Trunk comparison: BMW 5 Series Touring vs Ford Escape

Main Differences (>10%)

It is noteworthy that the BMW 5 Series Touring offers an 11% longer cargo floor with the first row of seats upright compared to the Ford Escape.

This difference is the only one in the comparison exceeding 10% and has direct implications for usability: with the rear seats up, significantly longer cargo (e.g., skis, long boards, long boxes) can be transported in the BMW without folding the seats down.

The Escape only achieves this cargo length when the rear bench is folded down.

Further Differences and Their Consequences

With the seats folded down, the BMW provides a cargo area that is 6.7 in (10%) longer — a noticeable but exactly 10% advantage. At its narrowest point, the BMW is also 1.2 in wider, which makes storing wider items easier; the width of the trunk opening is the same on both models.

The Ford Escape offers a trunk opening that is 2.4 in higher (+9%) and a loading edge to trunk floor depth that is 0.4 in greater (negligible). At the same time, the Escape’s loading edge is 1.6 in higher above the road (+6%).

Practically, this means the Escape offers a bit more vertical clearance when loading tall items, but lifting heavy luggage into the cabin is more strenuous due to the higher loading edge. The BMW has an advantage here for physically easier loading.

Practical Conclusion

For users who regularly transport long items while keeping the rear seats up (e.g., commuters with skis, craftsmen with long parts), the BMW 5 Series Touring is clearly advantageous due to the 11% larger cargo area with the rear bench upright.

Those who more often load tall, bulky items or boxes and benefit from somewhat more vertical opening will find advantages in the Ford Escape; however, lifting is more strenuous there due to the higher loading edge.

Smaller differences in depth and width are secondary in most everyday scenarios but can be decisive when packing special cargo.