The Hyundai Palisade is a strong overall choice for Ohio State football tailgating, offering seating for up to eight passengers and about 19 cubic feet of cargo room behind the third row. For fan groups who prioritize built-in cooler storage and open-bed utility, the Hyundai Santa Cruz compact pickup provides a sealed underfloor bed trunk with a bottom drain plug, while the Hyundai IONIQ 5 electric SUV offers household AC power outlets to run televisions and small appliances directly from its drive battery.
Choosing the ideal vehicle for game day comes down to how your crew sets up in the stadium parking lots. The Hyundai Palisade features a 2.5-liter engine paired with a SHIFTRONIC transmission, delivering an EPA-estimated 35 mpg highway along with a 4,000-pound tow rating. That efficiency and pull capacity make it simple to haul full-size pop-up canopies, heavy coolers, and folding tables while carrying up to eight fans in air-conditioned comfort.
For fans driving into game-day events from Dublin corporate campuses or suburban neighborhoods near Columbus, having built-in hands-free power liftgate access and smart storage bins keeps packing more convenient. If you are comparing three-row haulers against versatile open-bed sport-adventure vehicles, finding our showroom on Billingsley Road is the easiest way to inspect these layouts in person. You can also give our team a quick call to check trim availability before heading over.
What Makes the Hyundai Santa Cruz the Ultimate Tailgating Truck with Built-In Bed Cooler Storage?
The Hyundai Santa Cruz features a built-in, weather-sealed underfloor bed trunk equipped with a bottom drain plug, turning the storage compartment into an integrated cooler for ice and beverages.
This composite truck bed measures 52 inches long and delivers 27 cubic feet of secure cargo volume. Beneath the heavy-duty bed floor, the lockable trunk keeps ice, cans, and fresh food cold throughout game day. Once the tailgate wraps up, pulling the rubber drain plug lets melted ice empty straight onto the pavement without needing to scoop out water or tip a heavy plastic cooler.
Beyond cooler storage, the Santa Cruz bed functions as a complete portable staging station. Key utility features built into the bed include:
- An integrated 115-volt AC power outlet for plugging in portable speakers or electric grills.
- Heavy-duty sidewall tie-downs to lock down coolers, folding chairs, and grill setups during transit.
- A factory-installed lockable tonneau cover that slides closed to keep gear protected from bad weather.
When configured with the 2.5-liter turbocharged engine and HTRAC all-wheel drive, the Santa Cruz yields a 5,000-pound maximum towing capacity and up to 1,907 pounds of payload capability. That muscle allows you to pull a dedicated smoker rig or utility trailer while keeping the bed free for supplies. You can explore versatile options by browsing our current pre-owned vehicle inventory online.
What Is the Cargo Space and Seating Capacity of the Hyundai Palisade and Santa Fe for Tailgating?
Cargo capacity varies significantly among Hyundai models, with the Palisade offering up to 87 cubic feet of space when folded, and the Santa Fe providing a slightly smaller but versatile 80 cubic feet for tailgating essentials.
The Palisade offers flexibility for larger groups. Base trims provide a second-row bench for eight-person seating, while mid and higher tiers feature second-row captain's chairs that reduce seating to seven and create a wide center passthrough for easy third-row access. With all seats raised, the 18 cubic feet of rear trunk space fits upright coolers and beverage cases. Folding the 60/40-split third row expands cargo room to nearly 46 cubic feet, leaving plenty of seating for four or five fans while freeing up floor space for oversized tailgating gear.
The Santa Fe highlights a distinct boxy profile with a wider rear liftgate opening. Folding its third row opens up 40 cubic feet of flat storage space, making it easy to slide in rectangular folding tables, storage totes, and portable tailgating grills. Both models offer hands-free smart power liftgates that open automatically when you stand near the rear bumper with the proximity key, eliminating the need to drop heavy bags to load the cargo area.
Universal hatch tents and tailgate canopies attach easily to both the Palisade and Santa Fe. These shelter attachments sleeve over the open rear liftgate and anchor around the rear tires with elastic straps, extending shaded, rain-protected seating directly behind the vehicle bumper. Families hauling heavy gear along the I-270 loop from Hilliard can inspect these interior dimensions by reviewing our certified pre-owned Hyundai models.
Which Hyundai Models Offer Vehicle-to-Load Power Outlets for Game-Day Equipment?
The Hyundai IONIQ 5, IONIQ 6, and Santa Fe Hybrid feature Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) technology, supplying up to 1.9 kW of 120-volt AC power to run household appliances and electronics directly from the battery system.
Hyundai V2L technology delivers 1,900 watts of continuous electrical power, matching standard household wall outlets. This system lets fan groups run full game-day entertainment setups in parking lots without lugging along noisy, gas-powered generators. Common tailgating devices run easily within the 1.9 kW limit:
- A 55-inch LED television (drawing 50 to 150 watts).
- A compact refrigerator or electric cooler (drawing 100 to 400 watts).
- High-output Bluetooth tailgater speakers and crockpots simultaneously.
Powering an outdoor television and MINI-fridge for four hours typically consumes just two to three percent of an EV's primary traction battery charge, leaving full driving range intact for your return home. You can access V2L power through an internal cabin outlet or an external adapter that plugs straight into the exterior charge port. If you are ready to upgrade to an electrified game-day setup, take a look at our new Hyundai inventory, and consider valuing your trade-in online to streamline your purchase.
How Does the Hyundai IONIQ 5 Compare to the Kia EV6 for Tailgating Setup?
The Hyundai IONIQ 5 provides 27 cubic feet of rear cargo space behind the second row compared to 24 cubic feet in the Kia EV6, offering more usable vertical storage height for tall game-day equipment.
While both electric crossovers share Hyundai Motor Group's E-GMP platform and supply identical 1.9 kW Vehicle-to-Load output, their body shapes create different loading advantages. The IONIQ 5 features a square, upright rear roofline and a longer wheelbase, resulting in greater interior headroom and a taller hatch opening. That extra vertical room makes it easier to stand large hard-shell coolers, folded pop-up canopy frames, and bulky storage bins upright without hitting the rear glass.
The Kia EV6 uses a lower, fastback-style roofline that reduces rear cargo height and total interior volume. The upright stance of the IONIQ 5 also creates a more comfortable seating area under the open rear liftgate when using tailgate tent attachments. You can prepare for your next electric SUV purchase by submitting a finance application through our secure online portal.
Game-Day Tailgating Questions Answered for Local Hyundai Owners
Q: Can the Hyundai Santa Cruz tow a heavy tailgate trailer loaded with equipment? Yes, when equipped with the 2.5-liter turbocharged engine and HTRAC all-wheel drive, the 2025 Santa Cruz delivers a 5,000-pound maximum towing capacity. That pull strength allows you to tow custom smoker rigs, dual-axle utility trailers, or portable generator setups without compromising vehicle stability or acceleration.
Q: Does running electronics off Hyundai V2L power drain the EV drive battery quickly? No, Vehicle-to-Load draw is efficient. Operating a 55-inch TV, soundbar, and MINI-fridge continuously for four hours consumes roughly two to three percent of the total battery charge, preserving plenty of driving range for your trip home.
Q: Are captain's chairs or a bench seat better for group tailgating in a Palisade? Second-row captain's chairs offer superior comfort and an open center walkway for fast access to the third row, seating seven total. The standard bench seat expands total capacity to eight passengers, making it the better pick if you routinely haul larger groups.
Q: How do you drain ice water out of the Santa Cruz in-bed trunk after the game? The composite underfloor bed trunk features a removable rubber drain plug built into the bottom floor. Simply pull the plug after your tailgate event to drain melted ice water straight down to the pavement without removing the trunk liner or scooping out liquid manually.
Q: What key tech features assist with reversing into tight stadium parking spaces? Hyundai models offer Surround View Monitors and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist. These systems project a high-definition 360-degree aerial view onto the 12.3-inch infotainment display, helping drivers maneuver around tailgating gear, lawn chairs, and pedestrian crowds safely.
Prices and MSRP referenced in this article are estimates for informational purposes only and do not constitute an offer to sell. See dealer for complete details. Fuel economy estimates shown may differ from official EPA ratings and should not be relied upon as a guarantee of actual vehicle performance.
