Skip advert
Advertisement

Top 10 best cars for practicality and space

Driver Power asked UK new car buyers about their cars' practicality and boot space. These are the top ten highest rated

  • Covering: Flexibility and versatility of the seats, boot capacity and versatility, cabin storage space, child-friendly features
  • Winner: Lexus RX Mk4
  • Score: 95.15%

It’s probably no surprise to find a big SUV leading the practicality category, but the luxurious Lexus has really proved its mettle here by beating some more practical brands to the prize. It hasn’t done it by having the most satisfying luggage area though, because roomy as the RX’s boot is, it only ranks 14th for satisfaction. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

However, if you’re looking for a car with great cabin storage, superb child-friendly features and flexible, versatile seating, the RX is the SUV for you – it’s ranked in first position for the first two attributes, while placing second for the third.

More practical brands aren’t left out in the cold, though, because the Lexus only just beats the Subaru Outback and Skoda Kodiaq. The Kia Sorento makes another appearance at fourth followed by the Subaru Forester in fifth.

Of all the cars in the category, the Outback has the most pleasing luggage capacity, say owners, while the Kodiaq clinches the top spot for the most flexible and versatile seating.

Your view

“Wipe-clean upholstery is ideal with the grandchildren. Plenty of space for most people, and with the seats down, load capacity is great.”

Practicality and space top 10

ModelClassOverall PositionOverall ScoreCategory Score
1. Lexus RX Mk4Premium Mid to Large SUV3rd92.15%95.15%
2. Subaru Outback Mk6Mid to Large SUV5th91.73%95.06%
3. Skoda KodiaqMid to Large SUV14th91.05%94.98%
4. Kia Sorento Mk4Mid to Large SUV2nd92.44%94.86%
5. Subaru Forester Mk5Mid to Large SUV29th90.07%94.26%
6. Volkswagen T-CrossSmall SUV21st90.72%93.22%
7. Land Rover Discovery SportPremium Mid to Large SUV49th89.07%93.68%
8. Kia EV6Family Car7th91.50%93.68%
9. Audi Q3 Mk2Premium Small SUV27th90.36%93.24%
10. Citroen C5 AircrossMid to Large SUV56th88.46%92.86%
Driver Power car ownership

Now tell us about your car in the Driver Power survey...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Current affairs and features editor

Chris covers all aspects of motoring life for Auto Express. Over a long career he has contributed news and car reviews to brands such as Autocar, WhatCar?, PistonHeads, Goodwood and The Motor Trader.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Best Motability cars 2026
Best motability cars - September 2026 header image

Best Motability cars 2026

The Motability scheme is designed to get less able people moving, and we've picked out the very best cars on offer
Best cars & vans
10 Sep 2026
Car Deal of the Day: Volkswagen T-Cross is a true people’s car for £174 a month
Volkswagen T-Cross - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: Volkswagen T-Cross is a true people’s car for £174 a month

VW has always known how to build cars with mass appeal, and the T-Cross is the latest. This smart, economical SUV is our Deal of the Day for 6 Septemb…
News
6 Sep 2026
Hot new Lexus RX is a high-performance SUV nobody saw coming
Hot Lexus RX - front cornering

Hot new Lexus RX is a high-performance SUV nobody saw coming

Lexus is gunning for AMG and BMW M with its fast family-sized SUV
News
4 Sep 2026
Used Car Hunter: 7-seater SUVs for £40,000
Car Hunter 7-seaters for £40,000 - header image

Used Car Hunter: 7-seater SUVs for £40,000

Our Car Hunter has £40,000 for a large SUV with seven seats, and the options are very attractive
Features
1 Sep 2026

Most Popular

Range Rover Electric and Dacia Spring are EV extremes but I've found the sweet spot
Opinion - EV sweet spot

Range Rover Electric and Dacia Spring are EV extremes but I've found the sweet spot

Mike Rutherford believes he's figured out the trick to getting the best EV bargain
Opinion
20 Sep 2026
Skoda Peaq review
Skoda Peaq 2026 - Ellis Hyde

Skoda Peaq review

The Skoda Peaq is the Czech brand's biggest and most expensive car ever, and is a worthy flagship
In-depth reviews
20 Sep 2026
Paris Motor Show 2026: your guide to all the key cars
Paris Motor Show 2026 header image

Paris Motor Show 2026: your guide to all the key cars

Huge motor show looks set for some suitably big reveals in October
News
21 Sep 2026