How Much Does Each 2026 Subaru SUV Actually Hold? A Cargo Ranking for Outdoor Drivers
May 23 2026,
Packing for a cottage weekend or a multi-day camping trip quickly separates SUVs that work from SUVs that almost work. Tent bags, sleeping pads, coolers, bikes on the roof, firewood in the back — the list adds up fast, and cargo volume matters. The 2026 Subaru lineup includes four SUVs built for all-weather, all-terrain use, but they're sized differently and carry different amounts of gear. Here's how the Crosstrek, Forester, Outback, and Solterra rank when cargo is the priority.
All four run Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, all four clear at least 210 mm of ground clearance, and all four carry EyeSight Driver Assist Technology as standard equipment. The difference between them comes down to how much fits in the back — and that gap is bigger than most buyers expect.
The Cargo Numbers: Ranked Seats Up and Seats Folded
Cargo volume varies by trim on some models, so these figures reflect the most common configuration in each vehicle's lineup.
|
Model |
Cargo (Seats Up) |
Cargo (Seats Folded) |
Ground Clearance |
|---|---|---|---|
|
2026 Subaru Outback |
980 L |
2,280 L |
220 mm |
|
2026 Subaru Forester |
838 L |
2,107 L |
220 mm |
|
2026 Subaru Solterra |
674 L |
1,798 L |
211 mm |
|
2026 Subaru Crosstrek |
564 L |
1,549 L |
220 mm |
The spread between first and last place is 416 litres with seats up and 731 litres with seats folded. For context, a standard camping tent bag typically takes 40–60 litres, a mid-size cooler around 50 litres, and two sleeping bags in compressed sacks around 40 litres combined. Those numbers add up — and the Outback has a meaningful lead when you start loading for a group.
No. 1 — 2026 Subaru Outback: The Most Cargo in the Lineup
The all-new seventh-generation Outback leads the lineup with 980 L of cargo space behind the second row — the most of any Subaru SUV in this comparison. With the rear seats folded flat, that opens to 2,280 L, enough for bikes, camping furniture, and a weekend's worth of gear for four people. The cargo floor spans 1,100 mm between the wheel wells, and a 720 mm load height keeps the liftover manageable even with a heavy cooler.
The 2026 Outback also comes standard with a hands-free power liftgate with LED lighting, a flexible tonneau cover made from recycled materials, and interior utility hooks rated for up to 2.7 kg — useful for hanging a lantern or securing wet gear on the return drive home.
- 980 L cargo behind second row, 2,280 L seats folded
- 1,100 mm load floor width between wheel wells
- Hands-free power liftgate, flexible tonneau cover standard
- 220 mm ground clearance, X-MODE with Hill Descent Control
For families who head to the cottage multiple times a season and bring the full kit each time, the Outback is the right tool.
No. 2 — 2026 Subaru Forester: High Cargo Ceiling and a Tall Opening
The Forester ranks second with 779 L of cargo space on most trims with seats up, and up to 2,107 L when the second row folds flat. (On the Convenience trim, seats-up volume reaches 838 L, and the cargo floor measures 887 mm in height — the tallest cargo space in this group.)
The Forester's cargo opening is wide: 1,207 mm at the lower opening on most trims. Load floor length reaches 1,796 mm seats folded, which is long enough for full-size camping gear like tent poles, folding tables, or kayak paddles laid flat. The rear seatbacks feature 60/40-split folding, and most trims include one-touch flat-folding to speed up loading.
- Seats-up cargo volume: 779–838 L depending on trim
- Seats-folded cargo volume: 1,957–2,107 L depending on trim
- 1,207 mm wide cargo opening, 1,796 mm cargo floor length
- 220 mm ground clearance, X-MODE with Hill Descent Control
The Forester is a strong pick for solo and duo camping trips where roof height and interior flexibility matter as much as raw volume.
No. 3 — 2026 Subaru Solterra: Solid EV Cargo Performance
The Solterra ranks third in this group with 674 L of cargo space seats up and 1,798 L seats folded. For an all-electric SUV, that's a useful number — the 77.0-kWh battery pack doesn't displace cargo capacity compared to the gas models, which is worth noting. The Solterra's 4,690 mm length gives it a longer overall footprint than the Forester, and the folded cargo floor extends to 1,798 L.
The Solterra runs on 446 km of electric range in ideal conditions, which covers the drive to most Ontario cottage country destinations and back without charging stops. For buyers who want to combine electric driving with genuine outdoor capability, the Solterra holds its own — it's third in cargo volume here, but it travels further per charge than any gas model in the lineup.
- 674 L seats up, 1,798 L seats folded
- 77.0-kWh battery, up to 446 km range in ideal conditions
- Symmetrical AWD with X-MODE Dual-Mode System standard
- 211 mm ground clearance
No. 4 — 2026 Subaru Crosstrek: The Capable Compact
The Crosstrek comes in last in this comparison with 564 L seats up and 1,549 L seats folded — which isn't small for a compact SUV, but it does mean prioritizing what comes along on a camping trip. Two campers travelling light can make the Crosstrek work well. Four adults with full gear will feel the limitation at the liftgate.
What the Crosstrek offers in return is the narrowest footprint in the group — at 4,480 mm long and 1,800 mm wide, it fits in spots where the Outback and Forester don't. For day trips, overnight hikes, and weekends where packing light is the plan anyway, it handles the job well. Its 220 mm of ground clearance matches the Forester and Outback.
- 564 L seats up, 1,549 L seats folded
- 4,480 mm length — most maneuverable in the group
- 220 mm ground clearance, Symmetrical AWD, X-MODE
- Available e-BOXER Hybrid Limited for added efficiency
Key Takeaways: Which Subaru for Cottage and Camping Loads?
|
Use Case |
Best Pick |
|---|---|
|
Maximum cargo for family camping trips |
2026 Outback |
|
Balance of cargo space and interior height |
2026 Forester |
|
All-electric capability with practical cargo |
2026 Solterra |
|
Compact trips for two with tight parking |
2026 Crosstrek |
Find the Right Fit at Subaru of Maple
Cargo specs on paper only tell part of the story. The way a load floor lays out, how the liftgate opens, and how the rear seats fold all make a difference in real-world use. Stop in at Subaru of Maple in Vaughan to walk through each model and see the cargo areas in person before you decide.
