SUV detailing in Burlington.

The packages do not change. What changes is the amount of work inside each one. A three-row SUV has more carpet, more seat seams and a cargo area that has carried hockey bags, groceries and wet gear. The paint has more tall, flat panels that show water spots, and the roof needs a reach.

This page is for owners of compact crossovers, mid-size SUVs and full-size three-row vehicles. If you drive a pickup or a van, see truck detailing or minivan detailing instead.

Most SUV owners choose The Full Detail, because families and weekend use affect both the inside and the outside.

Three-row vehicles are the most common surprise. Owners often have not cleaned the third row in years because nobody sits there, and it becomes a storage shelf for gear. That row, plus the cargo area behind it, is where we often find the most dirt, so we make sure it is not skipped.

The process is the usual package sequence, with attention to the parts that SUVs add.

1. Remove mats, cargo liners and any seat covers, and clean them separately.
2. Vacuum all three rows, folds, seat tracks and the cargo well, including under the floor panel if it lifts.
3. Steam and wipe vents, door pockets and the rear climate controls if you have them.
4. Shampoo and extract carpets and cloth seats, and condition leather.
5. Wash and decontaminate the exterior by hand, including the roof and upper tailgate, using a step stool where needed.
6. Clean running boards, door sills and the tailgate area, where mud collects.
7. Walk around with you, inside and out.

If the paint also needs sealing or coating, see ceramic coating.

Tall panels deserve their own attention. Doors, tailgates and roof lines can be hard to reach, and many hand washes skip the roof. Missing the roof leaves a ring of dirt that runs down the glass when it rains, which is why we reach it with a stool.

SUVs take longer than sedans, by roughly 30 to 60 minutes per package. A compact crossover sits close to a sedan, while a three-row model is a bigger job. Our guide to detailing times gives base times for each package.

You do not need to wait around. Just make sure there is space beside the car to open all doors and the tailgate.

If you have an SUV with a panoramic roof, glass area is larger and takes more time. Interior glass fogs up faster with big panes, and we clean it thoroughly so the cabin stays clear in winter. Ceramic coating adds time for the larger panels.

An SUV adds a flat +$30 to any package. That is all. There is no hidden size multiplier.

• Interior Restoration starts from $119 $149, plus $30.
• Exterior Revival starts from $103 $129, plus $30.
• The Full Detail starts from $176 $220, plus $30.
• Ceramic / Protection starts from $399 $499, plus $30.
• Add-ons: pet hair +$40, smoke or odour +$50, heavy stains +$50, winter salt mess +$40.
• A second vehicle in the same booking is 20% off.

Use the quote form for a tailored total, usually same day.

For example, a mid-size SUV with a muddy cargo area and a salty winter coat would be The Full Detail, the SUV add of +$30 and the salt add-on of +$40. An SUV with a dog adds +$40. The structure is the same for every vehicle.

With so much space, small habits count.

• Use a cargo liner and all-weather mats.
• Keep a small hand vacuum in the cargo area.
• Wash the roof and tailgate, since they collect dirt others miss.
• Rinse running boards and wheel wells after salty or muddy drives.

If you have dogs, see pet hair removal.

Roof racks, running boards and tow hitches hold dirt. A quick rinse after a muddy trip saves work. Also check the rear wiper area and the tailgate seal, which hold grime and can cause water leaks if neglected.

Big vehicles are awkward in shops and tight bays. At your driveway in Burlington or Oakville, we have room to open every door and the hatch, and you see the car the whole time. We bring our own water, power and lighting.

Local pages for SUV detailing in Burlington and SUV detailing in Oakville cover the area.

SUVs are also the vehicles that most often go in for ceramic coating, because the large flat panels collect so much road film. If that suits you, see ceramic coating.

Check your tailgate and cargo area after each trip with wet gear. Damp liners breed smell, and a quick wipe prevents a deep clean later.