How many car trunks can a CNET editor get into?

CNET editor Wayne Cunningham found a novel way to test trunk capacity for car reviews: climb on in. Here is a selection of the many car trunks he explored.

Wayne Cunningham

Dec. 23, 2011 9:55 a.m. PT

1 of 15

Corinne Schulze/CNET

2009 Audi S8

The S8 was the first car where I thought it might be worth getting into the trunk. The trunk was so large, and the hatch opened so far, that it seemed obvious to climb in and spend a little time checking e-mail on my iPhone.

2009 Audi S8 review

2 of 15

Josh Miller/CNET

2011 Smart ForTwo Cabriolet

The Smart is one of the smallest cars rolling around the streets, and this two-seater is certainly not noted for its carrying capacity. But I still managed to get myself folded up into the cargo area.

2011 Smart ForTwo Cabriolet review

3 of 15

Josh Miller/CNET

2011 Chevrolet Volt

The Chevy Volt is technically a four-passenger car, but the hatchback affords a flexible open area. It might not be the safest thing to do, but an adult could ride in the cargo area.

2011 Chevrolet Volt review..

4 of 15

Josh Miller/CNET

2012 Ford Focus

The Focus being one of the smaller cars in Ford's lineup, I thought it worth checking out the cargo area. Its depth helps improve the capacity. Of course, this is the hatchback version. The sedan would have been less comfortable.

2012 Ford Focus review.

5 of 15

Josh Miller/CNET

2011 Honda Accord Crosstour

Honda's Crosstour is a sort of crossover version of the Accord, complete with all-wheel drive and a hatchback. It was not difficult to get into the cargo area of this car, and given the height of the gate, it might even make a reasonable tailgater.

2011 Honda Accord Crosstour review.

6 of 15

Josh Miller/CNET

2011 Ford Mustang GT

With its small lid, you wouldn't expect an adult to fit in the trunk of the Mustang. But it is surprisingly deep, affording a lot of hidden room, if not the greatest accessibility.

2011 Ford Mustang GT review.

7 of 15

Josh Miller/CNET

2011 BMW 1-series M Coupe

The trunk of BMW's smallest car is not really suitable for a body. I tried to squeeze in, but lacked the contortionist ability to get below the lid height.

2011 BMW 1-series M Coupe review.

8 of 15

Josh Miller/CNET

2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS550

There's nothing like riding in one of Mercedes-Benz's top luxury cars, but I would take the cabin over the trunk. The CLS550 is Mercedes-Benz's four-door coupe, so the rear of the roofline drops dramatically, affecting trunk height.

2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS550 review.

9 of 15

Josh Miller/CNET

2012 Scion iQ

Similar to the Smart, the Scion iQ was a car I wouldn't have expected to fit into. But the iQ continually surprised our staff with its flexibility. Not only could I fit in the cargo area, but we actually got our video crew, four adult men, to fit in the seats.

2012 Scion iQ review.

10 of 15

Josh Miller/CNET

2012 Volkswagen Eos

The Eos represents one of my least successful attempts to get into a trunk. Like most retractable hard tops, the roof folds up into the trunk, limiting cargo space.

2012 Volkswagen Eos review.

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Josh Miller/CNET

2011 Nissan Quest

There should be no challenge getting into the back of a minivan. But the Quest has this additional storage space, a deep well about the size of a bathtub. How could I resist?

2011 Nissan Quest review.

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Josh Miller/CNET

2012 Volvo S60 R-design

With a little more folding, I probably could have tucked my legs inside the trunk of the Volvo S60. It is not a huge trunk space, so maybe not the best car for IKEA trips.

2012 Volvo S60 R-design review.

13 of 15

Josh Miller/CNET

2012 Mazda 3

Being a hatchback, you would expect a little more room for a body in the back of the Mazda 3. But the low roofline affects the cargo area a bit.

2012 Mazda 3 review.

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Josh Miller/CNET

2012 Toyota Prius v

The new Prius v model boasts expanded cargo capacity over the standard Prius, so I had to test it out. And yes, it was quite easy to sit in the cargo area. But that should come as no surprise, since Toyota fits a third row in the Prius v in some markets.

2012 Toyota Prius v review.

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Josh Miller/CNET

2011 Ford Transit Connect

Standing up in the back of a utility van should be no trouble, but the Transit Connect is smaller than most, built for maneuvering in the urban jungle. Even with its small size, I could nearly stand upright.

2011 Ford Transit Connect review.