How Much Cargo Space In A Chevy Suburban?

Cargo space can be an essential consideration when purchasing a large SUV like the Chevy Suburban. As a potential buyer, you want to know how much cargo space is available. We have researched and located the vehicle specifications for the Chevy Suburban. 

The 2022 Chevy Suburban is an SUV leader in cargo space, boasting 41.5 cubic feet behind the third row and almost 145 cubic feet behind the front row seating. Removal of second and third-row seating allows various configurations within the Chevy Suburban to maximize the available space when you need to haul a combination of passengers and cargo. 

Keep reading to find more details about the area available in the 2022 Chevy Suburban for cargo and passengers. This knowledge will help you make an informed decision about whether the Chevy Suburban will fit your capacity needs. 

white chevrolet suburban parked in the middle of the night. How Much Cargo Space In A Chevy Suburban

What are the dimensions of the inside of a Chevy Suburban?

The current Chevy Suburban is the biggest one yet. The passenger and cargo space increased in the newest models giving it one of the largest capacities of any SUV on the current market in the U.S.

Below is a listing of interior dimensions that a buyer might find important. 

Motor car Chevrolet Suburban in the city street.

Passenger Cargo

If your regular cargo is more in the form of passengers, the Chevy Suburban has standard seating for eight passengers. However, other seating configuration options like captain's chairs can replace the standard second-row bench seating, reducing seating to seven passengers. The buyer can opt for a bench seat in the front row on the LS only, increasing the seating capacity to nine passengers. 

Front Row Seating

  • Head Room = 42.3 inches
  • Leg Room = 44.5 inches
  • Shoulder Room = 66 inches
  • Hip Room = 61.5 inches

Second Row Seating

  • Head Room = 38.9 inches
  • Leg Room = 42 inches
  • Shoulder Room = 64.8 inches
  • Hip Room = 61.3 inches

Third Row Seating

  • Head Room = 38.2 inches
  • Leg Room = 36.7 inches
  • Shoulder Room = 62.8 inches
  • Hip Room = 49.4 inches

Cargo Volume

  • Behind First Row = 144.7 cubic feet
  • Behind Second Row = 93.8 cubic feet
  • Behind Third Row = 41.5 cubic feet

Cargo Box

The cargo box maximum length with the second and third-row seating folded is 105.4 inches. The cargo space length behind the third-row seating is 38.2 inches, with all seats upright. The width at the wheel housing is 49.4 inches. 

Overall Dimensions

  • Length = 225.7 inches
  • Wheelbase = 134.1 inches
  • Height = 75.7 inches
  • Width without Mirrors = 81.1 inches

Payload Capacity

When purchasing an SUV to haul large amounts of cargo, it is crucial to be aware of the payload capacity for the vehicle. The payload capacity is the amount of weight the SUV can haul, including passengers and cargo. The payload capacity for the 2022 Chevy Suburban ranges between 1,997-1,982 pounds. 

If you still need more cargo space than the Chevy Suburban offers, you can add a cargo carrier using roof racks. The maximum cargo weight for roof racks is 220 pounds. You can also utilize the tow hitch to add a cargo box or rack for additional cargo capacity. 

Consider this heavy-duty hitch mount cargo carrier by Oklead. 

Find it on Amazon.

White motor car Chevrolet Suburban in the city street.

How much space is behind the third row of a Suburban?

With all seats in place, the Chevy Suburban boasts 41.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row. Fold or remove the second and third-row seating, and the cargo space capacity increases to just under 145 cubic feet.

A cubic foot is a three-dimensional measure of volume that can be difficult to envision. A simple explanation would be a box that is 1 foot long, 1 foot wide, and 1 foot deep. Think about fitting that many boxes into the space in question to get a general idea.

However, remember that you don't have to fully understand cubic feet to use the numbers provided for comparison to determine which SUVs have the most cargo space. 

What SUV has the biggest cargo space?

The newest SUVs models can't beat the Chevy Suburban and GMC Yukon XL  for available cargo space in the SUV class. The GMC Yukon XL is the counterpart to the Suburban, so the cargo space specs are very similar, with a cargo volume of 144. 7 cubic feet.  

If these vehicles aren't suitable for you, other third-row seating SUV competitors with slightly smaller specs still offer significant cargo space. 

If you want to stay within the Chevrolet family, the Tahoe is a bit smaller with slightly less headroom, legroom, and cargo space of 122.9 cubic feet but has many of the same features as the Suburban. 

The Ford Expedition is a close competitor that offers more cargo space with all seats upright, with the specs stating 57.5 cubic feet. However, overall, it loses the cargo space battle with only 104.6 cubic feet. 

The Cadillac Escalade has similar specs to the Suburban for legroom and head headroom, but the overall cargo space for this vehicle is only 121 cubic feet. 

The Nissan Armada is the smallest option, with only 95.4 cubic feet of cargo space. 

chevrolet suburbans parked side by side on a dealer lot. How Much Cargo Space In A Chevy Suburban

How wide is a Chevy Suburban with the doors open?

The overall width of a 2022 Chevy Suburban body, not including the mirrors, is 81.1 inches. The door width of the Chevy Suburban is not listed in the offers manual or dealer specifications. However, the average width of an SUV with the door open is 137 inches. Since the Suburban is one of the largest SUVs available, you can figure that the overall width, including open doors, will be above the average. 

Can a full mattress fit in a Suburban?

One of the advantages of owning a large utility vehicle is the cargo space. You may need to haul a mattress you have purchased, but you may also be considering using your Suburban for sleeping. 

Camping doesn't have to include a tent. SUVs like the Chevy Suburban are easy to convert into a camper-like set-up for backcountry adventures or road trips. It is an excellent way to avoid motels and save money. 

If you only need sleeping accommodations for one, you can remove the third-row seating and throw in an air or foam mattress along with your pillow and blankets. This set-up can easily be set up and put away when needed.

For longer trips, you may want a sleeping arrangement that is larger, more permanent, and more comfortable. Luckily, the Chevy Suburban is large enough to accommodate up to a full-size mattress.

A standard size mattress measures 54" x 75" or 80" for the XL version and will fit into the cargo space of a Chevy Suburban. You may find that one with metal springs won't work well, but many high-quality foam versions are available that allow some flexibility. 

If you need a mattress for your Chevy Suburban, consider this top-rated 12" gel memory foam mattress by Mintgreen. 

Find it on Amazon.

When planning to sleep in your Suburban for any reason other than camping in a campground, be sure to check state and ordinances to make sure it's not illegal. Some states, such as Florida and Virginia, do not allow sleeping in a vehicle at rest areas, while some places do not allow sleeping in vehicles at all.

Private businesses also may have regulations against sleeping in their parking lots. Be sure to research safe areas that allow overnight parking and sleeping. 

To see a demonstration of a full-size mattress used in a GMC Yukon XL, which is a counterpart to the Chevy Suburban, watch this ">YouTube video

 

Can you fit a sheet of plywood in a Suburban?

A standard sheet of plywood comes in a 4' x 8' sheet, and the cargo space in most Suburbans is at least 10 feet. Therefore, a Suburban technically has plenty of room to haul a standard sheet of plywood.

However, depending on your model and seating configuration, it might be easier in some models than others to utilize the cargo area. You need the cargo space to be flat, which means maneuvering around the seats. Some older models do not have folding seats, much less split-folding seats, which means you must remove the seats to utilize all the available space. 

Does a Suburban have more room than a minivan?

Minivans are designed to be spacious so that families have plenty of space for passengers and their belongings, but the Suburban is a worthy competitor. When looking at cargo space behind the third row, most minivans offer a minimum of 30 cubic feet, while the 2021 Suburban offers more than 40 cubic feet of space.

Behind the front row seating, most 2021 minivans still fall short of Suburban's 144 cubic feet. The Toyota Sienna has 101 cubic feet, the Kia Sedona 142 cubic feet, and the Chrysler Pacifica has 140.5 cubic feet. 

Most minivans still have an advantage in fuel economy and other features such as sliding doors, making loading and unloading more manageable than the Suburban. 

Chevrolet Suburban SUV display. How Much Cargo Space In A Chevy Suburban

Summary

If you are looking for an SUV with extensive passenger and cargo space, you can't beat the Chevy Suburban. Comfort and space make the Chevy Suburban an excellent choice for those who need to haul lots of passengers and cargo. 

If you consider other SUVs based on the amount of cargo space available, read "Which Full-Size SUV Has the Most Cargo Space? (Including a Data Table)."

To compare the Chevy Suburban to the Ford Expedition, read "What Are The Ford Expedition Cargo Space Specs? [Breakdown By Trim Level]."

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One comment

  1. ok, soooo how about the inches across and inches up.
    what is the inches across when the rear door is open.

    I want to put in a cabinet in the back and it’s 54 inches across. what’s the inches across and up man?

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