Top 10 Wagons and Hatchbacks With the Most Cargo Capacity

If utility is on your top list, you will be well served by wagon or hatchback. Many of these vehicles provide abundant room at the rear for easily swallowing the result of that Home Depot shopping spree. Loading stuff in these vehicles is breeze, because they have plenty of cargo space with mouths, which are broader as compared to usual trunk of a sedan. The 10 wagons and hatchbacks listed below lead the segment when it comes to cargo capacity. The rankings are based on cargo capacity with all seats in place. The No. 1 finisher is Chevrolet HHR Panel Wagon that has only one row of seating, since this variant of HHR is intended for business owners.

2011 Chevrolet HHR (Panel Variant)

Cargo capacity: 62.7

The 2011 Chevrolet HHR (Panel Variant) remains a top pick for unique looking hatchback, though newer rivals are better in some aspects. It offers unique styling, spacious and versatile interior and supple ride. The Chevrolet HHR is offered as conventional five-passenger four-door hatchback wagon or two-seat Panel variant, which is designed for business owners, thanks to its cargo floor storage compartments, rear 40-amp power point for accessory equipment and windowless rear cargo panel doors and rear quarter panels.

The HHR is available in three different trim levels: LS, 1LT and 2LT. The HHR Panel comes as LS only. The base LS model comes with air conditioning, 16-inch steel wheels, keyless entry, cruise control, fold flat front passenger seat, full powered accessories, OnStar, six-speaker CD/MP3 stereo with satellite radio and auxiliary audio jack and 60/40 split-folding rear seat (regular HHR only).

The 1LT gets body colored mirrors, power driver seat and 16-inch alloy wheels. The 2LT adds sport tuned suspension, larger four-cylinder engine, foglights, 17-inch alloy wheels, Bluetooth, seven-speaker Pioneer audio system with subwoofer and leather wrapped steering wheel with audio controls. Options LS models include remote ignition, sunroof, iPod/USB interface, rearview camera, heated front seats and leather upholstery.

The front wheel drive 2011 Chevrolet HHR (Panel Variant) offers shoppers with two engine choices; the 2.2 liter inline four-cylinder engine that cranks out 155 horsepower with 150 pound feet of torque and inline four-cylinder 2.4 liter, which is good for pumping out 172 horsepower with 167 pound feet of torque. Both engines are mated to five-speed manual transmission and offer the fuel economy of 30 mpg highway, 22 mpg city and 25 mpg in combined driving.

Standard safety features on 2011 Chevrolet HHR (Panel Variant) include side curtain airbags, antilock brakes, OnStar telematics and traction and stability control.

2011 Toyota Venza

Cargo capacity: 34.4

The 2011 Toyota Venza was originally launched in the year 2009 as full size hatchback based on Toyota Camry with five passenger seating capacity. Despite its practical hatchback style, it manages to look elegant with interesting rear styling featuring swoopy taillamps. Some of the exterior features include 19 inch wheels; two piece glass roof and power liftgate.

The 2011 Toyota Venza crossover wagon is offered with front-wheel or four-wheel drive. Engines choices include 2.7-liter four-cylinder that generates 182 horsepower with 182 pound feet of torque or more robust 3.5-liter V6 that pumps put 268 horsepower with 246 pound feet of torque. Both powerplants are teamed up with six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift control. Once properly equipped, it can provide up to 3,500 pounds of towing capacity. The Venza looks like a beefed-up-wagon, but with plenty of elegant, smooth lines for reducing sense of sport utility vehicle-ish bulk. As it is related to Camry sedan, it sits relatively low to the ground, making it easier for passengers to get in and out.

2011 Subaru Outback

Cargo capacity: 34.3

The 2011 Subaru Outback is a tall wagon that offers comfortable seating capacity for five passengers and is available in 2.5i, 2.5i Premium, 2.5i Limited, 3.6R, 3.6R Premium and 3.6R Limited trim levels, distinguished by powertrain. The base 2.5-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine makes 170 horsepower when mated to six-speed manual transmission or continuously variable transmission (CVT). The available 3.6-liter six-cylinder boxer engine is good for churning out 256 horsepower with five-speed conventional automatic.

The base Outback comes with full power accessories, roof rails, tilt and telescoping steering column, cruise control, CD stereo with auxiliary audio jack and height-adjustable driver seat. Upper trims add niceties such as foglights, alloy wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, Harman Kardon sound system and powered and heated front seats. There is also optional voice activated navigation system equipped with Bluetooth, streaming Bluetooth audio and iPod/USB input.

2011 Audi A6

Cargo capacity: 33.9

Luxury car buyers who love value have long cheered 2011 Audi A6. And in true Audi fashion, the A6 provides you a lot for very competitive price. One of the primary strengths of A6 is the deluxe interior with first-rate materials and nothing short of class-leading overall design. The winter-weather capability is another plus. All A6 models come equipped with Quattro all-wheel-drive system, which is designed and engineered to send power to all the four wheels, making slippery roads more manageable.

In terms of overall quality, the 2011 Audi A6 is right up there with other midsize luxury cars and costs thousands less. With oversized grille and clean lines, the 2011 Audi A6 is one of the most unique midsize luxury wagons in the market. The A6 wagon known as Avant is one of the few midsize luxury wagons with 34-cubic-foot cargo bay behind its rearseat, making a practical, elegant choice for families with large dog or double stroller in tow.

Wagon is available only in 3.0T Premium Quattro trim with navigation system and heated seats. The A6′s interior is the case study in quality materials and attractive design with various electronic features such as navigation, Bluetooth and audio system all controlled through easy-to-use Multi Media Interface (MMI) system of Audi. It sounds complicated, but with ergonomically designed and logical menus all-in-one control knob, it is relatively easy to learn.

2011 Volvo XC70

Cargo capacity: 33.3

The 2011 Volvo XC70 is a five-passenger wagon offered in T6 AWD and 3.2 FWD trim levels. Standard features include front and rear foglights, 16-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, heated mirrors, 40/20/40 split rear seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, tilt and telescoping steering wheel, eight-way power driver seat with memory functions, auto dimming rearview mirror, neoprene-like “Tricotec” upholstery, eight-speaker sound system with CD player, satellite radio, auxiliary audio jack and iPod/USB audio interface and Bluetooth. The Premium package gets leather upholstery, sunroof, wood trim and eight-way power passenger seat. 17 inch alloy wheels are standalone option.

The T6 AWD comes with all the features of Premium package plus all-wheel drive, turbocharged engine, upgraded gauges and 18-inch wheels. For more features, you can opt for Climate package that gets heated windshield washer nozzles, heated front seats, headlight washers and automatic wipers. Heated rear seats are also offered in this package. The Convenience package gets power tailgate, front and rear parking sensors, power folding rear headrests, rear privacy glass, trunk grocery bag holder and cargo cover. The Technology package adds collision warning system, adaptive cruise control, driver inattention alert system, lane departure warning system and distance alert system, while the Multimedia package comes with rearview camera, 12-speaker Dynaudio surround sound stereo with rearseat headphone jacks and controls and navigation system. Standalone options include integrated rear booster seats, adaptive xenon headlights, keyless ignition and entry and blind-spot warning system.

2011 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen

Cargo capacity: 32.8

The 2011 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen is the top seller in United States because the core base of loyalists have been willing to fork over few dollars more for compact car, which is known for its superior handling, class-leading interiors and German engineering. It is available in wagon body style, with its availability of turbocharged diesel engine. For 2011, it gets new look with sharp, clean lines, which provide overall appearance of understated sophistication. Gone is unique wide mouth grille, replaced with more synchronous and determined face. For beginners, the 2011 Jetta gets its own platform with trunk added to rear end. The new car strains definition of small, pushing the envelope nearly into midsize arena.

2011 Volvo V50

Cargo capacity: 27.4

The 2011 Volvo V50 is a five-passenger compact wagon, which is available in T5 and T5 R-Design trim levels. Standard features includes heated side mirrors, 17-inch wheels, steering wheel mounted audio controls, cruise control, eight-way power driver seat with memory settings, auto-dimming rearview mirror, neoprene-like T-Tec upholstery also called Dalaro, telescoping and tilt steering wheel, eight-speaker stereo with CD player, auxiliary audio jack and USB/iPod audio interface and Bluetooth.

The T5 R-Design comes with sunroof, aluminum roof rails, sport tuned suspension, sporty exterior trim, power passenger seat, special R-Design steering wheel, floor mats, shift knob and gauges and partial leather upholstery. The Preferred package is offered for base T5 and features power passenger seat, leather upholstery and sunroof. The Climate package is available with both variants, and gets automatic wipers, headlight washers, heated front seats and automatic climate control. The Multimedia package adds 12-speaker premium surround sound system with satellite radio and navigation system. Standalone options include adaptive bi-xenon headlights; blind spot warning system, keyless ignition/entry, integrated rear booster seats, rear park assist and satellite radio.

2011 Honda Accord Crosstour

Cargo capacity: 25.

For more than eight generations, the Honda Accord has morphed from spunky small hatchback into critically acclaimed, best selling midsize sedan. Along the way, it’s also managed to spin off coupe, wagon and hybrid powered variants. The Crosstour is a wagonlike conveyance with features like extra room out back, available all-wheel drive (AWD) and increased ride height. Despite its expanded cargo area relative to Accord, the Crosstour offers considerably less cargo space as compared to rivals. Those who like Accord sedan but need more space or all-wheel drive, the composed and carlike Honda Accord Crosstour is worth checking out.

The 2011 Honda Accord Crosstour is a crossover wagon available in EX and EX-L trim. The base EX comes with dual-zone automatic climate control, sunroof, 60/40 split folding rear seat, six-CD changer and power front seats. The EX-L model gets leather upholstery, bigger wheels, Bluetooth, premium audio and heated front seats. The navigation system with backup camera and voice activation is the only option. The Crosstour is front-wheel drive with all-wheel drive as option on EX-L only. All Crosstour models are motivated by 3.5-liter V6, which is good for churning out 271 horsepower. The engine is mated to five-speed automatic transmission and accelerates from 0 to 60 miles per hour in the time range of class-competitive 7.5 seconds.

2011 Saab 9-3

Cargo capacity: 25.4

The 2011 Saab 9-3 is marketed in three body styles: sedan, SportCombi wagon and convertible. All are broken into 2.0T and Aero trim levels, while SportCombi is available in additional four-wheel-drive trim called 9-3X. Sedan and SportCombi models feel spacious, with upright windows, seating for five and low floors, though three in rearseat can be tight.

All 9-3 models come with 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder that generates 210 horsepower, when mated to standard six-speed manual or optional five-speed automatic. A six-speed automatic is standard on four-wheel-drive models, but any 9-3 with standard automatic can be equipped with no-cost optional manual. The 9-3X gets electronic limited slip differential, different exterior and interior trim and elevated ride height for making it more all-terrain-suitable wagon. The front wheel drive Aero adds sport tuned suspension, while Aero XWD gets self leveling suspension and limited slip differential.

The cabin inside gets dramatic two-tone color schemes with plenty of matte black finishes that create intense, distinctly Scandinavian ambience. Venerable Saab-isms remain, including “Night Panel” button, which darkens all non-essential dashboard lights for reducing eye fatigue and floor-mounted ignition switch.

2011 Chevrolet HHR

Cargo capacity: 25.2

The 2011 Chevrolet HHR remains a solid choice for distinctive-looking hatchback, though newer competitors are superior in some regards. It offers unique styling, spacious, versatile cabin and supple ride.