that lines up with the folded rear seats, or drop it down for extra depth when you need to fit bulkier gear.

One caveat worth noting is that the GX variant with a full-size spare misses out on the lower floor option, reducing overall versatility. Even so, the wide opening and square dimensions make the RAV4’s boot easy to use day-to-day. While it doesn’t reach Tesla levels of cavernous, the Toyota’s mix of space, flexibility, and family-friendly design keeps it near the top of the charts. For most households, it’s more than enough room for luggage, sports equipment or the occasional tip run.

Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai’s Tucson lands high on the list, particularly in hybrid form where packaging tweaks free up a touch more space. The hybrid manages 582 litres with seats up and 1903 litres folded, while the ICE version comes in slightly lower at 539 and 1860 litres. These are strong figures that make it one of the roomiest options in this category.

The Tucson’s boot is wide and flat, which helps when sliding in heavier items like suitcases or boxes. While it doesn’t offer a frunk, the overall space on offer is very usable. Hybrid buyers benefit from thoughtful placement of the battery beneath the rear seats, rather than intruding on luggage room. The design also provides a long loading length, making it easy to accommodate surfboards or skis with the seats folded.

Hyundai doesn’t load the Tucson up with as many hidden cubbies as Tesla, but it holds its own with sheer volume. Families looking for a conventional SUV with plenty of stretch-out space will find it a capable choice, and its capacity comfortably beats traditional rivals like the Mazda CX-5.

Kia Sportage

Closely related to the Hyundai Tucson, the Kia Sportage offers very similar cargo numbers. With the hybrid delivering 586 litres seats up and 1872 litres seats down, it edges the petrol version by a fraction. That’s thanks again to clever underfloor packaging of the hybrid system. The ICE variant still manages a very respectable 543 litres and 1829 litres respectively.

The Sportage’s boot is deep and easy to load, with a wide aperture that accommodates larger gear without fuss. While there’s no frunk on offer, the adjustable rear seatbacks give some flexibility for balancing passenger comfort with cargo needs. Unlike the RAV4, it doesn’t have a multi-level floor, but most owners won’t find it lacking.

What stands out is how close it runs to the Tucson while offering a slightly different styling package. For households comparing the two, boot space isn’t a deciding factor since they’re almost identical. Instead, it’s about whether you prefer Hyundai’s cleaner lines or Kia’s bolder exterior. In either case, the generous boot size makes both SUVs hard to overlook for families or anyone who regularly hauls bulky items.

BYD Sealion 7

The BYD Sealion 7 is one of the newest contenders in the medium SUV class, and it makes a strong showing in boot capacity. With 500 litres on offer behind the second row and up to 1789 litres once they’re folded, it matches or even surpasses established rivals. A 58-litre frunk provides added flexibility, handy for stowing charging cables or smaller bags you don’t want mixing with luggage.

The boot itself is square and practical, with an adjustable floor that helps balance between depth and a flat loading surface. Families will appreciate the ability to flatten the load area for prams or bulkier camping gear, while day-to-day usability is boosted by BYD’s attention to hidden storage solutions. The powered tailgate makes loading and unloading simple, though the sloping roofline can trim available height for taller items.

As a battery electric SUV, the Sealion 7 doesn’t need to accommodate fuel tanks or exhaust systems, and that pays off in extra usable space. For those weighing up an EV in this class, it’s one of the more practical choices on the market without stepping up to larger, more expensive models.

Mitsubishi Outlander

Mitsubishi’s Outlander plays a slightly different role in this segment, offering the option of seven seats. With the third row in place, boot space shrinks dramatically to just 163 litres, barely enough for a couple of shopping bags. Fold that row down, however, and you regain 478 litres, while dropping the second row completely opens up to 1473 litres. That figure puts it mid-pack among its five-seat peers, but the added flexibility of occasional extra seats is a point of difference.

The boot opening is wide and the floor is relatively flat, though not as deep as others here. Mitsubishi’s packaging means the rear seats fold fairly flush, which makes sliding in long items like skis or flat-pack furniture straightforward. For families juggling between cargo and passenger needs, the Outlander provides a compromise — it won’t swallow as much as a Tesla or Hyundai, but it can carry two extra passengers in a pinch.

Those considering the plug-in hybrid should note that the battery pack slightly alters available storage, though Mitsubishi has done a decent job of limiting intrusion. For buyers prioritising versatility over outright volume, the Outlander remains a strong option.

GWM Haval H6

The Haval H6 offers strong luggage capacity for its price point, with 600 litres available behind the rear seats in ICE form, dropping to 560 litres in the hybrid. With the second row folded flat, maximum space expands to 1485 litres in petrol versions and 1445 litres for the hybrid. While not the largest in this line-up, those numbers are still competitive, especially given the H6 often undercuts rivals on purchase price.

The boot opening is usefully wide and tall, which makes loading bulky gear easier. Again, one omission is a frunk, something that all-electric rivals like the Tesla Model Y and BYD Sealion 7 offer. Nevertheless, the rear bay is square and well-shaped, meaning the space it has is very usable.

Families may find the hybrid’s slight reduction in boot volume worth accepting in exchange for the efficiency gains. The lack of underfloor compartments means less hidden storage, so packing needs to be a bit more deliberate. Still, for anyone looking for strong luggage space without stretching the budget, the Haval H6 represents solid value in the medium SUV space.

Nissan X-Trail

Nissan’s X-Trail is a familiar sight on Australian roads, and its boot is a big part of why. With the five-seat version, capacity comes in at 585 litres for the petrol and 575 litres for the e-Power hybrid. While Nissan hasn’t published an official figure for total space with the second row folded, the numbers suggest it competes strongly with the likes of the Toyota RAV4 and Kia Sportage.

Opting for the seven-seat version does cut boot space. With the third row in place, you’re left with just 465 litres, which is usable but noticeably tighter than the five-seat model. Fold that third row flat, however, and you regain a generous, flat load area.

The boot’s square shape and low loading lip make it easy to live with, especially when juggling prams, bikes, or weekend camping gear. What it lacks in official figures, it makes up in real-world usability. The adjustable luggage floor also helps tailor the space for different types of cargo. While it doesn’t boast the sheer numbers of a Tesla Model Y, the X-Trail remains a practical, family-friendly SUV with flexible carrying capacity.

Subaru Forester

The Subarus Forester isn’t the biggest on paper, but its boot design makes good use of what’s available. With 498 litres for ICE versions and 509 litres in hybrid form, it sits in the middle of the pack when seats are upright. Fold them down and you get around 1060 litres, which is modest compared with leaders like Tesla or Toyota.

What redeems the Forester is its square, tall load bay and wide opening. That shape means it can often swallow awkward items that don’t fit as easily in more stylishly tapered rivals. The low sill also makes it less of a strain when loading heavier gear, whether that’s dog crates, garden bags, or camping boxes.

Subaru hasn’t built in a frunk or multi-level floor, so what you see is what you get. For many owners, though, that simplicity works — less to fiddle with, and an honest, practical layout. For buyers who value all-wheel drive security and Subaru’s reputation for ruggedness, the Forester’s boot is simply part of a well-rounded package, even if it won’t win space races.

Mazda CX-5

The Mazda CX-5 rounds out the list with one of the smaller boots in this group. With 438 litres behind the second row, it’s usable but noticeably tighter than competitors like the RAV4 or Tucson. Fold the seats and you get 1340 litres, which is enough for most day-to-day needs but falls short if you’re regularly carrying bulkier loads.

Mazda does include an adjustable boot floor, which adds some flexibility by allowing a flatter surface or deeper well depending on what you’re carrying. The boot opening is reasonably wide, though the sloping tailgate can pinch available space for taller objects. For households with modest storage needs, this isn’t a deal-breaker, but it’s worth knowing before committing.

Where the CX-5 redeems itself is in areas outside raw numbers: driving dynamics, interior finish, and refinement. For some buyers, those qualities outweigh the need for maximum boot space. But if your priority is fitting in as much gear as possible, rivals in this class offer more stretch.

What’s the verdict?

Boot space is one of those features that can make or break daily usability, and the differences across the medium SUV segment are stark. At the top of the list, the Tesla Model Y dwarfs the competition with over 2,100 litres available, plus the added bonus of a frunk. If your priority is carrying capacity, it’s the standout choice.

Among hybrids, the Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage offer the best mix of volume and usability, with nearly 1,900 litres seats down and over 580 litres in regular use. Toyota’s RAV4 isn’t far behind, and while it doesn’t match Tesla’s sheer size, its clever two-level floor adds useful flexibility.

For buyers who want the option of seven seats, the Mitsubishi Outlander and Nissan X-Trail are worth a look. Both sacrifice boot space with all rows in place, but they claw back decent room when folded. The BYD Sealion 7 also impresses as an EV with a large rear bay and handy frunk, making it one of the more practical electric options without stepping into a larger segment.

At the other end, the Subaru Forester and Mazda CX-5 don’t top the charts on volume, but their straightforward, square-shaped boots make them easy to live with day-to-day. In the end, the best choice depends less on litres alone and more on how you use the space.