"Many Buyers are Hesitant to Purchase a Minivan Because It Screams "Soccer Mom," But Consumer Reports Notes That SUVs of Today Are Designed with Increased Cargo Space

Do you want to know just how much cargo room space today's SUVs carry during vehicle comparison shopping? Here's an update to the practical storage numbers car shoppers need to know in 10 SUV and Minivan models.

Posted: June 29, 2025 - 10:04AM
Author: Timothy Boyer

Roomy Cargo Interior Car Recommendations

Has needing that few extra cubic inches of usable storage space become a barrier to you, necessitating the purchase of a minivan when what you really want is an SUV? Analysts at Consumer Reports recently noted that a minivan may not be as necessary today as it was in the past: “…many buyers are hesitant to purchase a minivan because it screams “soccer mom” to them, there’s no denying that these do-it-all vehicles provide abundant cargo room.”

The midsized and large SUVs of today offer plenty of cargo room as well, and without the compromises of past versions, such as seats that fold on top of—rather than into—the floor, or tall liftovers that make it challenging to get your stuff up and into the cargo bay.”

CR analysts also noted that not only can an SUV today have minivan-comparable cargo space but that there is the towing benefit of an SUV over a minivan:

SUVs often have a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds or more. Minivans top out at 3,500 pounds...if, they're even rated to tow."

The Need for More Space in Your Vehicle

Whether it is car-pooling kids to their activities, getting ready for a weekend bike, camping, or ski trip, fitting in all those home repair items in your car, or even 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 car buying decision.

Unfortunately, however, storage space numbers provided by car manufacturers do not always accurately reflect the actual, i.e., "practical" space you need to know to meet your cargo transport needs

To help consumers sort through all the marketing claims on vehicle cargo space, CR analysts have recently updated the usable cargo space in several models of SUVs and minivans that consumers will want to know a vehicle possesses.

Cargo space measurements in SUVs and minivans are modeled using an "expanding pipe-frame box" in which the consumer can visually 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 and that the rear hatch or door can be closed afterward.

These roomy and versatile models are available with flexible cargo areas and various seating configurations ―Consumer Reports June 24, 2025

Cargo Space in Wagons, SUVs, and Minivans

Based on their testing process, CR analysts identified the 10 minivans and SUVs with the most usable cargo room and are ranked in order of cubic feet of cargo room with both rows folded down.

#1. Kia Carnival 2025 (72 cubic feet of cargo room available)

Price Range: $36,800 - $50,900

CR MPG: Overall 21 / City 13 / Hwy 32 mpg

#2 of 8 Minivans 3-row

#2. Honda Odyssey 2025 (71 cubic feet of cargo room available)

Price Range: $42,220 - $51,180

CR MPG: Overall 22 / City 14 / Hwy 33 mpg

#3 of 8 Minivans 3-row

#3. Chevrolet Suburban 2025 (70 cubic feet of cargo room available)

Price Range: $62,000 - $84,700

CR MPG: Overall 16 / City 11 / Hwy 22 mpg

#1 of 8 Large SUVs

#4. Chrysler Pacifica 2025 (66 cubic feet of cargo room available)

Price Range: 42,450 - $59,785

CR MPG: Overall 21 / City 13 / Hwy 33 mpg

#5 of 8 Minivans 3-row

#5. Jeep Wagoneer 2025 (63 cubic feet of cargo room available)

Price Range: $59,945 - $76,945

CR MPG: Overall 18 / City 11 / Hwy 26 mpg

#4 of 8 Large SUVs

#6. Chevrolet Tahoe 2025 (58 cubic feet of cargo room available)

Price Range: $53,000 - $81,700

CR MPG: Overall 17 / City 11 / Hwy 24 mpg

#5 of 8 Large SUVs

#7. Chevrolet Traverse 2025 (52.5 cubic feet of cargo room available)

Price Range: $40,700 - $56,100

CR MPG: Overall 20 / City 14 / Hwy 28 mpg

#10 of 23 Midsized SUVs 3-row

#8. Volkswagen Atlas 2025 (52.5 cubic feet of cargo room available)

Price Range: $38,200 - $53,205

CR MPG: Overall 20 / City 13 / Hwy 29 mpg

#19 of 23 Midsized SUVs 3-row

#9. Buick Enclave 2025 (52.5 cubic feet of cargo room available)

Price Range: $45,100 - $58,200

CR MPG and overall rating not available yet

#10. Lexus TX 2025 (49 cubic feet of cargo room available)

Price Range: $55,140 - $77,210

CR MPG: Overall 21 / City 14 / Hwy 29 mpg

#4 of 18 Luxury SUVs 3-row

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 are negligible compared to seeking the latest information to aid your car-buying research.

For additional Consumer Reports recommendations, here are three recent related articles for your consideration:

COMING UP NEXT: Consumer Reports' Best Used Car Recommendations for July 2025

Timothy Boyer is an automotive reporter based in Cincinnati who currently researches and restores older vehicles with engine modifications for improved performance. He also reports on modern cars (including EVs) with a focus on DIY mechanics, buying and using tools, and other related topical automotive repair news. Follow Tim on Twitter at @TimBoyerWrites as well as on Facebook and his automotive blog "Zen and the Art of DIY Car Repair" for useful daily news and topics related to new and used cars and trucks.

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