Small cars can have big boots, as our choice of city cars, superminis, and small SUVs proves. Each one has plenty of luggage space and no shortage of legroom, so they’re all about as practical as a small car comes. Read on for our pick of the best.
Best Small Cars with Big Boots 2024
- Volkswagen Up (2012-)
- Hyundai i10 (2020-)
- Kia Picanto (2017-)
- Skoda Kamiq (2019-)
- Vauxhall Crossland (2021-)
- Ford Puma (2019-)
- Hyundai i20 (2021-)
- Volkswagen Polo (2018-)
- Seat Ibiza (2017-)
- Skoda Fabia (2021-)
Volkswagen Up (2012-)
Boot volume: 251-959 litres
The tiny Volkswagen Up’s squared-off styling affords it more boot space than you might imagine. It’s also helped by an adjustable load floor which, in its higher position, is level with the loading lip, and allows you store other items underneath. Drop the floor to its lower setting, and you have 251 litres of luggage space. Every Up comes with a 60/40 split-and-tumble rear seat, so you can free up the full 959 litres quickly and easily. The VW also has commendably low running costs and there's even an battery-powered version for those interested in electric cars.
Volkswagen Up Review
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Hyundai i10 (2020-)
Boot volume: 252-1,012 litres
Hyundai’s considered approach to the small car resulted in an extremely versatile hatchback. There’s 252 litres of boot space with the rear seats in place, or you can fold them down to access the full 1,012 litres. Hyundai introduced the new car in 2020, but don’t discount the earlier i10 from 2014-2019, because its boot is slightly bigger than the new model’s, at 1,046 litres with the rear bench folded, and it’s one of the most practical used car buys in the city car category. The Hyundai is also keen value, even against the likes of the Dacia Sandero, and new models come with a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty.
Hyundai i10 Review
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Kia Picanto (2017-)
Boot volume: 255-1,010 litres
If you’re looking for a city car that offers the same sort of storage space as a supermini, then the Kia Picanto is the best new car in its class. Its 255-litre boot is as big as a Ford Fiesta's, yet the Kia has the kind of compact exterior that makes this class of car ideal for urban motoring and slotting into tight parking spaces. The rear seats divide and tip, freeing up 1,010 litres of room, which is more than the previous generation Picanto that ran from 2011 to 2017.
Kia Picanto Review
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Skoda Kamiq (2019-)
Boot volume: 400-1,395 litres
Skoda doesn’t provide the sliding rear bench to vary rear legroom and load space that you get in some small SUVs. However, what it lacks in clever tricks, the Kamiq more than makes up for with loads of space. The large boot stands at 400 litres, and is unhindered by interruptions from the wheelarches, which puts it well ahead of rivals such as the Nissan Juke or Renault Captur. The back seats easily tip to create a maximum load space of 1,395 litres, which is even more than the Ford Puma or the Vauxhall Crossland can manage, so the Kamiq is the compact SUV for DIY enthusiasts.
Skoda Kamiq Review
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Vauxhall Crossland (2021-)
Boot volume: 410-1,255 litres
Vauxhall’s Crossland X, or Crossland as it’s now known, is a small car with a raised driving position and a roomy five-seater cabin. It’s also one for those looking to carry plenty of luggage, because it offers 410 litres of boot space with the rear seats raised, which is more than most small hatchbacks. Choose a version with the sliding rear seat option and you can trade rear legroom for up to 520 litres of space. Tilt the 60/40 split rear seats down and you’ll find a considerable 1,255 litres.
Vauxhall Crossland Review
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Ford Puma (2019-)
Boot volume: 456-1,216 litres
There’s a very clever and handy surprise beneath the Ford Puma’s boot floor. Just when you think you can’t squeeze in any more luggage, there’s a huge underfloor vault named the 'MegaBox' that’s big enough to swallow a couple of carry-on suitcases. The load floor can be stashed upright against the 60/40 split rear seat, which means you can even store a couple of sets of golf clubs upright. Even better, the sides of the MegaBox are waterproof plastic, and there’s a drain plug at the bottom, so you can use it to stow muddy wellies and simly hose it out later. Fold down the rear seats, and the Puma’s luggage capacity expands to 1,216 litres. On the road, the Puma is more than a match for anything from Audi, BMW, or Mercedes with a similarly-sized boot, because it's genuinely good fun to drive.
Ford Puma Review
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Hyundai i20 (2021-)
Boot volume: 352-1,165 litres
Hyundai’s i20 offers 352 litres of boot space within a supermini body. That’s more than many small family hatchbacks and well ahead of rival superminis, such as the Citroen C3, the Mazda 2, the Suzuki Swift, the Toyota Yaris and the Peugeot 208. The i20 also has a height adjustable load floor, so you can have it sitting flush with the loading sill or lower it for maximum space. Fold the rear seats down, and 1,165 litres should be more than sufficient for most. Add all that practicality to it’s generally strong abilities in other areas, and you have a fantastic all-rounder.
Hyundai i20 Review
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Volkswagen Polo (2018-)
Boot volume: 351-1,380 litres
The Volkswagen Polo was the standard bearer for the biggest boot in the supermini sector for a long time, but it’s been beaten from within the Volkswagen Group (see below) when it comes to room with the seats up. At 351 litres, it’s still very roomy, and the square shape of the boot makes it easy to store bags so they don’t slide around as you drive, while a load floor that can be adjusted for height also helps. Tip down the 60/40 split back seat, and the VW returns to the top of the class, as its sizeable 1,380 litres puts it alongside many larger hatchbacks for capacity.
Volkswagen Polo Review
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Seat Ibiza (2017-)
Boot volume: 355-1,165 litres
It used to be only the Honda Jazz that combined lots of boot space and plenty of rear passenger room in a supermini, but it’s since been superseded. The Seat Ibiza pulls off this tricky balancing act with ease, thanks to its 355-litre load bay. The Seat doesn’t have the Honda’s clever 'magic seats' - which not only have backrests that fold down flat, but bases that flip up to create a super-tall loading space - but lower the Ibiza’s back seats, and you’ll find a hefty 1,165 litres. Next to the likes of the Renault Clio or the Vauxhall Corsa, the Ibiza feels much more accommodating for people and cargo.
Seat Ibiza Review
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Skoda Fabia (2021-)
Boot volume: 380-1,190 litres
The Skoda Fabia makes a strong case as a rival to small family cars such as the Volkswagen Golf thanks to its 380-litre boot. Fold down the 60/40 split rear seats and you have 1,190 litres to play with, although this isn’t quite as generous as the VW Polo. The latest Fabia only comes with petrol engines, but the 2015 to 2020 model offered a diesel option with low emissions, along with 330- to 1,150 litres of cargo room. Or you could have the estate car version, for even more space.
Skoda Fabia Review
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