I normally drive a Hilux with a canopy. Work took that from me and gave me a Mondeo. The mondeo actually turned out ok for lugging a couple of boards around and I could fit a 7'2" mid length in the back with one seat folded down. work are now taking the mondeo and I have to get my own car. Tossing up between another ute with a canopy or an outback (probably a current model).
anyone own an outback?. What size boards can you fit in? I like to take a few options. Also like to take a longboard occasionally on the roof and if it's any good squeez it in the car while I am surfing and take out a short board.
I also have to have a baby seat in there so hopefully can fold down the right and middle seat with the baby seat in the left back seat.

I drive a Suzuki swift and can fit boards up to 8'6 in it. Just need to fold down the back and passenger seat, but it can, and regularly does, hold a baby seat behind the drivers seat. You should have no issue whatsoever with an outback!

I have a MY12 Subaru Forester (which is smaller than the current Series 4 models) and can fit my 9'6" mal in from the passenger footwell with 6" spare at the tailgate - then chuck my mid length on top. Just have to take out the head rest, recline the passenger seat and fold down the rear passenger seat - takes less than a minute to do. I can also fit a Large size 29'er MTB in the back easily with both back seats folded flat. And recently got a boxed free-standing Dishwasher in the back with the seats up with plenty of room to spare.

Pretty late to the conversation but bought a MY21 Subaru Outback last year coming from a Triton with Canopy. Swapped out because it was more practical in the sense I wasn't getting off road as much as I'd thought I would and spend 98% of my time driving around the city. I find the Outback much better as a surf vehicle because I can just throw the boards in the back. In the Ute, it was a strategic placement. My board bag is around 6'4" and it fits with room to spare. You also have the fold away roof racks ready to go for bigger boards. Best car for my lifestyle I've ever owned!