Trunk comparison: Dacia Duster vs Mercedes Benz CLA Shooting Brake

Key Differences

The measurable differences mainly concern the shape and accessibility of the cargo space: The Mercedes‑CLA Shooting Brake offers a cargo floor that is 5.5 in (≈9%) longer with the seats folded down and 3.5 in (≈9%) longer with the rear seat upright than the Dacia Duster. More notable deviations over 10% are:

• The trunk opening of the Dacia Duster is 3.9 in (≈14%) higher than that of the CLA.
• The depth of the trunk (loading edge to trunk floor) is 5.5 in (≈175%) greater in the Mercedes than in the Duster.
• The width of the trunk opening of the Duster is 4.3 in (≈13%) wider than that of the CLA.

Smaller differences: The narrowest width inside the trunk is 2 in (≈5%) greater in the Mercedes; the loading edge of the Duster is only 0.4 in (≈1%) higher above the road.

Implications for Usability

The higher and wider opening of the Duster makes loading bulky, tall, or wide items significantly easier: crates, boxes, small furniture, or bicycles can be maneuvered more easily through the larger opening without needing to be held at an angle.

Practically, this means less maneuvering effort when pushing items in and fewer space issues when passing through the opening.

The CLA scores with a significantly deeper cargo floor.

The 5.5 in greater depth means more usable interior height below the loading edge and thus better storage for stacked or low-lying loads; combined with the slightly longer cargo floor (with seats folded), this results in an overall slimmer, deeper volume better suited for longer, flat-lying items.

However, the lower opening height and width can make loading bulky parts more difficult, even if there is sufficient space inside.

Practical recommendation: Those who frequently load wide or tall items directly through the opening (e.g., larger boxes, bulky sports equipment) benefit from the Duster.

Those who more often need longer, flat-lying cargo or a deeply usable cargo floor (e.g., long luggage, larger stacked boxes) have the better base with the CLA Shooting Brake.