What Midsize SUV Has the Most Cargo Space

If you are shopping for a midsize SUV and your top priority is cargo space, here are a few of the most competitive models of midsize SUVs on the market when it comes to how much they can carry.

The midsize SUVs that have the most cargo space are the Nissan Armada, the Volkswagen Atlas, the Buick Enclave, and the Honda Pilot. In general, midsize SUVs have a lot of cargo space and are capable of carrying surprisingly heavy loads for their size.

Here’s a little bit about each of these high-capacity vehicles and what kinds of loads they can carry.

Cargo Limits

Of all of the cars that make it risky to overload, SUVs are just about the worst. When it comes to sedans, overloading them can cause strain on the engine and bad gas mileage. SUVs, on the other hand, risk all of that and the possibility of rolling over. This comes from the fact that SUVs have higher centers of gravity than sedans do, meaning that if you overload them (especially on the roof of the car), sharp turns and unpredictable events could easily cause your car to roll over, risking the lives of everyone on board.

This issue is also especially pertinent to owners of SUVs because it is so much easier to overload an SUV than it is to overload a sedan. The increased length and size offer drivers many more places to put heavy materials, and SUVs are much more likely to use a top rack than other classes of cars. These top racks not only increase the risk of your vehicle tipping over but can also reduce your fuel efficiency by 25%. The further weight inside of the car can continue to decrease the miles that you get on every gallon.

Because of these problems, it is best to always follow the guidelines for how much weight your SUV can carry. The weight limit is usually found in both the car’s owner’s manual and somewhere on the car itself. It is usually found alongside the suggested tire inflation amount, as if a car is heavily loaded and the tires are insufficiently inflated, the tires will wear out and heat up extremely fast, increasing the risk of an accident.

Thankfully, car manufacturers are always improving the vehicles they make, raising the weight limits on cars every year. In fact, many SUVs come with internal electronic stabilizers to better balance out the weight on your car as you drive it. With the right car, you can get whatever you need to wherever you need it to be. Here are a couple of the best vehicles out there when it comes to cargo capacity.

Nissan Armada

The Nissan Armada is a great SUV for cargo, with a carrying capacity of at least 90 cubic feet (when the seats are down) and a weight limit of about 1,700 pounds. This car is a very capable hauler as well, with enough power and torque to be able to manage about 8,000 pounds of towed materials. The car seats up to 8 people in a comfortable cabin.

Though the Nissan Armada boasts a large cargo space while the seats are down, raising the seats lowers the space all the way down to a mere 16 cubic feet. If you are planning on going on a road trip with the seats all filled, you will want to bring a trailer to carry your belongings. The Nissan Armada’s powerful engine also only gets about 16 miles per gallon. If you need the cargo space and have few enough people to put down at least the last row of chairs, this could be the car for you.

Volkswagen Atlas

The Volkswagen Atlas has a similarly large carrying capacity, with its upper limit being around 96 cubic feet- enough space to carry about 6 cows. With the seats up, it performs a little bit better than the Nissan Armada, providing about 20 cubic feet of space. This makes the Atlas a roomy midsize SUV and a great option for families to ride in.

That being said, the Volkswagen Atlas has a less intimidating engine than the Nissan Armada. It has a weight limit of around 1,400 pounds (depending on the year) and only enough ability to manage 5,000 pounds of towed material. In exchange for the decreased limits, the Volkswagen Atlas can maintain about 22 miles per gallon. All around, it is a roomy car that can manage a good payload for its power.

Buick Enclave

With a slightly larger carrying capacity than the Volkswagen Atlas (97 cubic feet), the Buick Enclave is a great midsize SUV. It has a comfortable cabin and 24 cubic feet of space in the trunk when the seats are up. The Buick Enclave also comes with a floor cubby that holds an additional 3 cubic feet of cargo. It is comparable to the Volkswagen Atlas in its weight limits and towing capacity, with about 5,000 pounds of towing potential and 1,500 pounds of weight in and on the car.

All around, the Buick Enclave is a satisfying SUV, though it is a little pricier than other models of similar size. If you are planning on shopping for a used Buick Enclave, the 2012-2014 models are the most popular for their increased capabilities and new features. Whichever model you chose, you can expect to get about 23 miles per gallon.

Honda Pilot

To finish off our list of the midsize SUVs with the largest amount of cargo space, we have the Honda Pilot. While not able to carry quite as much as a large SUV, this vehicle can still handle up to 109 cubic feet of cargo with the seats down. The Honda Pilot takes advantage of the increased space to make the back row much roomier for passengers, comfortably seating adults.

The Honda Pilot reaches its weight limit at lower numbers than the previous models, however, with some models maxing out at just over 1,300 pounds, with only 3,500 pounds of towing capacity. However, the Honda Pilot makes up for this somewhat by offering about 25 miles per gallon. It’s a great car for passengers with space for anything.