Mid-Size Crossovers and SUVs, Ranked by Cargo Capacity
Just how much stuff can these SUVs hold?
Besides their commanding driving positions and available four- or all-wheel drive, crossovers and SUVs appeal to the masses for their perceived practicality. In many cases, these vehicles' tall bodies and commodious cargo holds live up to that billing.
Rather than rank these vehicles based on the cargo-volume numbers provided by auto manufacturers, we're using our own data showing how many pieces of carry-on luggage fit in the SUVs we've tested in depth. We're using our own metrics because, frankly, few people can visualize space in cubic feet, the measurement used by manufacturers to describe their vehicles' cargo capacities. Each vehicle was evaluated in its maximum-cargo mode, with every row of seats but the fronts folded flat. Our test numbers are calculated using cardboard boxes equivalent in size to the average carry-on bag, 9 by 14 by 22 inches. In each case, the boxes were physically loaded into these crossovers' cargo holds and counted. Read on to see where the carry-ons fall.
Dodge Durango—30 carry-on bags, rear seats folded
Outside of its available V-8 engines, there's not a lot about the Dodge Durango that truly stands out. This includes its cargo capacity, which managed to hold an unremarkable, though still plentiful, 30 carry-ons in our testing.
Mazda CX-90—30 carry-on bags, rear seats folded
The Mazda CX-90's cargo bay is not a segment leader; however, it is a huge upgrade over the CX-9 that it effectively replaces. Whereas Mazda's prior three-row fit just 25 carry-ons in its cargo hold with its rear seats folded, the larger CX-90 packs enough space to swallow 30 such bags.
Toyota 4Runner—30 carry-on bags, rear seats folded
Avoid the Toyota 4Runner's cramped third-row and its cargo bay can hold up to 30 carry-on bags with the rear seats folded. That's not the best among mid-size SUVs, but it is the best figure we've pulled from a mid-size SUV with real off-road capability.
Subaru Ascent—34 carry-on bags, rear seats folded
The Ascent is the biggest Subaru available today, and for many, the mid-size SUV's ability to carry up to 34 carry-on bags ought to prove plentiful. Among its peers, however, the Ascent falls a bit short.
Honda Pilot—36 carry-on bags, rear seats folded
The latest Honda Pilot is better than its predecessor in many ways, but one area it falls short in is its outright cargo capacity. While we managed to squeeze 38 carry-ons into the prior generation Pilot, the new one only fit 36.
Kia Telluride—36 carry-on bags, rear seats folded
The 10Best-winning Kia Telluride remains one of our favorite mid-size SUVs on the market. While it's hard to find many flaws in this Kia, some may wish for just a smidge more cargo space. Though it's still among the more versatile vehicles in its class, the Telluride's 36 carry-on capacity falls a bit short of a handful of competitors.
Chevrolet Traverse Limited—38 carry-on bags, rear seats folded
We've yet to put the redesigned 2024 Chevrolet Traverse through our various tests, but we have done so with the previous generation SUV, which lives on as the Traverse Limited for 2024. The 38 carry-ons it fits behind its front seats fall just one carry-on short of the best in the segment.
Buick Enclave—39 carry-on bags, rear seats folded
The Buick Enclave is an elder statesman among mid-size crossovers and SUVs, but what it lacks in modernity, it makes up for with outright space. No, its cargo hold isn't the biggest one out there, but with space for 39 carry-on bags behind the front row, the Enclave still packs one of the biggest cargo bays in the mid-size segment.
Volkswagen Atlas—39 carry-on bags, rear seats folded
Refreshed for 2024, the Volkswagen Atlas's square shape makes it a top tool for cargo-carrying duty. Despite casting a smaller shadow than the Buick Enclave, the VW fit just as many carry-on bags in its cargo bay with its rear seats folded.
Mid-Size Crossovers and SUVs, Ranked by Cargo Capacity
- Dodge Durango—30 carry-on bags, rear seats folded
- Mazda CX-90—30 carry-on bags, rear seats folded
- Toyota 4Runner—30 carry-on bags, rear seats folded
- Subaru Ascent—34 carry-on bags, rear seats folded
- Honda Pilot—36 carry-on bags, rear seats folded
- Kia Telluride—36 carry-on bags, rear seats folded
- Chevrolet Traverse Limited—38 carry-on bags, rear seats folded
- Buick Enclave—39 carry-on bags, rear seats folded
- Volkswagen Atlas—39 carry-on bags, rear seats folded
Sitting on the floor of the library and poring over issues of Car and Driver is one of Connor Hoffman's earliest memories. Choosing to attend the nation's top-ranked journalism school at the University of Missouri and graduating with a magazine writing emphasis was all part of chasing his dream of writing for Car and Driver. When he's not bragging about Mizzou having the best journalism program in the country, he's probably on a rant about Toyota trucks.
Despite their shared last name, Greg Fink is not related to Ed "Big Daddy" Roth's infamous Rat Fink. Both Finks, however, are known for their love of cars, car culture, and—strangely—monogrammed one-piece bathing suits. Greg's career in the media industry goes back more than a decade. His previous experience includes stints as an editor at publications such as U.S. News & World Report, The Huffington Post, Motor1.com, and MotorTrend.
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