Midsized SUVs With the Best Usable Cargo Space, Based on Consumer Reports' Tests
Our auto experts measured the real-world capacity of two-row and three-row midsized SUVs to identify which models offer the most functional room for your gear
Sport-utility vehicles are the leading choice for many car shoppers, primarily because of their maximum cargo capacity. Whether you’re packing for a vacation, moving a child to college, hauling sports equipment, or bringing home a major appliance, a large and flexible interior isn’t just handy, it’s essential.
Automakers advertise the largest available cargo volume in their SUVs, but these generous specifications don’t reflect real-world usefulness. Total volume numbers are meaningless if the rear hatch opening is narrow or oddly shaped. Usability is often restricted by interior protrusions from the wheel wells or ceiling that prevent easy loading of bulky items.
That’s why at Consumer Reports, our auto experts evaluate cargo space to measure the actual usable room. We determine the largest rectangular box that fits in the cargo area without preventing the hatch from closing. Our reported cargo volume reflects only the space within the box, providing a more accurate view of a vehicle’s true hauling capability.
Below, we feature the two- and three-row midsized SUVs with the most usable cargo room based on our testing. They’re ranked by cargo room in cubic feet, with the top performer first.
To make the list, two-row SUVs had to have at least 35 cubic feet of usable space, while three-row SUVs had to have 46 cubic feet or more of cargo room.
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