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Pickup Truck vs. SUV: Cargo, Comfort, Fuel Economy, and Towing Compared

Pickups separate cargo in an open bed; SUVs keep it enclosed. Compare exact models for usable space, comfort, EPA fuel economy and towing capacity.

By CarCody Team 3 min read
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Neither a pickup nor an SUV is the better choice in every situation. A pickup’s open bed is useful for bulky, dirty, or awkward cargo; an SUV keeps cargo enclosed and can offer multiple passenger rows. Fuel economy varies by model and powertrain, while comfort and towing depend on the exact vehicle and configuration. Compare specific candidates—not body-style stereotypes—on all four.

How cargo space differs

Pickup trucks: an open, separate bed

A pickup bed carries cargo outside the passenger cabin, which can be useful for loads that are dirty, bulky, or awkward to fit inside an enclosed vehicle. Check the bed’s usable dimensions against the items you actually carry, and secure loads appropriately. A cargo net may help with suitable loose cargo, but it must fit the bed and be appropriate for the load.

SUVs: enclosed space that changes with the seats

An SUV’s cargo area is enclosed. Its available room depends on the model and seating layout: compare the published cargo volume behind the seats you plan to use, as well as the volume with seats folded. A pickup bed measurement and an SUV cargo-volume figure describe different kinds of space, so neither alone establishes which vehicle will carry more of your particular load.

The EPA explains that SUVs do not all fall into one regulatory category; they may be classified as cars or trucks based on vehicle attributes, including drivetrain and weight-related criteria. That distinction matters when interpreting fuel-economy groupings. EPA report executive summary

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Fuel economy: compare the exact vehicles

In its 2026 report covering model year 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reported real-world averages of 20.5 mpg for pickup trucks and 25.7 mpg for truck SUVs. The truck-SUV figure does not represent every SUV: the report separates car SUVs from truck SUVs. These are category averages, not predictions for an individual vehicle. The same report said truck-SUV fuel economy rose 1.0 mpg from model year 2023, while pickup fuel economy was unchanged year over year.

For an apples-to-apples comparison, check each candidate’s EPA combined estimate for the same model year and comparable powertrain and drivetrain. EPA says the gasoline vehicle label emphasizes the combined city/highway estimate to help compare vehicles. Actual results for a particular driver may differ from the label estimate. EPA gasoline vehicle label guidance · EPA 2025 Automotive Trends Report

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Passenger comfort is a model-level question

Body style alone does not establish which vehicle will be more comfortable. Compare the seats and ride in the trims you are considering, and assess second- and third-row room, ease of entry, and highway noise. If you regularly carry passengers, bring them along for a test drive and try the seats they would use. The available evidence does not establish a universal comfort winner between pickups and SUVs.

Towing: match the rating to the configuration

Do not rely on a headline maximum towing figure without checking that it applies to the exact vehicle. Ratings can depend on engine, drivetrain, cab or body, and installed equipment. Confirm the manufacturer’s rating for the specific configuration, consult the owner’s manual, and consider payload as well as the trailer you intend to tow. A comparison of particular SUVs cannot establish that every pickup tows more than every SUV, or vice versa.

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For context on two SUV examples only, the Associated Press report on an Edmunds Expedition/Yukon comparison should not be treated as a category-wide pickup-versus-SUV towing comparison.

Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

A practical way to choose

  1. List your cargo. Note its dimensions, whether it is dirty or awkward, and whether it needs to stay enclosed. Compare those needs with a pickup’s usable bed dimensions and an SUV’s cargo space in the seating layout you will use.
  2. Count the seats you need. Check access and passenger room in the exact vehicles and trims, then test-drive them with the people who will ride regularly.
  3. Estimate annual mileage. Compare EPA combined estimates for the specific model years and comparable configurations rather than applying category averages to a particular vehicle.
  4. Identify the trailer and load. Verify the exact manufacturer towing rating, payload, and applicable owner’s-manual guidance for the vehicle configuration under consideration.

Vehicle size and weight alone do not provide a simple safety ranking between pickups and SUVs. Consult the individual vehicle’s ratings and relevant safety information rather than treating towing capability or body style as a safety measure. NHTSA car safety ratings · IIHS research on vehicle size and weight · NHTSA Corporate Average Fuel Economy program

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