SUVs & Crossovers With the Best Cargo Space

April 19, 2023April 19, 2023 Heather Fishel 0 Comments Cargo Solutions, Chevrolet Traverse, Chevy Suburban, Crossovers, GMC Yukon, Honda CR-V, Honda Pilot, Mitsubishi Outlander, Nissan Rogue, SUVs, Toyota Corolla Cross, TrailFX

While pretty much every size crossover and SUV says you’re getting more cargo space, how many actually deliver? Which crossovers and SUVs are spacious enough to actually fit all your stuff, from suitcases and coolers to bikes and beach day gear?

There are two ways to measure cargo space. You can either consider the total cargo space (which is typically the amount advertised by auto manufacturers) or the amount of usable space with all of the vehicle’s seats in place. The second option is what you’ll be working with if you have all three rows of seats installed in your SUV, for example, or your second row not folded or collapsed. Crossovers and SUVs do offer some versatile cargo space options and configurations, but it’s always a good idea to know just how much room you’re working with.

We’re diving into the SUVs and crossovers that offer the most cargo space below, from subcompact SUVs and compact crossovers to full-sized models with extended lengths.

Spacious Subcompact SUVs

Subcompact SUVs and the smallest crossovers are pretty similarly sized in comparison to compact cars, but offer a higher wheelbase and sportier design. However, these city-ready spins on traditional sport utility vehicles can also offer some decent cargo space. The catch? You may not be able to use all of a subcompact SUV’s available seating if you’re looking to maximize the amount of stuff you’re carrying.

Here’s a look at the roomiest subcompact SUVs and crossovers.

2023 Nissan Rogue Sport

The Nissan Rogue Sport may look pretty compact from the outside, but it offers a surprising amount of cargo room! Inside this subcompact SUV, you’ll find a class-leading 74.1 cubic feet of room – with the second row of seats folded down. That’s enough space to fit a 5-foot snowboard or a weekend’s worth of luggage.

With the second row of seats upright and your Nissan Rogue Sport full of passengers, you’ll still enjoy 31.6 cubic feet of cargo room inside the S and SV trim levels. Step up to the Sport SL or Platinum, and you’ll get even more with up to 36.5 cubic feet. That extra space is particularly helpful for those who have a lot to carry, thanks to their smart Divide-N-Hide cargo system that can be configured in up to 18 different ways.

2023 Toyota Corolla Cross

Make the jump from the classic Toyota Corolla and opt for the new Toyota Corolla Cross subcompact SUV. This extra-small crossover first hit the market in 2020, but it’s been making waves thanks to its relatively roomy cargo area. The Corolla Cross offers 66.8 cubic feet of cargo space, which is a standout size for its class.

With the rear seats upright, you’ll get above-average space for a subcompact SUV. The available 26.5 cubic feet of cargo room is enough to fit groceries, a few suitcases, or even a dog crate. Fold those seats down, however, and you’ll have enough room to carry all of these items together in one trip. Just keep in mind that if you opt for an all-wheel drive model, your cargo space will shrink a tiny bit – AWD versions of the Corolla Cross have 25.2 cubic feet of room behind the rear seats and 65.5 cubic feet with the seats folded.

Compact SUVs With Roomy Cargo Areas

Step up to a compact-sized SUV or crossover, and you’ll immediately upgrade your available cargo space. These sporty vehicles are slightly bigger than their extra-compact counterparts, but not quite as roomy for passengers or cargo as midsize models. They’re still responsive and zippy for city driving, and they offer a bit more versatility if you like to hit the road for travel (or happen to carry a lot of gear around town).

Here’s a look at two of the roomiest compact SUVs.

2023 Mitsubishi Outlander

The Mitsubishi Outlander is an outlier in its class, both in terms of its third-row seating and its roomy cargo area. With a wide cargo opening at its rear that makes the SUV easy to load and unload, a perfectly flat floor available for all kinds of cargo when both the second- and third-row seats are folded, and a total of 79.7 cubic feet of cargo space, there’s a whole lot of room available.

While the third row of seats is pretty cramped and small – and it does significantly eat into your available cargo space, leaving you with just 11.7 cubic feet – there is enough room behind them to stash a few duffle bags or a single row of grocery bags. However, when you fold the third row, you’ll have 33.5 cubic feet to work with. With both the second and third rows folded, you’ll get the full 79.7 cubic feet, which offers enough cargo capacity to stash a full-size bike with room for gear.

2023 Honda CR-V

The CR-V is Honda’s best-selling SUV, and this compact model doesn’t skimp on space when it comes to its cargo area. The 2023 model year is an improvement on previous versions, as it’s longer and wider than prior iterations. This means you’ll enjoy more interior room all around, from additional space for passengers to a more accommodating cargo area. In total, the Honda CR-V offers 76.5 cubic feet of space to stash gear, groceries, and more. That’s enough room for multiple suitcases and coolers (and yes, we mean full-sized camping-ready coolers!)

Of course, the available cargo room in this compact SUV does shrink down when you leave the second row of seats upright. You’ll have 39.3 cubic feet of room, offering a solid amount of space for daily cargo needs like hauling groceries, stashing backpacks, and even fitting a few suitcases while you still have plenty of seating for passengers.

Sizable Midsize SUVs

If you need a better balance between overall space and cargo room, a midsize SUV is just the right fit. Bigger and bolder, with three rows of seating and extended cargo areas, midsize models are ideal for larger families or those who find themselves filling up the rear with a lot of gear. And when it comes to cargo space, you can expect to get anywhere from 15 to 30 more cubic feet of room in a midsize SUV versus a compact model.

Here’s a closer look at two picks with standout cargo space.

2023 Honda Pilot

This midsize SUV boasts an impressive 109.2 cubic feet of cargo space in total. That’s with both the second and third rows of seating folded down, but it’s a serious amount of space, and the leader within its class. No other midsize model can match the Pilot’s total cargo area – meaning you’ll have plenty of room to carry everything from a bike (or two to three bikes, with their front wheels removed) to multiple suitcases, duffel bags, and coolers.

Need to keep the second and third rows of seats upright in your Pilot? With all seating intact, you’ll get 8.5 cubic feet of cargo space. With the third row folded, you’ll enjoy 55.9 cubic feet of room.

2023 Chevrolet Traverse

The runner-up in terms of cargo space in the midsize SUV sector? It’s the Chevrolet Traverse, a roomy vehicle that looks just at home on city streets as it does on dirt roads headed for campsites. This versatile midsize model offers a total of 98.2 cubic feet in its cargo area, which is enough room to fit sheets of plywood, large pieces of furniture, or even a TV set (and some accessories). From the driver’s seat to the third row, this is a midsize SUV with plenty of room for comfort and cargo.

Plus, when you’re utilizing the third row of seats inside the Traverse, you’ll still have plenty of cargo space. You’ll enjoy 23 cubic feet, plus space for up to 7 passengers. Fold the third row down, and you’ll increase your cargo area to 57.8 cubic feet.

Full-Size SUVs With Ample Cargo Areas

It’s hard to top the available cargo space found inside full-size SUVs. After all, these are among the biggest vehicles you can choose from (outside of pickup trucks) if you need serious space to haul gear and goods. Now, there are more options with increasingly larger cargo areas to consider, including extended models that offer almost insane amounts of room behind even the third row of seats.

If you want to make sure you have room for cargo as well as plenty of passengers, don’t overlook these roomy full-size SUVs.

2023 Chevrolet Suburban

When it comes to cargo space, the Chevrolet Suburban is a standout in its class. Based on the extra-large GMT T1XX platform, this SUV isn’t just full-size – it’s enormous. Open the rear, and you’ll find a total of 144.7 cubic feet of space to stash everything under the sun. That’s more overall cargo space than any other SUV on the market (aside from its GMC counterpart, which we’ll cover below), allowing you to fit pretty much anything and everything you could imagine, as long as it slides under the roof.

If you’re using all three rows of seats inside your Suburban, you’ll still enjoy 41.5 cubic feet of cargo space. Fold down the third row, and you’ll get a whopping 93.8 cubic feet of room. That’s right: You’ll have almost as much space with just one row of seats folded flat as the entire cargo space of a midsize SUV!

2023 GMC Yukon XL

There’s really no runner-up in the full-size SUV segment when it comes to cargo space; it’s more of a straight tie between the Chevy Suburban and the GMC Yukon XL. Because these sibling SUVs share the same platform, they both offer the exact same amount of interior space and available cargo space. Though the Yukon XL is technically the extra-long, extra-large version of the basic Yukon, it’s really the same as your standard Suburban. And that means you’ll enjoy 144.7 cubic feet of cargo space in total.

Similarly, you’ll get the same amount of room with the various rows of seats folded flat: 41.5 cubic feet of cargo room behind the third row and 93.8 cubic feet with the third row folded. Aren’t sure you want to opt for the XL version of the Yukon? GMC’s original Yukon model is also a nicely roomy choice, with a cargo space that measures 122.9 cubic feet in total, with both rows of seats folded.