9 Small SUVs With The Most Usable Cargo Space - Subaru Forester Is Now 2nd

Does the 2021 Subaru Forester have the most cargo room in the compact SUV segment? Active SUV shoppers needing a vehicle that will carry sports equipment, luggage, and cargo have lots of choices, but which models have the most usable cargo space? Consumer Reports ranks the best and found the Forester now ranks second overall.

According to the latest study from Consumer Reports, some compact SUVs have narrow, short, or oddly shaped rear hatch openings, and they don't have the most usable space. It's not total cubic feet, but the volume enclosed by the SUVs rear box gives consumers a better idea of the cargo you can fit in the back and still get the hatch door closed.

photo credit: Patrick Subaru

Last year, the 2020 Forester ranked number one overall. The 2021 Subaru Forester has the second most usable cargo-carrying ability. CR says, "We measured Forester's generous cargo space at 36.5 cubic feet. It's easy to load items in the back, thanks to the low lift-over and wide opening. It can accommodate bulky items, including a bike with both wheels attached, when the rear seatbacks are folded flat."

The nine best compact SUVs

In 2021, CR scored the Hyundai Tucson number one with 39 cubic feet of usable cargo space. The 2021 Subaru Forester is second with 36.5 civic feet. They are followed by the Nissan Rogue (36 cu ft), Honda CR-V (36.0 cu ft), GMC Terrain (33 cu ft), Volkswagen Tiguan (33 cu ft), Honda HR-V (32 cu ft), Chevrolet Equinox (32 cu ft), and the Jeep Cherokee (31 cu ft).

Consumers want more cargo space

A recent study revealed more than three-quarters (76 percent) of drivers had experienced difficulties trying to fit what they want to bring along into their vehicle.

Many respondents have had issues with cargo space, saying the top items they wish they had enough room for include camping or sporting equipment (63 percent), luggage (46 percent), and even space to take their pets on road trips (29 percent). Ten percent even said they missed out on a road trip because they didn't have enough space for all their gear.

Subaru touts the Forester for its standard all-wheel-drive, extra ground clearance, and "go-anywhere" capabilities. CR says the 2021 Subaru Forester is ranked one of the top compact SUVs for fitting all your gear in the back and offers near the most usable cargo volume.

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Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role working with every major car brand. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. Check out Subaru Report where he covers all of the Japanese automaker's models. More stories can be found on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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