Trunk comparison: Mercedes Benz CLA Shooting Brake vs VW Tiguan Allspace

Key Differences

The most significant differences concern the usable volume and the opening: The Mercedes‑Benz CLA Shooting Brake offers with all seats upright +23.2 in (126%) longer trunk than the VW Tiguan Allspace.

Likewise, the depth of the trunk (distance from loading edge → trunk floor) is +8.7 in (2100%) greater in the CLA, indicating a significantly lower trunk floor or more vertical cargo space.

The VW Tiguan Allspace, on the other hand, has a significantly larger trunk opening: the opening width is +10.6 in (31%) wider than in the CLA.

Implications for Usability

Due to the significantly longer interior with upright seats and the greater depth, the CLA Shooting Brake is better suited for longer or stackable cargo with normally occupied seats — e.g., suitcases, longer items, or higher cargo volume that fits below the loading edge.

However, the larger vertical space can make loading and unloading heavy items more difficult because more depth must be overcome.

The Tiguan Allspace scores with the significantly wider trunk opening; wide or bulky items (e.g., furniture boards, wide boxes, bulky luggage) can be more easily loaded and maneuvered.

Although the Tiguan is only slightly longer with folded seats (+7%) and offers minimally more usable length with the first row upright (+6%), the larger opening makes handling large cross-sections easier.

Small differences (under 10%) — e.g., slightly higher trunk opening in the Tiguan (+1%), lower or higher loading edge (+3%), or somewhat greater narrowest width in the CLA (+5%) — only marginally affect everyday usability.

Practical Recommendation

Important for the choice: If longer or higher stackable cargo is frequently transported and the tailgate is rarely used for very wide items, the CLA Shooting Brake is a strong choice.

If wide, bulky items often need to be loaded or loading is to be facilitated by a larger opening, the Tiguan Allspace is more advantageous.