Whisper this, but while your mates fall for the supposed charm of an SUV, the smart money goes on an estate car. In most cases, they’re nicer to look at, better to drive and more practical. Your dog will thank you for the extra space and lower boot lip.
Here, we’ve listed 10 of the best estate cars you can buy in 2023, all of which will slot into family life like a Golden Retriever. Before you ask, no, we haven’t forgotten about Volvo. Unfortunately, you can no longer buy a new Volvo wagon in the UK. Sad times.
Still, we reckon these great estates will ease the pain.
Audi A6 Avant
The A6 Avant is Audi’s largest and best estate car. It’s as good to drive as the smaller and less practical A4 Avant, subjectively more stylish than a Q5 or Q7, and blessed with the technology you’ll find on the flagship A8 saloon.
You’ll pay a £2,000 premium for the A6 Avant over the saloon. In return, you get cabin space for five adults and a 586-litre boot with the rear seats in use, plus up to 1,680 litres with the seats folded down. Even entry-level Sport trim comes with a long list of standard equipment, while the top-spec Black Edition model feels positively lavish. There’s also a TFSI e plug-in hybrid that offers up to 40 miles of electric range, plus sporty S6 and RS6 versions.
We said: “The A6 might be the sweet-spot of the Audi range. It’s not as nice to drive as a BMW 5 Series, but build quality and cabin are top-notch.”
BMW 3 Series Touring
The BMW 3 Series Touring commands a £2,000 premium over the 3 Series saloon, but it’s worth every penny. Indeed, a 320i (petrol) or 320d (diesel) Touring is arguably all the family car you could ever need – even in this age of electrification.
In the face of stiff competition from the Audi A4 Avant and Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate, the 3 Series Touring retains its crown as the estate car of choice for the keen driver. Throw into the mix timeless styling, a classy interior and generous standard equipment, and you’ve got the hallmarks of one of the best estate cars of 2023.
We said: “The latest BMW 3 Series is a car at the top of its game. It’s practical, packed with tech, quick and efficient… and a great driver’s car.”
BMW 5 Series Touring
There’s something reassuring about the fact that, even among all those SUVs, the 5 Series Touring remains one of the best cars BMW makes. In fact, unlike some of its other cars, the 5 Series hasn’t been hit with the ugly stick; the Touring is stylishly understated.
Sure, it isn’t cheap – prices start from £46,000 and hit £60,000 for the 530e plug-in hybrid – but the latter does offer 34 miles of electric range if you remember to charge the battery. All versions get an electric tailgate, which opens to a 570-litre boot, which should be enough for most families. Crucially, the large boot doesn’t come at the expense of space for rear-seat passengers. Even your teenage kids won’t complain.
We said: “The 5 Series is a quality machine and yet another step on from models of old. Being brilliant to drive is the icing on the cake.”
Genesis G70 Shooting Brake
The Genesis G70 Shooting Brake is the least practical car here, but we’re just pleased that it exists. It rides on the same platform as the Kia Stinger, so it’s a shame that it’s not available with a 368hp V6 engine. Instead, you get a choice of four-cylinder diesel and petrol engines, both of which send their power to the rear wheels.
Even the entry-level Premium trim comes with an enviable list of equipment, including LED headlights, a 10.25-inch widescreen display, seats with electric adjustment, dual-zone climate control and wireless charging for your smartphone. The icing on the cake is a comprehensive five-year warranty package, which includes servicing and a concierge service.
We said: “The G70 Shooting Brake is a mixed bag. A great looker with a dated interior. A practical estate that lacks passenger space. And a sporty performer that prefers to take it easy. Above all, it may appeal to those who simply want something different, instead of the premium German norm.”
Read our Genesis G70 Shooting Brake review
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate
All things considered, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class might be the best estate car in the world. No other wagon offers the same blend of quality, comfort, practicality and space. Mercedes-Benz might offer the widest range of SUVs, but we’d take the E-Class Estate over any of them.
The outgoing E-Class is a class act, but it’s about to be replaced by an all-new model, which will go on sale in the UK in 2024. Thanks to a 615-litre boot, it’s one of the most practical cars in its class and it has even more rear legroom than before. A plug-in hybrid version will offer an impressive 71 miles of range, while the E-Class All Terrain will give you a reason not to buy an SUV.
We said: “In the real world, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class might be one of the best new cars on the planet. Yes, it is expensive, but it’s easy to see why.”
Read our Mercedes-Benz E-Class review
Peugeot 508 SW
If the Mercedes-Benz E-Class is the best estate car, the Peugeot 508 SW is arguably the most stylish. It’s also one of the most practical, with the boot offering 530 litres of luggage space with the rear seats up, or 1,780 litres with the seats folded down. A flush boot lip makes for easy loading.
Overall quality is on a par with most premium estates, while the bold interior design is a welcome tonic to the sombre look of the 508’s German rivals. A new plug-in hybrid version offers up to 39 miles of electric range and 235mpg, providing you plug it in. The facelifted version (pictured) gets refreshed styling and a more upmarket cabin.
We said: “Not only is it one of the best looking cars on sale today, it also offers a driving experience that few off-roaders can match.”
Skoda Octavia Estate vRS
If your heart says you want a Volkswagen Golf GTI but your head wants a Skoda Octavia Estate, the vRS is the car for you. It’s available with a 245hp 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine or a 200hp 2.0-litre diesel, both of which are mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch DSG transmission. The diesel can also be equipped with four-wheel-drive for strong performance in all weathers.
With the seats up, the boot can swallow 640 litres of luggage, which is impressive for a car of this size. Fold the seats, and the capacity increases to 1,700 litres. Prices range from £37,500 to £39,000, so all versions escape the road tax premium surcharge.
We said: “Skoda wants the new Octavia vRS to deliver more technology and more space, and to feel like a premium product. It manages all of this with room to spare, whilst maintaining the performance and practicality that have gained it such a committed following.”
Skoda Superb Estate
The Skoda Superb Estate has a 660-litre boot. That alone could be enough to tempt you into buying this supremely practical car. With the rear seats folded down, there’s an impressive 1,950 litres of space, so there’s no need to leave that grandfather clock in the antique shop.
The entry-level SE model costs just £32,500 – a price you’d associate with a family hatchback, not an estate car with the space to rival a Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate or Audi A6 Avant. Even the flagship L&K model costs less than £42,500.
We said: “This is a comfortable, refined and efficient cross-continent cruiser. Still want that pricey German car?”
Toyota Corolla Touring Sports
The Toyota Corolla Touring Sports is backed by a five-year warranty, offered with a pair of efficient hybrid powertrains, and comes with the reassurance of Toyota’s reputation for reliability. We’d opt for the 2.0-litre over the 1.8-litre, because it’s both quicker and more economical.
It might surprise you to discover that the Corolla is surprisingly good to drive, while even the entry-level Icon model comes with a generous level of standard equipment. Dual-zone climate control, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are fitted to all versions.
We said: “Build quality is excellent, and the hybrids in particular feel quiet and well insulated from the outside world. It’s all rather premium, with a sense that the car is built to last. Overall, the new Corolla is an excellent car that should be on the shortlist of buyers looking for a smart and efficient family hatchback.”
Read our Toyota Corolla review
Volkswagen Passat Estate
The Volkswagen Passat is as close as you can get to a premium estate car without paying a premium price. It feels upmarket for the price and comes very close to offering the high standards set by Audi and BMW.
It’s also huge inside. Its 650-litre boot is only 10 litres short of the Skoda Superb Estate, but you can increase this to 1,780 litres by folding the rear seats. An all-new model (pictured) will arrive in 2024 and be offered with a range of petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid powertrains. It’ll also push the Passat further into premium territory.
We said: “It’s not particularly exciting to look at, but the Passat scores highly for its quality cabin, interior space and comfortable ride.”
Read our Volkswagen Passat review
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Best premium cars to buy in 2024
You missed the best esttate car out. The SEAT Leon, It is reliable,safe,conomcal and has a biggr boot than an Audi A6
You also left out the Jaguar XF Far better than the Audi – and more reliable.