Which Australian New Cars Still Come With a Full-Size Spare?
TL;DR: In 2026 a full-size spare is mostly a ute and 4WD feature. Dual-cab utes and body-on-frame 4WDs usually carry one; many passenger SUVs, sedans and hatches now ship with a space-saver; and a growing number of cars — especially EVs — come with only a repair kit or nothing at all. Always confirm the exact variant before you buy.
Once upon a time every new car came with a matching fifth wheel in the boot. Those days are gone. Carmakers have steadily traded the full-size spare for a space-saver, then a repair kit, and finally nothing — to save weight, cost and boot space, and to claw back fuel economy and range. For an Australian buyer who drives beyond the suburbs, what is (or isn’t) under the boot floor has become a real buying consideration.
Why are carmakers dropping the full-size spare?
Three reasons: weight, packaging and economy. A full-size spare and its well add 20 kg or more and eat boot space; deleting it lowers kerb weight, frees up cargo room (handy for underfloor storage or a bigger battery), and shaves a fraction off fuel use and emissions figures. On EVs the battery often occupies the exact space a spare used to live in, which is why so many electric cars ship with a repair kit only. The trade-off lands on the owner the day they get a sidewall cut 200 km from the nearest town.
Which vehicles still come with a full-size spare?
As a general rule for the 2026 market — confirm the specific variant, because it changes by grade and build:
| Vehicle type | Typical spare | Examples (confirm variant) |
|---|---|---|
| Dual-cab utes | Full-size (usually) | Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux, Isuzu D-Max, Mitsubishi Triton, Mazda BT-50 |
| Body-on-frame 4WD wagons | Full-size (usually) | Toyota LandCruiser, Prado, Ford Everest, Isuzu MU-X, Nissan Patrol |
| Large American pickups | Full-size | RAM 1500, Chevrolet Silverado, Ford F-150 |
| Mainstream passenger SUVs | Space-saver (often) | Many medium SUVs — varies by grade |
| Hatches & small cars | Space-saver or repair kit | Varies widely |
| EVs | Repair kit or none | Tesla Model Y and many others |
The pattern is consistent: the more a vehicle is built to leave the bitumen or carry a load, the more likely it keeps a full-size spare. Utes and 4WDs covered in our model guides — for example the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux — typically carry one, while an EV such as the Tesla Model Y typically does not.
How do you check what a specific car comes with?
Do not trust the brochure’s broad claims — spare provision changes by variant, model year and even production batch. Check the specific build: look under the boot floor or at the rear mount, read the spec sheet for that exact grade, and ask the dealer to confirm in writing. If you are buying used, physically lift the boot floor. Independent roundups such as those from CarsGuide and Drive are a useful starting point, but the only reliable source is the individual vehicle.
What if your preferred car only has a space-saver or repair kit?
You often have options. Many cars that ship with a space-saver can take a full-size spare in the same well — see can you fit a full-size spare to a car that came with a space-saver, which covers the fitment and clearance traps. If a full-size swap is not practical, understand the limits of what you have: a space-saver’s 80 km/h and short-distance rules, or a repair kit versus a real spare wheel. Cars with no spare at all increasingly rely on self-sealing or emerging puncture-resistant technology, which does not cover every puncture.
Does it matter where you drive?
Enormously. In the city, a repair kit and a mobile tyre service will usually get you sorted. Outback and regional travel is a different equation: a sidewall cut on gravel cannot be sealed, help can be hundreds of kilometres away, and a full-size spare — or even two spares for the Simpson Desert or Cape York — becomes essential rather than optional. Whatever spare you end up with, keep it inflated (its pressure is often different) and watch its age.
Full-size, space-saver or repair kit: which should you prioritise?
Rank your spare provision against your real driving, not the showroom sales pitch. If you regularly tow, carry heavy loads, or travel on gravel and remote roads, a full-size spare should be near the top of your must-have list — and if your preferred model only offers a space-saver, budget for a full-size swap or a second wheel. If you are a city dweller whose car never leaves sealed roads and who is comfortable with a mobile tyre service, a space-saver or even a repair kit may be an acceptable compromise for the weight and space you save. What you should not do is discover the answer at the roadside: decide what level of back-up you need, then choose the variant that provides it. A great car with the wrong spare arrangement for your life is a daily gamble you did not have to take.
Bottom line: If a full-size spare matters to you — and for regional and outback driving it should — shop by variant, not by badge. Utes and ladder-frame 4WDs usually have one; passenger SUVs often step down to a space-saver; and EVs frequently carry nothing. Confirm the exact build before you sign.
Frequently asked questions
Do all utes come with a full-size spare?
Most dual-cab utes do, but not every grade — some cab-chassis and entry variants differ. Confirm the specific build, as it can change by model year.
Why don’t EVs come with a spare tyre?
The battery and packaging usually occupy the spare well, and deleting the spare saves weight for range. Many EVs ship with a repair kit only, or nothing.
Can I add a full-size spare to a car that came with a space-saver?
Often yes, if a full-size wheel fits the well and clears the car’s floor. Check our full-size-spare swap guide for the fitment and clearance considerations.
Is a space-saver good enough for country driving?
Not really. A space-saver is limited to about 80 km/h and short distances, which is risky when the nearest tyre shop is hundreds of kilometres away. A full-size spare is far safer for regional travel.
How do I know for sure what my car has?
Lift the boot floor and look, read the spec sheet for your exact grade, and ask the dealer to confirm in writing. Spare provision varies by variant and build.
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