Trunk comparison: Audi Q5 vs Mercedes Benz CLA Shooting Brake

Key Differences

The following features differ significantly (>10%) between the models:

• Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake: Trunk length with rear seats upright +4.3 in (+12%) — more usable depth without folding the seats.
• Audi Q5: Trunk opening height +3.1 in (+11%) — larger vertical opening for loading.
• Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake: Depth (loading edge → trunk floor) +5.5 in (+175%) — the trunk floor sits significantly lower below the loading edge.
• Audi Q5: Width of trunk opening +10.2 in (+30%) — significantly wider opening for loading wide items through.

Impact on Usability

These differences result in clear practical advantages and disadvantages:

• Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake — longer usable cargo area with rear seats upright and significantly deeper trunk floor:
  • Advantage: Longer items can be transported better without folding seats. The greater distance from loading edge to floor creates more interior volume vertically.
  • Disadvantage: The lower floor position means more reaching down when loading; heavy items must be lowered or lifted further. Also, the narrower opening can hinder loading large or bulky parts, even though there is more space inside.
• Audi Q5 — higher and significantly wider trunk opening:
  • Advantage: Easier loading of wide and tall items due to larger opening height and width. Loading and unloading large boxes, furniture parts, or bulky items is more comfortable in practice.
  • Disadvantage: Despite the larger opening, the usable loading length with rear seats upright is shorter than in the CLA; for very long items, the Q5 is less suitable unless the seats are folded down.

Brief conclusion: For frequent transport of very wide or tall cargo, the Audi Q5 is more practical due to the larger opening.

For more usable loading length with rear seats upright and greater interior volume in depth, the Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake scores higher — although the narrower opening complicates loading bulky objects.