What Is a Frunk?

The term “frunk” is a unique portmanteau, blending the words “front” and “trunk” to create a new concept. This innovative term has gained popularity in the context of electric vehicles (EVs), where it refers to the forward-found storage compartment.

A Brief History of Frunks

Frunks are not new as a concept. They first appeared when rear-engine cars, like the Chevrolet Corvair, Porsche 911, Volkswagen Beetle, and the forever famous Delorean, made the traditional back-of-house trunk impossible. As a result, car designers had to move the cargo compartment to under the front hood. But no one had yet uttered the word “frunk.”

The term “frunk” gained widespread recognition in the early 2010s, thanks to EV pioneer Tesla. With the vehicle's high-voltage battery situated toward the rear, a traditional trunk space was not feasible. This led to the invention of the “frunk.”

As the trunk area of EVs became the housing for the battery cells that power these next-generation vehicles, the term “frunk” not only became more common but also closely associated with the EV movement. It's a symbol of the innovative and forward-thinking nature of the EV industry.

As EV technology advances, an increasing number of vehicles now offer both a trunk and a frunk. This is a promising trend, indicating that EV batteries are becoming smaller and easier to package. With many automakers positioning their battery packs lower in the car body, significant storage space is now available at both the front and back of the vehicle, enhancing the practicality and versatility of EVs.

What's the True Purpose of a Frunk?

Cargo capability remains a vital buying decision for many consumers. As such, the primary purpose of a frunk is to provide cargo room in place of or in addition to the rear trunk space.

As EV designs become more efficient, frunks evolve into larger, more useable spaces. The frunk can hold all manner of items, including groceries, recreational equipment, luggage, golf clubs, coolers, tools, and various specialty supplies.

Sometimes, owners may want to fill a frunk with ice and use it as a serving compartment for food or beverages at a picnic or tailgating event. At the same time, some frunks are so limited in space that they're barely usable.

Besides the apparent cargo benefits, frunks offer other potential advantages to the ownership experience. Some automakers are adding simple design modifications and innovative features such as:

• Dividers—to easily change the space configuration from smaller compartments to one large storage area and vice versa
• Removable inserts (with drain holes)—to make for easy clean-up
• USB and 120-volt chargers—to provide power for tools, lights, Bluetooth devices, etc.
• Slide-out drawers—ideal for tools or other loose items
• Underfloor storage compartments
• Interior lighting

How Does a Frunk Operate?

Frunks open and close like conventional car hoods. A lever or button inside the vehicle cabin usually opens the frunk lid, but a dashboard touchscreen, key fob, or mobile phone app may also control the opening of a frunk.

Closing most frunks is as simple as shutting a hood. After lowering the lid to a few inches above the closed position, allow it to drop. It will automatically catch the safety latch. Some frunks remain in the open position via hydraulics and require a light but steady downward force to close the lid. The operator should then press down on the front edge of the lid with both palms to ensure proper closure.

Which EV Models Have a Frunk?

The most important criterion for a frunk is cargo area, but one should consider other factors. Here are some of the more standout frunks available today:

• Ford F-150 Lightning—In addition to sheer volume (14 cubic feet), this frunk also offers four 120-volt AC outlets, two USB charging ports, an all-weather floor mat, a drain hole, built-in grocery hooks, strap tie-down points, and LED lighting.
• Ford Mustang Mach-E—This frunk has 4.7 cubic feet, which is equivalent to a 36-gallon cooler, making it great for tailgating. It also offers an all-weather mat and drain plug.
• Lucid Air—At 10 cubic feet, it’s the biggest frunk among sedans.
• Rivian R1T and R1S—At 11.1 cubic feet, this frunk offers an off-road recovery kit on select trims, LED illumination, a 12-volt outlet, hook points, a cover, and a storage net to keep items in place.
• Tesla Model X—Dividers make this 6.6-cubic-foot cargo hold versatile and accommodating.

Summary

When shopping for a new EV, a spacious and well-equipped front trunk or “frunk” can be a highlight feature for those who value cargo capability.

To learn more about various automotive topics, visit the Shopping Guides section of the website. You can also visit our EV Learning Center to access EV tools and resources, get answers to common questions, read news and articles, and shop electric vehicles.

Jessica Shea Choksey is an experienced writer in the automotive field. In addition to JDPower.com, she was a correspondent for PBS’s MotorWeek. Her work has also appeared in AutoTrader.

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