Trunk comparison: Mercedes Benz CLA Shooting Brake vs Tesla Model 3

Key Differences (>10%)

The Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake offers a significantly larger trunk opening: +7.5 in (≈37%) compared to the Tesla Model 3. The depth from the loading edge to the trunk floor is +4.3 in (≈100%) greater in the CLA.

The loading edge of the CLA is also positioned higher above the ground: +3.1 in (≈12%). At the narrowest point, the interior width of the CLA is +3.9 in (≈11%) wider. In contrast, the Tesla Model 3 has a wider trunk opening: +5.1 in (≈15%).

Impact on Usability

High trunk opening and greater depth (CLA): The higher opening (+37%) and greater depth (+100%) make the CLA advantageous for tall and deeply stackable cargo (e.g., crates, tall boxes, bulky items in an upright position).

More interior height and depth facilitate accommodating bulky items that require more vertical space in their structure.

Interior width vs. opening width: The CLA is wider at the narrowest point (+11%), allowing elongated or irregularly shaped items to fit inside more often.

The Tesla Model 3, on the other hand, scores with a larger opening (+15%), which makes loading and unloading wider but flatter items (e.g., furniture panels, wide crates) easier—even though the interior itself is narrower at the tightest point.

Higher vs. lower loading edge: The higher loading edge of the CLA (+12%) means more effort is required to lift heavy items into the trunk. The Model 3, with its lower loading edge, is more practical for loading heavy loads or frequent loading/unloading because less lifting is needed.

Minor differences (<10%): The length with folded seats is only slightly longer in the Tesla (+3.5 in / 5%) and practically the same with the first row upright (+0.4 in / 1%). These small deviations hardly affect everyday usability compared to the larger differences mentioned above.