Trunk comparison: Mercedes Benz CLA Shooting Brake vs VW Polo
Key Differences (>10%)
In direct comparison, three differences clearly exceeding 10% stand out in favor of the Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake: The trunk is 15.7 in or +29% longer with the seats folded down, also 15.7 in or +61% longer with the first row of seats upright, and the depth (loading edge → trunk floor) is 5.5 in or +175% greater than in the VW Polo.
These three values represent the largest deviations and thus the most relevant advantages of the CLA Shooting Brake over the Polo.
Impact on Usability
The significantly greater length both with folded seats and with the seat row upright makes the CLA Shooting Brake better suited for long items (e.g., slats, skis, long boxes) and for transports where seat configurations need to vary.
Even with seats not fully folded down, more usable cargo space remains, so longer loads often fit without further seat adjustments.
The substantially greater depth behind the loading edge noticeably increases the usable volume and stacking height in the trunk. Practically, this means more space for tall or bulky items, more stable storage of boxes, and fewer limitations due to a flat loading floor.
Combined with the longer loading surface, the CLA Shooting Brake overall offers more room for larger and irregularly shaped cargo.
Small but Relevant Secondary Differences
The loading edge of the CLA Shooting Brake is slightly higher (+2 in / +7%), which makes lifting heavy items somewhat more strenuous.
The width of the trunk opening is slightly larger in the VW Polo (+2 in / +6%), which simplifies sliding in very wide items; however, these differences are clearly smaller than those mentioned above and have only a moderate effect in most everyday situations.
Conclusion
Those who regularly transport long or tall/bulky items and need more usable cargo space clearly benefit from the Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake.
If very wide items are only occasionally loaded and maximum entry height or a very low loading edge is desired, the VW Polo can be advantageous in individual cases — overall, however, the CLA Shooting Brake remains the more flexible choice for cargo space users.