8 SUVs with split tailgates that double as a bench at the trailhead

A split tailgate can turn the back of an SUV into a practical place to lace boots, sort equipment, or pause beside a campsite. The lower section also helps contain loose cargo while the upper hatch is open. These eight SUVs pair that trailhead convenience with distinctive approaches to the two-piece rear opening.

1. Range Rover: The Signature Two-Piece Perch

The Range Rover lineage is closely associated with a horizontally divided rear opening. Raising the glass-and-roof section leaves a sturdy lower panel in place, which can keep packed equipment from spilling as the cargo area is opened. Dropping that panel then creates a broad ledge at a useful sitting height.

That arrangement suits stops where a clean, level surface matters more than maximum loading speed. Boots, packs, or a picnic can be managed without placing everything on wet ground, while the lower gate forms a buffer between the cargo floor and the trailhead. The design also gives the large luxury SUV a practical feature that remains useful far from pavement.

2. BMW X5: A Short Gate With Real Utility

The BMW X5 uses a compact lower tailgate beneath its main powered hatch. With only the upper portion raised, the lower section acts as a retaining wall for groceries, duffels, and outdoor gear. Once lowered, it becomes a convenient ledge that is wide enough for a short rest or a footwear change.

Because the lower gate is shorter than a conventional one-piece tailgate, it does not demand as much clearance behind the vehicle when opened. The split also creates a useful intermediate state: the cargo compartment can be reached from above while loose items remain contained. At a busy trailhead, that control can make packing and unpacking noticeably less awkward.

3. Toyota Land Cruiser: A Trail-Proven Clamshell

Across several generations, the Toyota Land Cruiser combined an upper hatch with a drop-down lower section. The configuration matches the vehicle’s expedition reputation: the upper opening provides quick access, while the lower gate can support gear during roadside or backcountry stops. It also forms a natural bench without requiring a separate camp chair.

The feature is generation-dependent, so shoppers seeking it must distinguish older split-gate models from versions fitted with a single rear liftgate. On the right Land Cruiser, however, the ledge is especially useful because the cargo bay often carries bulky recovery equipment, coolers, or camping supplies. The gate keeps those items elevated and within easy reach during a break.

4. Lexus LX: Luxury Wrapped Around a Clamshell

The Lexus LX inherited more than rugged underpinnings from its Land Cruiser relatives. Earlier generations also carried a clamshell-style rear opening, with a large upper hatch and a shorter lower gate. Lowering the bottom section produces a flat perch that feels equally suited to trail footwear, sporting equipment, or a roadside lunch.

The split arrangement adds a utilitarian touch to an otherwise plush full-size SUV. It can hold cargo back when the top hatch rises, then serve as a staging shelf as bags are moved in or out. As with the Land Cruiser, the feature varies by generation, making the rear-door layout an important detail when comparing used examples for outdoor duty.

5. Rivian R1S: An Electric Take on the Tailgate

The Rivian R1S pairs a powered upper hatch with a short lower tailgate. That lower section creates an accessible bench at the rear of the electric SUV and provides a barrier that helps prevent equipment from tumbling out when the main hatch opens. The design fits a vehicle built around camping and trail use.

A short gate also makes the deep cargo floor easier to approach than a full-width tailgate would. When lowered, it supplies a platform for pulling on boots, organizing packs, or resting between activities. When raised beneath the open hatch, it preserves a useful lip at the cargo edge, combining the security of a closed threshold with overhead access.

6. Ford Excursion: Dutch Doors Above a Drop Gate

The Ford Excursion takes a different route to a divided rear entrance. Two side-hinged Dutch doors occupy the upper area, while a separate lower gate drops outward. The result still delivers the key trailhead benefit: a wide, durable ledge that can support people or equipment while leaving the tall cargo compartment easy to reach.

Opening only one upper door can provide quick access without exposing the entire load, and the raised lower gate helps hold packed items inside. With everything open, the broad gate becomes a natural work surface for heavy-duty outdoor use. Its height and size suit the Excursion’s truck-based scale, though the long vehicle needs generous space behind it.

7. Honda Element: A Boxy SUV Built for Breaks

The Honda Element combines an upper liftgate with a lower tailgate, a layout that complements its upright shape and recreation-focused cabin. The bottom panel drops to create a ready-made seat, while the raised upper section offers some shelter overhead. It also leaves a square, low opening for moving awkward equipment into the cargo area.

That simple arrangement works especially well with the Element’s washable, utility-minded interior and wide rear space. The tailgate can hold small bags during sorting, support a quick meal, or provide a clean place to change shoes. Since the upper and lower sections operate separately, the cargo area can also be opened without immediately releasing every loose item near the threshold.

8. Pontiac Aztek: Camping Hardware in the Tailgate

The Pontiac Aztek made its split rear hatch part of a broader outdoor-lifestyle pitch. Its upper section lifts while the lower portion folds down into a seating surface, turning the back of the crossover into a convenient stopping point. Optional camping equipment extended the idea by using the rear opening as part of a sheltered overnight setup.

Even without the accessories, the lower gate remains practical for day trips and trailhead routines. It offers a platform for boots, coolers, or packs and keeps those items off dirt or wet pavement. The Aztek’s unconventional styling received most of the attention, but the functional rear opening anticipated the kind of activity-oriented details that later crossovers would emphasize.