Trunk comparison: Audi A4 Avant vs BMW 5 Series Touring

Key Differences (>10%)

The Audi A4 Avant has a significantly larger trunk opening: +5.9 in (21%) compared to the BMW 5 Series Touring.

Additionally, the depth of the trunk (loading edge to trunk floor) is +2 in greater in the Audi — showing a difference of +400%. Both points exceed the 10% threshold and are therefore the most prominent features.

Impact on Usability

High trunk opening (Audi, +5.9 in / 21%): A larger opening makes it easier to accommodate tall items — such as boxes, plants, or upright furniture pieces. Loading and unloading large, bulky objects is more feasible without tilting them sideways or laying them flat.

Deeper loading edge-to-floor measurements (Audi, +2 in / 400%): A deeper trunk floor below the loading edge creates more usable volume beneath the lip and lowers the effective height of the cargo surface relative to the road (the BMW’s loading edge is also +1.2 in higher).

Practically, this means heavy luggage must be lifted less high, making loading heavy items more ergonomic. At the same time, a very deep interior floor can mean that items placed far back are somewhat harder to reach (you have to reach deeper).

Combined, these differences mean for everyday use: The Audi is clearly advantageous when it comes to tall or bulky cargo and ergonomic loading of heavy loads.

The BMW, on the other hand, offers advantages in the length and width of the cargo area (longer with seats folded down and somewhat wider at the narrowest point), making it better suited for long, flat items.

Smaller Differences (under 10%) — brief

BMW 5 Series Touring: slightly longer cargo space with folded seats (+2.8 in / 4%) and with the first row upright (+1.6 in / 4%), narrowest width +3.1 in (8%), and a slightly wider trunk opening (+1.6 in / 4%).

These values suggest better handling of long or somewhat wider items but are proportionally smaller and less dominant than the features noted for the Audi.

Conclusion

For heavy loading, tall cargo, or maximum use of vertical space, the Audi A4 Avant is more practical due to its larger opening and significantly deeper trunk floor.

For long, flat, or somewhat wider loads, the BMW 5 Series Touring offers slight advantages. The choice therefore depends on typical cargo: tall and bulky → Audi; long and flat → BMW.