If you require a vehicle with a cavernous interior, chances are you’re already looking at crossovers, SUVs, minivans, and large wagons. While larger vehicles offer more space, there are sacrifices, namely in maneuverability and handling. You won’t be as agile on the road, especially if you’re higher off the ground. But before you decide, give a smaller car some thought. One of the growing trends in compact cars is to package them so well that you don’t need to move to a larger vehicle to get plenty of room in the cabin for hauling the family or going to Costco. From hatchbacks to sedans and small wagons, here’s a selection of 15 compact cars that offer spacious interiors for all your hauling needs plus five honorable mentions, and they’ve been arranged based on passenger volume from lowest to highest.
Mini Clubman
Cargo Space: 17.5 cubic feet behind the second row; 47.9 cubic feet with second row folded
Returning bigger than ever for 2016, the Mini Clubman is now the largest vehicle in the funky British brand’s lineup. More of a small wagon than a hatchback, the new Clubman is longer, wider, and comes with four actual doors and seating for up to five passengers. The rear split barn doors remain but behind them is increased cargo space thanks to the new car’s bigger size. 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats are also available as an option so you can maximize the space.
Volkswagen Golf
Cargo Space: 22.8 cubic feet behind the second row; 52.7 cubic feet with second row folded
Thanks to its more conservative exterior design, the Volkswagen Golf offers plenty of interior space wrapped in a compact package. The versatile cabin has standard split folding rear seats, so you’ll be able to haul a nice mix of people and gear. Should you want a hatchback that’ll get your pulse racing, the Golf GTI and Golf R will give you a nice injection of fun without sacrificing practicality. New Golf features for 2016 include a new infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto compatibility so you can let your mobile device take over the car’s multimedia interface.
Volkswagen Jetta
Cargo Space: 15.7 cubic feet
For those averse to hatchbacks, the Volkswagen Jetta offers midsize sedan space in a compact package. You and your passengers will also enjoy the extra legroom on long road trips. If you need to haul more than what the car’s trunk can hold, the Jetta can be had with 60/40 split folding rear seats to increase cargo capacity. There’s a Jetta for everyone, from a frugal hybrid for the eco-conscious and the fun-to-drive GLI for the car enthusiast who wants a trunk. Like its Golf sibling, the Jetta also gains a new infotainment system for 2016 that has Android Auto and CarPlay compatibility on all but the entry level variants.
Nissan Versa Note
Cargo Space: 18.8 cubic feet behind the second row; 38.3 cubic feet with the second row folded
No, the Nissan Versa Note isn’t the most interesting car to drive, but for people looking for affordable transportation with plenty of space for passengers and gear, this one’s hard to beat. Higher trim levels of the Versa Note come with the Divide-N’-Hide adjustable cargo for maximum flexibility, meaning you’ll be able to configure the car’s interior as you see fit so you can cram whatever mix of cargo and people you have.
Volkswagen Golf SportWagen
Cargo Space: 30.4 cubic feet behind the second row; 66.5 cubic feet with the second row folded
The Volkswagen Golf SportWagen offers interior space that can shame many compact crossovers/SUVs. With up to 66.5 cubic feet behind the front seats, Ikea shopping sprees won’t be an issue in this small wagon, and should you need to haul the entire clan, there’s still plenty for you work with when the split-folding rear seats are in use. Think of the Golf SportWagen as the anti-SUV because it proves you can have a family car that’s spacious, fuel efficient, fits anywhere, and is fun to drive.
Chevrolet Cruze (2015)
Cargo Space: 15 cubic feet
While the current-generation Chevrolet Cruze is on its way out, it remains a good compact sedan that puts comfort first. This means on the road, you’ll be able to sit back and relax in the car’s roomy interior while the large trunk means you won’t have to leave anything behind. Available with a 1.4-liter turbo-four or an efficient 2.0-liter turbodiesel, there’s something for everyone from the daily commuter to the hypermiler. If you’re averse to the idea of owning a diesel-powered compact sedan, there’s also the Cruze Eco, which is rated at 28/42 mpg city/highway when equipped with the six-speed manual. Look for the second-generation 2016 Cruze to go on sale next year and expect it to come packed with all the latest tech features including Android Auto and CarPlay compatibility.
Honda Fit
Cargo Space: 16.6 cubic feet behind the second row; 52.7 cubic feet with the second row folded
Think of the Honda Fit as the hatchback worthy of a PhD in interior packaging. Its Magic Seats enable you to split and fold the rear seat cushions, adding an extra layer of practicality while the flat-folding front seat allows you to stick a surfboard in the car or use it as a leg rest while you sit in the back lounging. All that practicality turns the Fit into the perfect urban hauler because its small size, nimble handling, and peppy engine make it plenty fun to drive in the city.
Nissan Sentra
Cargo Space: 15.1 cubic feet
A compact sedan designed with sensibility in mind, the Nissan Sentra proves you don’t need to jump up to a midsize sedan or a crossover if you need a car for family duty. While its looks may not stir the soul, the Sentra performs its mission well, meaning your passengers won’t be cramped and you don’t have to leave any stuff behind. A face-lifted model with new headlights and a full suite of active safety systems including automatic forward emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and Active Understeer Control will go on sale next year.
Hyundai Elantra GT
Cargo Space: 23 cubic feet behind the second row; 51 cubic feet with the second row folded
While it’s up next for a redesign after its sedan sibling, the Hyundai Elantra GT remains practical for families thanks to its spacious and flexible interior. Rear seats that split and fold completely flat give you plenty of room to work with when hauling your family and their gear. There’s also no shortage of convenience and tech features thanks to a generous array of equipment including a large panoramic sunroof, heated seats all around, ventilated front seats, and an infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen and available navigation.
Mazda3 Hatchback
Cargo Space: 20.2 cubic feet behind the second row; 47.1 cubic feet with the second row folded
Revered for its engaging handling and fun-to-drive nature, the Mazda3 remains one of the top compact cars and the driver’s choice for the segment. In short, this is the car that’ll let you have your cake and eat it too, offering great driving dynamics in a package that’s attractive and able to hit more than 40 mpg on the highway. The available hatchback body style offers the most interior volume and gives you plenty of space for your belongings and your friends.
Dodge Dart
Cargo Space: 13.1 cubic feet
Even though it’s one of the slower-selling vehicles in the compact class, the Dodge Dart comes with a spacious interior that makes it one of the roomiest in its class. However, due to the swoopy styling, keep it to two rear passengers because whoever gets that center seat will be hunching over 99 percent of the time to avoid bonking their head into the ceiling when you hit a bump. For eco-minded folks, there’s the Aero model, which comes with a 160-hp 1.4-liter turbo-four that can be paired to a 6-speed manual or a twin-clutch gearbox with the latter good for 28/41 mpg.
Toyota Corolla
Cargo Space: 13 cubic feet
Known more for its bulletproof reliability than for jump starting enthusiasts’ pulses, the Toyota Corolla offers exceptional fuel economy wrapped in a package that has a small footprint and an interior that rivals midsize cars. Step inside the Corolla’s cabin and you’ll be met with plenty of space for you and your passengers to stretch out in and relax. Need even better fuel economy? Consider the Corolla Eco, which is rated at 30/42 mpg with the CVT, allowing you go further before stopping for gas.
Subaru Impreza hatchback
Cargo Space: 22.5 cubic feet behind the second row; 52.4 cubic feet with the second row folded
In the compact class, the Subaru Impreza hatchback is one of the most practical entries thanks to an interior that can swallow a lot. The standard Symmetrical AWD system also makes the Impreza unique because it gives you all-weather capability in a package that’s compact and fuel efficient. This means no matter what Mother Nature throws at you—especially if you live in a four-season state—you’ll be able to handle it with ease. Look for an all-new Impreza to debut sometime at the end of next year.
Honda Civic
Cargo Space: 15.1 cubic feet (14.7 cubic feet on the Touring grade)
No longer the bland, uninteresting compact car it used to be, the tenth generation Honda Civic now offers a class-leading balance of fuel economy, handling, space, and features. Since the car has grown in size, the cabin has gained more interior space and the Civic is now considered a midsize vehicle. In addition to the sedan and the coupe that was revealed at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show, a four-door hatchback will arrive for the first time in the U.S. and will be revealed after the performance-minded Si models. Look for the insane Civic Type R to arrive in the U.S. for the first time sometime in 2017/2018.
Kia Forte5
Cargo Space: 23.2 cubic feet behind the second row; 56.4 cubic feet with the second row folded
Among hatchbacks in the compact class, the Kia Forte5 offers the most cargo space and passenger volume, giving it a cabin that rivals larger cars. Style isn’t sacrificed in the name of practicality because the Forte5 remains one of the best-looking compact hatchbacks on sale today. Should you be looking for more oomph, the Forte5 SX comes standard with a 201-hp 1.6-liter turbo-four that makes it one of the quickest cars in its class. You’ll also enjoy using Kia’s UVO infotainment system since it’s one of the easiest on the market to master.
Honorable Mentions
While these cars didn’t make the cut for one reason or another, they deserve an honorable mention because they offer plenty of cargo space and practicality in packages that are compact and easy to live with.
Scion iM
Cargo Space: 20.8 cubic feet
One of the newest entries into the compact car segment, the Scion iM is a rebadged version of the European- and Japanese-market Toyota Auris. Essentially replacing the Toyota Matrix, the iM offers practicality and fuel economy in a package filled with plenty of standard features including a TFT display, a 7-inch touchscreen, a rearview camera, and a Pioneer audio system.
Kia Forte sedan
Cargo Space: 14.9 cubic feet
Like its hatchback sibling, the Kia Forte sedan offers midsize space in a compact package. However, unlike the hatch, the sedan is more focused on comfort and getting great gas mileage with its less aggressive wheels and tires, and less powerful but more fuel efficient engines. Should you decide to go on a road trip with friends or go on a shopping spree, there’s plenty of space in the car’s trunk and in the cabin for a mix of people and gear.
Hyundai Elantra sedan (2017)
Cargo Space: 14.4 cubic feet
As one of the first compact cars to come with an interior that rivals larger vehicles in terms of space, the 2017 Hyundai Elantra sedan continues to be one of the roomiest in its class. For the environmentally conscious, Hyundai has added an Eco trim that promises to be the most fuel efficient model in the Elantra lineup thanks to a downsized 1.4-liter turbo-four mated to a seven-speed twin-clutch gearbox.
Subaru Impreza sedan
Cargo Space: 12 cubic feet
Like its hatchback sibling, the Subaru Impreza sedan offers exceptional passenger space for you and your friends. With its standard AWD system, you’ll also be able to go anywhere regardless of the weather thanks to the extra traction it provides. The trunk, on the other hand, is on the small side, so you may want to pack slightly lighter than normal.
Fiat 500L
Cargo Space: 22.4 cubic feet behind the second row; 68 cubic feet with the second row folded
While it’s technically a tall hatchback, the Fiat 500L is more like a shrunken minivan that has a cavernous cabin and second-row seats that split, fold, and tumble forward for maximum carrying capability. All that space, however, comes at the cost of style because the 500L has odd proportions and a polarizing exterior design.
With all these new cars that are compact on the inside but spacious on the inside now available or going on sale in the near future, which of these cars would you pick for hauling people and gear? Tell us in the comments below.
The post 15 Compact Cars with Cavernous Interiors appeared first on Motor Trend.
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