Trunk comparison: Mercedes Benz CLA Shooting Brake vs Renault Austral

Key Differences

The Mercedes‑Benz CLA Shooting Brake offers a longer trunk by 7.1 in (11%) with the seats folded down and a longer trunk by 7.9 in (23%) with the first row upright compared to the Renault Austral.

Additionally, the CLA Shooting Brake has a significantly greater depth between the loading edge and the trunk floor: +5.5 in (175%).

The Renault Austral, on the other hand, has a significantly wider trunk opening: +9.8 in (29%) compared to the CLA Shooting Brake. All other differences (opening height +0.8 in / 3%, loading edge above road +1.2 in / 4%, narrowest width +2.4 in / 6%) are less than 10%.

Impact on Usability

The CLA Shooting Brake clearly has the advantage when it comes to length and volume: The additional 18–7.9 in length makes it easier to store long items such as skis, boards, pipes, or longer furniture parts – both with folded and upright seats.

The significantly greater depth (loading edge → floor) increases the usable interior volume and allows for higher stacking, but can make handling very flat items directly behind the loading edge somewhat more cumbersome.

The Renault Austral scores points for practical loading of large, wide items: The 9.8 in wider trunk opening makes it much easier to slide in wide furniture parts, strollers, or bulky boxes at an angle or straight.

The slightly higher opening height supports loading tall items; however, the loading edge being 1.2 in higher (compared to the CLA) means slightly more lifting when loading heavy loads.

Conclusion: Those who frequently need to carry long items or require more volume benefit more from the Mercedes‑Benz CLA Shooting Brake. Those who often have to maneuver bulky, wide cargo through the opening are better served by the Renault Austral.