Size may not matter for cargo space

In addition to wanting a commanding view of the road, a capable four-wheel-drive system, and the ability to carry a lot of people, many people buy big SUVs in order to haul lots of stuff. But which ones are better at that than others, and are they better than other types of vehicles, like minivans?

Full-size SUVs like the Ford Expedition and Chevrolet Tahoe are some of the biggest consumer vehicles on the road today. Descended from pickup trucks, traditional full-size SUVs feature a frame that's joined to the body during assembly. Automakers have done a good job minimizing the trucklike tendencies of these SUVs, but there's no denying where they come from.

Long used in the small and midsize SUV segment, automakers are now turning to car-based designs for their larger SUVs as well, thanks in part to buyers' rising interest in ride, handling, and gas mileage. The Saturn Outlook is one of the newest full-size car-based SUVs on the market.

While truck-based SUVs have some advantages when it comes to towing a trailer, if you're looking to haul cargo inside the cabin, a similarly sized car-based SUV may have more space for your stuff.

For example, even though the car-based Outlook is not as long, tall, or wide as the truck-based Tahoe, it manages to have more interior cargo room behind the third, second, and first rows of seats. What's more, unlike the Tahoe's available third row, the Outlook's doesn't have to be removed and stored in order to get the maximum cargo room -- you just fold it down.

While some SUVs are better at carrying goods than others, minivans can be even better. Comparing the Outlook with the popular Toyota Sienna shows the Outlook is the bigger vehicle in terms of height and width, and it's nearly as long as the Sienna. On the inside, however, the Outlook falls well short of the Sienna in terms of cargo room. While cumbersome to store, the Sienna's removable second-row seats contribute to the model's ample storage space; the Outlook's folding second- and third-row seats don't create nearly as much room.

One way to determine what kind of SUV makes the most sense for your lifestyle is to look at the type of activities you're involved in that your new car will need to support, in addition to any other criteria you may have. If you're going to be pulling a heavy boat trailer, for example, you may want to think of a truck-based model. If all you'll be pulling is a small camper, you might be able to get away with a car-based crossover.