What is a ‘Frunk,‘ and Which EVs Have One? The Complete Guide

Have you heard about frunks in electric vehicles lately and wondered – what are they and why should you care? As your resident EV adviser, I‘m here to give you the insider details on this increasingly popular feature that adds extra storage flexibility.

In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll dig deep into explaining exactly what a frunk is, why EVs can have them, how much they hold across EV models, and how to shop smart if you want one. Time to unlock the secrets of EV frunks!

Frunk 101 – Your Intro to Front Trunks

First things first – what in the world is a frunk?

It‘s a catchy nickname for front trunk, which refers to the lockable, spacious storage compartment built into the front of select electric vehicles beneath what was formerly the engine bay in gas cars.

Since EVs run on compact electric motors instead of bulky gas engines, designers repurposed some of the newly available room to create bonus storage up front. Thus the handy "frunk" was born!

Frunks provide owners with supplemental space to complement rear cargo holds for added hauling flexibility. While not huge, most frunks offer a very usable 4-14 cubic feet of room to work with.

So in short, think of a frunk like an extra glovebox up front perfect for suitcases, tools, sports gear, and other items when you want to free up elbow room inside or maximize cargo.

Now that you‘ve got the basic idea, let‘s explore all of ins and outs of frunks in detail…

Why Do EVs Have Frunks?

You might be wondering – if gas cars already have trunks and interior space, why add a whole other storage zone?

It comes down to fundamental differences in the powertrain…

Traditional gas vehicles house large, complex engines under the hood which take up most of the space. This prevents designers from placing anything else up there beyond small fluid reservoirs.

Meanwhile, electric vehicles operate on a simpler, more compact motor assembly often located under the floor. This liberates room up front that would otherwise sit empty.

Automakers got creative and realized – "hey, we could put a lockable storage trunk up there!" Et voila – making use of the extra space birthed the front trunk or frunk.

While not revolutionary, frunks epitomize the packaging and design flexibility afforded by dedicated EV platforms. Taking advantage of every nook possible gives EVs an practical edge.

Frunk Sizes Range Dramatically Across EVs

Now that you know what a frunk technically is, here is where things get interesting – the size and space offered varies greatly depending on EV model.

Spanning from minuscule to outright massive in scale, automakers have taken very different approaches designing frunks. This means storage capacity ranges considerably too.

To demonstrate just how wide the spectrum is, check out this comparison chart of popular electric vehicles and their respective frunk dimensions:

Reviewing the data makes the variance quite apparent – from the cavernous F-150 Lightning frunk down to the near-non-existent EV6.

Clearly not all frunks were created equal! But why such drastic differences?

Frunk Design Optimal or Afterthought?

In exploring the frunks available more closely, an interesting trend emerges – EVs designed from the outset as dedicated electric models (Tesla, Lucid) tend to maximize frunk space better.

Meanwhile, EVs based on gas platforms (Ford) or with tight space constraints (Kia) seem to offer less exceptional frunks.

This suggests automakers who can prioritize EV-specific architecture from the beginning do a better job utilizing every inch possible – including frunks.

Let‘s compare two case studies side-by-side to demonstrate…

Lightning F-150 (Retrofitted Platform)

While its 14 cubic ft blows most frunks away, context helps explain the Lighting‘s advantage. As a full-size truck, Ford had gobs of existing space to work with up front after removing the bulky gas components.

Stashing golf bags or camping gear is easy for such a gigantic front end. But beyond impressive volume, features like lighting, outlets and a drain give the Lightning‘s design a purposeful edge for maximum utility. Verdict: Exceptional Design

Kia EV6 (Space Constraints)

In contrast, the Kia EV6 midsize crossover contains a fraction of the packaging freedom thanks to tighter confines. So while still technically a frunk, priority clearly went to passenger space meaning only tiny dimensions remained.

With room solely for the charging cable as many owners observe, the EV6‘s frunk feels more like an afterthought. Though give Kia credit for at least incorporating something – many competing gas crossovers still have zero frunk at all. Verdict: Suboptimal Design

As automakers launch more bespoke EV architectures, expect to see frunks become higher priorities in coming years as platforms maximize intents from inception.

Best Frunks Currently Available

Clearly not all electric vehicle frunks operate equally – some models do it better than others. Based on dimensions and owner reports, these EVs stand out for offering the most functional frunks you can buy today:

1. Ford F-150 Lightning

Hands down owning the mega frunk crown with 14 whole cubic feet of storage, the Ford Lightning pickup sets the benchmark. Fitting golf bags upright, housing job tools, and packing serious weight make this full-size EV frunk king. Bonus tailgating modes and accessory plugs add to the versatility.

If you ever doubted an EV‘s ability to get work done, the Lightning should quickly dispel skepticism. No other current frunk comes close the utility.

2. Lucid Air

While nowhere near as massive as the Lightning, Lucid‘s ultra-luxury Air sedan impresses with an EV sedan-leading 10 cubic ft frunk perfectly sized for air travel. Six full roller suitcases worth of space with room left for backpacks makes airport runs a cinch.

For a sleek luxury car, that‘s seriously impressive cargo capacity thanks to smart packaging. Lucid really maxed out every possible inch.

3. Tesla Model X

As Tesla‘s first dedicated EV model designed in-house, the Model X midsize SUV generally gets high marks for storage practicality. This includes its frunk measuring a healthy 6.6 cubic feet – enough for a large backpack plus several shopping bags based on owner experiences.

While narrowly trailing the Model Y overall, the X‘s additional length gives it a small but noticeable advantage hauling long slim items few other frunks can swallow.

Honorable Mention: Rivian R1T

While official dimensions remain unshared for Rivian‘s new R1T electric pickup, multiple reviewers peg the frunk at a very handy 11 cubic ft – rivaling small crossovers. Owners enjoy the deep well-like design that can pile in plenty of loose items.

Our only hesitation is Rivian‘s newcomer status and lack of transparency around specs. But if early impressions hold up, it earns a spot among the functional frunk elite.

Clever Frunk Uses Beyond the Obvious

With the basics covered, let‘s explore cool examples of owners putting their EV frunks to work in creative ways:

• Tailgating grill storage
• Sound system equipment hauling
• Drive-in movie sneaking snacks
• Camping/overlanding gear containment
• Dog treats always on hand
• Winter emergency provisions

The applications go far beyond everyday luggage and grocery duty. Given EVs don‘t waste fuel idling, frunks serve excellently as mobile lockboxes for valuables too during stops.

Bottom line – let that imagination run wild on ways your next EV could utilize bonus front storage!

Expert Tips on Finding the Right Frunk

If choosing an EV with a well-formed frunk is on your must-have list, take notes on these pro shopping considerations from the EV experts:

• Evaluate Total Cargo Capacity – Frunks augment overall space, but shouldn‘t replace assessing rear storage room which likely wins outright.

• Model Specific Dimensions – Cubic feet, precise measurements and weight limits indicate realistic frunk performance. Photos help too.

• Intended Use Cases – Golf clubs? Road trips? Tailgates? Determining exact scenarios needing space aids decisions.

• Test in Person – If buying new, open that frunk and try packing key items at the dealership. Real-world validation never hurts!

• Scan Owner Experiences – Insider reviews often reveal functionality subtleties hard specs and press impressions miss.

Keeping realistic expectations of an EV frunk‘s duties means aligning capabilities with needs for maximum satisfaction.

The Electric Future Will Feature More Frunks

While still early days, we‘ve likely only scratched the surface of frunk possibilities in EVs. As battery costs keep falling and dedicated platforms become universal, expect even more models to maximize front storage.

Several automakers already previewed upcoming EVs with radically longer "no hood" cabins and expanded front trunk space. Others have hinted at removable frunk dividers, lighting, power ports or tailgate-style openings to further boost flexibility.

Assuming consumer reception remains positive as ownership spreads, the next generation of EVs appears poised to fully realize the potential of frunks in ever-more creative ways. I for one cannot wait to see what they cook up next!

Let‘s Summarize Key Takeaways About EV Frunks

Alright, after all this detailed frunk discussion your memory banks might need a quick refresh…

• Frunks provide bonus front storage in EVs thanks to space freed up sans engine
• Sizes vary widely from huge truck frunks to tiny sedans models
• Shopsmart by evaluating dimensions, weight limits and use cases
• Pick EVs designed as dedicated platforms for optimal frunk integration
• Owners utilize frunks in clever ways beyond everyday luggage/grocery duty

Got all that? Great! You‘re now certified as an official EV frunk expert!

Closing Perspective on the Curious Frunk Phenomenon

Stepping back as your EV adviser and friend, I view frunks as an intriguing case study in maximizing design benefits unlocked exclusively by electric power.

While not essential, frunks epitomize the creative packaging advantages possible once freed from bulky gas components. That cool "bonus" storage adds real everyday utility while also delivering a little geeky thrill unveiling another hidden tool in EVs‘ arsenal.

Approach that frunk with realistic expectations of course – but have fun surprising passengers when pressing a button to reveal not an engine, but handy locked storage up front!

Alright my EV comrade, that wraps up our epic frunk deep dive! Let me know if any other EV topics pique your curiosity…