How much can you fit in a Toyota Yaris?
In practical terms, the Toyota Yaris offers modest but usable cargo and passenger space for a subcompact car. For city errands, it handles groceries and gear well; for weekend trips, folding the rear seats expands the load area significantly.
Cargo capacity by configuration
With rear seats up
The following figures reflect the five-door hatchback commonly sold in Europe and parts of Asia-Pacific. Actual capacity can vary by market, trim, and whether a spare tire is stored in the floor.
- Boot space: about 286 liters (roughly 10.1 cubic feet) with the rear seats upright.
In everyday use, this size is enough for a couple of large suitcases or several grocery trips, though it is compact by larger-car standards.
Rear seats folded
When the rear seats are folded to extend the load area, capacity increases substantially, enabling larger or longer items. Floor configuration and the presence of a floor storage bin can influence the exact figure.
- Maximum cargo capacity (rear seats folded): around 1,000 liters (about 35 cubic feet) for a near-flat load floor in many markets.
With the rear seats folded, you can typically fit multiple suitcases, sports gear, or longer items like skis or a small dresser, depending on exact dimensions and how you configure the floor plan.
Interior space and versatility
Seating and everyday usability
The Yaris seats five, with a compact rear bench that is adequate for adults on shorter trips and groceries-for-the-week runs. The two rear seats usually feature a split-fold design, commonly 60/40, to help balance passenger and cargo needs.
- Five-passenger configuration is standard in most markets, offering flexible cargo and passenger options for daily use.
- The rear seats fold in a 60/40 pattern (where applicable), enabling a flatter loading surface when needed.
In practice, this means you can carry two adults in back for city commutes and still create space for longer items by folding part or all of the rear seatbacks. A near-flat load floor is common when the seats are folded, which helps with bulky items.
Practical loading tips
To maximize what you can fit, consider how you pack and what you’re transporting. The following tips help optimize space in a compact hatchback like the Yaris.
- Pack efficiently: soft-sided bags compress more easily than rigid suitcases, helping to fit more into the trunk.
- Use the fold-down seats strategically: fold 60/40 to accommodate long items while still carrying a passenger on one side.
- Measure awkward items before loading: skis, golf clubs, or a small coffee table may fit with the seats down but not with them up.
- Keep a flat floor when possible: removing cabin clutter and stacking items evenly improves stability and space usage.
With thoughtful packing, a Yaris can handle a weekend’s worth of gear, groceries, or a couple of sizable suitcases, though it remains best for daily urban use rather than bulk-moving tasks.
Summary
The Toyota Yaris offers about 286 liters (10.1 cu ft) of cargo space with the rear seats up and around 1,000 liters (35 cu ft) with the rear seats folded in its hatchback configuration. These figures vary by market, trim, and floor setup, so when planning larger loads, check the exact specs for your specific model and year. Overall, the Yaris delivers solid practicality for a subcompact car: ample daily cargo space, flexible folding seats, and enough interior room to handle both errands and longer weekend trips.
