SUVs gained enormous popularity in the last decade and there are many factors why buyers switched focus from cars to sports utility vehicles. The high-riding vehicles provide a commanding driving position and come with the all-wheel drive for better poor weather and terrain capability. However, key factors why SUVs become a dominating force in the automobile industry are also high practicality and versatility. SUVs provide greater passenger comfort than cars but the cargo capacity is also among important variables buyers take into account when buying this kind of vehicle. In this article, we list 10 SUVs with massive cargo capacity for the 2021 model year.
The list includes full-size and mid-size models and most of them come with three rows of seats. Most of the full-size SUVs are all-new models with GM’s origin while most of the mid-size SUVs arrived all-new recently. Two of Toyota’s models are an exception.
As evidenced by the recent introductions, the brands tend to introduce larger models than in previous generations and all GM’s redesigned, full-size, truck-based SUVs are significantly larger and with much-increased interior comfort and cargo capacity. The mid-size models followed a similar path in previous years and the upcoming versions should also succumb to the trend.
2021 Chevy Suburban
The all-new 2021 Chevy Suburban is bigger and better equipped than ever. The model comes on the new truck-based platform and replaced the rear live axle with the independent suspension setup which opens more passenger and cargo space. The new-generation Suburban comes powered by familiar V-8 engines but a 3.0-liter turbodiesel joins also the engine range. The Suburban employs also the newest tech and safety features.
The redesigned Suburban promises a more comfortable ride thanks to the new independent rear suspension but it also has a positive impact on the model’s passenger and cargo capacity. The new suspension configuration allows a lower cargo floor for easer load and unload but opens also more room inside the cabin. The Suburban is also larger for about an additional inch in length and the wheelbase is expanded from 130 to 134 inches.
The cumulative benefits from the new suspension and larger proportions translate to the massive cargo capacity gain. The max cargo with the second and third rows folded grows to 144.7 cubes from the current version’s 121.7 cubic feet. Behind the third row, the new Suburban provides 41.1 cubic feet for the cargo. The model benefits from about 2 inches of additional legroom in rear rows.
Cost, Availability:
The new 2021 Chevy Suburban comes on sale in mid-2020. The price range starts from $51, 000.
2021 Chevy Tahoe
The redesigned 2021 Chevy Tahoe is another GM’s full-size, truck-based model in our list of 10 SUVs with massive cargo capacity. Like the all-new Suburban, the new generation Tahoe is larger and more capable than ever. The model comes also with the reworked powertrain range and newest tech features.
The new, fifth-generation Tahoe improves its ride quality with the adoption of the independent rear suspension and it also brings gains in the cargo and passenger capacity. The redesigned Tahoe is 6.7 inches longer while riding on the 4.9-inch longer wheelbase. The significant size enlargement translates to more room for passengers with an additional 3 inches of legroom in the middle row and 10 inches in the third row.
The all-new Tahoe benefits also from the significant cargo capacity boost. The new version improves max cargo capacity from 94.7 cubic feet to 122.9 cubic feet. The cargo volume behind the second row is 25.5 cubic feet.
Cost, Availability:
The reworked 2021 Chevy Tahoe will hit the market in mid-2020 with the starting price from $50, 000.
2021 GMC Yukon
In a similar manner as previous GM’s large SUVs, the redesigned 2021 GMC Yukon comes much larger and with a significantly roomier cabin. The model employs also a reconfigured suspension for better ride quality while a newly available AT4 trim adds the off-road goodies. The 8-passenger SUV comes also with modern in-car technologies.
The new-generation Yukon sits on the GM’s full-size truck platform. The model has an additional 6.1 inches from bumper to bumper while riding on the 4.9-inches longer wheelbase. Combined with the new suspension setup, a larger footprint translates to significant cargo and passenger volume boost.
The new Yukon improves the total cargo capacity to 122.9 cubic feet which are 28.2 cubes uptick compared to the previous version. The cargo room behind the third row is now 25.5 cubes.
The Yukon Xl is also larger and more spacious but less radically than the standard wheelbase version. The long-wheelbase Yukon is just 0.9 inches longer and has 4.1 inches stretched wheelbase. The max cargo capacity is improved for 23 cubes and measuring 144.7 cubic feet. There are 41.1 cubes for the cargo behind the last row.
Cost, Availability:
The new 2021 GMC Yukon will start at about $55, 000 and goes on sale this summer.
2021 Ford Expedition
The 2021 Ford Expedition is another full-size, truck-based model that deserves a place in our list of 10 SUVs with massive cargo capacity. The model was all-new for the 2018 model year and should receive some upgrades for the next season but it will return with the same cargo and passenger capacity.
The Expedition comes with the standard and long-wheelbase and can tow up to 9, 000 pounds. The model provides plenty of space in all rows and comes with power-folding seats and reconfigurable cargo space.
The Max version delivers up to 121.5 cubic feet of cargo room behind the first row. There are 79.6 cubes behind the middle row or 36 cubic feet with all seats up. The standard-wheelbase Expedition offers a maximum cargo volume of 104.5 cubic feet. Behind the third row, this version has 20.9 cubic feet for the cargo.
Cost, Availability:
Despite it should receive some upgrades for the next season, the 2021 Ford Expedition should return similarly prized with the starting point at around $49, 000.
2021 Toyota Sequoia
The large Toyota Sequoia enters the new decade with the design that dates back to 2008 when the second generation of the model was initialized. The next Sequoia comes with the new Special Edition Nightshade trim while there won’t be substantial changes.
The 8-seater Sequoia is known for its reliability and resale and it comes also with standard Toyota Safety Sense-P suite of driver-assist systems. The model lacks refinement and sophistication present in newer models and its fuel economy is poor. However, thanks to the cavernous passenger and cargo volume it gets a place in the list of 10 SUVs with massive cargo capacity.
The Sequoia doesn’t have very comfortable seats like the newer rivals but provides massive cargo capacity. Buyers have up to 120.1 cubic feet for their cargo behind the first row. With the third row folded, the cargo volume is still massive, 67 cubic feet. With all seats functional, the Sequoia offers 19 cubic feet of room for cargo.
Cost, Availability:
The 2021 Toyota Sequoia will reach dealers later this year. The price range should again start in high 40,000s.
2021 VW Atlas
The 2021 VW Atlas is the three-row, mid-size SUV which deserves your attention if you have passenger and cargo capacity in the focus. The model comes in the refreshed form with updates on the front and rear fascia and with the mild changes inside the cabin. There is also a new traffic sign recognition while it returns with the familiar engine options.
When it comes to the cargo volume, the VW Atlas deserves a place on our list of 10 SUVs with massive cargo capacity with its class-leading 96.8 cubes for the cargo. Behind the third row, the Atlas provides 20.6 cubic feet of the cargo room. The mid-size VW SUV has also highly flexible seating and multiple compartments for small items.
The model returns with the turbocharged four-cylinder and V-6 engine options. The new model year, however, allows the all-wheel drive with the four-cylinder engine.
Cost, Availability:
The updated 2021 VW Atlas will reach dealers in the second quarter of the year. The price range starts from $31, 545.
2021 Subaru Ascent
The 2021 Subaru Ascent enters the new model year with no significant upgrades. The model was all-new for the 2019 model year and it is still fresh by the automobile standards. The Ascent comes with the standard all-wheel drive system and generous ground clearance. It also gets high scores for the interior quality and easy-to-use sound system. The Ascent is also equipped with a long list of standard driver-assist systems.
The Ascent rates also well when the cargo capacity is in the focus. The maximum cargo capacity with the second and third rows folded is 86 cubic feet. With all seats functional the cargo amount drops to 17.5 cubic feet.
The Ascent comes also with comfortable seating but the third row doesn’t deliver long-distance comfort.
Cost, Availability:
The 2021 Subaru Ascent should keep the price close to the current range. The 2020 Ascent is available from $31, 995. The model should hit the roads this summer.
2021 Hyundai Palisade
The Hyundai Palisade is another fresh, mid-size SUV and the brand’s replacement for the Hyundai Santa Fe XL. The Palisade provides plenty of space in all rows while delivering also plenty of standard and optional high-tech features. The standard V-6 engine manages also good towing.
The Palisade is adult-friendly in all three rows and there is also plenty of room for the cargo. Behind the third row, the Palisade has 21 cubic feet of the cargo volume. When the second and third rows are folded down the cargo capacity swells to 87 cubes. The Palisade offers also practical underfloor compartment. Available is also a load-leveling suspension.
The mid-size Hyundai SUV can seat up to eight and the third row comes with the well-shaped cushions.
Cost, Availability:
The 2021 Hyundai Palisade should again cost from about $32, 000. The model will arrive in the second part of the year.
2021 Kia Telluride
The 2021 Kia Telluride is another great all-around, three-row, mid-size SUV with massive cargo capacity. The model arrived all-new for the 2020 model year and it is first Kia of this kind. The Telluride shares the platform and engine with the Hyundai Palisade. The Telluride comes also with a long list of standard tech and safety goodies.
The Kia Telluride matches the maximum cargo capacity of the platform-mate Palisade. So, there are 87 cubes behind the last row while with the all seats up the cargo room is also identical to that of the Palisade.
The Telluride has also useful storage compartments including underfloor one. The seats are also well-shaped and supportive and the Telluride is also comfortable while riding.
Cost, Availability:
The 2021 Kia Telluride comes with minimal changes and in the same manner, its price should remain similar. The next Telluride will go on sale later this year.
2021 Toyota 4Runner
Another Toyota is on our list of 10 SUVs with massive cargo capacity and we are speaking about the 2021 Toyota 4Runner. This aging, off-road-ready SUV returns with no substantial upgrades. The next 4Runner will offer 4000 examples of the new Trail Edition version.
The 4Runner is another aging Toyota SUV that lacks sophistication and refitment of newer vehicles but it also provides great reliability and resale. It is also equipped with standard driver-assist tech and modern infotainment systems.
The 4Runner has just 9 cubes of the cargo space behind the third row but with the last row folded the cargo amount increases to 48 cubic feet. With the rear rows out of function, there are almost 90 cubes for the cargo.
Cost, Availability:
The 2021 Toyota 4Runner should cost from about $36, 000 when it goes on sale later in the year.
Conclusion:
We listed 10 SUVs with large and versatile cargo area but there is a growing number of both full-size and mid-size SUVs with massive cargo capacity worth considering. The brands continue the trend of bringing larger models with the new generation introduction and the same will be with the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Cadillac Escalade.
However, other models with a similar cargo capacity as those listed above should be examined including Volvo XC90, Honda Pilot, BMW X5, Ford Explorer, etc. The 2-row, mid-size SUVs with the cargo capacity around mid-70 cubic feet meet also demands of many buyers and should also be in the consideration list. There belong models such as the Hyundai Santa Fe, Subaru Outback, Honda Passport, etc.