Trunk comparison: BMW 5 Series Touring vs VW Polo

Comparison of trunk dimensions for the BMW 5 Series Touring and VW Polo

Key Differences

The BMW 5 Series Touring offers a cargo area that is +20.5 in (38%) longer with the rear seats folded down than the VW Polo, and with the first row of seats upright, the cargo area is +16.9 in (65%) longer. The width of the trunk opening is +5.5 in (15%) larger on the BMW.

In contrast, the VW Polo has a significantly greater depth between the loading edge and the trunk floor — it is +3.1 in (700%) deeper than the BMW here.

Smaller differences: the height of the trunk opening is only +0.4 in (1%) larger on the BMW, the Polo's loading edge is +1.6 in (6%) higher above the ground, and the narrowest width in the BMW is +2 in (5%) larger than in the Polo.

Impact on Usability

Transporting long items: Due to the significantly longer cargo area (38% / 65%), the BMW 5 Series Touring is clearly better suited for long items, slats, furniture parts, or bulky luggage. If you regularly need to transport long parts or often fold down the rear seats, the Touring offers noticeable advantages.

Wider opening for bulky loads: The BMW's trunk opening, which is +5.5 in (15%) larger, makes loading and unloading wider items (e.g., wide boxes, furniture panels) easier. The combination of a longer cargo area and wider opening makes the Touring more versatile for bulky loads.

Trunk depth in the Polo: The VW Polo's +3.1 in (700%) greater depth means it has a deeper cargo well — this can favor transporting tall, narrow items and helps prevent smaller parts from shifting.

However, the Polo's loading edge is higher above the ground (+1.6 in), which makes lifting heavy loads in a bit more difficult. For tall, compact cargo (e.g., stacked boxes), the Polo can be practical, but less so for long or wide loads.

Practical summary: If you frequently transport long or wide items or regularly use the maximum cargo space, the BMW 5 Series Touring is the better choice. If your loads tend to be tall and compact and you prefer a deep cargo well, the VW Polo can offer advantages — though at the expense of length and opening width.