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This list of best SUV cargo space breaks down the biggest family-friendly vehicles on the used market with room galore and creature comforts aplenty.
Cargo Space When You Need It
When your family size hits five or more, the mind starts wandering to vehicles that can comfortably and capably move everyone around. For those who choose to eschew that #minivanlife, have we got a list for you! This rundown of the best SUV cargo space is bracketed by vehicles that are 2-3 years old with a price tag of $55,000 or less.
That offers a lot of options, from monster 9-seat SUVs to serious luxury digs. Along with rear cargo space and road capability, we’ve taken into account seating comfort and towing. Because when you’ve loaded the family SUV with all the kids, cargo, and dogs, you of course need a trailer for the toys.
Chevy Suburban/GMC Yukon XL
Max Cargo Space: 145 cubic feet
When you need ALL the cargo space and ALL the seats and ALL the, well, everything, nothing beats a Suburban. It’s why the big Chevy tops this list of best cargo capacity. The 12th generation of this land yacht arrived in 2021 with more space than ever and a fully independent suspension, so skip the 2020 model.
GMC’s Yukon XL is an identical twin from a spec and mechanical perspective, albeit with a higher degree of luxury trappings. Along with a 5.3L and 6.2L V8, these GM behemoths offer a 3.0L turbodiesel inline-6 that is rated for 26 mpg on the highway. Diesel engines are unusual in this segment – and really any US market vehicle – so get one while you can.
Chevy Tahoe/GMC Yukon
Max Cargo Space: 123 cubic feet
Still huge, the Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon are in fact the smaller counterparts to the long wheelbase versions above. Along with sharing powertrains and a little more than 8,000 pounds of towing capacity, all four of these GM SUVs can seat up to nine people. That’s a distinction no other SUV can claim and one that makes these vehicles hard to beat when it comes to cargo and people hauling.
Also like their larger cousins, the 2021 Tahoe and Yukon are where it’s at thanks to a generational update that brought available features like power-folding second and third rows, air-powered suspension with Magnetic Ride Control (MRC), and a hands-free liftgate. For something newer, but still plenty big, the Chevy Traverse is one of our favorite 2023 3-row SUVs.
Cadillac Escalade ESV
Max Cargo Space: 121 cubic feet
The third full-size SUV in General Motors’ sprawling portfolio, the Escalade ESV lines up with the Suburban. However, the Cadillac badge moves the latest generation Escalade outside our $55,000 price cap. This requires stepping back to a 2020 from the previous Escalade series, which manages to illustrate how much bigger these giants have become in a single generation.
This slightly older Escalade still rides on a live rear axle, so handling and comfort will be down a peg or two compared to the new models. But the 420-horse 6.2L V8 is standard as is MRC, a hands-free liftgate, and power-retractable side steps.
Ford Expedition MAX
Max Cargo Space: 121 cubic feet
Ford’s biggest SUV, the Expedition MAX matches the oversized Escalade on overall cargo space but thanks to sliding seats can offer a maximum 41 inches of third-row legroom to the 34 found in the Caddy. Still in its fourth generation, the long-wheelbase Expedition sports a fully independent suspension and adaptive dampers on Limited and King Ranch models – both of which can be found for under 55 grand.
For those who need serious towing capacity to go with their serious cargo capacity, the Ford tops every other SUV on this list with a 9,300-pound rating. Though corporate cousin Lincoln makes an extra-long Navigator, it is too expensive to make this list. However, the “regular size” Navigator is featured below.
Toyota Sequoia
Max Cargo Space: 120 cubic feet
Coming in just under the big Ford is Toyota’s appropriately named Sequoia. 2020 and 2021 models come from the third generation Sequoia that rode on a four-corner independent suspension with available adaptive dampers and air-suspension out back. The standard 5.7L V8 is an absolute pig at the pumps with a rating of just 13 mpg around town – the worst on this list – so look to the new hybrid-powered model for an improvement.
But the Toyota has a cargo space party trick no one else has figured out – a tailgate window that actually goes down. For reasons unknown, Toyota seems to be the only automaker to continually offer this incredibly useful feature. Not only does it make loading long cargo a breeze, your dog(s) will be in hog (dog?) heaven.
Ford Expedition/Lincoln Navigator
Max Cargo Space: 105 cubic feet
By moving down to the merely large Blue Oval SUVs, you can step into either an Expedition or a Navigator. Though they share dimensions, the Navigator boasts Raptor power in the form of a twin-turbo 3.5L V6 making 510 lb-ft of torque that will move your eight passengers and cargo around with alacrity.
The Lincoln also rides on adaptive dampers for a cushier cruise and has fancier features like available massaging second-row seats, a standard cargo management system, and acoustic-laminated side windows. That last item means drivers can actually understand the demands of third-row occupants (read: children) the first time they are screamed.
Nissan Armada
Max Cargo Space: 95 cubic feet
Like the Toyota, Nissan’s Armada sticks with V8 power that moves the beast with ease but swills 87-octane to the tune of 14 mpg around town. At least you can tow 8,500 pounds and fold the third row with the touch of a button. As with most of the SUVs on this list, the Armada offers a digital rearview mirror.
This is truly handy when all three rows are filled with humans and the cargo bay is loaded with suitcases and/or Fido – because you can see what’s out back. A mid-cycle refresh in 2021 added power, along with cosmetic updates, so it’s worth skipping the prior model year.
BMW X7
Max Cargo Space: 90 cubic feet
From here on out, the maximum occupancy is seven, which is still ample for many large families. And the realm of BMW adds such fanciness as five-zone climate control, a 3-panel panoramic sunroof with its own blind for the third row, and electric rear window sunshades – one of our favorite road trip features.
Cargo space is still serious and the X7 sports a nifty split tailgate feature that makes loading said cargo even easier. Folding out like a clamshell in a roughly 70/30 split, the bottom 30% section can be left upright independent of the top. This allows it to operate like a pickup truck tailgate and thanks to the standard air suspension, the whole vehicle can be lowered at the touch of a button for even easier cargo management.
Mercedes-Benz GLS
Max Cargo Space: 85 cubic feet
The “S-Class of SUVs”, as of 2020, the Mercedes-Benz GLS is in its third generation. To be clear, we’re talking about the GLS 450 at this price point – not an AMG or Maybach. However, that 450 model is still quite an impressive SUV. Along with standard 4WD, adaptive dampers, and air suspension, the GLS offers E-Active Body Control that “reads” the road ahead so that the chassis can magically smooth out the bumps. Your passengers will thank you. Both second and third-row seats can be folded at the same time with a single button to open-up 85 cubic feet of space. There’s even an option for a heated third row.
Jeep Grand Cherokee L
Max Cargo Space: 85 cubic feet
Debuting in 2021, the long-wheelbase Jeep Grand Cherokee has a 7-inch longer wheelbase than its 2-row brethren and 30 inches of third-row legroom. This helped the big Jeep land on our list of the best SUVs for large families. One of the few options here that combines the best SUV cargo space with true off-road capability, the Grand Cherokee L also delivers passenger comfort and practicality. The third row comes with USB ports, the cargo mat is reversible, and there is an available cabin camera to give drivers visibility on second and third-row occupants.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in May 2017 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
