Choosing the right SUV for everyday errands can make a surprisingly big difference in day-to-day life. Among the various errands, shopping trips to wholesale stores like Costco often stand out because they test a vehicle’s cargo capacity, interior layout, and convenience features more than typical daily drives.
Costco runs usually involve large bulk items, sometimes awkwardly shaped, that demand both volume and flexibility from a vehicle. A small or poorly designed SUV might struggle with these items, while a well-thought-out model can make the same trips straightforward and even enjoyable.
The size of the cargo area, the ease of folding or removing seats, and the width and height of the loading space are all key considerations for these trips. Drivers who frequently transport groceries, household supplies, and other large items will notice the difference between a vehicle that easily accommodates bulk purchases and one that forces repeated trips or contortions to fit items.
Beyond just raw cargo volume, the design and accessibility of the cargo space matter significantly. SUVs that combine sliding or split-folding rear seats, low lift-over heights, and wide openings allow items to fit without excessive maneuvering.
Some models offer power liftgates, which make it easier to load heavy items when both hands are full, while others feature adjustable cargo floors that provide added flexibility. The interior width and shape also play a role: a long but narrow cargo area might technically hold more volume, yet prevent wider items from fitting comfortably.
Comfort for passengers is another factor, as Costco runs are often family outings. A vehicle that balances space and seating comfort can carry children, pets, and groceries without compromise.
Practicality goes hand in hand with handling, fuel efficiency, and reliability. Large SUVs might offer the most cargo volume, but they can be cumbersome in parking lots, harder to maneuver, and less efficient on fuel. Conversely, compact SUVs may be nimble and economical but may fall short when trying to transport a week’s worth of bulk purchases.
Finding an SUV that balances everyday usability with the specific requirements of large shopping trips is an important consideration for anyone who frequently visits stores like Costco.
This article examines ten SUVs, divided into two categories: five that are particularly well-suited for Costco runs, and five that struggle with awkward cargo despite being capable vehicles in other respects. Each vehicle is analyzed in terms of cargo volume, interior flexibility, ease of loading, and general practicality.
By highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of these models, this guide will help drivers make informed decisions about which SUV might meet their everyday needs, especially when the task is loading up large quantities of groceries, household items, and other bulky purchases.
SUVs Perfect for Costco Runs
1. Honda Pilot
The Honda Pilot stands out as a practical choice for families and individuals who frequently transport large amounts of cargo. Its rear seats fold flat with minimal effort, creating a spacious and nearly unobstructed cargo area that can easily accommodate oversized boxes, bulk groceries, and even awkwardly shaped household items.
Unlike many midsize SUVs that have a noticeable slope or intrusion from wheel wells in the cargo space, the Pilot maintains a fairly rectangular floor, which allows for stacking multiple items efficiently.
The width of the cargo area is generous, meaning large containers such as cases of bottled water, large laundry detergent bottles, or even small furniture items fit comfortably without needing to be angled or forced into place.
The Pilot also has a relatively low lift-over height, reducing the physical strain on the arms and back when loading heavy or bulky items, which is particularly advantageous for Costco runs, where shoppers often carry multiple large items at once.
Another significant advantage of the Pilot is its thoughtfully designed interior layout. The second-row seats slide forward and back independently, allowing passengers to maintain legroom while maximizing the cargo space behind them.
This configuration provides flexibility that many other midsize SUVs lack, where extending cargo space usually comes at the expense of passenger comfort. Additionally, the Pilot offers a power liftgate on higher trims, which is particularly helpful for those heavy loads when your hands are full.
The tailgate can be opened with a simple button press, eliminating the need to wrestle with a manual liftgate or awkwardly balance packages while opening the rear door.
Even with a fully loaded vehicle, the suspension manages the weight well, maintaining a stable ride without sagging excessively, which also contributes to safer handling when driving through crowded parking lots.
The Honda Pilot is further distinguished by its adaptability to less common loading situations. For example, if a purchase exceeds the standard cargo length, the front passenger seat can fold flat, creating a nearly continuous flat surface that extends the storage area considerably.
Finally, the Pilot combines its impressive cargo capabilities with strong performance and reliability. Its V6 engine provides enough power to carry heavy loads effortlessly, whether accelerating onto highways or climbing inclines in suburban areas, and the fuel economy is reasonable for a vehicle of its size.
The Pilot has also earned a reputation for long-term durability, meaning repeated trips with heavy bulk loads over the years are unlikely to cause major issues. For families or individuals who prioritize practical cargo space while still seeking a dependable, everyday vehicle, the Honda Pilot represents an ideal balance of capacity, comfort, and dependability.
Its design demonstrates a clear understanding of the challenges posed by large shopping trips and provides practical solutions that make transporting bulk items less stressful.
2. Toyota Highlander
The Toyota Highlander excels when it comes to managing large cargo loads, making it an excellent choice for regular wholesale store trips. Although slightly smaller than some full-size SUVs, the Highlander maximizes interior space through clever design and packaging.
The rear seats fold flat easily, and the third-row seats are removable or can be stowed, creating ample room for oversized or awkward items. The cargo area is relatively free of obstructions, with minimal wheel arch intrusion, allowing shoppers to stack items efficiently and without wasted space.
Its liftgate opens wide, and the cargo floor is low and accessible, which is essential when moving heavy boxes of beverages, paper goods, or other bulk items into the vehicle.
The Highlander’s cargo shape is consistent and predictable, making it simpler to plan loading arrangements and ensure items remain stable during transport.
The Highlander also emphasizes a practical balance between cargo space and passenger comfort. Its second-row seats can slide forward or backward, allowing for adjustments that accommodate long trips or extra legroom for adults and children without sacrificing rear cargo space.
The flat cargo floor ensures items remain stable and secure, reducing the risk of spills or tipping over fragile purchases, such as glass containers or stacked groceries. Its design also includes several tie-down points and storage compartments that keep smaller items organized and prevent them from rolling around.
This combination of passenger comfort, cargo space, and organization makes it a practical choice for families who regularly need to transport both people and large quantities of goods simultaneously.
Another advantage of the Highlander is the convenience features that simplify loading and unloading. A power liftgate, optional hands-free access, and the low cargo floor make it easier to load items without heavy lifting or awkward movements.
Finally, the Highlander maintains a comfortable ride quality, even when fully loaded. Its suspension is tuned to handle extra weight without compromising stability or passenger comfort. Acceleration remains smooth and predictable, even with a cargo-heavy load, and fuel efficiency remains competitive in its class.
Toyota’s reputation for long-term reliability ensures that this SUV can endure repeated trips with substantial loads without significant wear or mechanical concerns.
When considering the needs of drivers who frequently shop at wholesale stores or transport large volumes of items, the Highlander provides a balance of practical cargo space, comfort, and dependable performance that few vehicles in its class can match.
3. Subaru Ascent
The Subaru Ascent is designed with practicality and versatility at its core, making it a strong contender for frequent bulk shoppers. The SUV comes standard with all-wheel drive, which ensures that even fully loaded, it remains stable and confident in various road conditions.
The cargo area is wide and tall enough to handle large boxes, containers, or oddly shaped items. Its rear seats fold flat easily, creating a continuous, nearly uninterrupted cargo floor that accommodates both long and bulky purchases.
The liftgate is large and opens high, while the low cargo floor simplifies the process of loading heavier items, such as cases of beverages or stacks of paper goods, reducing strain on the back and arms.
These practical features make the Ascent particularly well-suited for trips to stores like Costco, where the size and weight of purchased goods can be challenging for smaller or less adaptable SUVs.
The interior of the Ascent emphasizes flexibility for varying cargo and passenger needs. The second-row seats slide and recline independently, while the third row folds completely into the floor, providing maximum versatility for different shopping scenarios.
Subaru also integrates practical storage solutions to complement the cargo area. Underfloor compartments and various cubbies provide dedicated spaces for smaller or fragile items, preventing them from shifting during transit. This is particularly helpful on shopping trips where a mix of large and small items needs to be transported together.
Even with a full load, the Ascent’s interior remains organized and manageable, demonstrating the SUV’s attention to the needs of real-world shoppers. The combination of flat-folding seats, wide cargo access, and intelligent storage solutions makes the Ascent extremely practical for families and individuals who require both space and flexibility.
The Ascent also prioritizes safety alongside cargo practicality. Its driver assistance features, all-wheel-drive capability, and stability under heavy loads make it a secure and dependable choice for transporting large items.
Combined with its spacious interior, versatile seating, and practical design, the Ascent provides a compelling solution for anyone who needs to regularly manage significant cargo loads while maintaining comfort and peace of mind during transit. Its adaptability, convenience, and reliability make it one of the top SUVs for bulk shopping trips.
4. Kia Telluride
The Kia Telluride combines style, comfort, and practicality in a package that makes it ideal for large shopping trips. Its cargo area is spacious, with a flat-folding third row that extends the floor and allows for continuous space.
The width of the cargo area is generous, accommodating multiple large boxes side by side, which is especially useful for families or anyone purchasing bulk groceries.
The low lift-over height makes it easier to load heavy or awkward items, while the wide rear opening reduces the chance of scraping or damaging items when positioning them. This SUV balances capacity with convenience, allowing shoppers to load a variety of items efficiently without compromising accessibility.
The interior design emphasizes usability and comfort. The second-row seats slide and recline to provide a balance between passenger space and cargo room. Multiple cupholders, bins, and storage compartments are distributed throughout the cabin, allowing smaller items to be organized and secured during transit.
Even when carrying a full load of groceries or large household items, the interior remains uncluttered, and passengers have adequate space to sit comfortably. The Telluride’s combination of clever interior design and generous cargo dimensions makes it an excellent option for families who prioritize practicality without sacrificing aesthetics.
Convenience features further enhance the Telluride’s appeal for bulk shoppers. A power liftgate with optional hands-free operation makes loading and unloading easier, especially when carrying multiple bags or heavy items.
Finally, the Telluride offers a smooth and controlled ride even when carrying a heavy load. Its engine delivers sufficient power to maintain consistent acceleration, while the suspension handles the extra weight without compromising comfort. Steering remains responsive, and braking is predictable, even with a full cargo area.
5. Ford Explorer
The Ford Explorer has long been recognized for its cargo capacity, making it a popular choice for families and individuals who frequently transport large or bulky items. Its rear seats fold flat to create a continuous cargo floor, allowing for oversized or awkwardly shaped items to fit without difficulty.
The width of the cargo area is generous, accommodating multiple large boxes, crates, or containers without forcing them into tight spaces.
The low lift-over height makes loading heavy objects easier, while the rear opening is wide enough to accommodate tall or bulky purchases. These design elements collectively make the Explorer a reliable and convenient vehicle for regular bulk shopping trips.
Families who make frequent trips to wholesale stores benefit from this flexibility, as it allows a balance between passenger comfort and cargo capacity without compromising either. The flat cargo floor ensures stability for stacked items, reducing the risk of tipping or damage during transit.
Convenience features further enhance the Explorer’s practicality. Power liftgates, adjustable cargo floors, and multiple storage compartments simplify the process of loading and organizing both small and large items.
Finally, the Explorer balances practicality with performance. Its engine provides sufficient torque to manage heavy loads comfortably, and fuel efficiency remains reasonable for a large SUV. The combination of cargo space, accessibility, comfort, and power makes the Explorer a dependable choice for drivers who need to transport substantial amounts of bulk goods on a regular basis.
With its spacious interior, versatile seating arrangements, and thoughtfully designed cargo area, the Explorer continues to be one of the most capable and convenient options for those who prioritize practical vehicle solutions for shopping and everyday errands.
SUVs with Awkward Cargo
1. Jeep Wrangler
The Jeep Wrangler is an iconic vehicle celebrated for its off-road capabilities and rugged styling, but when it comes to hauling large or awkward items, it presents several challenges.
One of the main issues is its cargo area design, which is relatively narrow and shallow compared to many other SUVs. Even though the rear seats fold down, the wheel wells intrude significantly into the cargo floor, creating a non-uniform space that can make larger boxes or bulk groceries difficult to load.
Another complication arises from the Wrangler’s rear opening. The vehicle’s spare tire is mounted on the tailgate, which protrudes significantly and reduces the width of the rear opening. This makes maneuvering wide items in and out more cumbersome compared to SUVs with unobstructed tailgate designs.
The Jeep Wrangler’s interior design also contributes to awkward cargo management. While the folding rear seats create a flat area, the combination of exposed roll bars, wheel well intrusion, and limited width reduces the effective usable space.
This design works well for outdoor gear like camping equipment, small coolers, or backpacks, but struggles with bulk grocery trips or large household items.
The lack of underfloor storage or compartments for smaller items further complicates organization, leaving shoppers to contend with items rolling around in a confined, uneven cargo area. Families or individuals who require consistent, predictable space for large purchases may find the Wrangler less than ideal, despite its other strengths.
Finally, although the Wrangler excels in durability and off-road performance, it is not optimized for regular heavy cargo transport. Loading heavy items repeatedly can strain the suspension and make ride quality less comfortable when fully loaded.
Acceleration and handling can feel sluggish with a full cargo area, especially compared to midsize or larger SUVs designed with practicality in mind. While the Wrangler remains a fun and adventurous vehicle, those who frequently shop at wholesale stores like Costco may find it challenging to fit bulk purchases efficiently.
For shoppers prioritizing cargo space and ease of loading, the Wrangler’s design limitations create real-world inconveniences that make it a less practical choice.
2. Mazda CX-5
The Mazda CX-5 is praised for its sleek design, sporty handling, and fuel efficiency, but its cargo capabilities are limited when it comes to large or awkward items.
Despite being a compact SUV, the CX-5 has a relatively small cargo area, and the rear seats do not fold entirely flat, leaving a slight incline that can make stacking boxes tricky.
Another challenge with the CX-5 lies in its liftgate and rear opening design. The tailgate opens upward, but the opening itself is relatively narrow, making it difficult to load wide or bulky items.
Items like large flat-pack furniture, cases of paper products, or oversized appliances may need to be positioned diagonally or partially on an angle, increasing the risk of scratches or damage.
The rear floor is slightly higher than some other SUVs, which can make lifting heavier boxes more physically demanding, especially for shoppers who regularly transport multiple large items at once. While the CX-5’s design suits everyday errands and smaller loads, it becomes cumbersome when handling bulk purchases.
The interior design and storage features of the CX-5 also present limitations for large cargo. The folding seats create a small step between the seatbacks and the cargo floor, which can prevent items from lying completely flat.
Additionally, there are minimal tie-down points or dedicated compartments for smaller items, so groceries or fragile items may shift during transit.
The combination of narrow width, non-flat floor, and limited organizational features makes it challenging to manage multiple bulky purchases effectively. For anyone who prioritizes ease of loading and predictable cargo space, the CX-5 may be more frustrating than convenient.
3. Range Rover Evoque
The Range Rover Evoque is a luxury compact SUV known for style, refinement, and off-road capability, but its cargo area is notoriously restrictive.
The Evoque has a sloping roofline, which significantly reduces vertical cargo space and limits the ability to stack tall boxes or containers. Even with the rear seats folded, the cargo floor is relatively small and narrow, making it difficult to fit multiple large items side by side.
The rear opening of the Evoque is another limiting factor. The liftgate is small relative to the cargo area, and the high load lip increases the difficulty of lifting heavy items into the back.
The Evoque’s interior layout is further complicated by its sloped roof and high rear floor. The cargo area may accommodate smaller items neatly, but taller, bulkier items may not fit without tilting or compressing packages.
Limited underfloor storage and lack of additional organizational features increase the risk of smaller items shifting during transit. Combined with the vehicle’s small width, these design limitations mean the Evoque is far from ideal for routine trips to wholesale stores, where predictable, large cargo space is essential.
Finally, the Evoque’s focus on luxury, handling, and style compromises its practicality for large cargo loads. Its smaller engine options and compact chassis are optimized for comfort and city driving, not for carrying bulky loads.
Heavier items can affect handling, and loading multiple oversized packages can feel cumbersome due to the limited space and awkward angles required. While the Range Rover Evoque is visually striking and offers a refined ride, its cargo limitations make it a less practical option for shoppers who prioritize ease of use and efficiency in transporting large or awkward items.
4. BMW X3
The BMW X3 is a compact luxury SUV that delivers sporty handling and premium comfort, but its cargo area design is less accommodating for large or irregularly shaped items. The rear seats fold down, but the floor is not entirely flat, creating a slight slope that complicates the stacking of boxes and other bulk items.
The width of the cargo space is limited, and wheel well intrusion reduces usable area, making it difficult to load wide containers or bulky household goods. For shoppers who regularly transport large purchases, the X3 can feel cramped, forcing creative positioning and careful planning to fit everything efficiently.
The rear opening and liftgate design contribute to its awkward cargo handling. While the liftgate opens upward and is powered on higher trims, the opening is relatively narrow compared to midsize and larger SUVs.
Heavy or oversized items can be difficult to maneuver into the cargo area, particularly when trying to maintain balance and avoid damage to the vehicle or the purchased items. The rear floor is slightly elevated, which can increase the physical effort required to lift and load heavier boxes, making frequent bulk shopping trips more tiring.
5. Volvo XC40
The Volvo XC40 is a small luxury SUV that prioritizes safety, style, and urban maneuverability, but its cargo capacity is limited and awkwardly shaped. The rear cargo area is narrow and shallow, with a high load lip that makes lifting heavy items more challenging.
Even with the rear seats folded flat, the usable floor space is small, and wheel wells intrude significantly, creating an uneven surface that can complicate loading and stacking. Large boxes, bulky household goods, or cases of beverages often require careful positioning, limiting the vehicle’s practicality for bulk shopping trips.
The rear liftgate is powered on higher trims, but the opening itself is narrow, making it difficult to load wider items. The sloped roofline reduces vertical clearance, preventing taller boxes or stacked items from fitting comfortably.
The combination of narrow width, shallow depth, and restricted height means shoppers often have to angle or compress items to fit them inside, increasing the risk of scratches, tipping, or damage. For those making regular trips to wholesale stores, this limitation can be a consistent frustration.
Finally, while the XC40 offers strong safety features, comfortable seating, and premium materials, its cargo limitations make it impractical for shoppers who frequently transport oversized or heavy items.
