Trunk comparison: Ford Escape vs Mercedes Benz CLA Shooting Brake

Key Differences (>10%)

The most noticeable differences concern the depth of the trunk and the width of the trunk opening. The Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake has a significantly greater trunk depth (loading edge to trunk floor): +8.3 in (2100%) compared to the Ford Escape.

Conversely, the width of the trunk opening is considerably larger on the Ford Escape: +7.5 in (22%) compared to the CLA Shooting Brake.

Impact on Usability

The greater trunk depth of the CLA Shooting Brake means more usable vertical volume or a deeper storage compartment below the loading edge. This is useful if you want to place items deeper or store smaller things protected and out of sight (e.g., shopping bags, toolboxes, or flat luggage).

However, the CLA combines this depth with a slightly higher loading edge (+2 in compared to the Escape), which can make heavy lifting over the loading edge more strenuous.

The significantly wider trunk opening of the Ford Escape makes loading and unloading wider or bulkier items much easier (e.g., strollers, wide boxes, furniture panels).

Wider, flat loads can be maneuvered more easily through the opening in the Escape; for regular transport of bulky widths, the Escape is thus more practical.

Smaller differences (under 10%) — such as with folded seats or the height of the opening — only slightly affect everyday usability.

Conclusion: For wide, bulky cargo, the Ford Escape is better suited; for deeper stored, enclosed cargo volume and greater usable storage height, the Mercedes-CLA Shooting Brake offers advantages, albeit at the cost of a slightly higher loading edge when handling heavy loads.