Harry Gibson on February 27, 2023 No Comments
Over the past decade, SUVs have taken the automobile market by storm. Now, they account for almost half of all new cars sold around the globe. The higher driving position, comfort, and the go-anywhere capability offered by SUVs helped these vehicles get where they are today. Cargo space is another factor in the popularity of SUVs. But, what is the SUV with most cargo space? Well then, I’m glad to say, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will tell you everything there is to know about the cargo space of SUVs.
The cargo space of a vehicle depends on several factors. These include the size of the vehicle, seating capacity, and even the body style of the vehicle. The same is true for SUVs. The cargo capacity varies between different models and makes of SUVs. Here, we are going to discuss all these things with you. First of all, Let’s look at the different body styles of SUVs out on the market today. This will help you to get a better idea of the cargo capacity of each SUV style.
SUV Body Styles With Most Cargo Space
Since its introduction, the SUV has undergone a drastic change. Throughout the years, different variations and body styles of the SUV were released to the market. However, each of these variations is focused on a specific user group. As a result, the cargo space also varies between the different types of SUVs. Now, we will tell you about some of the most popular styles of SUVs money can buy.
Crossovers
Arguably, these are the most popular vehicles sold today. As the name suggests, crossovers have a combination of characteristics from sedans and SUVs. These vehicles are based on sedan platforms. However, they have the look and ride height of an SUV. This gives the crossover the ride height of an SUV. But, these vehicles are not meant for off-road use. Instead, they are mostly aimed at zipping around the city.
There are several categories of crossovers. These include subcompact, compact and midsize segments. These categories have been defined according to the size of the vehicles. On most occasions, these vehicles come with two rows of seats.
As a result, they have adequate cargo space behind the back row for storing cargo. However, these vehicles are meant for daily use. So, they have to manage both passengers and cargo inside a small body. If you are carrying a lot of stuff, sometimes you may run out of cargo storage in a crossover.
Off-Road SUVs
SUV stands for the words sports utility vehicle. Nothing embodies this more than off-roaders. These tough vehicles are made to be used and abused. When off-roading, there is a need to carry a large number of supplies. These include off-road equipment as well as other supplies like food and water. Not only that, off-road SUVs should have camping capabilities as well. All these factors have led to off-road SUVs having large cargo capacities.
As a bonus of being rugged vehicles, off-road SUVs have a higher towing capacity too. This allows owners to attach a trailer to the vehicle. Then, this trailer can act as added cargo space, no matter where you go.
Family SUVs
Family SUVs often have three rows of seating. This allows these vehicles to carry up to eight people at once. However, the cargo space of three-row SUVs varies depending on the body size. In some vehicles, you may have a large boot paired with spacious seats. However, on some other models, the far back row can be cramped due to the cargo space. On most three-row family SUVs, the last row should be folded to access the full cargo space.
Now you know about the different types of SUVs and their cargo capabilities. With that, let’s head over to the next section. There, we will look at some of the SUVs with the most cargo space available.
SUV With Largest Cargo Space
Choosing the SUV with the most cargo space can be beneficial for you in many ways. It increases the practicality of the vehicle by allowing you to carry more stuff. However, most manufacturers list the cargo space as a combination of the cargo area and the space behind the second and third rows of seats. So, with that, here is our list of SUVs with the largest cargo space, from the smallest to the biggest.
SUV With Most Cargo Space #15 – Jeep Grand Cherokee L (2021)
We start off the list with the new Jeep Grand Cherokee L. This American icon comes with a total cargo capacity of 140.5 cubic feet. Other than the main cargo area, there is a storage bin on the driver’s side of the vehicle. Not only that, you have a storage tray located in the cargo area as well.
SUV With Most Cargo Space #14 – Infiniti QX60 (2022)
Infiniti has always made practical vehicles, and the 2022 QX60 is no different as well. This Japanese luxury SUV is one of the best-selling vehicles made by the manufacturer. Thanks to its size, it has a cargo capacity of 140.6 cubic feet.
SUV With Most Cargo Space #13 – Toyota Highlander (2021)
The Highlander is one of the best-selling Toyota models on the market. Its cargo space of 141.3 cubic feet greatly contributes to its popularity. If you are looking for a reliable SUV with most cargo space, the 2021 Highlander is the perfect vehicle for you.
SUV With Most Cargo Space #12 – Cadillac XT6 (2021)
If you are after a more luxurious SUV, the Cadillac XT6 should be right up your alley. This luxury American SUV comes with a cargo space of 149.9 cubic feet. This large capacity allows you to carry a large amount of cargo, in luxury and style.
SUV With Most Cargo Space #11 – Jeep Wrangler (2021)
For those who like to traverse the beaten path, there are a few other choices apart from the Jeep Wrangler. For the 2021 model year, this American icon received a bump in cargo capacity. It can now carry 150.4 cubic feet worth of cargo. Sticking with the off-roader theme, the Wrangler has some other amenities in the cargo compartment as well. This includes a 12-volt power outlet as well as an illuminating lamp. These accessories are sure to come in handy once you are trekking the unknown.
SUV With Most Cargo Space #10 – Infiniti QX80 (2021)
The QX80 is the bigger brother of the QX60 we talked about earlier. The increase in size means that the QX80 has 12 feet more cargo capacity. This adds up to a final cargo space of 152.5 cubic feet.
SUV With Most Cargo Space #9 – Volkswagen Atlas (2021)
Here, we have our first German entry. Named after a Greek titan, the Volkswagen Atlas is one of the most popular three-row SUVs. The total cargo space of this vehicle is divided among the seat rows. There is a space of 96.0 feet behind the front low alone. Behind the second row, the space is 55.5 feet. Also, there are 20.6 feet of storage space behind the third row of the Volkswagen Atlas. All these add up to a total cargo space of 154 cubic feet.
SUV With Most Cargo Space #8 – Buick Enclave (2021)
Buick has a reputation for being a popular choice among the older generation. However, rumors aside, the Buick Enclave is a genuine contender for the title of SUV with most cargo space. In total, the Enclave can carry up to 157.3 cubic feet of cargo. 23.6 cubic feet of it comes from the cargo area alone.
SUV With Most Cargo Space #7 – Chevrolet Traverse (2021)
The Chevrolet Traverse is one out of the dozens of mid-size SUVs for sale in 2022. However, the Traverse has an ace up its sleeve. Compared to its competitors, the Traverse is the SUV with most cargo space. It comes in with a cumulative storage space of 157.3 cubic feet.
SUV With Most Cargo Space #6 – Cadillac Escalade (2021)
The Cadillac Escalade is the vehicle that put luxury SUVs on the map. In the 2021 model year, the SUV is bigger than ever. And, as a result, the cargo space has also increased. Now, the Escalade comes with a respectable 170.4 cubic feet of storage. This cargo space is what sets the Escalade apart from its rivals. For comparison, the Lincoln Navigator, one of the Escalades’ main competitors, has more than 66 cubic feet less cargo space.
SUV With Most Cargo Space #5 – Nissan Armada (2021)
The Nissan Armada is another Japanese SUV with most cargo space. The total cargo capacity of the Nissan Armada is 171.1 cubic feet. But wait, there’s more. The Nissan Armada is equipped with a power liftgate as well. This means that the tailgate opens and closes automatically. It comes in handy on occasions when your hands are full.
SUV With Most Cargo Space #4 – Hyundai Palisade (2021)
In the past few years, Korean car makers have made a comeback. Now, there are a variety of great Korean vehicles on the market. What’s more, is that these vehicles are more affordable than their competitors.
The Hyundai Palisade is one of these vehicles that have made waves in the market recently. It is a large, three-row SUV. This makes it an ideal choice for suburban families. The cargo space of the Palisade is 173.3 cubic feet. Owners can easily access the cargo area using the electronic cargo release, located in the second row.
SUV With Most Cargo Space #3 – Kia Telluride (2021)
Carrying on our Korean theme, the Kia Telluride is up next. This is the largest passenger space currently manufactured by Kia. As a result, the Telluride has an ample cargo capacity of 178.1 cubic feet. This is 4.8 cubic feet more than that of the Hyundai Palisade, which we talked about earlier.
SUV With Most Cargo Space #2 – Jeep Grand Wagoneer (2022)
We are going to round up our list with 2 relatively new entries into the SUV market. First up is the 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer. The return of the legendary Grand Wagoneer name brings with it a total storage space of 178.2 cubic feet.
SUV With Most Cargo Space #1 – Jeep Wagoneer (2022)
Finally, the entry you all have been waiting for! The SUV with most cargo capacity in 2022 is the Jeep Wagoneer. It clinches the title from its sibling, with a whopping 179.2 cubic feet of cargo space.
With that, we have completed our look at the top 15 SUVs with the most cargo space. Next, let us talk about the tactics these SUVs use to accommodate such cargo capacities.
SUV Cargo Capacity Tricks
Modern SUVs use various methods to improve the total capacity. This is done with the intent of giving the passengers more room to place their cargo in. The largest cargo area of an SUV is often found behind the last row of rear seats. Unlike a sedan, the cargo section of an SUV is not separated from the passenger compartment.
Modern SUVs have large tailgates. This gives owners easy access to the cargo area of the vehicle. Not only that, but the tailgates are also power operated. This further reduces the burden on the owners. These SUVs also have hidden compartments under the floor and seats for extra cargo storage. Moreover, the seats can fold completely flat, increasing the storage capabilities even further.
Having a huge cargo capacity has a lot of great benefits. But, there are some disadvantages to it as well. Let’s look into them, shall we?
Disadvantages
Most people would not give up their precious cargo space for anything. But, there are some areas that will make you think twice about it. One of the main ones is passenger space. On most occasions, rear cargo space comes at the cost of rear legroom. Having huge cargo loads can have negative effects on the engine of the vehicle as well. Not only that, it can have effects on the handling of the vehicle too.
We previously told you about the different segments within the SUV category. Now we will tell you the SUV with most cargo space in some of these different categories.
Midsize SUV With Most Cargo Space
The midsize SUV market is a hotly contested area in the automotive market. As a result, there are many midsize SUVs with large cargo spaces. The tall body styles paired with vast cargo areas allow these vehicles to have large cargo spaces. Here, we have selected a few of the contenders in our quest to find the midsize SUV with most cargo space.
Hyundai Santa Fe Sport
The Hyundai Santa Fe Sport is a midsize SUV with two rows of seating capacity. Out of them, the rear seats are split in a 60/40 manner. This means that the seats can be easily folded to give the Santa Fe Sport ca cargo capacity of 72 cubic feet. Moreover, an additional 35 cubic feet of storage is present behind the rear row as well.
The folding of seats is easily done using the latch placed inside the cargo area. However, there is one small caveat. The rear seats are rather heavy. This means that they are hard to fold back into the correct position.
Jeep Grand Cherokee
The Grand Cherokee is a notably versatile vehicle. It even has a performance version called the SRT Trckhawk, which puts out more than 700 horsepower. But, there is one aspect that all Grand Cherokee models share. That is the cargo space. That is, 68 cubic feet of storage with the rear row folded, and 36 cubic feet in the cargo bay.
Dodge Journey
This is the second Detroit-based entry to this list. Unlike some of its competitors, the Journey comes with three-row seating. This third row has a 50/50 split. As a result, the Dodge Journey has a relatively low cargo capacity with these seats up. However, once the second and third rows are folded, the cargo capacity of the Journey increases greatly. In this configuration, the SUV holds 68 cubic feet of cargo.
Ford Explorer
In the sea of midsize SUVs, the Ford Explorer stands out. The Explorer is one of the first midsize SUVs ever made. Not only that, it has another special characteristic. The Explorer has a large cargo area behind its rear row of seats, 21 cubic feet to be exact. Moreover, it can carry a further 60 cubic feet of storage with the second and third rows of seats folded. This means that the total cargo volume of the Ford Explorer is 81 cubic feet.
Ford Edge
The Ford Edge is one of the more recent models introduced to the market. The boxy design of this midsize SUV allows it to have a greater cargo capacity than its competitors. The Ford Edge has a cargo space of 39 cubic feet behind the last row of seats. With the second row of seats folded, this goes up to 73 cubic feet.
Compact SUV With Most Cargo Space
Now, we shift our attention towards compact SUVs. The compact SUV with most cargo space is the Hyundai Tuscon. The Tuscon offers 80.3 cubic feet of total storage space. This is an unmatched figure by its competitors. The closest competitors are the Honda CR-V, which has 75.8 cubic feet, and the Subaru Forester, which has 74.2 cubic feet of storage.
3 Row SUV With Most Cargo Space
The Chevrolet Traverse takes the crown in the 3-row SUV storage capacity sector. This large crossover has the capacity to accommodate close to 100 cubic feet of cargo, with both seat rows folded. This capacity is larger than that of some larger SUVs. The SUVs that come close to matching the cargo capacity of the Chevy Traverse are the Buick Enclave and the Volkswagen Atlas.
Subcompact SUV With Most Cargo Space
Subcompact SUVs are the smallest SUVs you can find on the market. Because of their size, they don’t nearly have the cargo space of their much bigger cousins. However, there are some subcompact SUVs that offer more cargo capacity than others.
City crossovers are the smallest type of subcompact SUVs. These vehicles have more in common with hatchbacks than crossovers. Anyway, the SUV with most cargo capacity in this segment is the Nissan Kicks. This quirky SUV with an equally quirky name comes with a cargo space of 32.2 cubic feet. That is 0.4 cubic feet larger than its closest rival, the Hyundai Kona.
On the other hand, the newly introduced Volkswagen Taos is the compact crossover SUV with the most cargo capacity. The maximum cargo capacity of this German crossover is 65.9 cubic feet. The Kia Seltos comes in second, with a cargo capacity of 62.8 cubic feet.
Luxury Compact SUV With Most Cargo Space
In terms of luxury, nothing comes close to the style of a coupe SUV. However, most of these SUVs sacrifice cargo space for style. However, the Audi Q8 is an exception to this trend. This head-turner from Audi has respectably large cargo space. It can hold 60.7 cubic feet of storage. When compared to the competitors of the Q8 like the BMW X6 and the Porsche Cayenne Coupe, this cargo capacity seems huge.
Electric SUV With Most Cargo Space
Electric SUVs are an emerging sector in the market. This market is dominated by the likes of the Tesla Model X and the Ford Mustang Mach E. However, the title of the electric SUV with most cargo space is held by the Rivian R1S. With an impressive cargo capacity of over 104 cubic feet, this SUV is bringing practicality to the forefront of the electric revolution. The cargo capacity of the Rivian is closely followed by that of the aforementioned Model X, as well as the SUV version of the Hummer EV.
SUVs With The Most Cargo Space Facts:
- SUVs are great for long-haul trips due to their comfort, spaciousness, durability, and ability to haul heavy equipment.
- Different SUV models have varying levels of cargo space and passenger capacity.
- This article presents the top 5 SUVs with the most cargo space based on price, cargo space, and ratings.
- The top 5 SUVs with the most cargo space are the Kia Telluride, Volkswagen Atlas, Honda Passport, Lincoln Navigator, and GMC Yukon.
- The Kia Telluride offers 21 cubic feet of space behind the third row and 87 cubic feet with both rows folded, has an array of tech add-ons, and excellent safety features.
- The Volkswagen Atlas provides 20.6 cubic feet of space behind the first row and a maximum capacity of 96.8 cubic feet, with flexibility in manual-folding seats and 22 mpg in fuel efficiency.
- The Honda Passport is a shorter version of the Pilot, but highly spacious with a cargo capacity of 100.7 cubic feet.
- The Lincoln Navigator has 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.5 behind the second, and a total of 103 cubic feet of cargo space, which increases to 120.3 cubic feet with the Navigator L.
- The GMC Yukon has the highest cargo space available on the market, with the extended version offering 144.7 cubic feet behind the first row, 93.8 behind the second, and 41.5 behind the third.
Conclusion For SUV With Most Cargo Capacity
In this article, we had an in-depth discussion about SUV cargo capacities with you. We started off by looking at the different SUV body styles on the market. Then, we looked at the top 15 SUVs with the most cargo space. After that, we told you the pros and cons of having a large cargo space. Finally, we discussed the SUV with most cargo capacity in some of the most popular segments of the SUV market.
FAQS On SUV With Most Cargo Capacity
Here are some popular FAQs:
What Is The Most Reliable SUV
Typically, Japanese SUVs like the Lexus RX50 and the Toyota Land Cruiser are regarded as the most reliable SUVs.
What Is The Largest SUV
The largest SUV out on the market today is the Rolls Royce Cullinan.
What SUV Has The Most Cargo Space
The Jeep Wagoneer is the SUV with most cargo space. It has a cargo capacity of 179.2 cubic feet.
How Long Is An SUV
The average length of an SUV is 196.5 inches.
