New cars that still come with/have space for a spare wheel?

[MonteCarlos1]

Cars that can fit spare wheels of any form are continuously getting rarer nowadays, but ones that fit a full size spare must be even harder to find.

My Toyota Corolla touring (A dull car by PH standards, but a fantastic daily driver) has space for a full size spare in the boot, which I've fitted as I do a lot of long trips. Stuff waiting 10 hours for the AA man to help you when you can sort it out yourself in 15mins and be on your way!

The thought crossed my mind when I was thinking what I'd replace the Corolla with, as one of my car buying rules is that it must always be able to fit a spare wheel. That means my range of choices keep narrowing down every year as manufacturers don't provide the space as A) it saves weight and B) a lot of people seem to be afraid (or don't know how to) change wheels themselves so manufacturers feel the space would be better utilised for additional storage or a "lifestyle" waterproof box (looking at you Ford).

Given the fantastic conditions of UK roads meaning that punctures are more prevalent than ever, I honestly think this trend should be reversed.

Can anyone think of any other cars that still have that option? Obviously larger SUVs such as Defenders and G-wagens have them on the tailgate (Do new Range rovers still have them?) and I think a few VW group cars still have space for a space saver.

[FarmerJim]

Given the state of our roads, I would say that a spare wheel of some sort is essential now. I have had two tyres shredded by potholes in the past six months and, due to having no more than a compressor and a can of gunge in the boot, I had to be recovered both times. No space even for a spacesaver spare in the Benz due to the AdBlue tank being where the the wheel would go.

Maybe not necessarily a full size, but I will definitely be looking for a spare wheel of some sort in my next car.

[Drive Blind]

a quick interweb search says only 3% of new cars come with a spare wheel

[georgeyboy12345]

In the past 5 years or so I don’t think I’ve had to replace a tyre through wear, they always end up coming a cropper from potholes, nails or screws. Anyone else in the same boat? I think it’s worse as I live in a city (Manchester)

[TomTheTyke]

This will be tempting fate but I must be due a flat tyre. I’ve been driving 18 years and never had to change a tyre at the roadside. Been all over the UK and Europe and always drove to work every day.

That said I’ve never had a car without a spare wheel and wouldn’t want one either.

[Mr Tidy]

The last car I had with a full size spare was a 2000 Seat Leon Cupra.

I replaced it with a BMW E46 Compact in 2005 which had a space-saver stored under the boot floor, but when I got a puncture the wheel I took off had to go in the boot!

Since then I have only had BMWs, mostly with run-flats, so no spare wheels. My current fun car didn't have run-flats, just a "Mobility Kit" which translates to a can of gunk and a compressor.

I went on a driving trip to Wales with a mate in 2021 and we decided a ripped tyre and/or buckled wheel were the most likely "show-stoppers" so I put a full size spare in the boot and it is still there.

OK it takes up so much space it means packing is restricted to squashy bags but that's a price I'm willing to pay if it means I can complete a trip and drive hundreds of miles home. Heading 400 miles North to Scotland on Thursday!

[Ussrcossack]

Given the low frequency of getting punctures I'd also look at cars that can fit a space saver in too

There are a number of companies who undercut dealers in supplying a wheel, tyre jack and brace

[vikingaero]

Given that your common garden Cashcow or Renault Scenic can have 19 or 20 inch wheels, and there are behemoths with 21, 22, 23 & 24inch wheels which you will struggle to lift, spacesavers for me are an acceptable compromise. I'd rather be on my way on a spacesaver at 50mph than being stuck for days.

I've cut the boot polystyrene tray on 2 cars to fit a spacesaver, jack and tools.

[WH16]

Any car can carry a spare wheel. Just strap one down in the boot if it means that much to you or is limiting your car purchasing options.

[valiant]

There’s often space for a spare wheel as some markets demand them so often it’s just a case of removing all the polystyrene bks and you should at least be able to get a space saver in there which is better than nothing to get you going again.

[brillomaster]

I must be one of the exceptions... been driving 18 years now, never needed a spare wheel. Had a slow puncture from a nail a few times, but thats always got me home after a top up.

Therefore... I carry a pump, not a spare wheel.

Disappointingly, ive recently got my first cracked wheel. Which goes flat pretty quick, but again, nothing a pump can't temporarily fix.

[RicksAlfas]

Volvo V60 has space under the boot floor for a space saver.

[John D.]

TomTheTyke said:

This will be tempting fate but I must be due a flat tyre. I ve been driving 18 years and never had to change a tyre at the roadside. Been all over the UK and Europe and always drove to work every day.

That said I ve never had a car without a spare wheel and wouldn t want one either.

25yrs for me. Most of my cars have not had a spare. Possibly exceptions Merc 300CE-24v and a Vauxhall Astra. Never had anything worse than a slow flat.

[Glosphil]

My 2024 Skoda Karoq SEL has the optional full size spare. It's fitted with a under boot floor kit that slightly raises the floor to make the necessary space available. So having the full size spare wheel does reduce the boot space. Tyre size is 215/50-18 on a 7" wide rim.

Last car I had with a full size spare wheel as standard was a 2002 Audi A4 1.8T Sport. The spare was even the same alloy wheel as fitted to the car. Think the tyres were 205/55-16.

Edited by Glosphil on Wednesday 6th May 14:52

[A500leroy]

Could you go old fashioned and have one upright in the boot held by a strap?

[sleepezy]

MonteCarlos1 said:

(Do new Range rovers still have them?) .

Yes - the internet may tell you otherwise but I definitely have one (full size) - and it's a PHEV as well, which some people may resolutely tell you is impossible.