Which SUVs, Minivans and Sedans Have the Most Cargo Space?

Which SUVs, Minivans and Sedans Have the Most Cargo Space?

We give more details at but we will confirm that we implemented this program because we found the specifications of normal goods . To be clear, these numbers, even when they appear on third-party resources such as Cars.com, are almost without exception provided by the manufacturer. The auto industry relies heavily on self-reporting and self-certification, on everything from safety and efficiency guarantees to specifications like this – based on guidelines from the federal government and normative bodies like SAE International. The divergent interpretations alone are enough to introduce error into the results, even if you trust that individuals who work for one automaker can be tirelessly objective.

By all means, use the specifications found elsewhere on our site, or on the manufacturer’s or distributor’s websites. But you might also want to check out independent results from the editors of Cars.com, who ensure consistency not just from brand to brand, but between closed trunks and open cabins in hatchbacks and SUVs—a perplexing error in the SAE standard that uses different methodologies for trunks and slots, resulting in results that cannot be reliably compared.

Quick tips for using the specifications below

Don’t compare Cars.com and manufacturer specifications. We think Cars.com’s size measurements are constantly compared across sedans, coupes, SUVs, and just about anything else with a tailgate, and we think they represent how ordinary people use their cars. But comparing it to the specifications provided by the manufacturer does not make sense.

Trunks running high, hatches low. The manufacturer’s standard significantly reduces the volume of the luggage compartment, so the numbers for Cars.com are constantly higher. Conversely, our numbers for anything with a tailgate will look low compared to what automakers post because we measure the top of the back seat back (this preserves rear visibility and helps prevent cargo from becoming projectiles in the event of an accident). Any large item that extends over this plane is sure to take up more space. Many chests achieve similar goals with a foldable back seat.

There is no “maximum” shipping size. We do not provide a “maximum” load size, often cited as the space behind the first row which includes the size when the second row or back seat of any hatchback, SUV or truck is folded flat. This is simply because we haven’t developed a method that we think is reliable and consistent enough to account for the complex shapes involved (but we haven’t given up). In the meantime, if you are relying on the maximum numbers given by the manufacturer, remember that they can only be compared to other manufacturer’s specifications, not the numbers below.

Size may vary depending on trim level. We list the model year and trim level tested below. We believe all 2020 results presented here are accurate for 2021. Different trim levels can result in size differences due to equipment such as spare tires, audio equipment and adjustable floors.

Other areas were divided. A few models have major additional storage areas. For example, vehicles without motors under the hood provide a front trunk (or “trunk”) in that area. And some models, such as the Chrysler minivan, offer underfloor compartments in the passenger area. We measure these areas as well, but instead of merging them into any volumes from said traditional cargo area, we appended the results with separate size specifications and a footnote.

Which SUVs, Minivans and Sedans Have the Most Cargo Space?

Small SUVs

† Size measured in front luggage compartments

Two-row mid-size SUV

3-row mid-size SUV

Full-size SUVs

mini fan

Volume was measured in the underground Stow ‘n Go pods

small cars

midsize cars

full size cars