Trunk size is one of the most practical measures of a sedan, yet the spread between models is wider than most shoppers expect. A few oddball entries give up the conventional shape and gain a great deal of volume, while the mainstream names bunch tightly together. Here are eleven midsize sedans, sorted from the biggest trunk to the smallest.
1. Volkswagen Arteon: Bigger Than Some SUVs
The Arteon holds 27.2 cubic feet with the seats up, which is more than some SUVs. It also sits 3.9 cubic feet above the next entry in the ranking.
Anyone who assumes a sedan trunk must be small should start the comparison here. Luggage space of this size removes most of the usual reasons to jump into a taller vehicle, though the rest of the list shows how unusual the Volkswagen is.
2. Kia Stinger: Hatchback in Disguise
Next on the table, the Stinger offers 23.3 cubic feet behind the hatchback-style tail. That is 3.9 cubic feet less than the Arteon but far above every conventional sedan below it.
The liftgate shape is a large part of the practical appeal, since bulky items can slide in without a trunk lid in the way. Drivers who want sporty looks without giving up hauling room will see why it stands apart from the traditional crowd.
3. Honda Accord: Conventional Champion
Among traditional sedans, the Accord claims 16.7 cubic feet, the biggest trunk of any conventional sedan here. The Arteon and Stinger beat it, but neither is built in the usual three-box shape.
For shoppers committed to a classic sedan body, this is the benchmark for loading luggage and gear. It stays ahead of the Passat by 0.8 cubic feet, a difference that suitcases will notice at the margin. That makes the Honda the safest answer for a buyer who wants the largest possible space without leaving the sedan category altogether.
4. Volkswagen Passat: Close Behind
The Passat registers 15.9 cubic feet of trunk space. It trails the Accord by 0.8 cubic feet and leads the Malibu by only 0.2.
Because the cluster behind the leader is so tight, family buyers can treat these cars as nearly equal when they pack for holidays. Anyone who wants maximum volume from a mainstream sedan should consider the Honda first, then weigh the Volkswagen as a strong alternative. The Volkswagen therefore sits comfortably in the upper half of the ranking without needing to win it.
5. Chevrolet Malibu: Last of Its Kind
The Malibu lists 15.7 cubic feet in Chevrolet’s last midsize sedan. That is 0.1 cubic feet more than the Sonata and K5, and only 0.2 behind the Passat.
The model’s place as the final midsize sedan from its maker gives a practical trunk some added context. Shoppers considering one can take comfort that the load space holds up well against sedans from rival brands. The three-car block it forms with the Sonata and K5 sits only a tenth of a cubic foot apart.
6. Hyundai Sonata: Korean Cousin One
Hyundai’s Sonata provides 15.6 cubic feet of cargo room. That puts it a hair behind the Malibu and exactly level with the Kia K5 beneath it.
The tie with its corporate sibling means trunk volume offers no reason to pick one over the other. Buyers deciding between the two can concentrate on styling, warranty terms and the nearest dealership instead of tape-measure arguments. With the Malibu leading by only 0.1 cubic feet, the three cars together form a block that is easy to treat as one tier for planning purposes.
7. Kia K5: Sonata’s Twin
Matching the Sonata exactly, the K5 delivers 15.6 cubic feet, tied with the sedan it shares bones with. The shared underpinnings help explain the identical number.
Anyone considering the pair should expect the same luggage experience in either, since the volume cannot separate them. Compared with the Altima just below, both hold 0.2 cubic feet more, a margin that is small yet consistent. That consistency between the two cars makes it simple to compare them on price and feel rather than on how much fits behind the rear seat.
8. Nissan Altima: Middle of the Pack
The Altima has 15.4 cubic feet in the trunk. It is 0.2 cubic feet shy of the Korean pair and 0.3 above the Camry and Legacy.
Sitting in the center of a tight table, the Nissan will be adequate for weekly shopping and road-trip bags alike. It offers no standout advantage in volume, so its case rests on other strengths, such as price and features. In everyday terms, such a result keeps it competitive with its neighbors on the list without leading or lagging by a meaningful margin.
9. Toyota Camry: Best-Seller Basics
America’s best-selling sedan, the Camry holds 15.1 cubic feet. That is 0.3 cubic feet less than the Altima and 1.6 less than the Accord’s class-best conventional figure.
Popularity here does not come from the biggest trunk, which suggests buyers weigh other qualities more heavily. Owners who rarely haul more than luggage will not feel the shortfall in daily use. Put another way, the sedan most people actually buy sits in the lower third of this ranking, and few owners seem bothered by that.
10. Subaru Legacy: Matching the Camry
Subaru’s Legacy reaches 15.1 cubic feet, matching the Camry exactly. The tie leaves both only 0.4 cubic feet above the smallest trunk in the group.
Shoppers drawn to the Subaru for other reasons can pick the Legacy without sacrificing space compared with the sales leader. Those who need maximum volume should still look higher up the list at the Honda or Volkswagen. The Legacy shares its place with the Camry, which makes the pair a handy reference point when comparing the bottom of the table.
11. Mazda6: Smallest in the Group
Closing the table, the Mazda6 posts 14.7 cubic feet, the smallest trunk of the group. The gap to the Accord is a full 2.0 cubic feet.
Drivers who value handling and style may accept that tradeoff, since the difference shows up mainly with bulky luggage. Anyone planning regular trips with strollers, golf bags or large coolers should favor the roomier names higher up. Owners with a light load profile will still find the space workable, and the number should be read as a ranking rather than a verdict.
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