How to Measure a Car’s Cargo Opening Before You Buy

Two cars with similar cargo volume on paper can handle very different loads. A tall folded stroller might reach the roof before it reaches the back seats. A hard-sided suitcase may fit on the floor and still catch on the lip when you try to slide it in. For a useful comparison, bring the dimensions of the objects you carry most often.

Measure the opening as well as the floor

Start with width between the narrowest points of the opening, then measure the height above the loading sill. Inside the car, check width between the wheel housings and floor length from the hatch to the back seat. Note the height of the sill off the ground. If a heavy cooler is part of your routine, that lifting height might matter more than a little extra volume behind the second row.

Check the vehicle in its usual seating arrangement

Measure with the rear seats upright if people usually ride there. When a third row is involved, try it both raised and folded. Take a separate measurement at the height of the object you’ll be loading because sloping glass and seatbacks can shorten the space above the floor. Ask whether an adjustable cargo floor has different positions and check the one you expect to use.

Bring the bulky object to the dealership if the seller allows it, or make a rough cardboard outline of its cross-section. Check that the hatch closes freely and that you can lift the item out without rearranging every other bag.

Leave room to carry the load securely

Consult the owner’s manual for load limits and tie-down points. NHTSA’s guidance on securing cargo explains why keeping it from shifting matters. Don’t assume that fitting something through the opening means it can ride there safely. Record usable floor dimensions and how you’d secure the load for each car. That is a practical comparison you can take home.

The illustration was provided by Family Destinations Guide.