Trunk comparison: BMW 5 Series Touring vs Tesla Model 3
Key Differences (highlighted)
Three differences stand out from the measurements: The height of the trunk opening of the BMW 5 Series Touring is 7.1 in or 35% higher than that of the Tesla Model 3. The depth of the trunk (distance from loading edge → trunk floor) is 4.3 in or 1000% greater in the Tesla than in the BMW.
And the width at the narrowest point of the trunk is 4.7 in or 13% greater in the BMW than in the Tesla.
What are the practical implications of these differences?
The higher trunk opening in the BMW (±7.1 in) offers clear advantages when loading tall or bulky items: large boxes, furniture parts, or bulky sports equipment can be more easily placed through the opening without tilting.
Together with the greater minimum width (+13%), this increases the chance of squeezing wide luggage or bulky cargo in without detours or disassembly.
The deeper trunk floor in the Tesla (+4.3 in), on the other hand, creates a deeper cargo volume where items can "sit deeper." This is advantageous for loosely stacked luggage or smaller items that remain securely in a recess.
Practically, however, this can also have downsides: when lifting heavy items, one often has to work over the loading edge and reach further down or back, making loading more strenuous for one person.
Additionally, the Tesla's lower opening height reduces the maximum transport height that fits without tilting or disassembly.
Other measured differences (trunk length with folded seats +1.2 in/2%, length with front seats upright +0.8 in/2%, loading edge height above the road +0.4 in/2%, opening width +2.4 in/6%) are minimal and hardly affect everyday usability.
Summary
For bulky, tall, or especially wide cargo, the BMW 5 Series Touring is the more practical choice (larger opening height and wider narrow point).
For deep, well-secured storage of smaller items, the Tesla Model 3 can offer advantages due to its deeper trunk floor but is limited by the lower opening height and narrower point for large or wide items.