Electric Cars

Toyota's extensive 2026 SUV lineup offers a diverse range of vehicles, each designed to cater to varying consumer demands. A critical factor for many buyers is cargo capacity, directly impacting an SUV's versatility and practicality. This guide meticulously evaluates all nine Toyota SUV models available in the American market, ranking them based on their trunk space behind the second row. This standardized comparison helps illustrate which models offer superior utility for carrying luggage, groceries, or adventure gear, ensuring that families and individuals can select an SUV that perfectly aligns with their lifestyle and needs. The ranking reveals a spectrum of cargo solutions, from compact urban-friendly options to large, family-focused vehicles, alongside insights into their performance characteristics and seating flexibility.

Analyzing Toyota's SUV Cargo Capabilities

Toyota's diverse 2026 SUV lineup, spanning nine distinct models in the American market, offers a wide range of choices for consumers. A crucial consideration for many prospective buyers is cargo capacity, as it directly influences an SUV's practicality and versatility. This comprehensive ranking assesses each model based on the trunk space available behind the second row, providing a clear comparison for families and adventurers alike. The evaluation highlights how different models, from the compact Corolla Cross to the expansive Grand Highlander, balance storage with other attributes like luxury features, powertrain options, and off-road prowess. Understanding these variations is key to selecting a Toyota SUV that truly meets individual needs for space and functionality.

When examining Toyota's 2026 SUV offerings, the spectrum of cargo capacities becomes a defining characteristic. The smallest, the Corolla Cross, provides a respectable 24 cubic feet, suitable for urban families, while its hybrid and AWD variants see a slight reduction. Moving up, the Crown Signia, despite being a mid-size SUV, focuses more on luxury and efficiency, offering 25.8 cubic feet, slightly less with a panoramic roof. The bZ, Toyota's electric crossover, previously known as the bZ4X, offers 27.7 cubic feet, which reduces with an optional sound system, yet boasts significant powertrain upgrades and improved range. The popular RAV4, now exclusively hybrid, maintains a strong 37.8 cubic feet, while its PHEV version has a slightly smaller trunk. The Land Cruiser, a body-on-frame SUV, provides a generous 46.2 cubic feet for adventure enthusiasts. The Highlander, a three-row crossover, surprises with 48.4 cubic feet, slightly more than the Land Cruiser, but its third row is less spacious. Matching the Highlander in second-row cargo, the 4Runner, another body-on-frame vehicle, offers 48.4 cubic feet, with more overall space when seats are folded and diverse 4x4 options. Finally, the Sequoia, Toyota’s largest SUV, features 49 cubic feet behind the second row, accommodating up to eight people, though its third row also has limited space. The Grand Highlander leads the pack with an impressive 57.9 cubic feet, offering superior comfort for all three rows and multiple powerful hybrid options, making it the most family-friendly choice with abundant space and convenience features.

Choosing the Ideal Toyota SUV for Your Lifestyle

Selecting the perfect Toyota SUV hinges on understanding how each model's cargo space and overall design align with specific lifestyle requirements. This detailed overview of the 2026 Toyota SUV lineup, ranked by their cargo capacity behind the second row, empowers buyers to make an informed decision. Whether prioritizing urban maneuverability, luxurious comfort, electric efficiency, rugged off-road capability, or maximum family-hauling potential, Toyota offers an SUV to fit. The analysis of each model’s unique blend of features—from engine performance and hybrid options to seating comfort and interior amenities—underscores the importance of cargo volume as a key differentiator. This guide serves as an invaluable resource for navigating Toyota's diverse SUV portfolio and identifying the vehicle that best supports an individual’s or family’s needs for utility and performance.

The range of 2026 Toyota SUVs offers a compelling selection for various needs, with cargo space playing a pivotal role in their appeal. The Corolla Cross, while the most compact, serves as an excellent entry point for those seeking more utility than a sedan, with 24 cubic feet of space, and its hybrid variants providing enhanced power despite a slight cargo reduction. The Crown Signia distinguishes itself with a focus on refined aesthetics and hybrid efficiency, offering 25.8 cubic feet for those who value style over sheer volume. Toyota's electric bZ, a reimagined version of the bZ4X, provides 27.7 cubic feet (or 25.8 with premium audio), coupled with significant boosts in power and range, appealing to environmentally conscious drivers. The perennially popular RAV4, now an all-hybrid lineup, boasts a substantial 37.8 cubic feet, reaffirming its status as a versatile compact SUV, though its PHEV model sees a slight decrease. For the adventurous, the Land Cruiser delivers a robust 46.2 cubic feet, blending off-road capability with ample storage, though it's now a two-row model. The Highlander and 4Runner both offer 48.4 cubic feet behind the second row, with the 4Runner excelling in overall usable space when seats are folded and providing superior off-road credentials. Finally, for those needing the utmost in space and comfort, the Sequoia, despite its large size, offers 49 cubic feet behind the second row, powered by a potent hybrid V6. However, it's the Grand Highlander that truly stands out with a class-leading 57.9 cubic feet, coupled with spacious seating for all passengers and a choice of three powerful powertrains, positioning it as Toyota's ultimate family-friendly SUV solution.

BMW has recently gifted Pope Leo XIV a cutting-edge iX xDrive60 M Sport electric SUV, integrating a luxurious and powerful zero-emission vehicle into the Vatican's official transport fleet. This significant donation not only underscores BMW's dedication to advancing electric vehicle technology but also aligns with the Pope's public commitment to environmental stewardship and climate protection. The iX, a high-performance electric SUV, is intended for general official use rather than as a custom papal parade vehicle, symbolizing a broader adoption of sustainable transportation within influential institutions worldwide.

The formal handover of the iX xDrive60 M Sport took place at the Vatican, attended by BMW CEO Oliver Zipse and BMW Italy president Massimiliano Di Silvestre. This event served as a high-profile demonstration of both BMW's aggressive electrification strategy and the Vatican's proactive stance on environmental issues. Unlike previous custom-built popemobiles, this iX is a standard, road-legal model, albeit a top-tier specification. Its presence in the Vatican's fleet brings electric mobility to a global spotlight, reinforcing the idea that even institutions steeped in tradition are embracing modern, eco-friendly solutions for their operational needs.

The donated vehicle, an iX xDrive60 M Sport, boasts impressive specifications. As a large dual-motor electric SUV with all-wheel drive, it delivers over 500 horsepower, enabling rapid acceleration and a substantial driving range of hundreds of miles on a single charge. Its fast-charging capabilities allow the battery to be significantly replenished in under an hour with a high-power DC charger, making it practical for both urban travel within the Vatican City State and longer official journeys. This advanced technology ensures that the vehicle can meet the demands of regular official duties efficiently and sustainably.

BMW's strategic decision to position the iX as part of its broader shift towards diverse electric SUV offerings is evident. The company is actively developing a range of electric SUVs, from compact crossovers like the forthcoming iX3 to more traditional models that mirror its popular X-series lineup. The comparison between models such as the 2026 BMW X3 and the 2027 BMW iX3 illustrates the rapid pace at which the brand is introducing battery-electric alternatives across its mainstream product portfolio. The Vatican's new iX serves as a powerful testament to this transition, showcasing BMW's commitment to a greener future.

The integration of the BMW iX into the Vatican's fleet carries significant symbolic weight for both BMW and the Holy See. While the Vatican has previously received purpose-built electric popemobiles from other manufacturers, this iX is designated for more general use, ferrying the Pope and his staff for day-to-day transport around Rome. This move reinforces the message that high-profile organizations are increasingly adopting cleaner technologies for their daily operations. For BMW, the visibility of its iX in such an esteemed setting amplifies the global reach and technological sophistication of its electric vehicle designs, even if the vehicle primarily undertakes discreet journeys between Vatican engagements.