What are the best estate cars?
Estate cars are the perfect choice for space, style and comfort – but which one is right for you?
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If you’re in the market for a large boot and roomy cabin, an estate car could be the perfect pick.
While SUVs seem to be the most popular choice for a spacious and practical car, you’re actually more likely to get extra capacity in a slender estate.
There are plenty of estate car options on the market, including some real luxury models that are packed with tech.
Take a look at our top picks for the perfect estate model, and which ones you can buy on the used market.
Skoda Superb Estate
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The Skoda Superb Estate is a spacious option that gives a Tardis-like feel – you'd never suspect how big it is inside.
With the rear seats up, your used Skoda Superb Estate will offer 660 litres of boot space that can extend to 1950 litres if you drop the seats flat. This makes it ideal for flat-pack furniture and packing for road trips.
It’s dreamy to drive as well, with a quiet cabin and some impressive engines on offer. You can hit 0-62mph in just 5.2 seconds in the 2.0-litre 272hp petrol offering – speedier than the SEAT Leon Cupra.
Despite its size and impressive engine offerings, you can still get an efficient run – the 2.0-litre diesel engine can get up to 57.5mpg.
BMW 3 Series Touring
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If there’s one car that has a dedicated fanbase, it’s the BMW 3 Series. The 3 Series Touring builds on this fan-favourite, stretching it out smoothly and adding extra capacity throughout.
In fact, you’ll get 500 litres of space in the boot and a comfortable cabin that will seat five people generously.
There’s also a plug-in hybrid model on the market, pushing your fuel efficiency to help you make savings on running costs. Your used BMW 330e Touring offers up to 37 miles of electric mile range, but the battery does take up extra boot space and cuts capacity to 410 litres.
If you need capacity and style, the classic BMW 3 Series Saloon is the one to pick. Opt for the hybrid model if you’re not that serious about space but do fancy cutting back on fuel costs.
Mercedes C-Class Estate
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The Mercedes C-Class Estate is a brilliant option for a premium estate car that’s packed with tech.
It’s a handsome car with timeless styling, and that extends into the spacious cabin. You get the best of both worlds in the Mercedes C-Class – it's attractive and packed with kit, but it’s also practical.
The C-Class Estate does offer a smaller boot than some estate models, but 490 litres is nothing to be sniffed at.
You’ll find the C-Class particularly impressive when it comes to fuel economy. The C330e plug-in hybrid option is a great pick to save fuel, but the C220d alone gets up to 60mpg.
You’re looking at mid-range prices for insurance, too. The C-Class usually sits in insurance groups 24-36, depending on the model.
Skoda Octavia Estate
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The Skoda Octavia Estate is a great value option that sees you get plenty of practicality at an affordable price.
At the rear, you’ll get 600 litres of boot space that can extend to 1,555 litres when the seats are dropped. The backseats are spacious and comfortable too, so it’s ideal for growing families.
The Octavia sits in a lower insurance group too, ranging from groups 13-26 depending on the model, so you could make savings here.
The whole thing feels solidly built and high-quality, which means you won't be afraid to put it to good use and know that this model will stand up to wear and tear.
Toyota Corolla Touring Sports
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The Toyota Corolla Touring Sports has a name as long as its body, packing in up to 598 litres in the boot and a spacious cabin.
This Toyota model is a great choice for motorists who need space but value timeless style, and you’ll get a choice of hybrid engines.
In fact, opting for this hybrid estate means you can get more than 60mpg from the 1.8-litre models. This makes it an affordable car to run without feeling like you're scrimping on quality and style.
It’s a breezy car to drive as well, with light steering and impressive visibility that gives you total control on the road.
BMW 5 Series Touring
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The BMW 5 Series Touring is another premium option that still manages to be practical and easy to live with.
You get the iconic styling of the classic 5 Series with the added space of an estate model – and that space means a 560-litre boot that can be extended to up to 1,700 litres by dropping the seats.
The cabin overall is seriously comfortable and would be ideal if you often travel with larger backseat passengers, not just small children.
There’s plenty of tech on offer too, like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Plus, you’ll get to enjoy the innovative BMW iDrive software.
MG5 EV
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If you’re on the market for a fully electric estate car, the MG5 EV is a great option. You’ll get up to 250 miles of range, so can save money on fuel costs while also doing your bit to reduce your carbon footprint.
Boot space in electric cars is often smaller than in fuel-powered models as the battery takes up extra space. In this case, the MG5 estate still gets an impressive 578 litres.
On the roads, this estate is easy to drive with a soft suspension. Plus, you’ll get to make use of regenerative braking to earn back some of the mile range you’ll use while on the go.
EVs get to dodge road tax and ULEZ charges for now as well, and there are government grants on offer to help towards the costs.
Citroën C5 X
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The Citroën C5 X is a sleek estate with plenty going for it, including a supremely comfortable ride from both the fuel-powered and hybrid options.
The entry-level choice is a 1.2-litre petrol that is smooth and easy to drive – this one will suit most motorists for a casual, everyday model.
You might opt for a plug-in hybrid if fuel efficiency is a priority. The electric motor and 12kWh battery add a purely electric 34-mile range, and feels feistier when you put your foot down.
The C5 X is a fairly new model and is yet to make it onto all the reliability surveys, but reviews so far pin it as an estate option that can be relied on.
Peugeot 508 SW
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The Peugeot 508 SW is described by Peugeot as a ‘high-end estate with a striking design’ and we wouldn’t argue with that, as it certainly looks eye-catching and has a premium feel.
It’s not the largest of the estate options on offer, but it’s still spacious and practical for daily use. You can expect a 530-litre boot at the back, or 1,780-litres if you drop the seats.
You can choose the 508 SW as a fuel-powered or plug-in hybrid model. The hybrid option offers up to 274.8mpg and 40 miles of EV power.
Fuel power is still efficient, especially for the size, offering up to 64.1mph from the 1.5-litre BlueHDi model.
Either option is a great choice for cruising efficiently while still enjoying a sleek, quality car.
Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo
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For something really luxe, the Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo is a top pick. It’s a pricier option, but that price tag comes with the unmistakable Porsche quality and styling that you’ll appreciate on a daily basis.
The Taycan Cross Turismo is a luxury electric sports car that can hit 0-62mph in just 4.1 seconds and offers a 149mph top speed. Depending on factors like the weather and your journey profile, you can expect up to 190 miles of estimated range.
The boot is on the smaller side, but that’s to be expected with EV batteries. You’ll get 405 litres that can extend to 1,171 litres with the seats folded.