How big is the Toyota Corolla trunk space?
In brief, the Corolla sedan offers about 13 cubic feet of trunk space, while the Corolla Hatchback provides roughly 23 cubic feet behind the rear seats. With the rear seats folded, cargo capacity rises to about 40 cubic feet in both body styles, though exact figures can vary slightly by model year and trim.
This article breaks down the official cargo figures for the two main Corolla body styles, explains how folding rear seats changes capacity in real-world loading scenarios, and offers practical tips for packing groceries, luggage, or sports gear.
Trunk space by body style
Sedan
The Corolla sedan’s trunk is sized for everyday errands and light travel, with official measurements indicating about 13 cubic feet of cargo volume behind the rear seats.
- Trunk volume behind the rear seats: approximately 13 cubic feet.
- With the rear seats folded (60/40 split), total cargo capacity expands to roughly 40 cubic feet.
- Practical loading note: The trunk remains a separate compartment from the passenger area, so longer items may require folding the rear seats and maneuvering items through the opening.
In summary for the sedan, you get a modest trunk suitable for a couple of suitcases or several grocery runs, with a noticeable increase in capacity once you fold the rear seats.
Hatchback
The Corolla Hatchback offers a larger cargo area behind the rear seats, reflecting its utility-focused design. Official figures place cargo volume behind the rear seats in the low-to-mid 20s cubic feet range.
- Trunk volume behind the rear seats: about 23.0 to 23.5 cubic feet.
- With the rear seats folded, total cargo capacity rises to roughly 40 to 42 cubic feet, depending on year and trim.
- Practical loading note: The hatchback layout allows easier loading of taller or bulkier items and maintains a usable loading floor even with the seats down.
In short, the Hatchback configuration provides substantially more space behind the rear seats than the sedan, and folding the rear row unlocks a similar overall capacity to the sedan when configured for maximum cargo.
Real-world considerations and tips for packing
When planning cargo for trips, groceries, or gear, note that the numbers above are typical for recent model years and can vary slightly by trim and year. The hatchback’s larger behind-rear-seat volume makes it a more flexible choice for frequent cargo needs, while the sedan offers a traditional trunk with a straightforward loading feel.
Comparison and takeaway
Across the Corolla lineup, trunk space is competitive for compact cars. The sedan achieves a compact-sedan level of storage (13 cu ft) with a sizable increase when folding seats; the hatchback delivers more everyday accessibility and a similar maximum cargo capacity when configured for bulkier loads. For shoppers prioritizing cargo, the Hatchback is generally the more versatile option.
Summary
The Toyota Corolla provides two solid cargo configurations: the sedan with about 13 cubic feet of trunk space and roughly 40 cubic feet with rear seats folded, and the Hatchback with about 23 cubic feet behind the rear seats and about 40–42 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Variations by model year and trim are small but real, so consult the specific year’s official specs for the exact figure.
