In today’s automotive world, cargo space has become just as crucial as horsepower and fuel efficiency for many buyers. Whether you’re a growing family stocking up at the wholesale club, an avid road-tripper who refuses to choose between passengers and luggage, or simply someone who appreciates the convenience of completing all errands in one trip, trunk capacity matters.
The difference between a spacious cargo area and a cramped one can transform your shopping experience from a frustrating game of Tetris into an effortless load-and-go routine.
Modern vehicles have evolved dramatically in their ability to accommodate our increasingly busy lives. While SUVs and minivans traditionally dominated the cargo-hauling conversation, today’s sedans, hatchbacks, and crossovers are pushing boundaries with innovative designs that maximize every cubic inch.
From clever underfloor storage compartments to seats that fold flat with the touch of a button, automakers are getting creative about packaging space.
This comprehensive guide explores twelve vehicles that stand out for their exceptional trunk capacity cars that can genuinely handle a month’s worth of groceries without breaking a sweat.
We’ve selected vehicles across different categories and price points, ensuring there’s an option whether you prioritize luxury, affordability, efficiency, or performance. These automotive pack mules prove you don’t have to sacrifice style or driving dynamics to gain the practicality your lifestyle demands.
1. Honda Accord
The Honda Accord has long been America’s sedan sweetheart, but its spacious trunk often flies under the radar in discussions about the model’s strengths. With 16.7 cubic feet of cargo capacity, the Accord offers one of the largest trunks in the midsize sedan segment, rivaling vehicles from larger classes.
This isn’t just about raw numbers; the Accord’s trunk is intelligently designed with a wide opening, minimal intrusion from the suspension components, and a low liftover height that makes loading heavy grocery bags significantly easier on your back.
The trunk’s rectangular shape means you’re not sacrificing usable space to odd angles or wheel well intrusions. Multiple reusable grocery bags, bulky items like paper towel multipacks, and even cases of beverages fit side-by-side without the frustrating spatial puzzle you encounter in poorly designed cargo areas.
The 60/40 split-folding rear seats expand versatility further, allowing you to carry longer items while still accommodating rear passengers. Honda thoughtfully included a pass-through for skis or lumber, though for grocery runs, you’ll rarely need it.
What truly sets the Accord apart is how this cavernous trunk doesn’t compromise the driving experience. The car maintains excellent fuel efficiency up to 38 mpg on the highway meaning those grocery-getter trips won’t drain your wallet at the pump.
The hybrid variant offers even better economy while retaining nearly identical trunk space, a rarity since hybrid batteries typically steal cargo room.
The trunk also features underfloor storage compartments perfect for keeping reusable bags organized or storing fragile items separately from heavier groceries.
Build quality extends to the cargo area, with durable carpeting and tie-down hooks that prevent bags from sliding around during transit. The wide trunk opening and thoughtfully positioned hinges mean you won’t bang your head or hands while loading.
For families who prioritize sedan sophistication but refuse to compromise on practicality, the Accord delivers a trunk that can legitimately handle Costco runs, weekly grocery hauls, and everything in between without requiring a second trip.
2. Volkswagen Jetta
Volkswagen’s Jetta compact sedan punches well above its weight class when it comes to cargo capacity, offering an impressive 14.1 cubic feet of trunk space that actually exceeds many midsize competitors.
This German-engineered practical marvel demonstrates that smart packaging can triumph over sheer exterior dimensions. The trunk’s shape is where Volkswagen’s design prowess really shines it’s deep, wide, and remarkably square, minimizing wasted space that plagues many rivals with intrusive wheel wells and sloped designs.
The Jetta’s trunk opening is generously proportioned, making it easy to slide in bulkier items like watermelon, large cereal boxes, or multiple cases of canned goods without the spatial gymnastics required in some competitors.
Volkswagen included thoughtful touches like a standard adjustable-height cargo floor in certain trims, allowing you to create a completely flat loading surface when the rear seats are folded down.
The 60/40 split-folding rear seats provide the flexibility to carry longer items think baguettes, wrapping paper rolls, or small furniture—while still accommodating passengers.
What makes the Jetta particularly impressive for grocery duties is its German build quality extending into the cargo area. The trunk features durable, easy-to-clean materials that withstand the inevitable spills and messes that come with regular grocery hauling.
The lid mechanism operates smoothly with a solid, vault-like feel when closing no flimsy rattles here. Volkswagen also equipped the Jetta with a surprisingly powerful trunk lamp that fully illuminates the space, invaluable when unloading after dark or searching for items that might have shifted during transit.
The efficiency equation sweetens the Jetta’s grocery-hauling credentials. With fuel economy reaching up to 40 mpg on the highway, this trunk champion won’t punish you at the pump despite its capacious cargo hold.
The suspension strikes an excellent balance between composed handling and ride comfort, meaning those eggs and tomatoes arrive home intact. For budget-conscious buyers who need serious trunk space without stepping up to a larger, thirstier vehicle, the Jetta represents exceptional value wrapped in understated European style.
3. Chevrolet Malibu
The Chevrolet Malibu midsize sedan offers a cavernous 15.7 cubic feet of trunk space, making it one of the most practical choices in its segment for serious cargo haulers.
This American workhorse was designed with real-world usability in mind, and the spacious trunk reflects Chevrolet’s understanding that buyers need versatility in their daily driver.
The trunk’s proportions are nearly ideal deep enough for tall items, wide enough for multiple bags side-by-side, and with minimal intrusion from the rear suspension architecture.
Where the Malibu truly excels is in accessibility and thoughtful design features. The trunk lid opens wide, creating an expansive portal for loading even awkward items.
The liftover height is carefully calibrated to make lifting heavy grocery bags manageable without excessive strain, a detail often overlooked by designers focused purely on aesthetics.
Inside the trunk, Chevrolet included multiple tie-down points and grocery bag hooks that keep items secure during transit no more arriving home to discover your bread crushed under shifting canned goods.
The Malibu’s 60/40 split-folding rear seats fold nearly flat, creating an impressive extended cargo floor when you need to transport longer items alongside your regular grocery haul.
This flexibility means you’re not forced to choose between passengers and cargo you can run a full shopping trip while still accommodating three adults comfortably.
Chevrolet also incorporated underfloor storage compartments where you can stash reusable bags, emergency supplies, or delicate items that shouldn’t be crushed by heavier groceries.
Practicality extends beyond mere cubic footage with the Malibu. The trunk carpeting is durable and stain-resistant, important when you’re regularly loading groceries that might leak or spill.
The available hands-free trunk opening activated by waving your foot under the rear bumper proves genuinely useful when your arms are loaded with bags.
With solid fuel economy reaching up to 36 mpg highway, the Malibu won’t drain your budget between those bulk-buying trips. For shoppers prioritizing maximum trunk space with all-American value pricing, the Malibu delivers impressively.
4. Toyota Camry
America’s best-selling sedan for years running, the Toyota Camry backs up its popularity with a generous 15.1 cubic feet of trunk space that handles serious grocery loads with aplomb.
This legendary reliability champion doesn’t just offer durability under the hood its cargo area is built to withstand years of heavy use without showing wear.
The trunk’s rectangular shape maximizes usable space, with minimal wheel well intrusion allowing you to pack items efficiently from corner to corner.
The Camry’s trunk design reflects decades of Toyota learning what customers actually need. The opening is wide and the lid lifts high, providing unrestricted access that makes loading bulky items like paper goods or beverage cases straightforward rather than frustrating.
The liftover height strikes an excellent balance low enough for easy loading but high enough to provide ground clearance that protects the trunk floor from scrapes.
Inside, you’ll find durable carpeting that resists stains and wear, plus thoughtfully placed tie-down hooks and cargo nets that keep grocery bags upright during transit.
Toyota’s engineering prowess shows in how the Camry maintains this spacious trunk across its entire lineup, including the hybrid model.
While many hybrids sacrifice significant trunk space to accommodate battery packs, the Camry Hybrid retains nearly identical cargo capacity to the gas-only version a remarkable achievement that means eco-conscious buyers don’t have to compromise on practicality.
The 60/40 split-folding rear seats expand versatility for those occasional times you need to carry longer items alongside your standard grocery haul.
What truly distinguishes the Camry is its legendary reliability extending to every component, including trunk mechanisms that will operate smoothly for years. The gas struts holding the trunk open remain strong, the latches engage positively, and the seals keep weather out effectively.
With fuel economy reaching 39 mpg highway in hybrid form and respectable numbers even in gas models, the Camry won’t punish your budget between grocery runs. For buyers who value dependability above all else but refuse to sacrifice cargo space, the Camry represents a nearly perfect solution.
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5. Kia K5
The stylish Kia K5 midsize sedan combines dramatic coupe-like styling with a surprisingly practical 16 cubic feet of trunk space, proving you don’t have to choose between aesthetics and functionality.
This Korean standout’s fastback roofline might suggest compromised cargo capacity, but clever engineering ensures the trunk can handle serious grocery loads.
The trunk’s shape is remarkably well-optimized, with a deep floor and wide dimensions that make efficient use of every available cubic inch.
Kia designed the K5’s trunk with real-world usability as a priority. The trunk lid is counterbalanced perfectly, opening smoothly with minimal effort and staying open without the bouncing or settling you experience in poorly engineered competitors.
The opening itself is generously proportioned despite the car’s sleek exterior lines, allowing you to slide in bulkier items without the spatial calculations required in tighter trunks.
Inside, you’ll find a completely carpeted space with thoughtful details like LED lighting that fully illuminates the cargo area and a low, flat load floor that simplifies arranging multiple grocery bags.
The K5’s 60/40 split-folding rear seats fold down easily via releases located conveniently in the trunk, creating an extended cargo floor for those times you need to transport longer items.
Kia included a center pass-through for skis or narrow long items, though for most grocery runs, the trunk’s standard configuration provides ample space.
Underfloor storage compartments keep reusable bags, emergency supplies, or fragile items separated from your main grocery load, preventing crushing and making organization easier.
Value-conscious shoppers will appreciate the K5’s combination of spacious trunk, excellent warranty coverage, and strong fuel economy reaching 32 mpg highway.
The available hands-free smart trunk opens automatically when it detects the key fob near the rear for three seconds genuinely useful when your arms are full of grocery bags.
With competitive pricing that undercuts many rivals while offering more standard features, the K5 delivers exceptional trunk space without the premium price tag, making it ideal for budget-minded families who refuse to compromise on cargo capacity.
6. Nissan Maxima
The Nissan Maxima bills itself as a “four-door sports car,” but this performance-oriented sedan doesn’t skimp on practicality, offering 14.3 cubic feet of trunk space that handles substantial grocery loads.
While not the absolute largest in its class, the Maxima’s trunk is intelligently designed with a shape that maximizes usable space. The wide, deep configuration means you’re not fighting awkward angles or significant wheel well intrusions when loading multiple shopping bags.
Where the Maxima distinguishes itself is in the quality of the trunk execution. Everything feels substantial and well-engineered, from the smooth-operating trunk lid to the premium carpeting that lines the cargo floor.
Nissan included thoughtful touches like LED trunk lighting that brightly illuminates the entire space, making it easy to locate items or load groceries in dim parking structures or after dark. The trunk opening is generous, and the lid lifts high enough to provide unrestricted access you won’t be constantly bumping your head while arranging items.
The 60/40 split-folding rear seats expand the Maxima’s versatility when you need to carry longer items, though the seat-folding mechanism could be more convenient you’ll need to access releases from the rear seating area rather than the trunk.
Still, when folded, the seats create a reasonably flat extended cargo floor suitable for occasional larger hauls. Nissan equipped the Maxima with underfloor storage that’s perfect for keeping reusable bags organized or storing items you want separated from the main cargo load.
The Maxima’s powerful V6 engine might suggest poor fuel economy, but Nissan achieved respectable highway mileage around 30 mpg, reasonable considering the performance on tap.
The well-tuned suspension delivers engaging handling while still providing enough compliance to protect delicate groceries from excessive jostling.
For drivers who want a sporty sedan but can’t sacrifice trunk practicality for their grocery-hauling needs, the Maxima strikes an appealing balance between performance thrills and real-world usability.
7. Subaru Outback
The Subaru Outback blurs the line between wagon and SUV, and its massive 32.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats makes it a grocery-hauling champion.
This versatile do-everything vehicle doesn’t just offer exceptional cubic footage the Outback’s cargo area is brilliantly designed for maximum usability.
The square, tall shape means you can stack items efficiently, and the completely flat load floor simplifies arranging multiple grocery bags without the awkward angles found in sloped SUV cargo areas.
Accessing the Outback’s cavernous cargo hold is effortless thanks to a wide-opening liftgate and low load height that makes lifting heavy items considerably easier on your back compared to taller SUVs.
Subaru designed the cargo area with impressive attention to practical details: durable, easy-to-clean materials that withstand muddy boots and grocery spills, multiple tie-down points and cargo hooks for securing bags, and underfloor storage compartments perfect for organizing reusable bags or storing items separately.
The available power liftgate with programmable height memory proves genuinely useful, especially in garages with limited clearance.
When you fold the 60/40 split rear seats completely flat a tool-free process accomplished via convenient releases, the Outback transforms into a cargo-hauling beast with over 75 cubic feet of space.
This means you can handle not just regular grocery runs but also bulk shopping trips, moving-day assistance for friends, and transporting furniture alongside your weekly food shopping. The seats fold absolutely flat, creating an uninterrupted cargo floor that maximizes usability.
Subaru’s legendary all-wheel-drive system means the Outback handles grocery runs in any weather condition, from snowy parking lots to muddy farmers’ markets.
Fuel economy reaches a respectable 29 mpg on the highway, impressive given the capability and space on offer. The raised ride height provides commanding visibility while remaining easy to load, and the generous ground clearance means you won’t scrape parking curbs.
For families needing maximum grocery-hauling capacity with go-anywhere capability and legendary reliability, the Outback is nearly unbeatable.
8. Volkswagen Tiguan
The three-row Volkswagen Tiguan compact SUV delivers impressive cargo versatility with 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row and a massive 73.5 cubic feet with all rear seats folded.
This German-engineered crossover punches above its compact classification, offering midsize cargo capacity in a maneuverable package.
The cargo area’s shape is particularly well-optimized, with a flat floor and minimal intrusion from the rear suspension allowing efficient packing of grocery bags, cases of beverages, and bulk items.
Volkswagen designed the Tiguan with practical features that raise the grocery-hauling experience beyond mere cubic footage. The power liftgate opens to reveal a completely carpeted, well-lit cargo area with durable materials that resist stains and wear.
Multiple tie-down points and hooks keep grocery bags secure during transit, preventing the frustrating shifting that sends produce rolling and fragile items toppling.
The adjustable cargo floor can be lowered to create additional vertical space or raised to create a flat loading surface with the folded seats exceptional versatility rarely found in this class.
The Tiguan’s third-row seats fold flat into the floor when not needed, and even the second-row seats fold with minimal effort via convenient releases.
This creates an impressively flat, long cargo floor suitable for the biggest shopping trips or occasional furniture runs. The wide liftgate opening and relatively low load height make accessing this space straightforward, though it’s higher than a wagon or sedan.
Volkswagen included underfloor storage compartments perfect for keeping reusable bags organized or storing cleaning supplies separately.
Fuel economy reaches 29 mpg highway, respectable for a three-row crossover, and Volkswagen’s solid build quality extends throughout the vehicle. The suspension is tuned to balance handling dynamics with ride comfort, meaning delicate groceries arrive intact.
The available all-wheel drive provides confidence in adverse weather, and the commanding seating position offers excellent visibility for going through the crowded parking lots. For families needing serious cargo capacity with occasional third-row seating, the Tiguan delivers European refinement with exceptional practicality.
9. Chevrolet Traverse
The full-size Chevrolet Traverse three-row SUV is a cargo-hauling heavyweight, offering 23 cubic feet behind the third row, 58.1 cubic feet behind the second row, and a cavernous 98.2 cubic feet with all seats folded.
These aren’t just impressive numbers they translate to real-world capability that can legitimately handle a month’s groceries for a large family in a single trip. The cargo area is wide, tall, and deep, with a flat floor that simplifies loading and minimal intrusion from wheel wells or suspension components.
Chevrolet engineered the Traverse with family-hauling practicality as a core mission, and the thoughtful cargo area design reflects this priority.
The power liftgate opens wide to reveal a genuinely cavernous space you can fit multiple shopping carts worth of groceries with room to spare.
The cargo area features durable, easy-to-clean materials that withstand the inevitable spills and messes, plus multiple tie-down points and hooks for securing bags. LED lighting brightly illuminates the entire space, making it easy to locate items or load groceries in dim conditions.
The third-row seats fold flat into the floor with minimal effort, and the second-row seats also fold with a simple release mechanism, creating an impressively long, flat cargo floor.
This versatility means the Traverse adapts to varying needs carry eight passengers when necessary, or maximizing cargo space for those bulk shopping trips.
The hands-free power liftgate proves genuinely useful when your arms are loaded with grocery bags simply wave your foot under the rear bumper and the liftgate opens automatically.
With V6 power and available all-wheel drive, the Traverse handles with confidence despite its size, and the suspension is tuned to provide a comfortable ride that protects delicate groceries.
Fuel economy reaches 25 mpg highway, reasonable considering the capability and space. For large families or anyone who regularly handles massive shopping trips, the Traverse offers uncompromising cargo capacity with comfortable three-row seating and all-American value pricing that undercuts many competitors.
10. Honda Pilot
The Honda Pilot three-row SUV combines legendary reliability with serious cargo capacity, offering 18.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 46.8 cubic feet behind the second row, and 83.9 cubic feet with all seats folded.
This family hauler is designed to handle the real-world demands of busy households, and the well-executed cargo area reflects Honda’s deep understanding of customer needs.
The space is intelligently shaped with a flat floor and minimal intrusions, allowing efficient packing of groceries, sports equipment, and everything else family life demands.
Honda’s attention to detail shines in the Pilot’s cargo area features. The underfloor storage compartment is genuinely spacious large enough to store multiple reusable grocery bags, emergency supplies, or items you want kept separate from the main cargo load.
The cargo area includes multiple tie-down points and hooks that keep grocery bags upright during transit, plus a convenient shelf system that creates two-level storage for better organization. The hands-free power liftgate opens with a foot wave, invaluable when your arms are loaded with shopping bags.
Fuel economy reaches 27 mpg highway, impressive for a vehicle this capable and spacious. Honda’s i-VTEC V6 provides ample power for confident merging and passing, while the available all-wheel-drive system handles adverse weather conditions with ease.
The suspension strikes an excellent balance between handling dynamics and ride comfort, protecting delicate groceries while maintaining composed road manners.
For families prioritizing Honda’s legendary reliability alongside serious cargo capacity, the Pilot represents an exceptionally well-rounded choice that won’t disappoint.
11. Toyota Highlander
The Toyota Highlander three-row SUV offers 16 cubic feet behind the third row, 48.4 cubic feet behind the second row, and 84.3 cubic feet with all seats folded capacity that handles everything from weekly grocery runs to major bulk-buying expeditions.
This reliable family hauler combines Toyota’s legendary durability with thoughtfully designed cargo space that maximizes usability. The cargo area features a flat, wide floor with minimal wheel well intrusion, allowing efficient arrangement of multiple grocery bags and bulky items.
Toyota engineered the Highlander with practical family needs in mind, and the cargo area reflects this customer-focused approach. The space is fully carpeted with durable materials that resist stains and wear, important when you’re regularly loading groceries that might spill or leak.
Multiple tie-down points and hooks keep bags secure during transit, while LED lighting brightly illuminates the entire area. The underfloor storage compartment provides additional organization options, perfect for storing reusable bags or keeping fragile items separated from heavier groceries.
The Highlander Hybrid deserves special mention, offering nearly identical cargo capacity to the gas-only version while delivering up to 36 mpg in combined driving, and exceptional efficiency for a three-row SUV.
Toyota’s hybrid system is proven reliable over hundreds of thousands of miles, meaning you’re not sacrificing durability for efficiency.
With available all-wheel drive, commanding seating position, and legendary Toyota reliability, the Highlander combines serious cargo capacity with the peace of mind that it will operate flawlessly for years. For families prioritizing dependability alongside grocery-hauling capability, the Highlander represents a nearly foolproof choice.
12. Ford Expedition
The full-size Ford Expedition represents the maximum expression of cargo capacity in the SUV world, offering 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and an absolutely massive 104.6 cubic feet with all seats folded.
This isn’t just impressive on paper it translates to genuine ability to handle a month’s groceries for a large family, multiple bulk-buying trips’ worth of supplies, or just about anything else you can imagine needing to transport. The cargo area is cathedral-like in its dimensions, with a wide, tall, deep space that swallows shopping trips whole.
Ford designed the Expedition with serious capability in mind, and the cargo area execution matches the impressive dimensions. The space features durable, easy-to-clean materials throughout, with a completely flat load floor when seats are folded that simplifies arranging items.
Multiple tie-down points, cargo hooks, and available cargo management systems keep grocery bags organized and secure during transit. The power-folding third-row seats drop flat at the touch of a button, and the second-row seats also fold to create maximum cargo space with minimal physical effort.
The Expedition’s powerful twin-turbo V6 provides effortless acceleration despite the vehicle’s size, while achieving respectable 23 mpg highway fuel economy.
The suspension is expertly tuned to provide a smooth, comfortable ride that protects delicate groceries while maintaining composed handling.
Four-wheel drive is available for confident all-weather capability. For families or anyone needing absolute maximum cargo capacity with luxurious appointments and serious towing capability, the Expedition represents the ultimate grocery hauler capable of handling anything you can throw at it with room to spare.
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