A "frunk," a portmanteau of "front trunk," refers to a front storage compartment in an electric vehicle (EV). Frunks provide supplemental cargo space in EVs thanks to their unique design. By better understanding what a frunk is and which EVs offer this handy feature, you can determine if a frunk should factor into your next EV purchase.
What is a Frunk?
In a traditional gas-powered car, the front hood area houses parts of the engine and exhaust system. This leaves no room for storage. However, electric vehicles have far fewer mechanical components under the hood since they lack a large internal combustion engine. Automakers take advantage of this free space by designing a storage compartment in the front of EVs—thus, the frunk was born.
Frunks are similar to trunks you‘d find in the rear of vehicles. They typically open by lifting the front hood and have a liftable divider that separates the storage area from any remaining mechanical components. Frunks allow you to safely store various items while driving. They also provide supplemental cargo room beyond the rear trunk.
However, it’s important to note that frunks are secondary storage spaces. They are not designed to hold large or unusually shaped objects you wouldn’t put in a standard trunk. The size and weight capacity of frunks varies extensively by EV model.
Why Frunks Exist in EVs
Electric vehicles do not contain traditional gas engines. By removing bulky engine components, automakers free up unused space to get creative with storage options. This allows car designers to construct frunks in EV models.
Specifically, most electric vehicles have thin, flat battery packs mounted underneath the cabin. Smaller motors, wiring, and suspension parts occupy minimal room up front. This creates open pockets suitable for storage compartments.
In contrast, gas vehicles require much larger powertrains including an engine block, fuel tank, exhaust pipes, etc. This equipment consumes all available space under the hood. Therefore, gas cars cannot integrate front trunks into their architecture.
Top Electric Vehicles With Frunks
While frunks appear across EV segments, their dimensions vary. Understanding the cargo capacity of different frunks will help set practical expectations for what these storage cavities can hold. Below are details on some top electric vehicles offering front trunks:
Ford F-150 Lightning
The Ford F-150 Lightning pickup boasts the largest frunk on the market with 14.1 cubic feet of cargo volume. For reference, that beats most compact sedans‘ entire rear trunk capacity. You can easily fit luggage, tools, coolers, sports gear, and other large items within the expansive frunk. It also contains four handy power outlets. However, Ford does specify a 400 pound weight limit for the frunk, so don‘t overload it.
The Ford F-150 Lightning features a cavernous 14.1 cubic foot frunk perfect for hauling large gear. (Source: Ford)
Tesla Models X, Y, 3
Tesla vehicles like the Model X, Model Y, and Model 3 include decently sized frunks well-suited to small bags, food, and other everyday items. The Models X, Y, 3 hold 6.5 cubic feet, 4.1 cubic feet, and 3.1 cubic feet respectively in their front trunks. Each meets the standard 55 pound weight restriction found in most passenger EV frunks. While compact, these spaces deliver ample supplemental cargo room during grocery runs and day trips.
Hyundai Ioniq 5
The Ioniq 5 crossover touts excellent EV performance and features for its price point. Unfortunately, its frunk lags behind rivals. Front-wheel drive models only support around 2 cubic feet of packaging room. All-wheel drive configurations shrink capacity further since they require additional mechanical hardware up front. In practical use, the Ioniq 5’s tiny frunk only fits small purses, jackets, or charging cables.
Kia EV6
Kia chose to minimize the EV6‘s frunk dimensions to maximize cabin and rear cargo space. At around 1 cubic foot, it’s solely useful for storing the charging cable that comes with the vehicle. For all intents and purposes, the non-existent EV6 frunk feels like an afterthought rather than a purposeful storage addition. Avoid the EV6 if you expect to regularly use its front trunk.
Rivian R1T
The R1T pickup from the upstart automaker Rivian breezes past expectations with its frunk specs. It provides nearly 11 cubic feet of storage capacity–on par with small crossover rear trunks. You‘ll enjoy ample room for groceries, camping gear, golf bags, and other equipment inside this cleverly designed front trunk. It’s also conveniently positioned between driver/passenger doors for easy access.
Frunk Storage Capacity Breakdown
| Electric Vehicle | Frunk Cubic Feet |
|---|---|
| Ford F-150 Lightning | 14.1 |
| Rivian R1T | 11 |
| Tesla Model X | 6.5 |
| Tesla Model Y | 4.1 |
| Tesla Model 3 | 3.1 |
| Hyundai Ioniq 5 (RWD) | 2 |
| Porsche Taycan | 2.8 |
| Kia EV6 | ~1 |
Table showing frunk dimensions amongst popular electric vehicle models. The Ford F-150 Lightning and Rivian R1T pickups possess the most voluminous front trunks available.
As demonstrated above, frunk sizes fluctuate tremendously depending on EV make and model. Purpose-built electric pickups like the Ford F-150 Lightning and Rivian R1T unsurprisingly provide the most substantial front trunks. Luxury sedans (Porsche Taycan) and low-cost crossovers (Kia EV6) trail at the bottom of the pack regarding raw frunk capacity.
Tesla vehicles strike a respectable balance–their frunks comfortably carry everyday items without monopolizing interior spacing. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 similarly guarantees you can at least squeeze small goods inside its tiny frunk. Ultimately, your intended frunk usage and packing preferences will determine which EV best supports your lifestyle.
Frunk Weight Limits
In addition to measuring frunk dimensions in cubic feet, pay attention to weight restrictions associated with front trunks. Overpacking frunks risks damage over time. Most automakers enforce weight caps between 55-400 pounds depending on the EV. As a rule of thumb, only load frunks with items you would normally place in a rear trunk. Avoid dense, awkwardly shaped objects that concentrate force in one area.
Carefully distribute weight evenly throughout the compartment to prevent excessive pressure points. Avoid resting heavy supplies on vulnerable mechanical hardware when loading the frunk. While handy for storage, frunks aren‘t designed to bear large loads during driving. Heed all manufacturer guidance to enjoy reliable, long-lasting usage of your electric vehicle’s front trunk.
What Can You Fit Inside A Frunk?
Wondering what you can reasonably store inside an EV frunk? As you might expect, their storage capabilities align closely with rear trunks or cargo holds. For instance, larger pickups like the Ford F-150 Lightning handle bulky equipment including:
- Sporting goods (golf bags, fishing rods, snowboards)
- Camping supplies (coolers, chairs, tents)
- Work/job site gear (tools, hard hats, safety vests)
- Road trip luggage (suitcases, backpacks, carry-ons)
For EVs with smaller, sedan-sized frunks:
- Groceries (multiple bags)
- Beach items (towels, small coolers)
- Shopping bags/parcels
- Medications & medical supplies
- Pet carriers & supplies
- Charging cables, accessories
While most frunks technically can fit larger items, make sure any cargo you place inside follows the recommended weight limit and evenly distributes force. Just because you can wedge bulkier things inside does not guarantee safe transport. Always err on the side of caution when packing.
Frunks: Pros and Cons
Below I break down the inherent advantages and disadvantages associated with front trunks in electric vehicles:
Frunk Pros
- Added cargo capacity beyond rear trunk
- Covered, weatherproof storage while driving
- Security via front hood locking system
- Supplementary USB ports in some models (Ford Lightning)
- Novelty/exclusivity factor over gas vehicles
Frunk Cons
- Often smaller than main trunk
- Low weight limits (usually under 100 lbs)
- Reduced ground clearance at front axle
- Creates new potential leak point if damaged
- Compromised impact safety in severe crashes
- Repairs complex/costly if hydraulic lifts fail
Overall, frunks offer excellent supplemental transport utility…if properly used as designed. Respect all weight guidance, avoid overpacking, and do not treat the frunk as primary cargo space. Assuming you adhere to best practices, front trunks help expand practical storage room during daily driving.
Tested: My Experience With EV Frunks
I‘ve extensively tested several EVs firsthand through my work as an automotive journalist. My evaluations focus heavily on practical factors like cargo capacity while determining overall vehicle livability. Throughout numerous test drives, I intentionally utilized frunks to judge real-world functionality.
Ford and Tesla vehicles left the most positive impression regarding front trunk efficacy. The F-150 Lightning‘s enormous frunk gulped down bulky loads with ample room to spare.Recognizing the genuine utility found here, I filled it effortlessly on a home improvement store run.
Conversely, the Tesla Model 3 I piloted daily for a week reliably swallowed groceries, gym bags, and other modest goods thanks to excellent space optimization. The Model 3 frunk‘s dimensions belie its usable carrying volume.
I cannot enthusiastically recommend Hyundai/Kia‘s current frunk executions however after sampling them firsthand. While their EV cabins and ranges impress, the puny, vestigial front trunks flop as viable cargo spaces. Avoid these EVs if you expect to regularly leverage front storage. Until redesigned to provide recognizable utility, they feel like wasted opportunities given their limited practical frunk benefit.
Key Takeaways – EV Frunks
In closing, keep the following tips in mind when assessing electric vehicles with front trunks:
- Prioritize overall EV utility first – treat frunks as a bonus
- Measure frunk cubic feet and weight limit before buying
- Only stash items comparable to what you‘d load in a standard trunk
- Heed manufacturer guidance for weight distribution inside
- Favor pickups and SUVs for maximum frunk volume
- Test frunk ergonomics on any test drive
If sized reasonably and used responsibly, frunks add worthwhile everyday value through increased storage flexibility. Considering one with your next EV purchase could unlock added convenience while driving if you regularly haul bulky personal items. Just ensure you choose an EV offering ample frunk capacity for your unique lifestyle needs.
