Trunk comparison: Mercedes Benz GLE vs VW ID.4

Key Differences

The Mercedes-Benz GLE offers a significantly longer cargo area with the rear seats folded down: +9.8 in (15%) compared to the VW ID.4. Even with the first row of seats upright, the GLE is usable for a longer length: +4.3 in (12%).

Conversely, the VW ID.4 has a considerably greater depth between the loading edge and the trunk floor: +3.9 in (900%) compared to the GLE. Other dimensions — trunk opening height (+0.4 in/1%), loading edge height (+1.2 in/4%), as well as width differences (+3–1.6 in/3–4%) — are minor and remain unhighlighted.

Impact on Usability

The longer interior dimensions of the GLE (±15%/±12%) make it more practical for long or flat items such as furniture parts, skis, or long boxes: these can be more easily and usually fully loaded with the seats folded down.

Even when fully occupied, the GLE offers slightly more usable depth behind the seats, which facilitates packing luggage or shopping bags.

The significantly greater depth in the ID.4 means that items can lie deeper in the trunk — this is especially useful for tall or bulky loads that are intended to be "recessed" below the loading opening; additionally, a deeper load floor lowers the center of gravity of the cargo somewhat.

The downside is that reaching in and lifting heavy items must be done further down, and handling very heavy or bulky loads can be somewhat more cumbersome.

The small width and height differences hardly affect everyday usability: slight advantages in width and opening of the GLE marginally ease loading very wide individual items, but the almost identical opening dimensions mean that many everyday loads can be accommodated similarly well in both models.