When it comes to choosing a vehicle, cargo space is often a priority, especially for families, adventurers, and anyone who needs to transport goods regularly.
Whether you’re moving furniture, packing for a road trip, or simply carrying groceries, the amount of space your vehicle offers can make or break your daily life.
A car with ample cargo space makes it easier to load and unload, while a vehicle with limited storage options can feel like a constant frustration.
In today’s market, SUVs, minivans, and trucks are the typical go-to choices for those seeking large cargo areas, offering impressive storage potential when the seats are folded down or configured to maximize capacity.
These vehicles are built with flexibility in mind, allowing them to haul everything from camping gear to heavy-duty equipment.
On the flip side, some vehicles, especially smaller sedans and compact crossovers, are not designed with generous storage in mind. Despite their compact size and stylish looks, these vehicles can leave you wishing for more room as you struggle to fit luggage or even a simple suitcase in the trunk.
This article will explore six vehicles that are great for hauling cargo, with plenty of space for all your needs, and six vehicles that struggle to accommodate even a small suitcase.
Whether you’re looking for practicality or style, understanding the cargo capacities of various models is crucial when selecting the right vehicle for your lifestyle.
Also Read: 5 Cars That Hold Up in Flood Zones and 5 That Fall Apart in Rain
Vehicles That Swallow Cargo
1. Chevrolet Suburban
The Chevrolet Suburban has long been one of the kings of cargo space. With an enormous trunk and a flexible third-row seat that folds flat, this full-size SUV can easily carry large items like furniture, camping gear, or multiple suitcases for a long road trip.
The Suburban offers 41.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row up and a jaw-dropping 93.8 cubic feet with the third row folded down. This makes it one of the top contenders for those in need of serious cargo capacity.
Beyond sheer space, the Suburban’s low load floor and wide-opening doors make it easy to load and unload bulky items, whether you’re packing for a family vacation or moving household items.
The sliding rear seats also allow for better flexibility, letting you adjust the amount of space between the second and third rows to maximize cargo capacity. The Suburban’s cargo area is perfect for anyone who needs a vehicle that can haul everything from sports equipment to large boxes or camping gear.
The powerful towing capacity of the Suburban also enhances its cargo capabilities, as it can easily tow trailers or other heavy loads in addition to offering a vast storage area. For large families or those who regularly transport substantial loads, the Chevrolet Suburban is a perfect choice.
2. Ford F-150
For those who need to haul large, heavy items, the Ford F-150 pickup truck is a workhorse. It offers a high payload capacity and an expansive truck bed that can swallow cargo with ease.
The F-150 comes in various configurations, including short, standard, and long bed options, with the long bed offering up to 77.4 cubic feet of cargo space. Whether you’re carrying building materials, a small boat, or outdoor gear, the F-150 is equipped to handle it all.
The tailgate of the F-150 is another feature that makes it particularly useful for loading and unloading. With available PowerTailgate features, it opens with the push of a button and can even support up to 300 pounds, which makes it easier to slide in heavy objects.
Additionally, the truck’s exterior storage options, like in-bed cargo boxes and tie-down points, allow you to securely store smaller items, ensuring nothing gets left behind.
With the F-150’s high towing capacity and impressive payload numbers, this vehicle is ideal for those who need a vehicle that can handle both large items in the bed and heavy-duty towing duties at the same time.
3. Honda Odyssey
The Honda Odyssey is a fantastic family minivan that has earned its reputation for being one of the best when it comes to cargo space.
With up to 92 cubic feet of cargo space when the second- and third-row seats are folded down, the Odyssey is perfect for large families or those who need a vehicle that can carry multiple bags, strollers, or other large items.
Even with the seats up, the Odyssey still offers 38.6 cubic feet of space, which is more than enough to carry a week’s worth of groceries or camping gear.
One of the most convenient features of the Odyssey is its magic-slide second-row seats, which can be moved forward or backward with ease, giving you better access to the third row or more room for cargo.
The fold-flat seating system allows the van to easily transition between passenger space and cargo space in a matter of seconds.
Additionally, the Odyssey’s low load floor and wide-opening sliding doors make it easier to load and unload heavy or bulky items, especially in tight parking spots.
For families on the go, the Honda Odyssey is a great choice that blends family-friendly features with impressive cargo-hauling capacity.
4. Tesla Model X
The Tesla Model X isn’t just an all-electric SUV, but a powerful, cargo-hauling machine. Thanks to its electric drivetrain, the Model X offers a large and flat cargo area.
With up to 88 cubic feet of cargo space when both the second and third rows of seats are folded, the Model X can accommodate gear for long trips, luggage, or even larger items like furniture.
The Model X also benefits from having both a rear trunk and a front trunk (frunk), giving you additional space to stow smaller items like groceries or overnight bags.
The Falcon Wing doors are another standout feature, making it easy to access the rear cargo area, even in tight parking spaces. These doors also make loading and unloading items much easier, as you don’t have to worry about low-hanging doors hitting nearby objects.
The Tesla Model X’s interior configuration allows for great flexibility, making it a solid option for families and road trippers alike.
The combination of spacious interior, high-tech features, and cutting-edge electric powertrain makes the Tesla Model X an excellent choice for anyone who needs substantial cargo capacity without sacrificing the benefits of electric driving.
5. Volvo XC90
The Volvo XC90 is a luxury SUV with a focus on comfort and cargo flexibility. The XC90 offers an impressive 85.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the second- and third-row seats folded down, and around 41.8 cubic feet with the third-row seats up.
This makes it a great option for families who want the ability to haul luggage, gear, or other larger items without giving up the option of seating for seven passengers.
With its high-quality interior, the XC90 also features sliding rear seats that allow for extra legroom in the second row or an expanded cargo area.
The low load floor and easily accessible cabin make it easy to load large items into the back, while the integrated roof rails allow for additional cargo storage on top of the vehicle.
For those who need a premium SUV that blends both luxury and utility, the Volvo XC90 offers the perfect balance, with an emphasis on space and practicality.
6. Subaru Outback
The Subaru Outback is an SUV that blends capability with cargo-hauling functionality. Thanks to its wagon-like design, the Outback offers an impressive 32.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up, and a generous 75.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.
This makes it one of the best vehicles for people who need to haul outdoor gear, groceries, or large items but don’t want to drive a bulky truck or full-size SUV.
The Outback’s low lift-over height makes loading and unloading much easier, especially for heavy or awkward items. The wide trunk opening and flat folding seats also contribute to the Outback’s practicality, providing users with an easy-to-configure cargo space.
Additionally, the standard all-wheel drive makes the Outback a great choice for those who need to haul cargo through varying terrain or inclement weather conditions. For anyone looking for a versatile, capable, and practical vehicle, the Subaru Outback delivers in spades.
Vehicles That Can’t Fit a Suitcase
1. Smart ForTwo
The Smart ForTwo is one of the smallest cars on the market, and as a result, its cargo space is highly limited. With just 7.8 cubic feet of trunk space, you’re unlikely to fit much more than a small bag or a few groceries in the back.
Even with the rear seats folded down, the space doesn’t significantly increase, and you’re left with very little room for luggage or larger items. The lack of storage space makes the Smart ForTwo a poor option for anyone needing to haul even a modest amount of gear.
While the car excels in tight city spaces and fuel efficiency, it’s impractical for carrying anything beyond essentials. If you’re traveling with even a small suitcase, the Smart ForTwo will likely leave you wishing for more room.
2. Fiat 500
The Fiat 500 is a compact city car that looks stylish and fun, but it’s not built for luggage or larger cargo. With only 9.5 cubic feet of trunk space, it struggles to accommodate much more than a small bag or a few items of shopping.
Even with the rear seats down, the cargo area is still tight and doesn’t provide a significant boost in storage capacity.
The Fiat 500’s small size makes it a great car for navigating city streets and parking in tight spaces, but when it comes to transporting luggage or more significant items, this car will leave you wishing for more room.
3. Mini Cooper
The Mini Cooper is another small car that sacrifices cargo capacity for its compact design. With only 8.7 cubic feet of trunk space, it’s difficult to fit even a single suitcase in the back, let alone several.
Although it offers up to 34 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded down, that’s still quite limited compared to larger cars, and the small trunk opening doesn’t make loading and unloading easy.
While the Mini Cooper is an excellent choice for fun city driving and maneuverability, it’s not a great option for anyone needing to haul larger items or even basic luggage for a weekend trip.
4. Chevrolet Spark
The Chevrolet Spark is a subcompact car that offers great value for city dwellers looking for efficiency, but when it comes to cargo space, it’s severely limited. The Spark has just 11.1 cubic feet of trunk space, and with the rear seats up, it’s difficult to fit even a small suitcase.
When the rear seats are folded down, the space expands to just 23.4 cubic feet, which still isn’t enough for large luggage or any bulky items.
Though the Spark is a fuel-efficient and affordable car for daily commuting, it’s simply not practical for anyone who regularly needs to transport gear, luggage, or even a weekend bag.
5. Toyota Yaris
The Toyota Yaris is another subcompact car that struggles with cargo space. With just 13.5 cubic feet of trunk space, it’s tough to fit much more than a few small bags or groceries. The rear seats don’t fold flat, meaning that even when you need to fit larger items, you’re left with a limited space that’s difficult to work with.
While the Yaris is perfect for city driving due to its size and fuel efficiency, it’s not the ideal car for anyone needing to haul even a basic suitcase or more than a few everyday items.
6. Honda Fit
Despite its compact nature, the Honda Fit is one of the more practical subcompact cars when it comes to interior flexibility, but it still can’t hold a lot of cargo.
The Honda Fit’s trunk offers just 16.6 cubic feet of cargo space, and even with its magic folding seats, the car struggles to fit much more than a small suitcase. The rear seats do fold down for larger items, but the opening is still narrow, and the space remains limited compared to larger cars.
While the Honda Fit is known for being a surprisingly versatile and efficient small car, it simply doesn’t offer the cargo room needed for more significant luggage or multiple bags.
Also Read: 5 Cars That Hold Up in Flood Zones and 5 That Fall Apart in Rain
Cargo space is a critical factor in selecting a vehicle, whether you’re transporting everyday items or going on an adventure. Vehicles like the Chevrolet Suburban, Ford F-150, and Honda Odyssey offer ample space and versatility, ensuring that you can haul everything from furniture to suitcases with ease.
On the other hand, vehicles like the Smart ForTwo, Fiat 500, and Chevrolet Spark are better suited for city driving but fall short when it comes to cargo capacity.
The key is to balance the size, flexibility, and convenience to ensure your car fits both your lifestyle and your cargo needs. Whether you need a car for quick errands or an SUV for hauling large loads, understanding your vehicle’s cargo capacity is essential to making the right choice.
