Trunk comparison: BMW 3 Series Touring vs VW Touran

Key Differences

Three differences stand out clearly from the data: The BMW 3 Series Touring offers a trunk that is 26 in or 194% larger with seats upright than the VW Touran. The VW Touran has a trunk opening that is 5.5 in or 19% higher and at its narrowest point a width that is 3.9 in or 11% greater than the BMW.

Other differences are very small (e.g., +1.6 in/2% longer trunk with folded seats in the Touran, +0.4 in/1% with upright front seats) or absent (depth is the same, loading edge on the Touran only +0.8 in/3% higher, opening width +1.6 in/4%).

Impact on Usability

BMW 3 Series Touring — Advantage in volume with full occupancy: The significantly greater trunk length with seats upright makes the BMW more practical when regularly carrying passengers and still needing to store a lot of cargo (e.g., suitcases, trolleys, groceries).

For everyday use with full occupancy, the BMW clearly offers more storage space.

VW Touran — Advantage when loading bulky or tall items: The higher trunk opening makes it easier to load tall or bulky parts (less tilting needed), and the greater width at the narrowest point allows wider objects to be loaded without disassembly or bending sideways.

This makes the Touran more practical for furniture pieces, boxes, or bulky sports equipment.

Both models — Long items with folded seats similar: With folded seats, the differences are very small (Touran max. +1.6 in), so both vehicles are comparably usable for very long items. The slightly higher loading edge of the Touran (+0.8 in) is ergonomically hardly relevant.

Conclusion: Those who need significantly more volume with full occupancy are better served by the BMW 3 Series Touring. Those who more frequently load bulky or wide/tall items benefit from the higher opening and larger cargo width of the VW Touran.