12 Popular Cars with Large Trunks (and a Few That Surprise You)
When I put this list together, I set one rule for myself.
Pick cars you actually see on the road. No rare imports, no $150k exotics, no concept cars. These are common vehicles you can test drive this weekend or find on any used lot.
The second thing I wanted to clear up is a common assumption. Most people figure a big car means a big trunk. That’s usually true.
But some midsize SUVs hold just as much as vehicles a size up, and a couple of them beat bigger 3-row models when all the seats are in use.
Below you’ll find 12 popular cars with big trunk space. They’re grouped by body style, with cubic feet and liters. Where I could get them, I added rough measurements in inches, since a long box cares about length, not volume.
Cargo Space by Model
Figures are manufacturer-published cargo volumes (SAE method) for the generation listed. Anything I couldn’t confirm is marked.
| Model | Generation / Years | Behind rear seats (cu ft) | Max, seats folded (cu ft) | Approx. liters (max) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda Accord | 2018+ (10th & 11th gen) | 16.7 | n/a (sedan) | ~473 |
| Lexus ES | 2019+ (7th gen) | 16.7 | n/a | ~473 |
| Dodge Charger | 2011-2023 (LD) | 16.5 | n/a | ~467 |
| Honda Civic Hatchback | 2022+ (11th gen) | 24.5 | 46.2 | ~1,308 |
| Subaru Outback | 2020-2025 (6th gen) | 32.5 | 75.6 | ~2,141 |
| Honda CR-V | 2023+ (6th gen) | 39.3 | 76.5 | ~2,166 |
| Toyota RAV4 | 2019+ (5th gen) | 37.6 | 69.8 | ~1,977 |
| Hyundai Santa Fe | 2024+ (5th gen) | 40.5 | 79.6 | ~2,254 |
| Kia Telluride | 2020+ | 21.0 (behind 3rd) | 87.0 | ~2,464 |
| Chevrolet Traverse | 2024+ (3rd gen) | 23.0 (behind 3rd) | 98.2 | ~2,781 |
| Honda Odyssey | 2018+ (5th gen) | 32.8 (behind 3rd) | 140.7 | ~3,984 |
| Chevrolet Suburban | 2021+ (12th gen) | 41.5 (behind 3rd) | 144.7 | ~4,098 |
Quick conversion if you’re shopping overseas listings: 1 cubic foot is about 28.3 liters.
So if you searched for a “1,400-liter trunk,” you’re looking at about 49 cubic feet. That’s compact SUV territory with the rear seats folded.
Sedans with Large Storage Space
Sedan trunks top out around 16 to 17 cubic feet these days. That sounds small next to an SUV. In practice it swallows four carry-on bags and a couple of backpacks for most people.
1. Honda Accord (2018 and newer)
According to Honda’s spec page, the Accord has 16.7 cubic feet of trunk space. That’s one of the biggest in the midsize sedan class.
Why I’d put it near the top:
- The trunk is deep, not just tall.
- The rear seatback folds 60/40 for long items.
- It’s easy to find used, and parts are everywhere.
The Hyundai Sonata and Kia K5 come in close at about 16.0 cubic feet. The Toyota Camry is a bit behind at 15.1 for the 2018+ generations.
2. Lexus ES (2019 and newer)
If you want the luxury car with the most trunk space for the money, the current ES is my pick.
Lexus lists 16.7 cubic feet for the 2019+ ES, and that includes the ES 300h hybrid. On the older ES hybrid, the battery cut into the trunk badly. Toyota moved the battery under the rear seat for this generation, and that fixed it.
It’s basically a stretched Camry underneath, yet it has more trunk than the Camry. If you’re searching for “a car with a big trunk that never breaks down,” a Lexus ES is about as close as you’ll get. Lexus ranks near the top of most reliability surveys year after year.
3. Dodge Charger (2011-2023)
This is the one for anyone who wants AWD in a sedan with a big trunk, or a 6-cylinder with real cargo space.
According to Dodge’s spec sheets, the LD-generation Charger has 16.5 cubic feet. Its sibling, the Chrysler 300, has about 16.3.
Things to know:
- AWD was offered with the 3.6L Pentastar V6 (SXT and GT AWD trims).
- It’s a full-size car, so the trunk is wide as well as deep.
- The rear seats fold, but the pass-through is narrower than on a hatchback.
Production ended after 2023. Used examples are plentiful, and so are parts. If you’re looking at the V6, our 3.6L Pentastar engine review covers what to check before you buy.
Hatchbacks and Wagons: Where Small Cars Punch Above Their Weight
This is where a smaller car can carry more than a bigger sedan.
4. Honda Civic Hatchback (2022 and newer)
The 2022+ Civic sedan has a 14.8 cubic foot trunk. That’s fine for groceries but nothing special.
The hatchback version jumps to 24.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats, according to Honda. That’s about 50% more than the Accord, from a smaller car.
If you want an economy car with lots of cargo room, start here. The big opening matters as much as the number. Boxes that won’t fit through a sedan’s trunk lid slide right in.
5. Subaru Outback (2020-2025)
The Outback is the wagon (or “combi,” if you’re shopping outside the US) most Americans can still buy new.
Subaru lists 32.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 75.6 with them folded. AWD is standard.
The cargo floor is long and low, which makes it easier to load heavy stuff than in a taller SUV. If you need about 74 inches of flat floor for sleeping or long gear, the Outback gets close with the front seats slid forward. Measure it yourself first, though. The floor length figure is something I’d confirm in person
Midsize and Compact SUVs: The Surprise of This List
This is the section I care most about, because it proves my point.
People assume they need a 3-row SUV to get cargo room. For many families, a good 2-row SUV carries more day to day.
6. Honda CR-V (2023 and newer)
Honda lists 39.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 76.5 folded.
That’s more space behind the second row than several 3-row SUVs have behind their third row. Some of those 3-row models even have less with the third row folded, depending on the model.
7. Toyota RAV4 (2019 and newer)
According to Toyota, the RAV4 has 37.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 69.8 folded. The hybrid version keeps the same figures because the battery sits under the rear seat.
It’s slightly smaller than the CR-V. The floor is wide and flat, though, and the RAV4 has a strong reliability record.
8. Hyundai Santa Fe (2024 and newer)
The redesigned Santa Fe has the boxy shape for a reason. Hyundai widened and squared off the tailgate opening to make loading easier.
I’ve seen it listed at around 40.5 cubic feet behind the second row and roughly 79.6 max. It also offers a small third row, but think of this as a 2-row hauler that can carry kids now and then.
The Myth: “3-Row SUV = Huge Trunk”
Here’s the comparison that surprises people. Compare the space behind the last row of seats, which is the space you have when every seat is filled:
| Vehicle | Space behind last row |
|---|---|
| Honda Accord trunk | 16.7 cu ft |
| Toyota Highlander (2020+) behind 3rd row | 16.1 cu ft |
| Kia Telluride behind 3rd row | 21.0 cu ft |
| Honda CR-V behind 2nd row | 39.3 cu ft |
A midsize Accord sedan has about as much luggage room as a Highlander with all seven seats in use.
So if you rarely use the third row, a 2-row SUV is often the smarter buy. You get more cargo room, it usually costs less, and it’s lighter.
One more nuance: SUV volume is measured up to the roof. A sedan trunk is a short, closed box. An SUV’s cubic feet only matter if you can stack that high without blocking your rear view.
Full-Size Cars with Large Trunk Space
When you really do need it all, these are the vehicles with the largest cargo space you can buy without going to a van.
9. Kia Telluride (2020 and newer)
The Telluride has 21.0 cubic feet behind the third row, 46.0 behind the second, and 87.0 max, according to Kia’s spec sheet.
That 21 cubic feet behind row three is better than most of its rivals. A full family can still bring luggage on a road trip.
10. Chevrolet Traverse (2024 and newer)
Chevy has long given the Traverse one of the biggest cargo areas among 3-row crossovers.
The 2024 redesign lists 23.0 cubic feet behind the third row. Max figures are close to 98 cubic feet. That’s approaching full-size body-on-frame SUV territory in a crossover that drives like a car.
11. Honda Odyssey (2018 and newer)
If your search is “biggest storage space family car,” honestly, buy a minivan.
The Odyssey has 32.8 cubic feet behind the third row. That’s more than double the Highlander, according to Honda. The third row folds into a deep well behind it, so the floor stays usable even with the seats up.
The Chrysler Pacifica (with Stow ‘n Go) and the Kia Carnival are in the same range. See our guide on SUVs with fold-flat seats if you want a similar setup without the sliding doors.
12. Chevrolet Suburban (2021 and newer)
This is the biggest cargo vehicle in the US that’s still a “car” to most buyers.
According to Chevrolet, the 2021+ Suburban has:
- 41.5 cu ft behind the third row
- 93.8 cu ft behind the second row
- 144.7 cu ft max
That 144.7 works out to about 4,100 liters. If you’ve searched for “over 4,000 liters of luggage capacity,” this is one of the very few passenger vehicles that qualifies. The Ford Expedition MAX is in the same class.
The downsides are cost, fuel, and parking. It’s a lot of truck to live with if you only fill it twice a year.
Measuring in Inches: Why Cubic Feet Can Mislead You
A long box, a bike, or a sleeping pad cares about floor length and opening width, not total volume.
These are rough floor lengths with the rear seats folded. Treat them as starting points and bring a tape measure to the dealer:
| Model | Approx. floor length, seats folded |
|---|---|
| Subaru Outback | ~75 Inches |
| Honda CR-V | ~72 Inches |
| Kia Telluride (2nd & 3rd row folded) | ~78 Inches |
| Honda Odyssey (3rd row folded) | ~ 80+ Inches |
| Chevrolet Suburban (2nd & 3rd row folded) | ~ 110+ Inches |
Three things to check in person:
- Liftgate or trunk opening width at its narrowest point
- Whether the folded seats lie truly flat or leave a slope
- Wheel well intrusion, which often decides whether a box fits
If you’re hauling something big, our guides on SUVs that can fit a queen-size mattress and SUVs that can fit a 4×8 sheet of plywood go into exact fit tests.
Which One Would I Pick?
My honest take, by type of buyer:
- You want a sedan and maximum trunk: Honda Accord. The Lexus ES if you want luxury and long-term reliability.
- You need AWD and a sedan: a used Dodge Charger with the V6.
- You’re on a budget and want max cargo for least cost: Civic Hatchback, or a used RAV4/CR-V.
- You have a family of four: a 2-row midsize or compact SUV like the CR-V or Santa Fe. Don’t pay for a third row you won’t use.
- You have a family of 5 or more and take road trips: Odyssey first, Telluride or Traverse if you refuse to buy a minivan.
- You tow, haul, and carry 8 people: Suburban.
For more on family picks, see our best car for family roundup.
FAQ
Among passenger vehicles sold in the US, the Chevrolet Suburban and Ford Expedition MAX lead with about 144 cubic feet max. Among minivans, the Kia Carnival, Honda Odyssey, and Chrysler Pacifica all land around 140 to 145 cubic feet.
Among mainstream midsize sedans, the Honda Accord and Lexus ES lead at 16.7 cubic feet. The Hyundai Sonata and Kia K5 sit right behind at about 16.0.
The 2022+ Honda Civic Hatchback, at 24.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats, is one of the best in its class. Wagon-style models like the Subaru Outback carry much more if you count them as hatchbacks.
No. With all seats in use, many 3-row SUVs have about the same space as a sedan trunk. A 2-row compact SUV like the CR-V has more than double that behind its second row.
The Lexus ES, Toyota RAV4, and Honda CR-V all pair strong reliability reputations with above-average cargo space. Always check the specific model year’s history before buying.
Your Checklist Before You Buy
- Write down the biggest thing you haul regularly, with its length, width, and height.
- Compare the “behind the last row” number, not the max number.
- Bring a tape measure and check opening width plus folded floor length.
- Fold every seat at the dealer and see whether the floor is flat.
- Load a real item (stroller, cooler, golf bag) on the test drive.
- If you rarely use row three, test a 2-row SUV before buying a 3-row.
