Best estate cars - our top picks

Best estate cars 2025

If you're looking for a car with lots of storage space and a practical boot, then an estate car could be the perfect option for you. The main selling point of an estate car is its great storage capacity, which offers more practicality and versatility than the likes of a hatchback or saloon.

Of course, estates are normally based on hatchback or saloon cars but with a much bigger boot. On the other hand, compared to SUVs, which have a higher ride and larger body, estate cars offer excellent fuel economy while still offering superb handling and drive comfort.

Škoda Octavia Estate

• Prices can start around £22,998**
• 0-62mph: 8.5 seconds
• Boot capacity: 640 litres
• Seats: 5

First on our list of best estate cars is the Škoda Octavia. Why? Well because of its class-leading boot and cargo space, efficient drive and fantastic value for money. It offers everything people look for in an estate - it's a complete all-rounder!

The fourth-generation model has also recently enjoyed a light design refresh, making it an even more attractive package. As part of the updated look, it now has LED headlamps angled around the front grille and above the bumper - a nod to the Czech flag, the brand's founding nation. Both the front and rear bumpers have been revised, too.

These updates make the Octavia far more aerodynamic, making it one of the best estate cars available right now. Despite its large size, it's light to steer and makes for a very comfortable and efficient ride; perfect for those long journeys with the kids.

Choose from 1.5-litre TSI petrol or 2.0-litre TDI diesel engines, each with either 116PS or 150PS output. The petrol unit with its DSG seven-speed automatic also comes with MHEV (mild hybrid tech) for enhanced fuel economy.

Another reason we cannot see past this estate is that all Škoda Octavias are built upon the Volkswagen Group's MQB platform; Volkswagen's universally trusted and reliable modular system which they use to build cars.

Another key deciding factor for customers who are looking for an estate also tends to be passenger and cargo space. Well, look no further, as the Octavia has it all.

Rear Seat space is class-leading thanks to the vehicle's long 2,686mm wheelbase. The cargo space remains one of the best in class, too; there's an impressive 640 litres of space in the boot without having to fold the back seats - a solid improvement compared to the 600 litres found in the hatchback version.

Don't just take it from us either; here's what Duncan Vincent, Arnold Clark's YouTube presenter and automotive expert, had to say:

It's built for people who seek value for money, something that's engaging to drive and comfortable at the same time! The Octavia is like a good pair of trainers... reliable, comfortable and will last you a long time.

Volkswagen Passat Estate

• Prices can start around £34,998**
• 0-62mph: 8.4 seconds
• Boot capacity: 690 litres
• Seats: 5

If you are interested in the best family estate cars available, then you should definitely check out the VW Passat Estate. The Passat is the brand's second best-selling model to date behind the ever-iconic VW Golf. Launched in 1972, it is still one of the best estate cars currently available in the UK today.

Now in its ninth generation, the model comes in three trims: Life, Elegance and R-Line. You can choose between the 1.5 eTSI 150 PS mild hybrid petrol engine or plug-in eHybrids with outputs of 204PS and 272PS. The plug-in eHybrids combine a high-tech turbocharged petrol engine with a 19.7kWh battery that offers a range of up to 81 miles.*

This is the first time in the Passat's history that it is only available to purchase as an estate from new. It's 4,917mm in length, 144mm longer than before, plus the car is 20mm wider (1,852mm). Volkswagen has also reduced roof height by 10mm (1,506mm), while there's a deeper front bumper and 19-inch wheels.

Customers who are in the market for an estate car also tend to expect a certain level of comfort and practicality. A VW Passat has you covered in this respect, with soft-leather fabric furnishings are found throughout the cabin.

Some models even come equipped with seats with electric backrest adjustment and massaging functionality - a touch of luxury we are happy to mention.

In the ninth-generation model, boot space is a whopping 690 litres, which expands to 1,920 litres with the rear bench folded. That's one of the biggest boots an estate car has to offer.

So, whether you're looking to load in the weekly shop, pack for a family holiday, or even move house, you won't need to worry about space when choosing a VW Passat Estate! It's clear why it is one of our top picks for best family estate cars.

BMW 3 Series Touring

• Prices can start around £43,725**
• 0-62mph: 7.6 seconds
• Boot capacity: 500 litres
• Seats: 5

Now in its seventh generation, the BMW 3 Series Touring is arguably one of the most efficient, comfortable and well-equipped estate cars on the market. While it may not be one of the most spacious estates included on this list in terms of cargo space, it really appeals to those looking for a stealthy, stylish and sophisticated car. In our opinion, it will always be one of the best-looking estate cars ever!

The diesel version of the BMW 3 Series Touring is no longer available, however, the 330e PHEV version gets a bigger 19.5kWh battery than its predecessor did. This allows for a considerably longer 61-mile* electric driving range, and the change means a suburban driver could pretty much use their 330e Touring like an EV. That's why we would also put it forward as one of the best hybrid estate cars you can purchase.

The combined output of this powertrain's 2.0-litre petrol engine and electric motor now stands at 292hp (8hp more than before), earning a 62mph sprint time of 6.0 seconds en route to a top speed of 142mph. You can also opt for the speedy M3 Competition Touring for class-leading estate performance.

The seventh-generation version of the BMW 3 Series Touring has grown by 76mm to 4,709mm in length, by 16mm to 1,827mm in width and by 11mm to 1,440mm in height compared to the old pre-2018 F31-series Touring model.

When it comes to boot space, the Touring offers 500 litres, which is 20 litres more a 3 Series saloon. This decreases slightly to 410 litres with the 330e PHEV due to battery housing.

We love the 3 Series Estate because there's lots of choice when it comes to transmission, performance, tech and features. Not to mention an abundance of kerb appeal!

Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate

• Prices can start around £41,498**
• 0-62mph: 6 seconds
• Boot capacity: 490 litres
• Seats: 5

Next on our list of best estate cars is the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate, and it ticks a lot boxes.

In terms of performance, it's been marketed that the Mercedes-AMG Formula 1 team worked with the C-Class development engineers to create a new turbocharger, giving these latest mild hybrid engines better efficiency.

The latest C-Class Estate is powered only by electrified four-cylinder powerplants - right up to the top C 63 AMG variant. The mainstream engines have mild hybrid tech, with pricier plug-in options. The core petrol models are the C180 and the C200, which share a 1.5-litre unit and offer 170hp or 204hp respectively. Next up is the 2.0-litre C300 with 258hp. There are also two diesel options, both of which use a revised 2.0-litre unit, which now gets an extra 42cc of capacity.

This fifth-generation C-Class estate is 49mm longer than its predecessor, 10mm wider and sits 7mm lower. That means it now offers the largest boot of any C-Class Estate ever made at 490 litres. With everything folded down, the space increases to 1,510 litres.

However, it's the inside of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate which has impressed us most, with arguably the best media set-up on the market.

For example, the 'Augmented Video' system, where a camera registers the surroundings in front of the vehicle and the moving images are shown on the central display, with virtual objects, information and markers superimposed on the video image - including traffic signs, directional arrows, lane-change recommendations and house numbers.

All of this makes driving around towns much easier, especially when driving a longer, larger vehicle like an estate. Plus, it's another fantastic example of one of the best-looking estate cars currently available to buy in the UK.

MG5

• Prices can start around £18,898**
• 0-62mph: 7.3 seconds
• Boot capacity: 578 litres
• Seats: 5

MG has and continues to offer drivers incredible value for money. It's no different with their MG5 EV Estate. This is MG's second zero-emission model but the first ever EV estate in the UK.

Launched in 2020, the MG5 has been extremely popular with UK motorists since its arrival. For us, it's probably one of the best value estate cars to ever grace the market.

This estate offers an all-electric driving range of 249 miles,* which is just one of the reasons why it became one of the UK's top selling EVs in 2021. The Long Range version has a 61.1kWh battery which powers a 154bhp electric motor on the front axle.

In terms of storage space, there's plenty throughout but specifically where it matters most - the boot. Here's what Duncan had to say about it:

And there's your boot. 578 litres of space if you pack it from the floor to the roof. Put the seats flat, you then get 1,367 litres of loading space. That's huge because, remember, this is the only fully electric EV estate car on the market.

Despite the MG5's affordable price point, the model is incredibly modern and stylish both inside and out. Plus, there's plenty of space in the cabin and cockpit, with good headroom and legroom, even for taller passengers.

First things first, when you get in the car, I like the seating position, I can get it really comfortable for myself. There's a footrest down there next to a couple of pedals and the seat's quite comfortable. Fully adjustable electric heated front seats...

As you can see, it's another fantastic example of the best estate cars currently available in the UK. But not only that, it's an EV, meaning you get the space and versatility needed while futureproofing yourself - all at an affordable cost. That's why we love the MG5!

Škoda Superb Estate

• Prices can start around £24,798**
• 0-62mph: 9.3 seconds
• Boot capacity: 690 litres
• Seats: 5

The fourth generation of the Škoda Superb Estate is the company's flagship model and is one of the very best estate cars you can buy. But don't just take our word for it - in 2023, the Škoda Superb was named What Car?'s Best Estate for an eighth year in a row!

The Czech model is continually praised for its incredible value for money and class-leading boot space, with it being the largest in the automotive mid-class.

The 2024 model is 43mm longer and 12mm taller than its predecessor, which equates to an extra 11mm of headroom in the front and 6mm of headroom in the rear.

You'll also get 30 litres more boot space, taking the Superb's cargo capacity to a very spacious 690 litres! For this exact reason, it's our top choice for best estate cars for dogs and their owners. Plenty of boot space means your dog can travel safely and securely on every journey.

The model offers lots of safety technology and features, including travel and crew protect assist, which enhance the security and safety of the passengers on every journey. Additionally, you'll get handy driver convenience features like intelligent park assist.

The Superb truly lives up to its name and award-winning status in the estate car segment. It's an allrounder, offering class-leading boot space, a versatile and spacious cabin, a choice of efficient engines and affordability - what more could you ask for?!

SEAT Leon Estate

• Prices can start around £21,742**
• 0-62mph: 7.9 seconds
• Boot capacity: 620 litres
• Seats: 5

Next is the ever-popular SEAT Leon, but the estate version of course! A Leon estate comes with a variety of different trims so you can prioritise your needs in the model you choose.

If comfort, convenience and efficiency are what you're after, then the SE, SE Dynamic or Xcellence trims will cater to your needs. However, there's also the iconic FR trim, which prioritises performance on the roads and comes fitted with sports suspension.

In terms of engine options, the Leon comes with either a 1.0-litre 110hp petrol or a 1.5-litre petrol engine, offering either 130hp or 150hp in manual form, and a 150hp version linked to a seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox.

There's also a plug-in hybrid version, which will come in handy if you do some driving around town and can make use of the electric motor.

Inside, the SEAT Leon Estate might not be as sophisticated as the BMW 3 Series Touring, but it certainly doesn't skrimp on features or technology either.

If you have kids to think about, there's a 620-litre boot, while the outer rear seats have ISOFIX mounting for the easy fitting of child seats.

There's plenty of space throughout the Leon estate, including a decent-sized glovebox and handy door bins, a tray for your mobile phone in front of the gear lever, two cupholders and a cubby under the front armrest - perfect for keeping the cabin clear and clutter free! It's the perfect family estate car.

Peugeot 308 SW

• Prices can start around £26,498**
• 0-62mph: 7.7 seconds
• Boot capacity: 608 litres
• Seats: 5

Next on our list of the best estate cars of 2025 is the Peugeot 308 SW. It's an extremely stylish and sophisticated estate to look at, with sleek lines and a distinctively unique Peugeot grille. It really does stand out among other more utilitarian models in this category.

Available in three trims - Active, Allure and GT - whichever one you opt for, comes with a huge range of contemporary and impressive features. All 308 SWs have an eight-speed automatic gearbox that you can override using paddles on the steering wheel, allowing the driver to enjoy an extremely engaging, yet smooth, journey.

There's also plug-in hybrid and fully electric versions, which may appeal to those looking for an estate as their next company car.

Now in its third generation, the model's boot has 608 litres of space. Not quite as much as the SEAT Leon Estate or Škoda Octavia Estate, but it beats the extremely popular Ford Focus Estate and the Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer for load capacity volume.

The boot itself is a usefully square shape, with a minimal lip at the entrance when the adjustable floor is set to its highest setting, which helps getting any items in or out without any hassle. Exactly what you want in an estate!

If you drop the 308 SW's rear seats, it opens up the load volume to 1,634 litres. If you opt for one of the PHEV versions, the boot space does shrink a little to accommodate the 12.4kWh battery pack, a common occurrence for similar vehicles in the estate car class.

But overall, the Peugeot 308 SW is a solid alternative to some of the more expensive manufacturers, giving you plenty of storage and a comfortable ride at a very reasonable price, making it an obvious choice for our list of best estate cars of 2024.

Kia Ceed

• Prices can start around £26,850**
• 0-62mph: 11 seconds
• Boot capacity: 625 litres
• Seats: 5

The Kia Ceed is another one of the best estate cars on the market; its dimensions are almost identical to the five-door hatchback, but the estate variant has a longer cargo area and rear overhang, plus a subtle tailgate spoiler.

As with most of the other contenders on this list, the Ceed Estate is up there when it comes to storage and space throughout the cockpit, cabin and into the boot. In the boot, you get 625 litres - that's larger than most D-segment tourers in the next estate class up.

The cargo area is also very accessible - the low lift-over height makes it easier to load heavier items into the boot. Every Ceed Sportswagon also has an underfloor box to secure or store smaller items, we love a model with smart storage solutions!

Kia is no longer a budget brand, and its new look means it can compete with some of the best-looking estate cars available. The recently updated Kia Ceed estate features a redesigned front end, with sharp headlamps flanking a 'tiger nose' front grille upgraded to a black gloss finish with satin chrome highlights. Two large side air intakes shooting through the front bumper create an even sportier look.

But step inside, and there's a more up-market feeling too, with Kia making some noticeable improvements on previous generations. There's some soothing colours and tactile materials, while plusher trims get a fully digital 12.3-inch instrument cluster with high-resolution graphics and a frameless 10.25-inch centrally mounted display for infotainment, navigation and telematics connectivity.

Of course, if you're thinking about going for an estate car, you'll want to get something reliable. Thankfully Kia will offer you that peace of mind. In the 2024 What Car? Reliability Survey, the brand finished 11th out of the 31 manufacturers listed, plus they also offer a seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty on their models when purchased from new.

Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer

• Prices can start around £26,998**
• 0-62mph: 7.7 seconds
• Boot capacity: 597 litres
• Seats: 5

No list of the best estate cars would be complete without mentioning one that has been around for decades. Now in its eighth generation, the Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer prides itself in offering great value for money, space and efficiency since its launch.

The car shares underpinnings with the Peugeot 308 SW and you can choose from two versions of its turbocharged, three-cylinder 1.2-litre petrol engine options or two plug-in hybrids.

The Astra Sports Tourer boot size depends on which version you go for. The regular petrol versions have 597 litres of boot volume, while the PHEVs get 516 litres. While you'll find bigger boots in other estate cars, there's still enough space for the weekly shop, golf clubs or a suitcase or two.