I would assume that a major reason someone buys a 2021 Nissan Rogue rather than a Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester or Toyota RAV4 is because of its looks. The new Rogue, like its predecessor actually, is quite the handsome thing. It's nicely proportioned with a face that's distinctively bold without being overwrought. It doesn't scream "functionality!" like the rather mumsy CR-V or the sensible-shoes Forester. 

Usually, such an emphasis on style would result in a reduction of space and versatility. Fashion and function are often at odds with each other. Yet, the Rogue bucks that trend. Though it's not quite as spacious or versatile as its fellow top sellers, it's still awfully big for something deemed a "compact" SUV. There's abundant leg- and headroom in the back seat, and since this is a luggage test, a surprising amount of cargo space. In fact, its 74.1 cubic-feet of maximum cargo capacity, which trails only the CR-V for class best. Space behind the raised back seat isn't as good as the CR-V and RAV4, however, with Nissan measuring it at 31.6 cubic-feet in the cargo area's standard formation (like the vehicle we'll be testing here) and 36.5 cubic-feet with the innovative optional Divide-N-Hide cargo floor. Let's see if that 31.6 cubic-feet is consistent with the amount of luggage you can actually cram aboard. 

Our 2019 Subaru Forester long-term test car has been a pack rat for many of us on staff at Autoblog. We've stuffed in camping gear, tires, landscaping supplies and much more over a number of months. However, we haven't given it a proper luggage test until now.

West Coast Editor James Riswick has tested a number of compact crossovers that the Forester competes against with his own set of luggage: Ford Escape, Mazda CX-5, Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. But since our long-term Forester lives in Michigan, we'll be using the same set of luggage that we've used for all other midwest luggage tests.

Two major airline companies in Japan say they will use the cabin area of their passenger planes to transport medical supplies from overseas amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The drop in the number of travelers because of the virus has forced Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways to cancel 90 percent of their international flights.

The 2020 Mazda CX-30 is pretty much a lifted Mazda3 hatchback. Same platform, awfully similar dimensions, and the interior's a spitting image (if not identical). Ditto cargo capacity. On paper, the two have virtually the same amount of space behind their raised back seats, with the CX-30 at 20.2 cubic-feet and the 3 with just a teensy less at 20.1. 

Now, before I go any further, let's see how much that 20.1 cubic-feet relates to in the Mazda3. I wasn't yet doing this test format back then, hence the video. 

Of course all the luggage in my garage fits inside the 2020 Toyota 4Runner. I mean, duh, it's a midsize SUV and a boxy one at that. Thankfully, then, there's a lot more to talk about here than answering "will it fit?"  There's the matter of just how much stuff you can bring along on a rugged 4Running adventure (holy cow it's a lot!). There's the optional sliding cargo floor, the TRD Pro's jumbo roof rack and the new-for-2020 proximity entry that lets you open the tailgate by keeping the key in your pocket. And oh yes, as always, there's the power-lowering rear window.  Now, if you're looking for something a lot meatier to bite into with the 4Runner, read Dan Edmunds' Suspension Deep Dive. But, if you're still hungry, let's commence the luggage test.  Here's the cargo hold, which comes with a whopping 47.2 cubic feet of space behind its back seat. For some perspective, I'd consider the Honda Passport to have a ton of space back there, especially when compared to other two-row midsize crossovers, yet it only has 41.2 cubic feet.  Now, that 47.2 number is without the sliding cargo floor that you can see up there. To see how much you lose, here's the cargo area without it. It's not insignificant. Here is a better look at the sliding cargo tray. Here is the mechanism that deploys it as well as the little pop-up ledge near the back seats that comes with it.  Now, to the luggage. To start, I kept the cargo cover in place and kept the back seat at its fully upright and locked position.  As always, I use two mid-size roller suitcases that would need to be checked in at the airport (26 inches long, 16 wide, 11 deep), two roll-aboard suitcases that just barely fit in the overhead (24L x 15W x 10D), and one smaller roll-aboard that fits easily (23L x 15W x 10D). I also include my wife's fancy overnight bag just to spruce things up a bit (21L x 12W x 12D). Snooze. I almost could've stood there from 10 feet away and chucked them inside. OK, but what if I tried to load them all using the slide-out tray. A little harder, but still do-able. Honestly, at this point I started to question how useful the tray was. Perhaps a shorter owner would find it helpful, but even if there's still a ton of space left over, you still lose some, and you also have to make sure to load everything just-so onto the platform to make sure it doesn't topple off and stop the tray in its tracks. Verdict: I'd skip it. But the luggage testing doesn't stop there. Now, let's remove the cargo cover, which is a typical reel unit that easily pops out.  Now you can see just how much space is left over, or ... ... How much you can still carry when you fully recline the back seat. And I do mean FULLY recline, because the 4Runner is quite indulgent back there, as your author can attest in the photographs below.  As you can see, though, I've hardly been putting the max Tetris effort into this. Let's put the seats back fully forward (still perfectly comfortable), keep the cargo cover removed and see just how much stuff you can fit back there. Boom! That would be all the luggage described above plus a 38-quart cooler, a giant two-person inflatable river raft, a small Harry Potter Ravenclaw backpack and a Graco Pack 'N Play portable play pen. I'd say that's pretty representative of a family weekend 4Running adventure. And if you still have more stuff ... The TRD Pro includes a serious roof rack with four movable cross bars. I'm not really sure what would've been left in my garage to throw up there (plus the weather was garbage, hence the lack of an Army Green photo), so you'll just have to use your imagination.  Now, if this reminds you of the FJ Cruiser's rack, that's probably the point. The dearly departed FJ also donated the TRD Pro's Army Green paint for 2020 and the Voodoo Blue paint (pictured) for 2019. Dear Toyota, why can't we have them both every year?  And to use the Voodoo Blue truck one more time, here's the always-awesome power-lowering rear window. It is fantastic.  Note the spot next to the R in 4Runner. It's a key hole on the 2019 TRD Pro, but for 2020 ... It has buttons that do what they say they do since proximity entry has been added to all trims but the SR5 and TRD Off-Road for 2020.  So there you have it. Not only is the 2020 Toyota 4Runner extremely awesome, it's extremely practical too.