Cars With Cargo & Good Gas Mileage

Drivers who need to haul a lot of gear around town often have had to sacrifice that ability to save on fuel bills. However, there are alternatives that give you some of both, offering cargo space at least double the 15 cubic feet of popular passenger sedans along with respectable fuel economy.

Mercury Mariner Hybrid

The Mercury Mariner Hybrid is based on the Ford Escape platform but has more upscale styling and a heftier price than most small sport utility vehicles. Its fuel economy is listed as 20 mpg city and 26 mpg highway, with a rear cargo space of 39 cubic feet. Government crash tests gave the hybrid a top five-star rating. Standard safety features include anti-lock brakes and full-length head curtain airbags coupled with a rollover sensor.

Subaru Forester

The Subaru Forester's standard all-wheel drive often appeals to people who live in snowy or rainy conditions. The Forester is one of the more inexpensive small SUVs, and at 20 mpg city and 27 mpg highway, its fuel economy is slightly better than all-wheel drive versions of others in its class. It has 36 cubic feet of cargo space.

Honda Element

The Element's box-like design and high profile set it apart from other small SUVs, as does its 47 cubic feet of cargo space. Removing the rear seats gives you 75 cubic feet for gear and groceries. EPA rates its fuel economy at 20 mpg city and 25 mpg highway.

Mazda 5

The Mazda 5 is a compact minivan that seats six people. With its third-row bench seats folded down, you get 44 cubic feet of storage. The EPA fuel rating is 22 mpg city and 28 mpg highway.

Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid

The Tahoe Hybrid uses aerodynamic styling, power-conserving air-conditioning and lightweight aluminum components to achieve a 21 mpg city/22 mpg highway EPA rating. With 53 cubic feet of cargo room, it's also capable of hauling 6,000 lbs.

Toyota Sienna

Called the best looking of the newer minivans by Car & Driver Magazine, the redesigned Sienna has 39 cubic feet of storage behind its third row of seats and 87 cubic feet when you remove the second row. The 4-cylinder version has an EPA rating of 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway.