Trunk comparison: Mercedes Benz CLA Shooting Brake vs VW ID.3

Key Differences

In terms of cargo space, the Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake shows clear advantages in length and depth: the usable trunk depth with the seats folded down is 9.8 in (16%) longer, and with the first row of seats upright even 10.6 in (34%) longer than in the VW ID.3. Additionally, the distance from the loading edge to the trunk floor in the CLA Shooting Brake is 2.4 in (38%) greater, meaning the cargo space is significantly deeper.

Other differences: the trunk opening of the ID.3 is 1.6 in (6%) higher, the opening width of the ID.3 is 3.5 in (10%) wider; the loading edge of the ID.3 is 0.8 in (3%) higher above the road, and the narrowest interior width is 1.6 in (4%) larger in the CLA Shooting Brake.

Impact on Usability

Because the CLA Shooting Brake offers a significantly longer and deeper cargo space, it is better suited for long items (e.g., slats, skis, long boxes) and for stacking/accommodating bulky loads without needing to fold down the seats.

The greater depth distance to the loading edge also makes it easier to place flat or elongated items and increases the usable interior height below the loading edge.

The ID.3 has advantages in the loading and pass-through opening: the higher opening height (+1.6 in) and the slightly larger opening width (+3.5 in) make it easier to load tall or wide items, even though the interior length and depth are more limited.

For bulky but not very long items (e.g., boxes, chairs, crates), the ID.3 can therefore be more practical.

In summary: For transports requiring length and depth (long cargo, flat/stacked loads), the CLA Shooting Brake is noticeably more advantageous. For voluminous, wide, or tall single items that need to be pushed through a large opening, the ID.3 has a practical advantage due to the larger opening.

Smaller differences such as the 2–1.6 in variation in loading edge height or the slightly different interior width have only a minor impact on everyday use.