Trunk comparison: Jeep Compass vs Mercedes Benz CLA Shooting Brake
Summary of the Biggest Differences
The Mercedes‑Benz CLA Shooting Brake offers significantly more usable length in the trunk with the front seats upright: it is 9.4 in (≈29%) longer than the Jeep Compass.
This means that long items (e.g., skis, long luggage, or flat packages) can be transported in the CLA more easily without folding down the seats. The difference with the seats fully folded down is only +5.1 in (8%) and is therefore much smaller.
Additionally, the CLA has a significantly greater trunk depth (loading edge to trunk floor): +2.4 in (≈38%). This creates more usable interior space upwards or allows for higher stacking of luggage and boxes. However, the larger interior may mean you have to reach further into the trunk when loading.
The Jeep Compass, on the other hand, scores with direct access: the height of the trunk opening is 5.5 in (≈20%) larger and the width of the trunk opening is 6.3 in (≈18%) wider than the CLA.
Together, these advantages make it easier to load bulky or wider items, require less maneuvering when lifting them in, and reduce the risk that wide parts won’t fit through the opening.
Other differences are smaller: the narrowest width in the trunk is only 3.1 in (≈8%) greater in the CLA than in the Compass, and the loading edge height above the road differs by only 0.8 in (≈3%) — both rather uncritical in everyday use.
Practical Implications for Usability
If you frequently transport long but not necessarily very wide items or want to stack a lot of luggage (e.g., frequent trips, longer items without folding down seats), the CLA Shooting Brake is preferable due to the significantly greater interior length with seats upright and the larger interior depth.
If, on the other hand, you often need to load bulky or wide goods (e.g., furniture parts, wide boxes, drawer units) or frequently want to comfortably lift large items through the opening, the Jeep Compass is more practical because of its larger opening dimensions.
Conclusion: CLA = more usable interior length and stacking height; Jeep Compass = easier handling of wider/bulkier loads thanks to larger opening. Which configuration is more important determines the practical advantage in everyday use.