CARS.COM — Ever wish you had a third hand to open the liftgate on your SUV because both your right and left are busy carrying grocery bags, a box or maybe a child?
Related: Which 2017 Cars Have Hands-Free Liftgates?
A growing number of SUVs and passenger cars are solving that problem with hands-free liftgates, or trunks that open with the wave of a foot below the rear bumper or — on models with a proximity key — ones that open automatically when you come within a few feet of the back of the vehicle. No helping hands are required with this feature. You just need to have a “smart key” in your pocket or purse; it sends an electronic signal to the vehicle to open the liftgate.
Hands-free liftgates and trunks increasingly are becoming available on non-luxury brands, so this isn’t a feature reserved for the country club set. That doesn’t mean they come cheaply, however.
In some cases, hands-free access to the cargo area is offered only on the higher- or highest-priced versions of a particular model. In others, this feature might be part of an extra-cost option package that includes several expensive features, some of which you might not want.
Many more vehicles offer power liftgates or trunks activated by pushing a button on a key fob or inside the vehicle, but this list covers only those with hands-free operation.
If a vehicle you’re interested in isn’t listed here, check the 2017 models that offer them because that list is considerably longer.
2016 Vehicles Available with Hands-Free Liftgate or Trunk
BMW
3 Series
4 Series
5 Series
7 Series
X1
X3
X4
X5
X6
Buick
Envision
Cadillac
CT6
Escalade
Escalade ESV
Ford
C-Max Energi
C-Max Hybrid
Edge
Escape
Explorer
Hyundai
Azera
Equus
Genesis
Santa Fe
Santa Fe Sport
Sonata
Tucson
Kia
K900
Optima
Sedona
Sorento
Land Rover
Discovery Sport
Range Rover
Range Rover Evoque
Range Rover Sport
Mercedes-Benz
AMG GT
C-Class
E-Class
GLC-Class
Maybach S
S-Class
SLK-Class
Mini
Clubman
Volkswagen
Passat
Volvo
XC90