7 Ways to Make More Cargo Space (Trunk Space) in Your Car
Maximizing cargo space in your car helps you and your passengers feel more comfortable while ensuring you can bring along everything you need.
Clutter and disorganization also make it plain hard to find things, which gets frustrating when you’re heading to work, wrangling kids, or trying to reach the campsite first. Organization can also make for a safer trip — improperly secured or stored items in your car become dangerous if you’re in an accident, hit the brakes too hard, or something ends up obscuring your vision or ability to drive.
Whether you drive a spacious family SUV or a compact sedan, you can find plenty of ways to make the most of your cargo space. You may even have options for increasing storage capacity for more personal, kid, adventure, and work equipment.
Here are seven ways to make more room for your stuff.
Clutter and disorganization also make it plain hard to find things, which gets frustrating when you’re heading to work, wrangling kids, or trying to reach the campsite first. Organization can also make for a safer trip — improperly secured or stored items in your car become dangerous if you’re in an accident, hit the brakes too hard, or something ends up obscuring your vision or ability to drive.
Whether you drive a spacious family SUV or a compact sedan, you can find plenty of ways to make the most of your cargo space. You may even have options for increasing storage capacity for more personal, kid, adventure, and work equipment.
Here are seven ways to make more room for your stuff.
1: Declutter and Prioritize Essentials
Give your car a thorough cleaning and you’ll instantly feel it’s more spacious and comfortable. Research shows that clutter causes stress and anxiety, two things you don’t need any more of on the road and in traffic.
Keep the essentials:
- An emergency kit with first aid supplies
- Jumper cables
- Spare tire and repair kit
- Manuals and spare parts (like headlight bulbs)
- Personal essentials, such as for hygiene or medical needs
Store these essentials in a bin or basket in the trunk where it’s easy to access but organized and out of the way. Everything that’s not essential should get taken out of the car or reorganized in a more thoughtful way. An in-car trash can also help keep litter stashed out of sight and then easily dumped at the next gas station.
2: Fold or Remove Rear Seats
Need to haul a dresser in your sedan? If your back seats fold down to extend your trunk space, that’s your best bet. Some even have split-folding seats to retain a seating position but allow long or bulky items to pass through into the cabin. In the Mitsubishi RVR compact SUV, folding down the rear seats gives a total cargo volume of 1,402L (49.5 cubic feet).
In some cars, especially minivans and SUVs, rear seats can even be removed. Some click right out, while others might require removing some bolts. Always be extra careful in removing and replacing seats so they stay secure and seatbelts remain usable.
If the rear seats neither fold nor come out entirely, consider using the footwell space creatively. Perfectly sized bins can keep items secured but off the seats for a cleaner look.
In some cars, especially minivans and SUVs, rear seats can even be removed. Some click right out, while others might require removing some bolts. Always be extra careful in removing and replacing seats so they stay secure and seatbelts remain usable.
If the rear seats neither fold nor come out entirely, consider using the footwell space creatively. Perfectly sized bins can keep items secured but off the seats for a cleaner look.
3: Use Smart Storage Solutions
Bins, baskets, and bags are great — but what about more innovative storage options? Think vertically and utilize the garment hooks above the door (next to the grab handle) or add hanging storage pockets that attach between seats. Just be sure to use something like Velcro or suction to keep it secure, and avoid any arrangement that could become a hazard.
Products abound when it comes to trunk organizers, cargo nets, and even storage pockets that attach to the backs of the front seats. In the adventure gear market, you’ll find more storage containers that even hang between seats, fit under the seats, and utilize every nook and cranny available. Even ceiling-mounted options are available!
Keep heavy items lower and make sure everything is secure. Adhesive, zip ties, buckles, bungees, and straps will come in handy. Storage solutions designed by the automaker often fit best, like Mitsubishi’s line of cargo and adventure accessories.
Products abound when it comes to trunk organizers, cargo nets, and even storage pockets that attach to the backs of the front seats. In the adventure gear market, you’ll find more storage containers that even hang between seats, fit under the seats, and utilize every nook and cranny available. Even ceiling-mounted options are available!
Keep heavy items lower and make sure everything is secure. Adhesive, zip ties, buckles, bungees, and straps will come in handy. Storage solutions designed by the automaker often fit best, like Mitsubishi’s line of cargo and adventure accessories.
4: Add Convenient Spots for Everyday Items
Think about the things you use nearly every time you get in the car. Do you have a convenient and secure mount for your phone? What about a bin or cart to haul and load groceries without spilling all over the trunk? Charging and auxiliary cords can also get in the way, so look for retractable ones or switch to a Bluetooth connection.
Magnetic and suction phone mounts, plus collapsible grocery containers, make your everyday errands less cluttered. Passengers have gear, too — offer phone and tablet mounts for them, especially on long drives. Spaces to store snacks, toiletries, and blankets are also helpful to keep road trips enjoyable and organized.
Magnetic and suction phone mounts, plus collapsible grocery containers, make your everyday errands less cluttered. Passengers have gear, too — offer phone and tablet mounts for them, especially on long drives. Spaces to store snacks, toiletries, and blankets are also helpful to keep road trips enjoyable and organized.
5: Check Above and Below
Utilize your roof! Whether you have mounting points like roof rails already available or not, you have rooftop storage options. One of the simplest and most affordable is a roof bag: a large, sturdy, yet light and flexible storage duffel with adjustable straps to mount to door jambs or through the interior. The added bonus is how small these fold up to store in the garage or trunk when not in use.
You can also consider a roof cargo box, which is a plastic clamshell-type container that secures to the roof rails. A cargo basket attaches similarly and provides space for suitcases and other gear. The basket’s frame allows for countless bungee mounting points to keep everything securely fastened. If camping is your style, consider a rooftop tent so you don’t have to pack yours in the trunk.
Some vehicles, like the Mitsubishi Outlander, have hidden compartments in the cargo floor. These offer secure, uncluttered solutions for keeping essentials on hand but out of the way. Flip through your car’s manual to make sure you’re not missing any cubbies — sometimes, they’re so well integrated you don’t even notice them.
You can also consider a roof cargo box, which is a plastic clamshell-type container that secures to the roof rails. A cargo basket attaches similarly and provides space for suitcases and other gear. The basket’s frame allows for countless bungee mounting points to keep everything securely fastened. If camping is your style, consider a rooftop tent so you don’t have to pack yours in the trunk.
Some vehicles, like the Mitsubishi Outlander, have hidden compartments in the cargo floor. These offer secure, uncluttered solutions for keeping essentials on hand but out of the way. Flip through your car’s manual to make sure you’re not missing any cubbies — sometimes, they’re so well integrated you don’t even notice them.
6: Use the Hitch
You can think about what’s behind you, too. Not that you need to buy a cargo trailer, although that’s an option. You just need to check on the towing capacity of your vehicle. A 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander is rated for up to 2,000 pounds, giving it plenty of towing power to complement its already generous 1,822L (64.3 cubic feet) of cargo space inside. Mitsubishi’s Eclipse Cross can also tow up to 2,000 pounds.
Trailer hitch-mounted baskets, platforms, bike racks, and more can help you store certain items and gear while freeing up space inside. These have the added benefit of keeping dirty items outside, too. Whether you’re towing a camper or just hauling a bicycle, the hitch is extremely handy. Hitches can be installed by the dealer or your local shop.
Trailer hitch-mounted baskets, platforms, bike racks, and more can help you store certain items and gear while freeing up space inside. These have the added benefit of keeping dirty items outside, too. Whether you’re towing a camper or just hauling a bicycle, the hitch is extremely handy. Hitches can be installed by the dealer or your local shop.
7: Keep Your Car Clean
That initial decluttering is great — but you need a scheduled routine for hauling out the gear and whatever junk accumulates in your car, even when you have a lot of storage options. When you have kids, go on camping trips, or head out in inclement weather, you’re bound to track in mud and debris.
Consider all-weather floor mats, cargo liners, and seat covers to protect surfaces and make cleanup easier. You might also keep a small USB-chargeable vacuum, mini trash can, cleaning wipes, and other supplies in the car for on-the-go tidying.
Consider all-weather floor mats, cargo liners, and seat covers to protect surfaces and make cleanup easier. You might also keep a small USB-chargeable vacuum, mini trash can, cleaning wipes, and other supplies in the car for on-the-go tidying.
Find the Right Balance of Space and Comfort
Maximizing cargo space is as much about making space for gear as it is about making mental space for a calm, clear head as you drive. A clean and organized car makes for a happy driver, no matter what you’re hauling.
If these tips still leave you wanting more room for cargo and comfort, it might be time to shop for a new vehicle. Explore the Mitsubishi vehicle lineup designed with versatility and comfort in mind, perfect for all your adventures.
If these tips still leave you wanting more room for cargo and comfort, it might be time to shop for a new vehicle. Explore the Mitsubishi vehicle lineup designed with versatility and comfort in mind, perfect for all your adventures.