Family Cars With Massive Trunks

If you're in the market for a motor with a big trunk, these are your best options.

Trunk space. It’s something most buyers won't use on a daily basis, but like to know they have when the need arises. These days when it comes to getting maximum cargo/trunk space for the money crossovers are the most popular choices. The all-American family car used to be a mid-size sedan, but not anymore. Although traditional sedan sales are declining, this alone does not make them poor choices as they still offer everything a family needs – including ample trunk space. While some offer more space than others, we did some digging and found great sedans with starting prices under $30,000 that come with trunk space galore.

If you’re in the market for a new set of wheels for your family and are not impressed by crossovers (because they’re just jacked up sedans with SUV-styled bodies anyway) and prefer a sedan with a serious trunk, then this list is for you. The following sedans are in descending order according to trunk size in cubic feet.

Ford Taurus - 20 cubic feet

Ah yes, the one and only Ford Taurus. It permanently altered traditional sedan design when it debuted way back in 1985 with its then-futuristic styling. The Taurus was successful for several years until the early 2000s when Ford gave up on it in favor of the Fusion. Briefly discontinued for a time in favor the larger 500, the Taurus nameplate returned for 2008 and the latest generation launched for 2010. Needless to say, the Taurus will soon be killed off, permanently this time. As a result, buyers can benefit from some great deals. And yes, the Taurus tops this list with its massive trunk, a total of 20 cubic feet (that's more than a BMW 5 Series).

With a starting price of $27,800, the 2019 Ford Taurus, despite its age, remains a solid sedan with more than enough trunk space for most.

Chevrolet Impala - 18.8 cubic feet

Currently in its tenth generation, the Chevrolet Impala may also be living on borrowed time, though the automaker has yet to make anything official. So for now, you can buy a brand new Impala for as little as $28,020 with a trunk measuring 18.8 cubic feet. Although the Impala is a tad more expensive than the Taurus and its trunk is slightly smaller, it is a much newer vehicle.

Launched for 2014, the Impala has consistently earned high scores from the likes of Consumer Reports (95 out of 100 possible points) in all areas such as safety, design, fuel economy and general interior roominess. And yes, its trunk provides plenty of space for just about everything you’ll need for a family vacation. Or, alternatively, the trunk can easily swallow a couple of golf bags and even a cooler for your post-game beverages.

Volkswagen Passat - 17 cubic feet

What’s interesting about the current generation Volkswagen Passat is that it was designed specifically for the US. The Passat sold in Europe is a bit smaller and more expensive. VW realized that Americans’ sedans tastes were simply different than those of their overseas consumer counterparts. The current Passat hit the US market for 2011 and has continued to be updated throughout its lifetime. Supposedly, a redesign is due to arrive sometime next year as a 2020 model. In the meantime, you can buy a brand new Passat starting at $26,295 with a trunk size of 17 cubic feet.

So what if the Passat’s styling inside and out is bland? The fact remains this is a great choice, winning Motor Trend’s prestigious Car of the Year award in 2012, no less.

Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger- 16.3/16.5 cubic feet

Both the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger debuted back in 2011 and, despite their age, remain on sale. FCA has remained murky on details regarding their respective future production status, but each offers a big trunk (16.3 cubic feet and 16.5 cubic feet, 300 and Charger, respectively) and a base price of $28,995. Not bad. On top of that, both have standard rear-wheel-drive, with optional all-wheel drive.

Even without the optional V8s, the standard 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 for both has an impressive output of 292 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. A pair of big RWD, V6-powered sedans with more trunk space than a new Audi A8 (only 14.2 cubic feet) starting under $30k? Can’t beat that.

Ford Fusion - 16 cubic feet

Want a Ford and can’t quite afford the Taurus’ higher sticker price? Look no further than the Fusion. Like the Taurus, Focus and Fiesta, the Fusion has a date with the slaughterhouse in the very near future. Which is probably why Ford is currently offering some solid deals on new Fusions these days – and that’s on top of its already decent $22,840 base price. Believe it or not, its trunk is also quite big for a mid-size sedan, measuring at 16 cubic feet.

When it debuted back in 2013, the current second generation Fusion represented a huge leap forward for mid-size family sedan styling – just like the original Taurus did nearly three decades prior. Ford has done regular styling and package updates since the Fusion’s launch, meaning at this point in its life cycle it really can’t get much better. This design has been perfected inside and out.

Kia Optima - 15.9 cubic feet

It wasn’t until the third generation Optima, launched in 2010, that anyone considered Kia’s mid-size sedan to have a sporty design. Gone were the days of bland and very basic styling for something you’d be happy to be seen in. The current generation Optima arrived for 2015 and continues to be a real looker. On top of that, it also comes with a 15.9 cubic foot trunk. Base price: $22,500.

However – and this is important to know – the Optima Hybrid and Optima Plug-in Hybrid suffer from one major disadvantage over its gasoline-engined counterpart: smaller trunks. Those batteries for the hybrid systems have to go somewhere. As a result, the Optima Hybrid’s trunk comes to 13.4 cubic feet while the Plug-in Hybrid’s is even smaller at just 9.9 cubic feet. It’s the price one has to pay for better fuel economy.

Honda Accord - 15.8 cubic feet

It’s hard to beat the Honda Accord. Period. In any category. That’s because Honda has designed, what’s for many, the perfect mid-size family sedan that’s also fun to drive. Currently in its tenth generation, the 2019 Honda Accord starts off at a very respectable $23,570. The base Accord LX is powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-four with 192 hp and 190 lb-ft of torque and it can be paired to a CVT or even (yes!) a six-speed manual. Bless you, Honda.

What’s more, the base Accord (and all non-hybrid Accords) have a trunk measuring in at 15.8 cubic feet. That’s only slightly larger than the Accord EX-L and Touring (both hybrids) 15.3 cubic foot trunk. No big deal but again, batteries. Is there anything the Honda Accord doesn’t do well?

Chevrolet Malibu - 15.8 cubic feet

Sleeker and larger than ever, the refreshed 2019 Chevrolet Malibu appears to be safe from the industry-wide sedan sales decline, for the time being. Starting at $22,500, the Malibu is not only bigger than its predecessor, but is lighter as well. Chevrolet designers and engineers somehow managed to create a 15.8 cubic foot trunk – exactly the same size as the Accord’s. The Malibu is also slightly cheaper than the Honda, but we really don’t see that as its strongest selling point.

What attracts buyers to the Malibu is its overall family friendliness. These buyers aren’t necessarily looking for a sport(y) sedan, but rather a comfortable cruiser that will meet their needs. The base engine is a 1.5-liter turbo four-cylinder now paired exclusively with a CVT. If you want a Chevrolet sedan with a big trunk and the Impala’s price of entry is too steep, the answer could not be clearer.

Toyota Camry - 15.1 cubic feet

What would a list of sedans be without the Toyota Camry? The eighth-generation Camry, launched for 2017, is without question the best-looking and sportiest to drive Camry ever. Even Mazda benchmarked it instead of the BMW 3 Series. With a starting price of $23,845, the Camry L has a 14.1 cubic foot trunk. However, the Camry LE ($24,350) increases that figure up to 15.1 cubic feet. Yes, this is slightly smaller than long-time rival Accord, but most owners likely won’t even notice the difference. Plus, this is the Toyota Camry we’re talking about here, one of the most reliable and best-selling vehicles in America of all time.

Although it has a plain vanilla reputation, the 2019 Camry is a genuine improvement over all of its predecessors. For the first time ever, Accord owners might even want to consider switching sides.

Buick LaCrosse - 15 cubic feet

Okay, so this is interesting. The 2019 Buick LaCrosse now rides on a smaller platform than that of its immediate predecessor. The previous LaCrosse and current Chevrolet Impala both shared a platform, but today’s LaCrosse uses the same platform as the current Chevy Malibu. Therefore, its trunk, measuring in at 15 cubic feet, is now smaller than the Impala’s. In fact, it’s even smaller than the Malibu’s.

That’s the price one has to pay for sleeker, more curvaceous styling. However, the Buick LaCrosse is classified as a premium luxury sedan, and therefore has certain perks. Put it like this: it fits in better at a country club parking lot than either a Malibu or Impala. Not surprisingly, its $29,570 base price is slightly more than that of the larger Impala, but only by $1,550.

Hyundai Sonata - 13.3 cubic feet

Last but not least is the Hyundai Sonata. Like its Kia Optima corporate cousin, the Sonata suddenly became a looker for its sixth-generation redesign back in 2010. Today’s seventh-generation Sonata remains a solid mid-size family sedan with a reasonable base price of around $22,000. Trunk size? Well, it’s smaller than the rest, measuring at 13.3 cubic feet. Then again, if the new Audi A8 has a 14.2 cubic foot trunk, then the Sonata has nothing to be ashamed about. However, if you want the new Sonata plug-in hybrid, the trunk decreases to only 9.9 cubic feet.

The Sonata continues to be a hot seller for the Korean automaker, but again, its crossover lineup is bringing in new and returning customers in droves. But chances are the Sonata, unlike the Ford Fusion, is safe from slaughter.