The problem with what the OP wants is that most estates and some SUV/crossover types have a low loading height coupled with a boot floor which is level with the boot entry. Whereas pretty much all hatchbacks have a high loading height with the boot floor being very deep, entirely unsuitable for the needs. Of course some hatchbacks will have an adjustable boot floor which will solve half of the problem, but not issue of height from the ground.

Some examples of boot sill height from the ground (courtesy of RiDC)

Freelander 2 - 817mm

Honda Civic 2014 (9th gen) - 728mm (574mm for the estate)

Skoda Octavia 2013 - 705mm (617mm for the estate)

Ford Focus 2018 - 663mm (635mm for the estate)

Peugeot 2008 (like John F's) 616mm

Also looked up the Ford Fusion because we used to have one and I remember it having a very low loading height. Only 547mm!. Of course even the youngest Fusion is getting on a bit now at 12 years old. But because the typical buyer tended to look after their car, there are quite a few nice examples still kicking about.

So far the lowest boot loading height have come across is the Toyota Yaris Verso at only 477mm!. Unfortunately the youngest of the twelve available on Autotrader is 2005 (which doesn't mean it wouldn't be either reliable or worth buying, but most have an irrational assumption that an older car will be troublesome).

I then started wondering about various imported Japanese cars, specifically the Honda Freed nd Toyota Sienta. Both are seven seat MPV's based based on the Jazz and Yaris, and while I can't find actual figures for the loading height, pictures suggest they would be very low, especially the Freed which looks possibly even lower the the Yaris Verso.

I think a ramp could end up being an excellent shout. I'll still replace the car as it's 11 years old, done 107,000 miles, and I feel it's getting to that point where repair bills might start racking up, but a ramp opens up the options car-wise and it'll take any strain off the hound as he gets older. He's only eight at the moment, so I was trying to get ahead of the curve really, but don't tend to change cars often so will likely have whatever I get next in his senior years.

Can’t be answered without a budget. Are we giving options on a £1500 budget or £50000?

My guess is that the budget will be around the £5k - £10k mark (perhaps £15k tops), given what they've already got, given its age.

With your budget and requirements I’d have a Toyota Corolla hybrid estate - the hatch is too small in the boot for a largo dog to be comfortable, ditto most similar hatchbacks. These are compact and very robust, reliable and very good on fuel. The boot is big enough for a large dog and the floor is lower than an SUV. The estate is in big demand with taxi operators across the country so resale is a doddle, a Toyota estate is always an easy sell. It takes up no more road space than the hatch and to me it looks better too.

also comes with a mesh divider/separator as part of the tonneau as standard which should keep the dog from jumping over into the back seats.

Edited by Heidfirst on 12/08/2024 at 19:11