Best car for rear legroom

By Tia Harrison-North

Last updated: 31 July 2025

The best cars for rear legroom don’t have to be the biggest cars on the market – there are plenty of smaller cars that will save your backseat passengers from aching legs.

Estate cars and SUVs usually have plenty of head and legroom and are ideal for families, but there are also some smaller hatchbacks and city cars that taller passengers will feel comfortable in.

Best car for rear legroom:

• Nissan Qashqai

• Škoda Superb Estate

• Volkswagen Golf

• Mazda3

• Kia Picanto

• Hyundai i10

Best family car for rear legroom

Not all families are made up of baby seats and pushchairs, and it’s important to have space to grow in the rear of your family car.

A spacious family car with plenty of rear legroom will ensure that your grown-up kids are comfortable on long journeys.

Nissan Qashqai

If you’re in the market for a family car, you’ve likely come across the famed Nissan Qashqai. It’s a reliable SUV that’s perfect for the school run and daily commute, and it has a spacious rear that your passengers will be thankful for.

Not only is the cabin airy, but legroom is especially impressive, and it’s easy for a full-grown adult to get comfortable in the back.

It also boasts a 504-litre boot, so you won’t be strapped for space.

There’s easily enough headroom for taller passengers, and it’s ideal for long journeys, with up to 53.3mpg from the e-POWER setup.

Škoda Superb Estate

The Škoda Superb Estate really lives up to its name – it's a brilliant family car that has loads of space throughout the whole vehicle.

The interior is massive, with plenty of legroom at the rear and a 660-litre boot to top it off.

You’ll have no issues fitting a tall adult in the rear, and it can also be a great pick for driving with dogs.

Isofix car seat points mean that it’s a great option to grow with as a family – it’s reliable enough that you can keep it running for years to come.

Plus, there’s the Superb iV plug-in hybrid that claims up to 217mpg WLTP if you want to pack up and enjoy that legroom on a long journey.

Best small family car for rear legroom

Not all family cars need to be sizeable SUVs or lengthy estates. Sometimes a small family car gets the job done – especially if you live in an urban area.

If you’re looking for the best small family car for rear legroom, there are plenty of reliable models that are practical as well as enjoyable to live with.

Volkswagen Golf

The Volkswagen Golf is a classic family car that has stood the test of time – it’s been on the scene since the '70s and is still one of the best family picks.

There’s a generous 380-litre boot at the back and a spacious interior that’s comfortable to sit in. Four adults will easily fit in – even the six-foot-plus kind – but the middle rear seat is slightly more cramped for a full-sized person.

It was awarded a full five-star Euro NCAP safety rating in 2022, making it a secure model for driving your family around in and one you know you can trust.

Mazda3

The Mazda3 is another reliable family hatchback and offers strong competition to the Golf. It’s modern, sleek, and offers plenty of rear legroom.

With a 358-litre boot and a spacious cabin that’s plush and well-built, the Mazda3 is perfect for older families or if you’re planning plenty of road trips with friends.

Despite the sloping hatchback roofline, you’re not restricted in headspace or cramped in the back.

You can achieve up to 56.5mpg from the diesel engines as well, and the five-star Euro NCAP rating highlights that you’ll be secure while out and about.

Best small car for rear legroom

It can be tricky balancing all your car needs and finding one perfect model, especially if you’re after a small car that’s still got ample legroom.

Finding the best small car for rear legroom isn’t as difficult as you might think – there are plenty of smaller models that will tick boxes.

Kia Picanto

The Kia Picanto is a gem of a car that rolls modern styling, handy tech and plenty of space into one dinky little car. It’s compact enough to work for city life and urban driving, but you’re surprisingly not strapped for legroom in the rear.

There’s also a seriously impressive 255-litre boot at the back that knocks rivals like the Fiat 500e out of the water.

The rear seats can also recline, and there’s interior storage space like a roomy centre console and a pair of cupholders.

Ben Welham, our motoring writer, said: "The Kia Picanto is a car that just makes so much sense. Whether you’re starting out on your lifelong driving career or you’re coming to the end, this little car is perfect for you. 

"It’s nippy, characterful, not overly complicated, cheap to buy, cheap to run and cheap to insure. It’s the same price as some optional extras are on high-end luxury SUVs, for crying out loud."

Hyundai i10

We’re big fans of the Hyundai i10 when it comes to a city car with a deceptive amount of space.

Legroom in the rear is surprisingly ample when you consider how small the i10 looks from the outside. It would easily slip into the life of a motorist who regularly carries passengers in the back.

There’s a 252-litre boot so all your passengers can store their essentials, plus you’ll find a large glovebox at the front and rear door bins for extra storage.

Why is rear legroom important in a used car?

Rear legroom is important for keeping your passengers comfortable in the back of your car and making sure they have ample room for their legs.

A cramped backseat is never ideal if you’ve got a growing family with older children or regularly travel with friends. If your backseat passengers are cramped and uncomfortable, then long road trips are likely to be stressful.

Discover used cars for sale

If you're in the market for your next motor, we have a range of used cars for sale to choose from. Whether you want a hatchback or an estate car with more legroom – we have choices for you.

Read more about cars of different sizes:

• Best cars for tall drivers

• Best cars for short people