In today’s new vehicle market, full-sized SUVs are like Swiss Army knives. They can haul passengers like a minivan, tow weekend toys like a pickup truck, and get you where you want to go with plenty of ground clearance and available all-wheel drive for typically harsh Canadian driving conditions.
Another critical advantage any SUV has over any pickup is the ability to protect your precious cargo, unlike the open bed of a truck. So if you’re a road-tripping pack rat, here are five new full-sized 2023 SUV models with the maximum available cargo space behind their front seats.
2023 Chevrolet Suburban/2023 GMC Yukon XL
Unsurprisingly, all five vehicles on our list are SUVs based on their full-size pickup truck siblings. And when you break out the measuring tapes, the General Motors’ Chevrolet Suburban and GMC Yukon XL three-row models offer the most interior cargo space of any new SUV for 2023.
With their second- and third-row seats folded down, you can fit up to 4,097 litres of stuff in these GM SUVs. Even when their cabins are stuffed with up to nine available passengers (the base trims offer an optional three-person bench seat for the front row), there’s still 1,175L of room behind the 60/40 split/folding third row of seats.
The large Chevy and GMC SUVs come standard with rear-wheel drive, available four-wheel drive, and a choice of a 355-horsepower eight-cylinder, a larger 420-hp V8, or a 277-hp turbocharged diesel inline-six.
The third in GM’s trio of full-size three-row SUVs is also the most luxurious. Similar to the Suburban and Yukon XL, the Cadillac Escalade ESV is the more extended version of the regular-length Escalade. But the big Caddy SUV distinguishes itself in many ways beyond its luxury trimmings.
Cadillac's official 4,044L figure shows that the Escalade ESV has less maximum interior cargo room than its Suburban and Yukon XL cousins. And Cadillac doesn't offer a third seat in the Escalade's front row, so it's limited to a maximum of seven or eight passengers, depending on whether you opt for second-row captain's chairs. At least the 1,175L of room behind the Caddy's third row of seats equals the Chevy and GMC.
The Cadillac SUV also differentiates itself in the powertrain department. Where the Chevy and GMC SUVs start with RWD, traction at all four wheels is standard in the Escalade ESV, as is GM’s larger V8, with the turbodiesel as an option. But the Escalade’s exclusive high-performance V-Series trim, with its 682-hp supercharged version of GM’s 6.2L V8, is for buyers who need to haul, and well, haul!
It may have shown up late for the full-size SUV party, but Jeep has jumped all-in for 2023 with the new Wagoneer. Based on the Ram 1500 full-size pickup truck’s ladder frame with independent rear suspension, also like its Detroit rivals, Jeep offers a regular Wagoneer and the elongated Wagoneer L. Unlike GM’s large models, though, the Wagoneer L only comes with one powertrain: a 420-hp twin-turbocharged six-cylinder engine with four-wheel drive.
Jeep has spent much effort ensuring the Wagoneer L's interior is a special place with high-class styling and superior levels of luxury, with room for up to eight passengers. The longer L version also excels if you need to bring a lot of gear on board. With the Jeep's second and third-row seats folded, there's up to 3,707L of cargo room. And when all the seats are in use, there's still 1,192L of cargo room — the roomiest of the five vehicles listed here.
2023 Chevrolet Tahoe/2023 GMC Yukon
If you need to pack a lot into your SUV, consider the Tahoe and Yukon as simply Mini-Me versions of their respective lengthened Suburban and Yukon XL siblings.
While there's "only" 3,480L of maximum cargo space behind the front seats, that's still more than the elongated Ford Expedition Max. And most buyers will be happy with the 722L of available room behind the Tahoe and Yukon's third row of seats.
These shorter Chevy and GMC full-size SUVs offer the same number of seats for up to nine passengers, powertrain options, and many of the same trims and features as their longer versions. And some buyers may appreciate the Tahoe and Yukon's shorter package that's easier to park and garage, plus lower starting prices.
Following our familiar theme, the Max is the elongated version of the regular-length Expedition full-size three-row SUV based on Ford’s perennially popular F-150 pickup truck.
Ford follows Jeep’s approach with its Wagoneer L by offering only one powertrain in the Expedition Max: a 380-hp twin-turbocharged V6 with 4WD standard. Seating for seven passengers is standard, with the option to add three-across seating in the second row to make room for eight.
If carrying as much cargo as possible is your priority, there’s a maximum of 3,441L of room when the Max’s second and third-row seats are not in use. With passengers seated in the third row, there’s a usable 1,019L of luggage space in Ford’s roomiest SUV.
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