Skoda Octavia Estate review – the class leader for practicality
Best estate cars – the top 10 to buy in 2024
Need space but don’t want the bulk of an SUV? Look no further than our top 10 estate cars…
Few vehicles can match the versatility of an estate car when it comes to practicality. They’re perfect for drivers who need a bit more space than a typical hatchback or saloon car, but don’t need something as bulky as an SUV. Whether you're ferrying the family on a weekend getaway, loading up for a DIY project, or just prefer the sleek, elongated silhouette that estates are known for, there’s an option out there to suit your needs.
The top 10 best family cars 2024
The estate car market isn’t as expansive as it used to be – you can blame the rise in SUV popularity for that – but there are still plenty of options to pick from to suit different budgets, sizes and fuel types. In fact, there are more EV options to choose from today than ever before, so there’s no reason why estate car drivers can’t make the switch to electric power, too.
We have spent time behind the wheel of each of the cars featured on this list and scored them considering a number of factors, from practicality to technology, comfort and value for money. You can find out our thoughts on a specific model in more detail by reading its in-depth review.
If you’re looking for a more niche selection of estate cars, you can read our guides to the best hybrid estates, the best fast estates and the best used estates
- Priced from around £28,000
The Skoda Octavia Estate retained its Best Estate Car crown in our 2024 Carbuyer Best Car Awards and we described it as one of the best new cars money can buy. The Octavia isn’t quite as spacious as the large Skoda Superb, but it will easily meet the needs of most families with plenty of room for buggies, suitcases, and the family dog, thanks to a boot that rivals those of cars from the class above. A premium interior that still feels sturdy ensures that the Octavia is a nice place to be on longer journeys. While its price has crept up in recent years, the Skoda is still great value, especially when compared with premium competitors from Audi and BMW.
A five-star Euro NCAP safety rating is another plus point for the Octavia, and the choice of diesel, petrol, and plug-in hybrid engines means car buyers should be able to find the right model to suit their needs. It may not be the most glamorous car in the world, but for a dependable vehicle that has to work for a living, the Octavia deserves its spot at the top of our list.
- Priced from around £97,000
It goes to show just how far battery technology has come in recent years that an EV just misses out on the top spot for best estate car. The Porsche Taycan saloon is one of the best electric cars around, and the Cross Turismo model only adds to that car’s long list of strengths with a much larger boot.
Externally, the elongated roof line, raised ride height and chunky wheelarch cladding add up to create a rugged appearance, yet the Cross Turismo still retains the blistering performance of the saloon. Top-spec Turbo S models will outperform some of the most exotic machinery, while even the base model will embarrass most hot hatches, all while cosseting the driver with a comfortable and near-silent cabin. There’s a Sport Turismo model too, which does away with the 4x4-esque costume for an even sleeker look, and all Taycans have received a facelift for 2024, bringing tweaked styling and improved range.
It’s not the most practical estate car on this list – boot space stands at 446 litres with the rear seats up, or 1,212 litres with them down – but with its all-round combination of space, performance and technology, the Taycan Cross Turismo is hard to beat – if your budget can stretch to it.
- Priced from around £42,000
The BMW 3 Series Touring is another excellent car – one that builds on the enjoyable driving experience of its saloon sister model. BMW always manages to strike a balance between handling prowess and everyday usability, and despite its sporting appeal on country roads, the 3 Series is also a comfortable car for long motorway journeys. Its boot measures just shy of 500 litres with the seats up, which is a bit less than you get in some of the other cars here, but it’s still a sensibly shaped and useful space that can expand to 1,500 litres with the seats folded down.
Families will appreciate its generous standard equipment and strong Euro NCAP crash-safety rating, as well as the fact that BMW’s engine line-up is one of the strongest – and most economical – on the market today. Finally, there’s little doubt that the BMW badge carries the image and status that many owners crave.
- Priced from around £43,000
While the BMW 3 Series Touring is one of the most enjoyable estate cars to drive, not everyone needs pin-sharp handling for tackling B-roads. The Volvo V60 does things a bit differently; instead, it focuses on comfort and relaxation, offering one of the most refined driving experiences on this list. That’ll be very appealing to many buyers, especially those who appreciate supple suspension and light steering – plus, your canine companion in the boot won’t get thrown around along a bumpy road.
Importantly for estate buyers, the boot is bigger than many key rivals. At 519 litres, it beats both the BMW 3 Series Touring and Mercedes C-Class Estate, while opting for a plug-in hybrid model doesn’t eat into boot space – unlike those German rivals. The V60 plug-in hybrid can tow up to two tonnes, as well, which is more than the BMW and Mercedes. The interior, while not as cutting-edge as those rivals, is still a very pleasant place to sit and is finished to a high standard with plenty of premium materials.
- Priced from around £47,000
The latest Mercedes C-Class Estate builds upon the strengths of the old model, bringing some form of hybrid technology to every version in the range. You might struggle to spot the visual differences with the old estate, but it’s more efficient than before and families will be pleased to know that it’s just as spacious and comfortable on the inside.
The interior really is the party piece for the C-Class Estate. We think it's the best in its class, with superb materials and build quality, backed up by genuinely useful technology. Comfort levels are top-notch both up front and in the rear seats, while the boot has grown by an additional 30 litres – now up to 490 litres. Opting for the plug-in hybrid model reduces this slightly, but you’ll be trading boot space for a real-world electric range of 60 miles.
If you want a more traditional engine, Mercedes offers the C-Class estate with petrol and diesel mild-hybrid powertrains, all offering good levels of performance and refinement.
- Priced from around £36,000
2024 saw the introduction of an all-new Skoda Superb Estate, and it somehow manages to improve upon the award-winning outgoing car. It’s even more practical than before, with a vast 690-litre boot, growing to 1,920 litres with the seats folded flat. You still get a wide range of engines to pick from, including petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid options. The latter can travel up to 62 miles on electric power alone and makes good sense for business drivers, while the diesels are the best choice for towing, pulling up to 2,200kg.
The inside of the Skoda Superb Estate has been given a thorough overhaul, too. There’s a large 13-inch central infotainment touchscreen, while physical controls remain underneath for important functions, such as climate control, media volume and driving modes. No matter which mode you pick, the Superb Estate isn’t exactly thrilling to drive, but it’s comfy, capable and refined.
- Priced from around £70,000
The BMW 5 Series Touring has long been the premium estate car of choice, but there’s now an electric alternative that we think is just as good. The BMW i5 Touring is nearly indistinguishable from its petrol-powered twin outside and inside, but power is instead supplied by an 84kWh battery and either a 335bhp or a 595bhp electric motor. While the beefier of the two motors delivers some supercar-rivalling performance, the smaller motor will be more than enough for most drivers – it’s just as smooth to drive, but costs around £30,000 less.
The 570-litre boot matches the petrol car and is much bigger than you’ll find in the Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo. Interior space is far more generous, too, and the cabin is just as nicely appointed. You get BMW’s latest pair of digital displays, while material and build quality are top notch.
- Priced from around £33,000
The Cupra Leon Estate is a quirky alternative for estate buyers wanting hot hatchback performance with a roomier boot. Based on the SEAT Leon Estate, the Cupra ramps up the driving enjoyment and finally has a unique look of its own thanks to a mid-life refresh in 2024. Available with either a pure-petrol engine or a plug-in hybrid powertrain, there’s a Cupra Leon Estate for buyers who prioritise speed or efficiency.
You’ll struggle to find a car with such high practicality and performance at this price. With the rear seats up, there’s an impressive 620 litres of boot space – plus the load area is usable shape. When you’re not busy carrying the kids and the family labrador, the fastest Cupra will provide bundles of excitement down a twisty road, helped by its four-wheel drive and 328bhp. With the flick of a switch, it can also transform into a smooth, comfy family car.
The plug-in hybrid variant is slightly down on horsepower, and therefore isn’t as quick, but offers excellent efficiency and is still a fun steer. If you’re not bothered about performance from your estate, you can always read our review of the more sedate SEAT Leon Estate.
- Priced from around £32,000
Toyota gained a reputation for reliability and its hybrid powertrains a long time ago and today they are still refining the Corolla: a model that isn’t just popular in the UK, but across the world. The Touring Sports estate version of the Corolla will be a familiar sight if you’ve ever stopped to look at the cars taxi drivers use, or ordered a lift on a ride-hailing app. Low running costs, dependable reliability, and 581 litres of boot space make it a great fit for those who need a car they can rely on. A ten-year warranty when serviced at a dealer, and Toyota’s eighth place finish out of 32 brands in our 2024 driver power survey adds to the Corolla’s appeal.
For car buyers hoping for anything but a hybrid there will be disappointment, although you can at least choose between a 1.8-litre, or more powerful 2.0-litre petrol self-charging hybrid depending on your performance preference. If you need to tow with your estate car though the Corolla might not make your shortlist, with a meagre 750kg limit.
- Priced from around £31,000
If you’re ready to get an electric car, but struggling to find one with the space you need on a tight budget, the MG5 EV is worth a look. Prices start at around £31,000 for the Long Range model which can achieve up to 250 miles on a charge. An update in 2022 added some sharper styling and both the interior trim and infotainment were upgraded to keep it competitive in the fast-moving EV market.
A total of 581 litres of boot space means the MG5 is on a par with petrol and diesel models, and even beats some vehicles that are plug-in hybrids. Buyers will be happy to hear that a new MG5 EV has a seven-year warranty, although MG was ranked last in our 2024 Driver Power survey. One key complaint was the infotainment setup, which has just been updated on the MG5 EV. If towing is required, the MG5 EV won’t be an option, as, like many electric cars, it isn’t rated to tow.
Why should you pick an estate car?
There is more competition for cars with a big boot than ever before, as SUVs and family hatchbacks continue to grow in size to accommodate the demands of buyers. However it can still be worth buying an estate car as they are generally cheaper to run and more fun to drive than SUVs, while providing more space than smaller hatchbacks.
In some ways, estate cars can be even more accessible than an SUV or MPV for load-lugging and transporting pets. The best cars for dogs are estate cars as they generally have a lower loading lip, so even if your dog is in their senior years, they should be able to get in about without a problem.
An estate car’s boot can be even more practical than an MPV’s, too. The rear seats in an estate will usually fold flat in one simple movement, leaving a long, flat load bay which makes it very versatile for carrying large items in place of passengers. In many seven-seater MPVs the third row can intrude on the load space, leaving a disappointing amount of room even when the bulky seats are folded down – these seats are often removable, but it can be cumbersome and frustrating to find a place to put them in the meantime.
Another big advantage estate cars have over cumbersome SUVs and MPVs is the way they drive. Driving an estate is typically indistinguishable from driving the saloon version of the same model. And even if you’re not someone who relishes the prospect of driving, you’re sure to be pleased by the biggest benefit an estate brings – that it’s unlikely to cost much more to run than a saloon or hatchback.
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