What size of items can fit in a car's trunk?
5 Answers
Generally, the trunk capacity of a hatchback ranges from 130 to 290 liters, while that of a sedan typically ranges from 350 to 580 liters. Below is relevant information about vehicle trunks: Maintenance: Keep the trunk clean and tidy. Properly utilize the mesh pockets on both sides. Most cars are equipped with these for storing items prone to rolling, such as flashlights or small fire extinguishers. They don't take up much space, but it's not advisable to pile them together, as items may fall out of the mesh pockets due to bumps during driving. Precautions: Flammable and explosive items are prohibited. The interior of a car is a relatively enclosed space, and after exposure to the sun in summer, the temperature inside can become very high. Storing flammable or explosive items in the trunk may lead to spontaneous combustion or explosion due to the high temperature.
Last time when helping a friend move, I measured that the trunk opening width of most regular hatchbacks is around 1 meter, with a height of approximately 65 cm. For example, in a classic Ford Focus hatchback, after placing a 28-inch suitcase, there's still space on both sides for backpacks. The key thing to note is the wheel arch protrusions inside the trunk, which can reduce the actual usable width by about 10 cm. For extra-long items like skis, folding down the rear seats can accommodate objects up to 1.8 meters long - I once transported a surfboard using this method. When buying a car, don't just rely on the official volume data; bringing a tape measure to check on-site is the most reliable approach.
I often help customers with furniture installation and delivery. For small cars like the Volkswagen Polo, the narrowest part of the trunk is only 85 cm wide, so two standard 24-inch suitcases can just fit sideways. However, cars like the Golf are more cleverly designed, with hidden storage compartments under the floorboard that can reach up to 95 cm in depth. If you're transporting delicate items like potted plants, remember to remove the cargo cover to increase vertical space—you can fit plants up to 1.2 meters tall when placed upright. It's also a good idea to keep an old blanket in the trunk to protect the interior from scratches.
Camping enthusiasts share practical dimensions: The trunk height of a regular sedan typically doesn't exceed 55cm, while SUVs can reach around 75cm. Last week, I loaded two 60L coolers plus a tent bag in my CR-V with room to spare for folding chairs. Pay special attention to the wheel arch areas - the narrowest point may only have 90cm clearance. Tested sedans like the Teana: despite 500+ liter capacity on paper, the trunk could barely fit one standard 20/24/28-inch suitcase each. Bringing a tape measure for on-site verification is most reliable.
Five years of experience in auto parts logistics: 90% of family car trunks have a diagonal distance of about 1.5 meters. For example, a common midsize car like the Accord can actually fit a 55-inch TV packaging box (dimensions approximately 130×80cm). However, pay attention to the trunk opening angle—sedans are harder to load and unload large items compared to SUVs. It's recommended to use soft storage boxes instead of hard ones, as they can hold 20% more items. When moving furniture, remember to use protective pads—last time I saw a customer's leather interior get scratched, costing 800 yuan to repair.
