Midsize SUVs are incredibly popular for families and individuals alike, offering a compelling blend of spaciousness and maneuverability. They provide more cargo room than compact SUVs and are easier to handle and more fuel-efficient than full-size behemoths. When considering a midsize SUV, cargo capacity is often a top priority. These vehicles bridge the gap, offering substantial storage without the bulk of larger SUVs.
Typically, midsize SUVs range from approximately 190 to 200 inches in length. While some larger models like the Chevy Traverse might be considered, our focus here is on true midsize contenders that maximize cargo space within this defined segment. Interestingly, the leaders in cargo volume aren’t always who you might expect. Forget the usual suspects; the top performers come from a diverse mix of brands. Let’s explore the ten 2019 midsize SUVs that offer the most impressive cargo space.
2019 GMC Acadia: Setting the Standard
The 2019 GMC Acadia serves as a solid starting point when evaluating midsize SUVs for cargo capacity. This three-row SUV provides a functional 12.8 cubic feet of space behind the third row, expanding to 41.7 cubic feet when the third row is folded, and a maximum of 79 cubic feet with both rear rows down. GMC enhances the Acadia’s practicality with available “Professional Grade” features such as a hands-free power liftgate and various cargo management accessories. It’s worth noting, however, that the smaller, two-row 2019 GMC Terrain surprisingly offers slightly more cargo space than the Acadia. Despite this, the Acadia counters with benefits like a standard Wi-Fi hotspot and optional leather heated and ventilated seats, catering to both utility and comfort.
2019 Nissan Pathfinder: Slightly More Space
Moving up in our ranking of midsize SUVs with the most cargo space, we encounter the 2019 Nissan Pathfinder. Slightly larger than the GMC Acadia, the three-row Pathfinder boasts a maximum cargo capacity of 79.5 cubic feet with all seats folded. With the third row folded, you get 47.4 cubic feet, and with all rows in use, there’s still a respectable 16.2 cubic feet of space. Nissan also includes a motion-activated liftgate for convenient, hands-free access to the cargo area. Safety is also a priority, with standard automatic emergency braking contributing to the Pathfinder’s IIHS Top Safety Pick rating.
2019 Hyundai Santa Fe XL: Cargo Capacity in its Name
The 2019 Hyundai Santa Fe XL lives up to its “XL” designation as another midsize SUV with substantial cargo space. Hyundai’s largest SUV in 2019, the three-row Santa Fe XL, offers up to 80 cubic feet of rear storage when both the second and third rows are folded. Folding down just the third row provides 40.9 cubic feet, while keeping all seats upright still allows for 13.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity. Like many competitors, the Santa Fe XL offers an optional hands-free liftgate for easier loading. Standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, along with optional climate-controlled leather seats, add to its appeal.
2019 Ford Explorer: A Long-Standing Favorite
While a redesigned 2020 model was on the horizon, the 2019 Ford Explorer remained a strong contender, partly due to its impressive cargo space. In its standard configuration, with all seats in place, the Explorer provides a generous 21 cubic feet of rear storage. Folding the third row expands this to 43.9 cubic feet, and maximizing cargo space by folding both rear rows yields 81.7 cubic feet. Ford enhances the Explorer’s usability with both a hands-free liftgate and a power-folding third-row seat.
2019 Toyota Highlander: Hybrid Efficiency with Cargo Space
The 2019 Toyota Highlander distinguishes itself in the midsize SUV segment, particularly with its available hybrid powertrain. The Highlander Hybrid achieves impressive fuel economy ratings of up to 30 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 29 mpg combined, while maintaining excellent cargo capacity. Clever design ensures that the hybrid version doesn’t compromise on storage, offering the same cargo volume as its gasoline-only counterparts. This includes 13.8 cubic feet behind the third row, 42.7 cubic feet behind the second row, and a maximum of 83.7 cubic feet with both rear rows folded.
2019 Honda Pilot: Safety and Spaciousness Combined
For those prioritizing both cargo space and standard safety features in a midsize SUV, the 2019 Honda Pilot is a compelling option. Refreshed for 2019, the Pilot includes the Honda Sensing suite as standard equipment, encompassing automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Pilot’s roomy cabin remains a key strength, offering up to 83.9 cubic feet of maximum cargo space. Even with passengers in the second and third rows, 16.5 cubic feet of storage remains. In a two-row configuration, the Pilot offers a generous 46.8 cubic feet of cargo capacity.
2019 Subaru Ascent: Subaru’s Largest with Ample Cargo
The 2019 Subaru Ascent, Subaru’s largest vehicle to date, ranks high among midsize SUVs for cargo space. Measuring 196.8 inches in length, the Ascent provides up to 86.5 cubic feet of total storage. With the second row in use, cargo space is 47.5 cubic feet, and with both rear rows occupied, it still offers 17.8 cubic feet. To optimize visibility when the cargo area is full, the Ascent offers an available Smart Rear View Mirror, using a rear-facing camera to provide a clear view behind the vehicle, regardless of interior cargo obstructions.
2019 Volkswagen Atlas: Leading the Three-Row Pack
The 2019 Volkswagen Atlas takes the lead among three-row midsize SUVs in terms of cargo space. It not only boasts the highest overall cargo capacity at 96.8 cubic feet but also offers the most space behind the second row, with 55.5 cubic feet. Even with all seats in use, the Atlas provides 20.6 cubic feet of cargo room, surpassed only by the Ford Explorer in this specific configuration among the listed SUVs. Beyond cargo capacity, the Atlas includes standard features like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Available options include automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a premium Fender audio system.
2019 Ford Edge: Top Two-Row Midsize Cargo Volume
After exploring the three-row leaders, it’s important to consider two-row midsize SUVs, and the 2019 Ford Edge stands out in this category. Slightly shorter than the three-row options, the Edge still delivers superior cargo capacity compared to other two-row midsize SUVs like the Chevy Blazer, Nissan Murano, and Jeep Grand Cherokee. Specifically, the Edge offers 39.2 cubic feet of storage behind the second row and expands to 73.4 cubic feet with the second row folded flat.
2019 Honda Passport: King of Two-Row Cargo
The all-new 2019 Honda Passport reigns supreme among two-row midsize SUVs for cargo space. Remarkably, the Passport nearly matches the total storage capacity (77.9 cubic feet) of the smallest three-row SUVs on this list. Honda states this is “enough to accommodate mountain bikes or a week’s worth of camping gear.” With the rear seats in use, the Passport still offers a substantial 41.2 cubic feet of cargo capacity. Beyond space, the Passport also offers impressive power, sharing the same 280-hp V6 engine as the larger Honda Pilot, providing a significant power upgrade over the smaller Honda CR-V.
