Why do hardly any new cars come with a spare wheel?
I am looking to replace my 2021 Audi Q2 which I have owned from new. I have always had cars with spare wheels, but I am struggling to find a new electric or hybrid medium sized SUV (similar to Q2) which can carry a space-saver. My son was recently stranded, with his pregnant wife, for 6 hours following a large puncture on the M5. My daughter has been stranded, also on the M5, with her two young sons on board for 4 hours following a similar tyre failure. Neither car had spares. Considering the state of the roads in this country, I am not prepared to travel anywhere without a spare on board. Can you help?
Asked on 1 October 2025 by David Taylor
Answered by
David Ross
A 2023 study by the RAC revealed that only 3% of new cars came with a spare wheel as standard and of those half only had spare wheels on specific variants. With hybrid and electric vehicles the percentage is likely even lower, as the design means that the space beneath the boot floor is usually taken up by electrical systems.
Cars such as the Volvo XC90 and Hyundai Santa Fe are available with a spare wheel but are much larger than the Audi Q2, but the Suzuki Across PHEV comes with a spare wheel as standard. You could also purchase a spare wheel and associated tools separately, from the likes of www.thewheelshop.co.uk/space-saver-wheels or www.road-hero.co.uk/ although you'd still have to find somewhere to store it...
Cars such as the Volvo XC90 and Hyundai Santa Fe are available with a spare wheel but are much larger than the Audi Q2, but the Suzuki Across PHEV comes with a spare wheel as standard. You could also purchase a spare wheel and associated tools separately, from the likes of www.thewheelshop.co.uk/space-saver-wheels or www.road-hero.co.uk/ although you'd still have to find somewhere to store it...
Tags:
wheels and tyres
spare wheel
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