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Mid-Sized SUVs with the Best Cargo Space Under 20k

It’s not about the best SUVs today. We’ve got the SUVs with the best cargo space for under $20,000! Buick, Honda, and Kia are all on the list.

Jesse Batson August 7, 2024

Great Cargo Space and Great Prices

Do you have a large crew? Whether you and your family go on a lot of road trips or you carpool every day or you’re just hauling your band equipment around from gig to gig, you know there’s nothing more frustrating than trying to fit a lot of items into one small space. That’s where we come in. Today, we’ve got a full list of the SUVs with the best cargo space. That’s not all! They’re all affordable, listed at under $20,000.

The vehicles on this list all have, at minimum, a good amount of cargo space to work with, but when it comes to a really good layout and space, you’ll find that there are definite winners here. There are some two-row SUVs that have acceptable numbers, but, naturally, they don’t compare to the amount of room in a three-row SUV so none of them made the cut. As you start reading through our findings, you’ll also find out that good cargo space doesn’t have to come at the expense of a spacious third row.

2015-2017 Ford Explorer

Space behind 3rd row: 21 cu. ft.
Space behind 2nd row: 43.9 cu. ft.
Overall cargo space: 81.7 cu. ft.

Most of the Ford Explorers listed for under $20,000 are 2017, 2016, or 2015 model years. Those models are all pretty similar in terms of storage space. The only difference is that when Ford introduced a new generation of the Explorer with the 2016 model, cargo space increased by one cubic foot ever so slightly from the 2015 model year. With or without that additional space, the Explorer leaves passengers with a very tight third row. Legroom there measures just 33.3 inches, a space only usable for children or for storing extra luggage.

Despite the tight third row, when trying to fit luggage into the back, it’s useful that the third-row seats fold completely flat. If the third-row seats are upright and need to be used, there’s a very useful button that folds and flips the second-row seats forward, making it easier for passengers to file into the back. Certain Ford Explorer models come with a hands-free tailgate and, no matter which Explorer models you’re looking at, there’s a lot of room to store smaller items in the cabin.

Door pockets are long and deep and there’s even a second-row center console for third-row passengers to use. That’s in addition to the center console between the front-row seats. Between the pockets, cupholders, and consoles, there is room for smaller items, but even a smartly designed interior can’t make up for a limited amount of rear cargo space.

2015 Toyota Highlander

Space behind 3rd row: 13.8 cu. ft.
Space behind 2nd row: 42.3 cu. ft.
Overall cargo space: 83.7 cu. ft.

Next, the Toyota Highlander. To get under the $20,000 mark, you’re probably looking at a 2015 Toyota Highlander. This model has a more sizeable overall space to work with. The rear 60/40 split-folding seats can be laid down to make an overall 83.7 cu. ft. of space, which is average for the mid-sized SUV. One usability issue with the 2015 Highlander is that Toyota didn’t design a flat cargo area. It’s sloped towards the liftgate, so when you open it up, items may have shifted. For this Highlander, it’s wise to use a cargo net, a bin, or some other kind of divider.

In addition to the rear cargo area, there’s a built-in shelf on the dashboard. Though it will only hold a cell phone, it may be difficult to get your phone out of that area easily. There’s not a lot of height with that shelf. Of course, there’s some space under the armrest to store handheld devices, spare change, and the like. Second-row passengers have seat-back pockets, side pockets on the door, and a small cubby on the back side of the center console. Comparatively, the 2015 Toyota Highlander is fairly middle-of-the-road when it comes to cargo space in mid-sized SUVs that are going for under $20,000.

2016-2019 Honda Pilot

Space behind 3rd row: 16.5 cu. ft.
Space behind 2nd row: 46.8 cu. ft.
Overall cargo space: 83.9 cu. ft.

Like the Ford Explorer, the Honda Pilot made some changes when the 2016 model was introduced, kicking off the third generation of the vehicle. This time, however, the numbers went in the wrong direction. You see those numbers above? Well, the 2015 Honda Pilot was even more impressive with 18 cu. ft. behind the third row, 47.7 cu. ft. behind the second, and 87 cu. ft. when all other rows are down. Still, the 2016 to 2019 models at least have some respectable numbers. The third-row seats can be folded into a 60/40 split and will lay completely flat. Plus, it does have a removeable panel in the cargo area that allows for some extra storage space.

In addition to the actual cargo area behind the third row, the cabin has storage areas for smaller items, too. The center console, for example, slides open with a tray large enough to hold a cell phone and a larger area for an iPad, a purse, Kleenex, spare change, charging cords, or whatever else you’d want to keep in there. You may not have as much space for the larger items, but if you can unpack some of your smaller belongings and store them in the car, it’s an OK compromise.

2015-2018 Dodge Durango

Space behind 3rd row: 17.2 cu. ft.
Space behind 2nd row: 47.7 cu. ft.
Overall cargo space: 84.5 cu. ft.

The Dodge Durango offers another significant jump in terms of cargo space in all areas. If you’re budgeting for $20,000 or under, then the results will probably come back as mostly 2018, 2017, or 2015 model years. All three models are part of the third generation of the Durango. Not only do the third-row seats fold down flat, but the front passenger seat can also be positioned flat, making it easier to haul longer items when needed. Dodge designers were definitely maximizing the available space in that design. That back cargo area can be outfitted with a fairly cheap curtain shelf as well.

Other spaces inside the cabin, including the cubbies aren’t as impressive. They’re OK. You can fit the standard cellphone, charger cords, and healthcare products inside the center console. The same can be said for the glovebox. However, the cabin doesn’t feature a lot of innovative, space-creating designs. There’s not a lot of storage even available underneath the second row of seats. The Durango has enough cargo space to get the job done, but we haven’t reached the ‘Wow’ factor part of our list just yet.

2020 Hyundai Palisade

Space behind 3rd row: 18.0 cu. ft.
Space behind 2nd row: 45.8 cu. ft.
Overall cargo space: 86.4 cu. ft.

After starting our list with the Ford Explorer and 81.7 cu. ft. of overall cargo space, we’re up to 86.4 cu. ft. in the form of the Hyundai Palisade. When it comes to mid-sized SUVs, the Palisade is one of the newest around. The 2020 Palisade was the debut model year, but it can now be found for under $20,000 in several listings. The third-row seats do fold in a 60/40 split and there’s also an underfloor compartment that provides additional storage space.

Access to the cargo area is made easy with a powered liftgate and access to the third row is streamlined by a button that will move the second-row seats forward. The center console cubby is nice, but an additional storage space beneath the console provides for a few extra items. There’s also a second storage bin on the floor in the second row, so beyond the expanded cargo space, the cabin has enough nooks to make the 2020 Palisade a decent choice for road trips or hauling items for specific projects.

2019-2020 Subaru Ascent

Space behind 3rd row: 17.8 cu. ft.
Space behind 2nd row: 47.5 cu. ft.
Overall cargo space: 86.5 cu. ft.

Now we’re getting into the top-tier SUVs under $20,000 with ample cargo space. Velcro straps are included to hold the floor up if needed. Underneath the cargo floor is an extra storage compartment. The floor doesn’t lay entirely flat, but the slant isn’t too aggressive. Subaru offers an available power liftgate for easier access to the cargo area. The nice thing about Subaru is the design, too. It’s wide enough to fit most large objects.

The only real downside with the 2020 Subaru Ascent is that, despite several interior cubby spaces, there’s not a lot of in-cabin storage. The spaces are there, but none are too large, so the cabin is built only to store small items. That said, the cargo space is so good that the smaller spaces don’t matter as much. The second-row seats do fold flat, too, which obviously helps with the kind of things you can haul and pack up.

2020 Kia Telluride

Space behind 3rd row: 21 cu. ft.
Space behind 2nd row: 46 cu. ft.
Overall cargo space: 87 cu. ft.

The 2020 Kia Telluride was the very first model for this brand-new three-row SUV. It’s also generally the only model year you can find listed for under $20,000. If you can find a good deal on a 2020 Telluride in good condition, you’re not going to be disappointed when it comes to cargo space. Although it doesn’t quite top our list, it’s very close. Plus, the hatch opens wide and there’s an underfloor compartment in the back cargo area.

The downfall is that the 2020 Telluride doesn’t have many options for in-cabin storage. There aren’t a lot of pockets to stash things. The cubby spots do exist. They aren’t massive, though. As negatives go, that’s really about it. There’s a good amount of third-row legroom, enough in-cabin storage to satisfy passengers on a road trip, and enough cargo space to pack up most anything you need to.

2017 Buick Enclave

Space behind 3rd row: 23.3 cu. ft.
Space behind 2nd row: 68.9 cu. ft.
Overall cargo space: 115.2 cu. ft.

Leading the way on this list of the most cargo room for a mid-sized SUV is the Buick Enclave. You can find several 2017, 2016, 2015, and 2014 models available for under $20,000, and all of them come packed with a lot of cargo room! It doesn’t matter if you’re looking at the normal cargo area, if you put the third row down, or if you put the second row of seats down as well, the Enclave has better numbers in every category. The third-row seats will fold essentially flat, providing even more space to haul various items. If the third-row seats need to be used in an upright position, getting back there isn’t a problem. Passengers can flip and fold the second-row seats using just one hand. Once passengers get situated in the third row, they’ve got 33.20 inches of space for their legs, too.

As you’ve probably guessed by now, the storage doesn’t end with the cargo area. Buick also included a fairly large glove box, a generous center console, side panel slots on the doors, back-seat pockets, numerous cup holders, and a storage compartment underneath the cargo floor. Some aspects of the 2017 Enclave cabin may seem a little outdated, but the storage space inside of it more than makes up for it. Anyone who regularly has five or more passengers (and their belongings) in their SUV should appreciate not trying to cram everything in just to make do. That’s not something you have to do in this case.

There are newer models of the Enclave available, and they still end up at the top of their class when it comes ot cargo space, but the available cu. ft. In the second-generation 2018 Buick Enclave decreased by quite a bit so, when it comes to maximum cargo space, it may actually be better to stick into the first-generation 2017 to 2014 models instead.

However, if you’ve got room to increase your budget, check out our review of the 2024 Buick Enclave. It’s got enough cargo space that it neared the top of our list of the SUVs with the Best Cargo Space for Under $55,000.