Cargo space is one of those specs everyone assumes they understand until they're actually loading a stroller, two suitcases, and a case of water into the back of a car in the Maple Honda parking lot. The honest answer changes depending on the model, the trim, and — for CR-V specifically — whether you picked gas or hybrid. Here's the full lineup, in litres, so you can match the vehicle to what you actually haul instead of guessing.
The full Honda cargo lineup, in litres
These are Honda Canada's official 2026 spec-sheet figures, seats-up (or behind the last row, for three-row vehicles) and seats-folded (or maximum) side by side:
| Model | Seats up / behind last row | Seats folded / max |
|---|---|---|
| Civic Sedan (all trims) | 419 L trunk | — (fixed trunk) |
| HR-V (all trims) | 691 L | 1,559 L |
| CR-V gas (LX, Sport) | 1,113 L | 2,166 L |
| CR-V Hybrid (Sport Hybrid, TrailSport Hybrid, EX-L Hybrid, Touring Hybrid) | 1,028 L | 2,030 L |
| Passport | 1,246 L (behind 2nd row) | 2,356 L |
| Pilot | 618–635 L (behind 3rd row) | ~3,166–3,219 L |
| Odyssey | 929 L (behind 3rd row) | 3,973 L |
Source: Honda Canada 2026 model-year specification sheets (honda.ca). Pilot and Odyssey figures are per SAE J1100; "max" includes rear footwell space and front seats moved forward where noted on the spec sheet.
Why the CR-V Hybrid holds less than the gas CR-V
This is the one that surprises people. The gas CR-V (LX, Sport) holds 1,113 L seats up and 2,166 L with the seats folded. The hybrid trims — Sport Hybrid, TrailSport Hybrid, EX-L Hybrid, Touring Hybrid — hold 1,028 L and 2,030 L. That's an 85 L difference seats-up and 136 L folded, and the reason is packaging, not a design oversight: the two-motor hybrid system's battery pack sits under the cargo floor, which raises the floor slightly and eats into the volume above it.
For most Vaughan households — groceries, luggage, a stroller, gear for a weekend at the cottage — that gap rarely matters day to day. It's worth knowing about before you buy if you regularly haul something specific and bulky, like a bike without removing a wheel, or flat-packed furniture from the IKEA on Bass Pro Mills Drive.
Three-row math: Pilot vs Odyssey
Behind the third row, the Odyssey's 929 L beats the Pilot's 618-635 L by a wide margin — enough for several large suitcases before anyone folds a seat. With all seats down, the Odyssey's roughly 3,973 L max also comes in ahead of the Pilot's roughly 3,166-3,219 L. On raw cargo volume alone, the minivan wins at every measurement point.
What the Pilot brings instead is ground clearance, standard all-wheel drive, and a Class III trailer hitch with real towing capacity — the things a household needs for a cottage trailer, a snowmobile, or unpaved roads north of the city. If your trips are mostly pavement and your priority is fitting the most stuff, the Odyssey is the more space-efficient choice. If you're regularly towing or driving somewhere the plows haven't reached yet, the Pilot earns its smaller cargo number.
Henry's take: Most people don't actually need to move up a size class — they need to know what the size they're looking at actually holds. A CR-V with the seats folded carries more than most people expect from a "compact" SUV, and a lot of Odyssey cross-shoppers are surprised the minivan beats the three-row SUV they assumed was bigger.
What this looks like on the Vaughan lot
When someone tells me they need "more space," the first question I ask is what they're actually loading — that answer usually points to a different vehicle than the one they walked in asking about. A family doing weekly grocery runs and the occasional airport trip is usually well served by a CR-V, gas or hybrid. A family hauling hockey bags, a stroller, and cottage gear every weekend is often better matched to the Odyssey's cargo volume than the Pilot's badge. And someone who genuinely needs to tow is buying the Pilot for the hitch, not the cargo number.
If you're still weighing Passport or Pilot specifically, I've written a full Passport vs Pilot comparison that goes beyond cargo into ride height, price, and family fit. And if overall vehicle size — not just cargo — is what you're trying to picture in your driveway or garage, my Honda vehicle length comparison lines up every model side by side.
Frequently asked, Vaughan edition
How much cargo space does a Honda CR-V have compared to a Civic Sedan?
A 2026 Civic Sedan's trunk is 419 L on every trim. A gas CR-V (LX, Sport) holds 1,113 L with the rear seats up and 2,166 L with them folded — nearly triple the Civic's trunk with the seats down. CR-V Hybrid trims are slightly smaller at 1,028 L seats up and 2,030 L folded, because the hybrid battery pack sits under the cargo floor.
Why does the CR-V Hybrid have less cargo space than the gas CR-V?
The two-motor hybrid system's battery pack is packaged under the cargo floor, which raises the floor slightly and trims the available volume. Per Honda Canada's spec sheets, that works out to about 85 L less seats-up and 136 L less seats-folded versus the gas CR-V — noticeable if you're loading bulky items, but rarely a dealbreaker for everyday groceries and luggage.
Do I need a Pilot or is an Odyssey more space for the same money?
For raw cargo volume, the Odyssey wins at every row: 929 L behind the third row versus the Pilot's 635 L, and roughly 3,973 L maximum versus the Pilot's roughly 3,166-3,219 L. The Pilot's advantage is ground clearance, all-wheel drive, and towing capacity for a cottage trailer or a snowmobile. If cargo volume alone is the deciding factor and you don't need AWD, the Odyssey carries more.
Want help with Honda cargo space comparison Vaughan from a real human?
Henry Chen at Maple Honda will walk you through the numbers in plain English — no pressure, no scripted pitch. Book a test drive online, or text a photo of any written quote to (647) 523-6878 for a free 15-minute review.
Ask Henry a question
Not ready to book anything? Just ask. Henry Chen answers every message himself — usually within a couple of hours during business hours. No call list, no pressure, and no obligation to buy anything.