The subcompact crossover and SUV segment has 19 entries, 32 if you include luxury models. This big segment of small vehicles is all about affordability and practicality, with a little utility and adventure sprinkled on top. Many of the cars these crossovers are based on have gone extinct, making the liftgate the new trunk. We've already ranked this popular segment based on overall performance and price, but now we're looking at how much stuff can you shove into one of these little guys.
It's reasonably easy to visualize a cubic foot, the unit by which cargo volume is measured across all segments. But when the Kia Soul advertises 62 cubic feet of cargo volume, you might be saying to yourself, "Ah yes, 62. That is . . . a number." That's where our carry-on suitcase measurement comes in handy. People don't put cubic feet in their crossover, they put luggage, groceries, furniture, a bike, the dog, and, in some extreme situations, children. (Don't do that, people.) It's easier to illustrate these cargo spaces with a roller bag, which is roughly 3.5 cubic feet.
We rank each vehicle by how many of those carry-on bags they can hold with all seats folded. We've also included the total cargo volume in cubic feet with the rear seats folded and in use. We've used the rear cargo area with the seats in use as the tiebreaker because every vehicle on this list holds at least 18 carry-ons. Click through for the results (and to see where larger crossovers rank, click here):
More New SUVs Ranked from Worst to Best:
Compact | Mid-Size | Full-Size | 3-Row