The market abounds with excellent SUV options. One of the most popular is the compact crossover segment. These vehicles strike a balance between affordability and spaciousness. Here are five of the best-selling compact SUVs of 2023 with the most cargo space. 

1. Kia Sportage: 39.6/74.1 cubic feet

Although the 2023 Kia Sportage doesn’t have the highest maximum cargo capacity in the compact SUV segment, it boasts the most behind the rear seats. That’s a critical spec because most families use all five seats, especially on road trips. The Sportage also has helpful cargo features like a smart power liftgate.

On top of that, this compact SUV is the most affordable on this list. Kia lists the 2023 Sportage starting at $26,290. It has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine making 187 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque. This standard engine gets about 28 mpg combined.

2. Honda CR-V: 39.3/76.5 cubic feet

The CR-V is one of the most spacious compact SUVs, and it nearly beats the Sportage in rear cargo capacity. That said, the Honda crossover provides slightly more space with the rear seats folded. It also offers a power liftgate and boasts an appealing redesign.

As such, the 2023 CR-V starts at about $28,500, making it the most expensive option on the list. It packs a 1.5-liter four-cylinder producing 190 hp and 179 lb-ft of torque. That allows this Honda to get 30 mpg combined.

3. Hyundai Tucson: 38.7/80.3 cubic feet

Though the 2023 Tucson has a smaller cargo area behind the back row than the Sportage and CR-V, it beats them in total volume. According to Hyundai, its compact SUV has 80.3 cubic feet of maximum cargo space. It also offers a “hands-free, gesture-free smart liftgate.”

The 2023 Tucson starts at just under $27,000. It has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder making 187 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque. That allows it to get 28 mpg combined.

4. Toyota RAV4: 37.6/69.8 cubic feet

While the Tucson has the highest max cargo capacity, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 has the lowest. But its cargo capacity behind the rear seats is still good. Though the popular Toyota SUV doesn’t have many special cargo features, it’s an all-around solid SUV. 

Starting at just under $28,300, the base model has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 203 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. That’s the most horsepower from a standard engine of all the compact SUVs on this list. That engine also allows the RAV4 to get 30 mpg combined.

5. Nissan Rogue: 36.5/74.1 cubic feet

Finally, there’s the 2023 Rogue. Its cargo numbers are similar to the top performers in the segment. However, it boasts a helpful feature Nissan calls Divide-N-Hide. This system gives users six ways to configure the compact SUV’s cargo space. It can also create hidden storage cubbies. 

Starting at $27,760, the base-model 2023 Rogue has a 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine making 201 hp and 225 lb-ft of torque. It gets an EPA-estimated 33 mpg combined — the best fuel economy on this list.