Trunk comparison: Ford Escape vs Mercedes Benz GLE

Key Difference

The Mercedes-Benz GLE offers a trunk that is 8.3 in (12%) longer with the seats folded down than the Ford Kuga. Practically, this means the GLE can accommodate significantly longer or bulkier items (e.g., long furniture parts, skis, long building materials) without needing to be placed at an angle or heavily rearranged.

Other Differences and Their Practical Use

With the first row of seats upright, the GLE is 2.8 in (≈7%) longer — an advantage, but moderate, especially for medium-sized luggage. The trunk opening of the GLE is 2 in (≈7%) higher, which makes loading tall items easier.

The loading edge of the GLE is 2.8 in (≈10%) higher above the ground, which makes lifting heavy loads somewhat more strenuous; the Kuga is more favorable here for frequent loading and unloading of low-lying items.

The remaining differences in depth (+0.4 in in favor of the Kuga) and widths (+1–1.6 in in favor of the GLE) are so small that they hardly matter in everyday use.

Practical Conclusion

If you regularly transport very long or bulky cargo, the Mercedes-Benz GLE is the better choice due to its significantly larger cargo space with the seats folded down.

For frequent everyday loading and unloading of heavy or low-lying items, the Ford Kuga can be more practical because of its lower loading edge. Smaller differences in width and depth are negligible for most uses.