Trunk comparison: Audi Q3 vs Mercedes Benz CLA Shooting Brake
Key Differences
The most significant differences concern the usable cargo space geometry: The Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake offers a trunk that is +6.3 in (18%) longer with the front seats upright compared to the Audi Q3. Additionally, the trunk depth (loading edge → trunk floor) in the CLA is +5.1 in (144%) greater.
In contrast, the Audi Q3 has a trunk opening that is +9.8 in (29%) wider than the CLA.
Smaller differences: With the seats folded down, the CLA is only +4.7 in (7%) longer; the trunk opening height of the Q3 is +2.8 in (10%) higher than that of the CLA; the narrowest interior width is only +2 in (5%) greater in the CLA. The loading edge height is the same for both models.
Impact on Usability
The greater depth and longer cargo length of the CLA with the rear seats upright mean it can accommodate longer or taller loads without folding down the seats — practical for long sports equipment, furniture boxes, or bulky shopping.
The significantly greater depth (144%) also increases the effective volume vertically, allowing items to be stacked or stored upright more easily.
The wider trunk opening of the Audi Q3, on the other hand, makes loading and unloading wider or irregularly shaped items much easier.
Despite similar interior width at the narrowest point, the CLA may have more difficulty accommodating larger parts due to the narrower opening, even if there is slightly more space inside.
Since the loading edge height is identical, lifting luggage into both models is comparably strenuous. The slightly greater opening height of the Q3 (+2.8 in) makes it a bit easier to load very tall items but is not as significant a difference as the major variations in length, depth, and opening width mentioned above.
Conclusion: For longer or taller stackable cargo and more usable interior height, the CLA is advantageous; for easy loading and unloading of wider items, the Audi Q3 scores with its significantly larger opening. Smaller differences (with folded seats, interior width) have only a marginal practical impact.