How Much Can the Chevy Suburban Hold?
The Chevrolet Suburban, along with its counterparts, the GMC Yukon XL and Cadillac Escalade ESV, has garnered a significant amount of interest regarding its cargo space. Despite my initial assumption that the Suburban’s cargo area would be more than sufficient, I decided to indulge the curiosity of many and conduct a luggage test.
To provide some context, Chevrolet states that the Suburban offers 41.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row. This volume seems accurate upon inspection. For reference, the largest load I’ve managed to fit in a three-row vehicle was in a Honda Odyssey, which provides 32.8 cubic feet of space. However, it’s worth noting that no one has requested a luggage test for minivans since that particular test.
Curiosity drove me to lift up the Suburban’s floor to see if any underfloor storage was available. To my surprise, there was some space, but the hinges prevented it from being utilized effectively. Although it was an interesting feature, it wouldn’t impact the luggage test.
Now, let’s move on to the suitcases themselves. As with every luggage test, I included two midsize roller suitcases for checked baggage at the airport, two black roll-aboard suitcases for overhead compartments on airplanes, one smaller green roll-aboard suitcase, and my wife’s stylish overnight bag.
Unsurprisingly, all of these items fit easily in the Suburban’s cargo area, with even more space left over than anticipated. The Suburban’s capacity far exceeded what compact SUVs like the Kia Sportage and Toyota RAV4 could manage, even when including an additional 38-quart Coleman cooler and possibly a duffle bag.
To demonstrate the available space further, I used Photoshop to clone my three roll-aboard suitcases. By placing a second set of identical bags within the cargo area, it became apparent that there was still ample room. In total, the Suburban can accommodate two midsize roller suitcases, four black roll-aboard suitcases, two smaller green roll-aboard suitcases, my wife’s overnight bag, and the 38-quart Coleman cooler.
With the capability to hold eight suitcases for seven individuals, along with an overnight bag and a cooler, the Suburban proves to be more than capable of handling travel needs. Comparatively, the Chevy Tahoe, a sibling of the Suburban, offers 25.5 cubic feet of space behind its third row. Although it falls slightly short of the Suburban’s capacity, it can comfortably manage everything except the stylish overnight bag. The Jeep Wagoneer, on the other hand, outperforms both vehicles in this segment.
Ultimately, if you frequently utilize the third row of seats, the Suburban is an ideal choice. The only reason to select a Tahoe over a Suburban would be limited garage or driveway space. Given the marginal price difference of $3,000 between the two vehicles, opting for the larger Suburban seems like a logical decision.
In conclusion, the Chevrolet Suburban offers an impressive cargo capacity that can effortlessly accommodate all your travel needs.