Do all small cars have fold down rear seats?

[V8 Stang]

So im looking at a hire car for a ski holiday in Austria in March.

Its probably only going to be really used for the airport run from Innsbruck to St. Anton (around 100KM) so something small and cheap would be ideal.

However ive got to be able to get my snowboard and a suitcase in, but will be solo. Snowboard bag is 178cm long, or the board is 159cm long if removed.

So do all cars similar to a VW polo have fold down seats/be big enough? or will i need an estate?

[Silvanus]

I've not come across an B segment hatchbacks that doesn't allow the rear seat back to be folded.

[BoRED S2upid]

My Abarth does. I’ve had 2 bikes in there so I’m guessing a Fiat 500 will as well.

[donkmeister]

Small hatchbacks usually have fold down seats and a ski hatch.

Small saloons, sometimes. A 3-series or C-class has to be optioned with a ski hatch or fold down seats.

[Silvanus]

donkmeister said:

Small hatchbacks usually have fold down seats and a ski hatch.

Small saloons, sometimes. A 3-series or C-class has to be optioned with a ski hatch or fold down seats.

Folding seats on small hatchbacks, yes, not seen many with ski hatches for a while though.

[Roboticarm]

BoRED S2upid said:

My Abarth does. I’ve had 2 bikes in there so I’m guessing a Fiat 500 will as well.

You are correct, though the abarth is 50/50 and the 500 is 1 unit

This is based on a 2012 500 and a 19 abarth

[donkmeister]

Silvanus said:

donkmeister said:

Small hatchbacks usually have fold down seats and a ski hatch.

Small saloons, sometimes. A 3-series or C-class has to be optioned with a ski hatch or fold down seats.

Folding seats on small hatchbacks, yes, not seen many with ski hatches for a while though.

Google image search for a few small hatches as "2023 (CAR NAME) boot" reveals:

Current Ford Focus, VW Golf, Skoda Octavia and Vauxhall Astra - ski hatch seems to come as standard.
Current Peugeot 308 - ski hatch seems to be in about 50% of them.
Current Renault Megane and Nissan Leaf - ski hatch notable by its absence

So from a very, very scientific process (lol) it looks like the Nissan/Renault group doesn't believe in using hatchbacks for skiing, but VAG, PSA and Ford do.

[Cold]

donkmeister said:

Google image search for a few small hatches as "2023 (CAR NAME) boot" reveals:

Current Ford Focus, VW Golf, Skoda Octavia and Vauxhall Astra - ski hatch seems to come as standard.
Current Peugeot 308 - ski hatch seems to be in about 50% of them.
Current Renault Megane and Nissan Leaf - ski hatch notable by its absence

So from a very, very scientific process (lol) it looks like the Nissan/Renault group doesn't believe in using hatchbacks for skiing, but VAG, PSA and Ford do.

From this we can conclude that the small cars from Nissan/Renault group are boarders and will therefore sometimes stop in the middle of the road just over the brow of a hill for no reason.

[jamesbilluk]

My Up GTI used to have fold down rear seats, it was a surprisingly roomy little car that.

[Silvanus]

donkmeister said:

Silvanus said:

donkmeister said:

Small hatchbacks usually have fold down seats and a ski hatch.

Small saloons, sometimes. A 3-series or C-class has to be optioned with a ski hatch or fold down seats.

Folding seats on small hatchbacks, yes, not seen many with ski hatches for a while though.

Google image search for a few small hatches as "2023 (CAR NAME) boot" reveals:

Current Ford Focus, VW Golf, Skoda Octavia and Vauxhall Astra - ski hatch seems to come as standard.
Current Peugeot 308 - ski hatch seems to be in about 50% of them.
Current Renault Megane and Nissan Leaf - ski hatch notable by its absence

So from a very, very scientific process (lol) it looks like the Nissan/Renault group doesn't believe in using hatchbacks for skiing, but VAG, PSA and Ford do.

None of those are small Polo equivalents (B segment), you've listed a bunch of cars from the next size up (Golf C segment sized), so not relevant.

[V8 Stang]

Thanks, have provisionally booked a polo (or equivalent) with Enterprise (via Expedia) for £359 for 12 days which seems good value. Includes snow rated tyres.

Will keep an eye out for any deals on anything bigger, as free cancellation.

[Dunelm Alumnus]

There is an excellent direct train service from Innsbruck to St Anton direct into the resort which is likely to be much cheaper than hire unless you need a car in resort.