Crossover SUVs With the Most Cargo Space

Mitsubishi's newest small SUV in the U.S. is the Eclipse Cross, which revives an iconic name once affixed to the brand's Eclipse sport coupe. The Eclipse Cross is not, as you can see, a "coupe" in the traditional sense, but it tries to achieve the spicier visual drama of other "crossover coupes" on the market, with a faster roofline than the otherwise similar Outlander Sport. That raked tail contributes to the Mitsubishi's last-place showing among its compact competitors, however—the Eclipse Cross can only fit 17 carry-on bags.

• Carry-on capacity, rear seats folded: 17 suitcases
• Cargo volume, rear seats folded: 49 cubic feet
• Cargo volume, behind rearmost row of seats: 23 cubic feet

Despite its boxy exterior and competitive seats-folded cargo volume, the Jeep Compass is not the roomiest of this set of vehicles. This makes sense: The Jeep slots between the subcompact and compact classes, although we categorize it as the latter. We fit 17 of our carry-ons into the Compass with the rear seats folded and only six with all of those seats up.

• Carry-on capacity, rear seats folded: 17 suitcases
• Cargo volume, rear seats folded: 60 cubic feet
• Cargo volume, behind rearmost row of seats: 27 cubic feet

Unlike the Compass, Jeep’s Cherokee falls solidly in the compact size class, though its cabin is tight compared to many competitors. For 2019, Jeep attempted to address one of our previous complaints with the Cherokee: its relatively limited cargo space. The automaker widened the cargo area by about three inches, but this did not change the Cherokee’s standing much. Although this Jeep is, externally, much larger than the Compass, it only swallows one additional carry-on bag inside.

• Carry-on capacity, rear seats folded: 18 suitcases
• Cargo volume, rear seats folded: 55 cubic feet
• Cargo volume, behind rearmost row of seats: 26 cubic feet

Even with its three rows of seats, the Volkswagen Tiguan doesn’t hold a top spot on this list. More seats don’t equate to more cargo space since the extra row of seats is simply crammed into a still-compact body. With all of the seats down, we only fit 19 of our carry-on boxes, and with all of the seats up, including the third row, we fit only two. So, if you’re planning a trip with six people or hauling the family around town, don’t expect to bring much with you.

• Carry-on capacity, rear seats folded: 19 suitcases
• Cargo volume, rear seats folded: 66 cubic feet
• Cargo volume, behind rearmost row of seats: 12 cubic feet

Mazda's CX-5 was completely redesigned in 2017, and the changeover massively upgraded the sporty SUV’s style and refinement. Too bad it also stole some of the CX-5’s practicality. The current-generation model holds nine carry-ons with seats up, one less than its predecessor, although the completely flat load floor means the space is more functional.

• Carry-on capacity, rear seats folded: 19 suitcases
• Cargo volume, rear seats folded: 60 cubic feet
• Cargo volume, behind rearmost row of seats: 31 cubic feet

The new Ford Escape is slightly longer, wider, and lower than the previous generation. Its larger windows improve outward visibility, and, to be honest, it looks like a huskier version of the Ford Focus hatchback. The split-folding rear seats now slide fore and aft on a six-inch track and also recline. Plug-in Hybrid models have less cargo space to make room for the battery.

• Carry-on capacity, rear seats folded: 21 suitcases
• Cargo volume, rear seats folded: 65 cubic feet
• Cargo volume, behind rearmost row of seats: 34 cubic feet

In our test of the Kia Sportage, we declared that the cargo storage is disappointing for a compact crossover—although only when you leave all of the seats up. (The SUV has since been updated for the 2020 model year, albeit only on a cosmetic level—its basic dimensions haven't changed and it is pictured here.) We could only cram eight of our carry-on boxes in the cargo hold in this configuration. However, dropping those rear seats down opens up class-average space.

• Carry-on capacity, rear seats folded: 22 suitcases
• Cargo volume, rear seats folded: 60 cubic feet
• Cargo volume, behind rearmost row of seats: 31 cubic feet

Fitting 22 of our carry-on test boxes with the seats down, Hyundai Tucson has adequate cargo storage that’s average for its segment. (Hyundai has updated the Tucson's styling slightly for 2019—that version is pictured here—but left the rest of the package largely alone, so its cargo capacity hasn't changed.) But take note: As in its corporate sibling, the Kia Sportage, raising the Hyundai’s second-row seats results in a rather tight cargo hold. We could only shove seven carry-ons behind the seats.

• Carry-on capacity, rear seats folded: 22 suitcases
• Cargo volume, rear seats folded: 62 cubic feet
• Cargo volume, behind rearmost row of seats: 31 cubic feet

Now here’s an interesting twist: The Toyota RAV4, which is all-new for 2019, isn’t as cargo-friendly as its predecessor. The last RAV4, in our testing, held 26 carry-on bags with its rear seats folded. The new one only swallows 22 suitcases. The new SUV’s cargo space behind its second-row seats remains the same, but its three fewer cubic feet of space with the seats folded offers a hint as to why it can’t hold as many carry-ons as before.

• Carry-on capacity, rear seats folded: 22 suitcases
• Cargo volume, rear seats folded: 70 cubic feet
• Cargo volume, behind rearmost row of seats: 38 cubic feet

The Nissan Rogue keeps up with the segment’s Joneses with its class-average maximum cargo capacity. Non-hybrid Rogues even feature a variable-height load floor, which can be raised flush with the folded rear seatbacks and trunk opening or dropped a couple of inches lower for a little extra space.

• Carry-on capacity, rear seats folded: 22 suitcases
• Cargo volume, rear seats folded: 70 cubic feet
• Cargo volume, behind rearmost row of seats: 39 cubic feet

Despite only fitting eight of our carry-ons with all of the seats up, the Chevrolet Equinox has some pretty useful quirks in the cargo area. Drop the Equinox’s split-folding rear seat using the nifty release handles in the cargo area (which automatically flops the seatbacks flat with no additional input needed via the side doors), and a completely flat load floor makes for easy loading of bulkier items.

• Carry-on capacity, rear seats folded: 23 suitcases
• Cargo volume, rear seats folded: 64 cubic feet
• Cargo volume, behind rearmost row of seats: 30 cubic feet

Though it may appear bulbous and slightly rounded, the Subaru Forester is, essentially, a box on wheels. The new-for-2019 model also appears similar to its predecessor—as in, nearly identical, but that’s a different story. On the cargo front, that sameness equals a continued hauling friendliness thanks to up to 76 cubic feet of space with the rear seats folded (Foresters with the available sunroof have slightly less room, 71 cubic feet). That translates to 23 carry-on suitcases’ worth of cargo space.

• Carry-on capacity, rear seats folded: 23 suitcases
• Cargo volume, rear seats folded: 71–76 cubic feet
• Cargo volume, behind rearmost row of seats: 33–35 cubic feet

Being able to fit 24 bags within its boxy body lands the GMC Terrain near the head of the compact class and one suitcase beyond its Chevy-badged twin, the Equinox. Though it isn’t accounted for in our carry-on-capacity data, the GMC also offers a fold-flat front passenger seat, which affords owners still more cargo space.

• Carry-on capacity, rear seats folded: 24 suitcases
• Cargo volume, rear seats folded: 63 cubic feet
• Cargo volume, behind rearmost row of seats: 30 cubic feet

In our testing, we nestled 10 of our carry-on boxes behind the rear seat in the Honda CR-V, matching the Mazda CX-5 and the Ford Escape. However, throw those rear seats down, and the CR-V rises above those rivals.

• Carry-on capacity, rear seats folded: 25 suitcases
• Cargo volume, rear seats folded: 76 cubic feet
• Cargo volume, behind rearmost row of seats: 39 cubic feet

Mitsubishi’s Outlander doesn’t rank near the top of many lists—certainly not our overall compact-crossover rankings—but it sure can hold carry-on luggage. In spite of its lowish cargo volume, the Mitsubishi swallows 27 carry-ons with its second- and third-row seats folded. (Along with the Volkswagen Tiguan, the Outlander is the only nonluxury compact crossover we’ve tested with a third row.) Although the third row limits its seats-up capacity to two carry-ons, it has easy-to-fold second and third rows that, when down, create a flat load floor to help it fit the most carry-ons of any compact crossover we’ve tested.

• Carry-on capacity, rear seats folded: 27 suitcases
• Cargo volume, rear seats folded: 63 cubic feet
• Cargo volume, behind rearmost row of seats: 10 cubic feet