Large SUVs That Can Hold the Most Cargo Measured by Consumer Reports

When Your SUV’s Actual Cargo Space is Important

Whether its car-pooling kids to their activities or using your vehicle as part of a small business venture, the cargo space you need in a vehicle could be the most important factor behind your SUV buying decision. And automakers know this and cater to future SUV shoppers’ needs and desires.

However, according to a recent Consumer Reports update on SUV cargo space there’s more to cargo space than just a volume-related number, it has to be a measure that accurately reflects useable space.

“Automakers are happy to play to this need, readily highlighting the overall luggage capacity of their offerings. But not all of that generous-sounding cargo room is necessarily usable space. Having a lot of space doesn’t do much good if the cargo opening is narrow, short, or oddly shaped,” states CR analysts.

To help consumers dig through all of the marketing claims on SUV cargo space, CR analysts have recently updated their measures of the useable space consumers need to know that a vehicle possesses by providing a new listing of 8 large SUVs that have the most in useable cargo-hauling room.

Related article: A True Utility SUV Designed to Do One Important Thing Other SUVs Cannot

Cargo Space in SUVs

Cargo space measurements made by CR analysts in large SUVs are modeled after an “expanding pipe-frame box” in which the consumer can picture just how much actual practical room the interior has to fit their load. This is with the consideration that the 2nd and 3rd row seating is folded down.

“We enlarge it enough to just fit through the rear opening and extend it into the cargo bay as far as possible without preventing the hatch from closing. Cargo capacity is the volume enclosed by that box. This gives consumers a better idea of the cargo they can fit in the back, whether it’s luggage for a trip, a new dishwasher, or a big-screen TV coming home from the electronics store.”

A summary of the selected large SUVs are provided below ranked in order of cubic feet of cargo room.

1. Chevrolet Suburban 2023
Price Range: $55,300 - $80,100
CR MPG: Overall 16 / City 11 / Hwy 22 mpg
Rated #3 of 8 among large sport-utility vehicles

CR States: “We measured an incredible 70 cubic feet of cargo room, which is almost 8 cubic feet more than the last Suburban we tested. But the cargo area is very high, so depending on your height, it can be challenging to lift items up.”

2. Ford Expedition 2023
Price Range: $54,155 - $86,615
CR MPG: Overall 16 / City 11 / Hwy 23 mpg
Rated #1 of 8 among large sport-utility vehicles

CR States: “The Expedition Max is the extended-length version of Ford’s full-sized three-row SUV. Measuring almost 222 inches in overall length, it’s 12 inches longer than the standard Expedition, which gives it plenty of interior and cargo room. With 66 cubic feet of cargo room, there’s plenty of space to haul.”

3. Jeep Wagoneer 2023
Price Range: $58,995 - $77,220
CR MPG: Overall 15 / City 10 / Hwy 21 mpg
Rated #7 of 8 among large sport-utility vehicles

CR States: “A three-person second-row bench seat is standard, bringing total seating to eight; choosing the optional captain’s chairs cuts seating capacity to seven. Folding both rows of seats opens up just over 63 cubic feet of cargo room. The three-person third-row bench seat folds flat in a 60/40 split, so two children can sit back there in the center and right-side positions while the left-side seat is dropped to carry longer items.”

4. Chevrolet Tahoe 2023
Price Range: $52,600 - $77,400
CR MPG: Overall 17 / City 11 / Hwy 24 mpg
Rated #4 of 8 among large sport-utility vehicles

CR States: “It can swallow just over 58 cubic feet of cargo with the second- and third-row seats folded. With the second-row raised, it has plenty of space for four or five passengers and cargo. And even when the third-row seat is raised, the cargo space behind it can handle many grocery bags or the kids’ sports duffel bags. It can be hard to lift things up to the high load floor, as in the Suburban, and it’s also a big step to get up into the Tahoe.”

5. Cadillac Escalade 2023
Price Range: $79,295 - $152,195
CR MPG: Overall 16 / City 10 / Hwy 23 mpg
Rated #4 of 11 among luxury large sport-utility vehicles

CR States: “The Escalade uses the same basic platform as the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban but is much more luxurious and high-tech. Both seven- and eight-passenger configurations are offered. The regular-length Escalade has plenty of space for four to five passengers plus their luggage. Even with all three rows of seats raised and in use, the cargo area behind the third row can accommodate a few carry-on suitcases or duffle bags. The Escalade has a bit less cargo room than the Tahoe; we measured a still-impressive 56 cubic feet of space with the second- and third-row seats folded. The Escalade ESV is Cadillac’s version of the extended-length Suburban.”

6. Lincoln Navigator 2023
Price Range: $79,725 - $112,300
CR MPG: Overall 16 / City 11 / Hwy 22 mpg
Rated #5 of 11 among luxury large sport-utility vehicles

CR States: “The Navigator takes the foundations of the roomy standard-length Ford Expedition and adds more luxury. Seven- and eight-seat configurations are available. The second row is quite roomy; the third row is roomy, though not on a par with the Expedition Max or Navigator L. We measured 56 cubic feet of cargo room. Even when all the seats are occupied, there’s still enough room behind the third row for a few duffel bags, and there’s a small storage area under the cargo floor.”

7. Infiniti QX80 2022
Price Range: $58,950 - $73,475
Owner Reported MPG: N/A

CR States: "The QX80 large SUV is the plush and luxurious version of the Armada (below). It comes standard with a three-person bench seat, giving it seating for eight. Second-row captain’s chairs are a no-cost option, and drop passenger capacity to seven. The second-row seats are exceptionally comfortable and three adults can sit there with ease, but the three-person third-row seat is very low and lacks support. We measured just over 49 cubic feet of storage room with both rows folded.”

8. Nissan Armada 2023
Price Range: $50,700 - $70,020
CR MPG: Overall 14 / City 10 / Hwy 20 mpg
Rated #8 of 8 among large sport-utility vehicles

CR States: “The Nissan Armada is essentially the same vehicle as the Infiniti QX80, but it costs less. In our tests, we measured 47 cubic feet of cargo room with the second- and third-row seats folded. When not needed, the third-row seatbacks stow in the floor, though they’re slow to power-fold. With just second-row passengers on board, the remaining cargo area is wide and long. It can easily pack all sorts of bulky cargo or weekend home project supplies with all the seatbacks folded. There’s even some cargo room left over when carrying a full load of passengers.”

For a more detailed breakdown of each vehicle’s features, please visit the Consumer Reports website. Note that while access to some information requires a CR membership, the potential savings make it negligible in comparison when looking for the latest information to aid your car buying research.

And finally…

For additional articles about roomy vehicles, here are a few for your consideration:

• Roomiest and Comfiest Compact Hybrid Cars Tested by Consumer Reports

• SUVs With the Roomiest and Most Comfortable Interiors Per Consumer Reports Testing

• Recommended Compact Cars with the Roomiest, Most Comfortable Interiors Per Consumer Reports Testing

Timothy Boyer is a Torque News automotive reporter based in Cincinnati. Experienced with early car restorations, he regularly restores older vehicles with engine modifications for improved performance. Follow Tim on Twitter at @TimBoyerWrites for daily new and used vehicle news.

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