Trunk comparison: Citroen C3 vs Mercedes Benz CLA Shooting Brake

Key Differences

The Mercedes‑Benz CLA Shooting Brake offers significantly more space in length for cargo volume: with the seats folded down, the trunk is 16.5 in (31%) longer, and with the front seats upright, it is even 15.4 in (58%) longer than the Citroën C3. On the other hand, the Citroën C3 has a higher trunk opening: the opening is 3.1 in (11%) higher than that of the CLA Shooting Brake.

Impact on Usability

The greater length dimensions of the CLA Shooting Brake mean in practice that it is much better suited for longer or bulky items – such as furniture, long planks, bicycles (partly without folding seats), or building materials.

This advantage applies both with fully folded seats (more cargo space) and already with the front seats upright, making the CLA more flexible for everyday use with occasional long loads.

The higher trunk opening of the C3 makes loading tall or bulky items easier and reduces the risk of hitting the upper edge. In tight garages or when lifting heavy boxes, the larger opening can noticeably simplify handling.

Brief Note on Other Differences

Other differences (trunk depth, loading edge height, narrowest width, opening width) are below the 10-percent threshold and have smaller practical effects: the C3 has a slightly higher loading edge and somewhat larger opening width, the CLA a slightly larger narrow interior width.

These subtle differences affect everyday usability less strongly than the highlighted differences in length and opening height above.