A car with a large trunk: what is the correct name and which one to choose

Are you looking for a car, but the standard trunk seems too small for family trips, transporting cargo or sports equipment? In the auto industry, there is a whole classification of cars with increased luggage compartment - from compact hatchbacks to spacious minivans. However, not everyone knows the correct names of such cars and how they differ from each other.

In this article we will look at official names of body types with a large trunk, compare them in terms of volume, practicality and price, and also give recommendations on which option is suitable for your tasks. You'll find out why station wagon not always better crossoverthan liftback different from hatchback, and which 2023–2026 models offer a record 600+ liters of space as standard.

Spoiler: if you need maximum space for minimal money, pay attention to LCV (Light Commercial Vehicle) - these are not the usual trucks, but passenger cars with a cargo-passenger modification, which outwardly do not differ from ordinary sedans, but have a trunk volume of up to 2000 liters!

Official names of cars with a large trunk

In the auto industry there is no single term “car with a large trunk” - instead, the names of body types are used, which are initially designed taking into account an increased cargo compartment. Here are the main categories:

• 🚗 Station Wagon (Wagon/Station Wagon) — a classic version with an elongated rear part and a vertical door. Trunk volume: 500–700 l (up to 2000 l with seats folded).
• 🚙 Hatchback — compact body with a sloping rear door. The trunk is smaller than that of a station wagon (350–550 l), but it is more maneuverable in the city.
• 🏗️ Liftback — a hybrid of a sedan and a hatchback: a smooth slope of the roof, but the trunk opens along with the rear window. Volume: 400–600 l.
• 🚐 Minivan/MPV — a family car with a high ceiling and a transformable interior. Trunk: 600–1000 l (up to 3000 l in cargo version).
• 🌲 Crossover/SUV - SUV with increased ground clearance. Despite the dimensions, the trunk is often inferior to station wagons (450–800 l).
• 📦 LCV (Light Commercial Vehicle) - a passenger van based on a sedan/hatchback (for example, Skoda Octavia Combi in the cargo version). Volume: up to 2000 l.

It is important to understand that trunk volume specified according to the standard VDA (German Association of Automobile Manufacturers) - this is the space up to the window level, without taking into account the ceiling height. Actual capacity may vary by 10-15% depending on body style.

⚠️ Attention: Don't be confused liftback and fastback! Fastback is a stylistic term for a body style with a gently sloping roof (e.g. BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe), but its trunk is often smaller than that of a classic liftback.

Comparison of trunk volumes: table by body type

To clearly show the difference between car types, we collected data on popular models from 2023 to 2026. All values are given in liters and measured according to the standard VDA (excluding space under the floor or above the seats).

Body type	Model (example)	Basic volume	Max. volume (seats folded)	Features
Station wagon	Volkswagen Passat Variant	650	1780	Long wheelbase, low loading threshold
Hatchback	Skoda Octavia Combi	640	1700	High ceiling, convertible interior
Liftback	Toyota Corolla Touring Sports	598	1606	Stylish design, but less practical
Minivan	Citroën SpaceTourer	775	2600	Sliding doors, 7–9 seats
Crossover	Volvo XC60	505	1432	High ground clearance, but less volume

From the table it is clear that leaders in volume - minivans and station wagons, and crossovers, despite their size, often lose out due to their sloping rear end. For example, trunk Toyota RAV4 (490 l) inferior even to the hatchback Skoda Octavia (640 l).

Station wagon vs hatchback: which is more practical?

This is the most common question among buyers. Let's look at the pros and cons of each option using specific examples.

Station wagon (Volkswagen Golf Variant, Skoda Superb Combi):

• ✅ Larger trunk volume (150–200 liters more than a hatchback of the same model).
• ✅ More even weight distribution - better for trailer towing.
• ✅ Lower loading threshold (convenient to load heavy items).
• ❌ Less maneuverable in the city due to the extended rear end.
• ❌ Often 100-150 thousand rubles more expensive than a hatchback.

Hatchback (Hyundai i30, Kia Ceed):

• ✅ More compact, easier to park.
• ✅ Cheaper than a station wagon by 5–15%.
• ✅ Often has a more modern design.
• ❌ The trunk is 20–30% smaller (for example, Kia Ceed — 395 l vs Kia Ceed SW - 625 l).
• ❌ High loading threshold (inconvenient to load heavy bags).

If you often transport large loads (for example, a stroller, a bicycle or construction materials), a station wagon is definitely more practical. But for city use, a hatchback may be more profitable - especially if the difference in trunk volume is not critical.

Which station wagon is the most spacious in 2026?

According to tests Auto Bild, the leader in trunk volume among station wagons - Skoda Superb Combi (660 liters in the basic configuration, 1950 liters with seats folded). In second place - Volvo V60 (529 l), but it loses in interior convertibility.

LCV: hidden champions in trunk volume

Few people know, but many popular models have cargo-passenger versions (LCV) — outwardly these are ordinary station wagons or hatchbacks, but with the rear seats removed and a reinforced floor. Such cars officially belong to the category N1 (light trucks), but are driven with a category license B.

Examples of LCVs with record trunk volume:

• 📦 Dacia Dokker — 3200 l (with the passenger seat folded).
• 📦 Peugeot Partner Tepee — 3000 l (version without rear windows).
• 📦 Volkswagen Caddy Maxi — 4200 l (extended wheelbase).

Advantages of LCV:

• 💰 Cheaper than minivans by 20–30% (for example, Citroën Berlingo in the passenger version it costs 1.8 million rubles, and in the cargo version - 1.4 million rubles).
• 🔧 Easier to maintain (no complicated convertible seats).
• 📏 Possibility of conversion for specific tasks (for example, installing a refrigerator for transporting food).

⚠️ Attention: LCVs are often sold without rear windows or with blank panels instead of doors. This reduces passenger comfort but increases cargo capacity. Before purchasing, check whether the machine is suitable for your purposes.

Crossovers with a large trunk: myth or reality?

Many buyers choose crossovers, believing that a high body automatically means a spacious trunk. However, this is not always the case. For example:

• 🚙 Toyota RAV4 — 580 l (loses Skoda Octavia Combi from 640 l).
• 🚙 Nissan Qashqai — 430 l (less than the hatchback Volkswagen Golf - 380 l, but with a higher threshold).
• 🚙 Hyundai Tucson — 558 l (inferior to the station wagon Kia Ceed SW - 625 l).

Why is this happening? In crossovers, priority is given to:

1. High ground clearance (eats up trunk space).
2. All-wheel drive (requires space for transfer case).
3. Body protection (plastic linings reduce internal volume).

If you need crossover with a really big trunk, please note:

• 🏆 Volvo XC90 — 709 l (leader among premium SUVs).
• 🏆 Kia Sorento — 605 l (in 7-seater configuration).
• 🏆 Land Rover Discovery — 1137 l (with rear rows folded).

How to increase trunk space in an existing car?

If buying a new car isn't in your plans, you can optimize the space in your current car. Here are proven methods:

1. Organization of space:

• 📦 Use organizers (for example, Thule or Kamei) for vertical storage.
• 🔧 Install mesh divider (protects against load displacement during braking).
• 🧳 Apply vacuum bags for clothes (saves up to 50% space).

2. Trunk tuning:

• 🔨 Delete spare wheel (replace with RunFlat tires or repair kit).
• 🛠️ Install drawer under the floor (for example, in Skoda Octavia this adds 100 l).
• 🔄 Reconfigure seats (in some models they can be moved forward by 5–10 cm).

3. External solutions:

• 🚲 Roof rack (for example, Thule Motion XT at 500 l).
• 🏍️ Towbar + trailer (gives +1000–2000 l, but requires category BE in rights).
• 📦 Boxing on the tow bar (for example, Bosal Tow Box at 300 l).

⚠️ Attention: When installing the box on the towbar, check the permissible load on the coupling device (indicated in the vehicle title). Excessive weight may damage the transmission or suspension.

Top 5 cars with the largest trunk in 2026

Based on tests Autoreview, Behind the Wheel and ADAC We have compiled a rating of the most spacious cars on the Russian market. All models are available at official dealerships.

1. Skoda Superb Combi - 660 l (1950 l). The best all-rounder in terms of price/volume ratio. Price: from 2.8 million rubles.
2. Volkswagen Passat Variant - 650 l (1780 l). Premium finish, low noise. Price: from 3.1 million rubles.
3. Peugeot 508 SW - 560 l (1780 l). Stylish design, but narrow trunk opening. Price: from 3.0 million rubles.
4. Kia Carnival - 608 l (2480 l). Minivan with 7–8 seats and sliding doors. Price: from 3.5 million rubles.
5. Volvo V60 - 529 l (1441 l). Safety and Scandinavian design. Price: from 3.8 million rubles.

If you need budget option, please note:

• 💰 Lada Vesta SW Cross — 480 l (1420 l), price from 1.3 million rubles.
• 💰 Renault Duster (in the version with all-wheel drive) - 475 l (1636 l), price from 1.5 million rubles.

💡

When choosing a car with a large trunk, pay attention not only to the volume, but also to shape of the cargo compartment. For example, in Skoda Octavia Combi the trunk is square and deep, and in BMW 5 Touring - narrow and long, which is inconvenient for transporting wide objects.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about cars with large trunks

🔍 Which car to choose for a family with 3 children?

The best option is minivan (for example, Toyota Sienna or Kia Carnival) or station wagon with 7 seats (Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace). They offer:

• Spacious trunk (600+ liters even with child seats installed).
• Sliding doors (convenient for children in the parking lot).
• Possibility of transforming the interior (for example, folding the 3rd row of seats).

Suitable for budget options Lada Largus Cross 7 seats (trunk 560 l, price from 1.4 million rubles).

🚗 Is it possible to increase the trunk in a sedan?

Yes, but with restrictions. Methods:

1. Install roof rack (will add 300–500 l, but increase fuel consumption by 0.5–1 l/100 km).
2. Use trailer (requires category BE in rights and registration with the traffic police).
3. Replace the spare wheel with dokatku or a repair kit (will free up 50–80 l).
4. Remove trunk shelf (if it is removable).

A radical option is to remake the body in liftback or station wagon, but this requires approval from the traffic police and can cost 200–300 thousand rubles.

💰 How much does it cost to convert a car into an LCV?

The cost depends on the model:

• Lada Largus → Lada Largus LCV: 150–200 thousand rubles. (removal of rear seats, reinforcement of floor).
• Volkswagen Caddy → cargo version: 300–400 thousand rubles. (factory modification).
• Renault Kangoo: 250 thousand rubles. (installation of a partition between the passenger compartment and the cargo compartment).

Important: after the conversion, you need to make changes to the PTS (the cost of the procedure is 5-10 thousand rubles).

📏 How to correctly measure trunk volume when buying a used car?

Use box method:

1. Take cardboard boxes measuring 30x40x50 cm (volume 60 l).
2. Fill the trunk with boxes, counting their number.
3. Multiply the quantity by 60 liters to get the actual volume.

Example: if in the trunk Ford Focus fit 7 boxes, its actual volume is ~420 l (versus the stated 375 l).

Also check:

• The height of the loading threshold (optimally - up to 70 cm).
• The width of the opening (must be at least 1 m for convenience).
• Availability secret compartments under the floor.

⚖️ Do you need category C license to drive an LCV?

No if:

• Maximum vehicle weight ≤ 3.5 tons.
• Number of passenger seats ≤ 8 (not counting the driver).

In this case, the category is sufficient B. However, if the LCV is converted to van with a load capacity >1 ton, permissions may be required C1 (for vehicles 3.5–7.5 tons).

Example: Ford Transit Custom in the passenger version (9 seats) controlled by B, and in cargo (3.5 t) - according to C.