In this article we will understand how the trunk volume is considered in America and Europe. VDA and SAE measurement system.
The car is an excellent means of transportation and a wonderful means of transporting goods. When buying a car that in the future will work quite a lot with baggage transportation, the volume of the luggage compartment is an extremely important indicator.
It's complicated
Due to the fact that the body structures of cars differ from each other, the standard method of calculating the volume of the body by simply multiplying the linear geometric dimensions is not suitable. In order to be more or less accurate when comparing the sizes of the luggage compartments of different cars, two different volume measuring systems have been invented:
- European - VDA;
- American - SAE.
VDA - European system for measuring the volume of the trunk
This method of measurement was proposed by the Germans and its essence lies in the fact that they calculate how many parallelepipeds measuring 50 × 100 × 200 mm can fit in the trunk of a car. The volume of such a "brick" is one liter. How many of them fit in the trunk, such is his nominal volume.
SAE - American Trunk Volume Measurement System
American experts went even further and instead of abstract parallelepipeds took quite real things as a unit of their measurements: travel bags, suitcases, golf bags with a certain set of equipment, and so on. Depending on what and how much fit in the trunk, its size is calculated.
What's better
It is impossible to say unambiguously which method evaluates the luggage compartment better. In the case of sedans, the American method shows results that are closer to reality, which, incidentally, are somewhat less than the VDA displacement. For example, the 2014 Hyundai Grandeur has the following trunk volume indicators - according to SAE 461 liters, and according to VDA 546 liters.
However, when it comes to the hatchback bodywork, things get complicated. With the help of SAE, it is customary to calculate the volume of the compartment with the seats folded out, in reality, this method of transportation is used quite rarely. In such cases, a European measurement will indicate a more accurate value.
The photo shows the SAE measurement diagram
For cars with a 5-door body, the calculation is made according to a primitive formula (length is multiplied by width and height). Moreover, for station wagons - along the ceiling of the cabin, for hatchbacks - along the upper part of the backs of the front seats with the rear seats folded.
What to look for
If a car is bought for the purpose of frequent transportation of goods, then it is necessary to pay attention not only to the volume of the trunk for any of these systems. The linear dimensions of the luggage compartment are also key. They can become the main limitation when loading bulky cargo.
For the transportation of especially large loads, a liftback type body (from the English liftback - a rising rear) is most suitable, like the Skoda Octavia or the Honda Crosstour (photo of the car above). They have a capacious trunk by any measure, and the opening allows you to load very large things into them.
