Comparing Electric SUV Cargo Space Capacity

08/02/2023 / Gail Alfar

Whether you're planning your next big road trip or just need room for the weekly groceries, the cargo space of your vehicle plays a pivotal role. In this blog post, we're exploring the electric SUV models available in 2023, answering the question, “Which electric SUV has the most cargo space?”  and helping you make the most informed choice for your lifestyle.

I've been enjoying the bliss of living in Austin, Texas, for over a decade now. The home I purchased back then sits on an exceptionally large property, boasting lots of trees and enough work to keep anyone busy. For this reason, even though I already own one electric car, I reserved a Tesla Cybertruck on the day it was unveiled in November 2019. 

The Cybertruck is designed to feature plenty of cargo capacity. I’m looking forward to that, but in the meantime, I own a Tesla Model Y. I have been pleasantly surprised at how much room is available in the vehicle, with 76.2 cubic ft of cargo capacity.

I recently picked up over 20 large bags of mulch at the hardware store, and I think I could have fit more. It’s incredibly important to have enough space to fit your lifestyle, so here’s a comparison of the amount of cargo space in the most common electric vehicles.

Electric SUVs and Their Cargo Space

2023 Tesla Model X

The Model X is known for its falcon-wing doors, giving passengers an easy entry and exit to the vehicle. It also has the largest cargo space with 85.1 cubic feet when the 2nd-row seats are folded. The front trunk, or “frunk”, offers 6.5 cubic feet of additional space.  

The grand total cargo space is an impressive 91.6 cubic feet.

The X makes it easy to enjoy road trips and family vacations, offering enough room to bring along extra luggage for everyone in the vehicle.

2023 Tesla Model Y

As an owner of the 5-seater Model Y, I recently found that I could stash all my groceries from Costco in the front storage compartment, which has 4.1 cubic feet of space. When I buy cold items, I stash those in the specially designed back pocket areas of the trunk, which happen to fit milk gallon jugs perfectly.  With the rear two seats folded, the vehicle has an incredible 72.1 cubic feet of cargo space

The Y (as with all Tesla vehicles) features a "Dog Mode," and its versatile cargo space facilitates the transportation of your pets by providing ample space for carriers, crates, or pet accessories. Tesla also offers a Pet Liner for the Model Y, which protects the seats and doors while keeping your dog comfortable!

2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E

I discovered a video on the Ford website that clearly explains how to access all the carrying capacity in this SUV. The front trunk has 4.7 cubic feet of cargo space and the rear has 59.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded flat. The video explains the best way to access the cargo space, including explaining how to pull the load floor up and out and adjust it down to maximize storage space. 

The Mach-E features a divided front trunk, making it easy to organize and store groceries, shopping bags, or emergency items. This clever design helps to maintain a clean and clutter-free interior. 

2023 Volkswagen ID.4

With the second row folded down, the electric Volkswagen ID.4 has 64.2 cubic feet of space to hold your stuff. Like Tesla, the ID.4 is also manufactured in the USA. Volkswagen's EV manufacturing plant is in Chattanooga, Tennessee. As with all EVs, you can apply for a Volkswagen ID.4 lease with Xcelerate. 

2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5

This electric SUV offers 59.3 cubic feet with the rear seats down and an added 0.85 cubic feet in the front trunk for a total of 60.2 cubic feet of storage capacity. 

An informative video of the Ioniq explains the safety system and gives a good overview of the advantages of an EV over a traditional gasoline car. 

Compare Cargo Space in all 2023 Electric SUVs on the Market

To provide a comprehensive comparison, I have provided a chart featuring the cargo space of all the vehicles discussed above, including the Chevrolet Bolt EUV, Audi e-Tron, Jaguar I-Pace, Audi e-tron Sportback, Kia Niro EV, Volvo XC40 Recharge, and Hyundai Kona Electric. Note the added storage space behind the second row when the seats are not folded.

electric suv cargo space comparison table

My Experience Traveling with My Big Family in an EV SUV

When my kids were younger, my husband and I took them on road trips. While our Honda Odyssey Minivan had ample storage capacity, with all five kids on board, we were left with only about 35 cubic ft. This meant we had to be creative with packing. Despite this, our trips were blissful, filled with sweet memories. I hope you, too, create wonderful memories and have safe adventures in whatever electric car you choose to purchase!

Each of these electric SUVs offers unique features, range, performance, and cargo spaces to cater to diverse needs. So whether you're looking for an adventure-ready vehicle or a family-friendly option, 2023's line-up of electric SUVs promises something for everyone. Remember, your journey on the road is not just about the destination, but also about how comfortably and efficiently you can get there - and these electric SUVs are here to ensure just that.

Gail Alfar

Gail is an independent writer who created the publication “Whats Up Tesla” Her writing focuses on increasing knowledge among people on the details of humanity’s path towards a sustainable energy future for all. Her dedication and passion is powered by her motivation to reach out to people from all walks of life, from all backgrounds, and share her enthusiasm for electric vehicles, solar energy, battery storage, and autonomous driving software.