Best estate cars 2024

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Best estate cars 2024

  • What are the best estate cars?
  • We test and rate the contenders
  • Find an estate car for sale

If you're looking for the best estate cars for sale in the UK, you've come to the right place. Our experts have hunted out the top 10 estate cars on the market with the biggest boots. 

Whether you're looking to transport a dog, need a car that can double up as a work van or simply have young kids and need to carry all their paraphernalia, these estate cars will make you think twice about buying an SUV

We've included a mix of luxurious and more affordable estate cars here, as well as a wide range of car sizes – from relatively small estate cars like the MG5 EV to bigger estates like the Skoda Superb.

If you're ready to buy we've got over 5,000 Used Estate Cars for Sale, while if you want more choice, we have over 70,000 Used Cars for Sale. if you're looking to save money, check out our guide to the Best Car Deals.

Best estate cars 2024

  1. BMW 5 Series Touring
  2. Skoda Superb Estate
  3. BMW 3 Series Touring
  4. Toyota Corolla Touring Sports
  5. MG5 EV
  6. Audi A6 Avant
  7. Skoda Octavia Estate
  8. Volvo V90 Cross Country
  9. Volkswagen Arteon Shooting Brake
  10. Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate

1. BMW 5 Series Touring

Year launched: 2017

BMW 5 Series Touring review 2023
10/10

If you want to buy a car that really can do everything, look no further than a BMW 5 Series Touring. The best estate car going, it's a superb all-rounder – a premium car with a first-class interior, a big boot, and a driving experience that strikes the perfect blend of sportiness and comfort. There's a reason our team of reviewers awarded the 5 Series Touring 10 out of 10 – it's almost impossible to find fault with.

It's a strikingly handsome estate car (more so than the 5 Series saloon, we reckon) and one that exudes class alongside garish SUV alternatives. It's certainly on the large side, though, but that means it's simply cavernous inside. The boot can accommodate a mighty 1700 litres of luggage with the rear seats dropped – only really beaten by load-luggers like the Skoda Superb Estate.

You'll pay a premium for a new BMW 5 Series Touring, but you can save thousands by looking for a nearly-new example. How does £10,000 off a 530e M Sport sound?

2. Skoda Superb Estate

Year launched: 2015

Skoda Superb Estate (2015-2023) Review Front Side View
9/10

If you’re looking for a white good – an estate that’ll transport all your luggage without the chintz of a BMW – your search should end with the Skoda Superb. It's certainly one of the best estate cars going.

For a start, it’s massive. Its 660-litre boot capacity is bigger than most things this side of a Ford Galaxy people carrier, while lowering the rear seats increases capacity to a massive 1950 litres. That should be easily more than enough space for most peoples load-lugging needs. 

The Skoda Superb Estate is not particularly exciting to drive but you’ll soon get used to the Superb’s dimensions. It’s a very comfortable choice, too – ideal for family life. You’ll find that most models on the used market are diesel-powered. That’s fine if you cover a lot of miles, but hunt out a petrol if you plan to do a lot of short journeys.

3. BMW 3 Series Touring

Year launched: 2019

BMW 3 Series Touring review 2023
9/10

If you don’t need the space of a big, premium wagon, the BMW 3 Series Touring combines all the versatility of a family estate car with the feel-good factor of a sports saloon.

You get a wide choice of petrol and diesel engines with the 3 Series Touring, as well as a plug-in hybrid. If you want an estate car to cover the commute during the week before heading to the hills at the weekend, the plug-in hybrid 330e could be a really good choice – it can travel up to 35 miles under electric power alone, taking just over 2 hours to charge from a wall charger. 

The BMW 3 Series Touring has a 500-litre boot capacity with the rear seats in place, which is comparable with the likes of the Volvo V60 and Audi A4 Avant. That said, it is narrower between the wheel arches, so some bulkier items might be harder to get in the back. One nice touch is that the rear window can open independently of the rest of the tailgate - great for quick access to the boot with smaller items. 

Prices for a three-year-old BMW 3 Series Touring start from around £14,000. That’s an awful lot of car for less than a Ford Fiesta...

4. Toyota Corolla Touring Sports

Year launched: 2019

Toyota Corolla Touring Sports Review 2023 Right Side View
8/10

If you're more concerned about doing your bit for the environment than having a flash badge on your bonnet, take a look at the Toyota Corolla Touring Sports. It's a hybrid estate car powered by a choice of 1.8- or 2.0-litre petrol engines, combined with an electric motor for maximum frugality.

The best thing about the Toyota Corolla Touring Sports? It actually isn't a compromise at all. You get a thoroughly acceptable interior, with a lot more clever features and soft-touch finishes than the old Auris it replaced.

It's also pretty good to drive. No, it's not going to be as fun as a BMW 3 Series, but it's impressively comfortable over broken British road surfaces. That petrol-electric drivetrain means it's incredibly refined, too, at home both around town and out on the motorway.

5. MG5 EV

Year launched: 2021

2023 MG5 EV Review: front dynamic
8/10

The electric estate car market is yet to really take off, with most manufacturers concentrating their efforts on where the cash is: electric SUVs. The first mass-market electric estate car is the MG5 and we'd be surprised if anything comes along and knocks it off its perch (although the upcoming Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Electric and Peugeot e-308 SW will attempt to do just that).

For a start, it represents really good value money. You can buy a new one for £31,000 but, if you're not fussed about having the latest facelifted example, you can bag a used MG5 EV for around £20,000. That's decent value for money for a used electric car that's practical enough to be your main family transport.

And it doesn't really feel like a budget car, either. Recent updates mean the interior feels just as well finished as you get in a Ford Focus (if not better), while it also looks sharper than it used to. Its 250-mile range will be sufficient for most, too. It's easy to see why the MG5 is proving such a hit with Uber drivers.

6. Audi A6 Avant

Year launched: 2018

 Audi A6 Avant Review 2023: rear three quarter photo of the Audi A6 Avant on the road
8/10

Much like the BMW 5 Series Touring and Mercedes E-Class Estate, the Audi A6 Avant is an ultra-sophisticated and ultra-spacious premium wagon that’ll make you think twice about buying an SUV.

The A6 Avant is pretty big, with a 565-litre boot and enough legroom in the back to satisfy demanding teenagers. As such, it’s not the easiest car to squeeze down country lanes, but on the motorway it’s an extremely relaxing companion.

You can choose from the usual variety of petrol and diesel engines, as well as a plug-in hybrid model badged (confusingly) the 50 TFSI e. This couples an electric motor with a 2.0-litre petrol engine, providing a total output of 299PS. This can cover 34 miles before the petrol motor kicks in.

7. Skoda Octavia Estate

Year launched: 2020

Skoda Octavia Estate front
8/10

The latest Octavia Estate has grown in size versus its 2013 predecessor, giving you more space while still undercutting the competition in terms of price - including the Volkswagen Golf, SEAT Leon and Ford Focus Estate.

Comfortable and spacious on the inside, the family and dog will love it, as will those who drive for a living and find themselves behind the wheel most of the day (and/or night). The entry-level SE is well equipped but we’d recommend opting for the SE L model to get nice extras including adaptive cruise control, keyless entry/start and heated front seats, along with a plusher interior finish.

There’s a choice of diesel, petrol and hybrid engines, with the mild-hybrid capable of 54.3mpg. There’s a plug-in hybrid iV model too, which can do up to 43 miles on electric power, and if you don’t do many motorway miles it’ll give you the best economy.

By far the biggest selling point for the Skoda Octavia Estate, though, is the space on offer. There's generous passenger accommodation, which is great when your kids grow up faster than you thought, while the massive - and we mean massive - 640 litre boot is great for swallowing tonnes of family detritus. 

8. Volvo V90 Cross Country

Year launched: 2017

Volvo V90 Cross Country cornering
8/10

While the standard Volvo V90 is a left-field alternative to all the large premium estate cars we’ve already featured in this list, the V90 Cross Country offers something a bit different. It’s a four-wheel-drive model, with a slightly increased ride height and some macho body cladding giving it a purposeful ‘go anywhere’ look.

If you want a car that can actually venture over rough terrain but don’t want to be lumbered with a full-sized SUV, the Volvo V90 Cross Country is a great choice. It’s impressively quick – with even its entry-level engines providing a surprising turn of pace – but it’s more comfortable wafting along anything from rural roads to motorways.

A highlight of the V90 Cross Country is its interior. It’s really lovely, with comfortable seats and an attractive dashboard. We hesitate to use a cliché but, well, it feels a bit like sitting in Ikea, with an impressive mix of soft-touch fabrics, cool aluminium finishes and even a bit of wood here and there.

9. Volkswagen Arteon Shooting Brake

Year launched: 2020

Volkswagen Arteon Shooting Brake Review: Dynamic
7/10

If you’re looking for a stylish estate car that gets you bang for your buck, it’s time to consider the VW Arteon Shooting Brake and for the best value, pick up a second hand model. Its sweeping silhouette gives it a sleek, sporty edge but doesn’t comprise the space on offer inside.

There’s a pleasing 590-litre boot (which is bigger than the pricey BMW 5 Series Touring), giving you plenty of room even with the aforementioned sweeping design, however opt for the plug-in hybrid model (good for 36 miles on a single charge) and the area is drastically reduced to 455 litres - which will make you think twice about this particular option.

The Arteon Shooting Brake may have a sporty exterior, but you'll find it to be a more serene experience on the road - quiet and sophisticated getting you to your destination in comfort. The softer suspension negates lumps and bumps in the road, while a spacious cabin has a more luxurious feel than your average family estate - although it’s not quite at the level of Audi, BMW and Mercedes.

10. Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate

Year launched: 2014

Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate Review 2023: side exterior
8/10

Just like the bigger Mercedes E-Class, any thoughts that estate cars are boring will vanish from your mind the moment you take a seat in the Mercedes C-Class.

It’s got a lavish interior, full of the kind of surprise and delight that’ll make you feel good about owning a Mercedes-Benz. You’ll be hard-pushed to find a harsh finish, and standard equipment levels are generous across the range – even entry-level cars will feel far from basic.

It might be a premium car, but don’t expect a C-Class Estate to cost a fortune to run. The C 220 d diesel is the car of choice for long-distance drivers – it’s officially capable of 54.4mpg, while the C 200 petrol has a combined fuel economy figure of 39.3mpg.

Best Estate Car FAQs

Andy Brady

Written by

Andy Brady

The best estate car on sale depends on your requirements. Money no object, we rate the BMW 5 Series Touring as the best estate car you can buy right now – it's the perfect blend of comfort, space and performance. If you're not fussed about a premium car, the Skoda Superb (or smaller Octavia) represents incredible value for money.

If outright space is what you're after, nothing offers more bang for your buck than the Skoda Superb Estate. It's got a cavernous 660-litre boot, while luggage space increases to 1950 litres with the rear seats dropped. Forget SUVs – you're not going to find anything more practical this side of a Ford Transit van.

The market is currently limited at the moment. You've got the MG 5 – an bargain electric estate car with a 464-litre boot and 214-mile range – or, at the other end of the spectrum, the Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo. That's a rapid performance wagon, capable of covering 0-62mph in as little as 2.9 seconds in Turbo S form. More importantly, its boot can haul 446 litres of luggage, or 1212 litres with the rear seats dropped.

SUVs have rapidly increased in popularity due to the space they offer, along with a high seating position and surprisingly affordable running costs. There's a lot going for SUVs, but there's nothing wrong with the traditional estate car, either. Estates often represent better value for money and could be more enjoyable to drive.

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