Sometimes it can be tricky to tell if a car is a hatchback or an estate. There are lots of hatchbacks such as the Ford Focus that have a relatively long roof and an upright back end, as does an estate. The difference between a hatchback and an estate is often in how far the car’s body extends beyond the back wheels. The Focus estate is about 30cm longer than the hatchback and all of that extra length is beyond the back wheels. The principle applies across many other cars including the Volkswagen Golf, Peugeot 308 and Kia Ceed.
Used estate cars
Estate cars give you excellent practicality and a huge range of models to choose from, including cost-effective, sporty and luxurious options. At Cazoo, you can choose from a range of used estate cars for sale through our trusted partners.
- Read more about 2014 used Audi A6 Avant 2.0 TDI ultra SE S Tronic (190 ps)View this car
Audi A6 Avant
2.0 TDI ultra SE S Tronic (190 ps)
- 129,411 miles
- 2014 reg
- Automatic
- Diesel
- Read more about 2018 used Peugeot 308 Sw 1.5 BlueHDi Active (130 ps)View this car
Peugeot 308 Sw
1.5 BlueHDi Active (130 ps)
- 54,996 miles
- 2018 reg
- Manual
- Diesel
- Read more about 2019 used Ford Mondeo 1.5T EcoBoost Zetec Edition (165 ps)View this car
Ford Mondeo
1.5T EcoBoost Zetec Edition (165 ps)
- 82,276 miles
- 2019 reg
- Manual
- Petrol
- Read more about 2019 used Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TDI SE Business (150 ps)View this car
Volkswagen Passat
2.0 TDI SE Business (150 ps)
- 99,984 miles
- 2019 reg
- Manual
- Diesel
- Read more about 2018 used Seat Leon 1.8 TSI FR Technology ST (180 ps)View this car
Seat Leon
1.8 TSI FR Technology ST (180 ps)
- 69,043 miles
- 2018 reg
- Manual
- Petrol
- Read more about 2016 used Skoda Octavia 1.6 TDI SE L (110 ps)View this car
Skoda Octavia
1.6 TDI SE L (110 ps)
- 49,698 miles
- 2016 reg
- Manual
- Diesel
- Read more about 2019 used Ford Mondeo 1.5T EcoBoost Zetec Edition (165 ps)View this car
Ford Mondeo
1.5T EcoBoost Zetec Edition (165 ps)
- 55,169 miles
- 2019 reg
- Manual
- Petrol
- Read more about 2015 used Subaru Levorg 1.6i GT Sport Tourer Lineartronic 4WD (170 ps)View this car
Subaru Levorg
1.6i GT Sport Tourer Lineartronic 4WD (170 ps)
- 63,033 miles
- 2015 reg
- Automatic
- Petrol
- Read more about 2019 used Vauxhall Insignia 1.6 Turbo D BlueInjection Elite Nav Sports Tourer (136 ps)View this car
Vauxhall Insignia
1.6 Turbo D BlueInjection Elite Nav Sports Tourer (136 ps)
- 63,994 miles
- 2019 reg
- Manual
- Diesel
- Read more about 2016 used Skoda Octavia 1.4 TSI SE L (150 ps)View this car
Skoda Octavia
1.4 TSI SE L (150 ps)
- 38,595 miles
- 2016 reg
- Manual
- Petrol
- Read more about 2017 used Audi A4 Avant 2.0 TDI S line (150 ps)View this car
Audi A4 Avant
2.0 TDI S line (150 ps)
- 82,250 miles
- 2017 reg
- Manual
- Diesel
- Read more about 2020 used Skoda Octavia 1.6 TDI SE Technology (115 ps)View this car
Skoda Octavia
1.6 TDI SE Technology (115 ps)
- 44,666 miles
- 2020 reg
- Manual
- Diesel
- Read more about 2016 used BMW 5 Series 2.0 520d M Sport Touring (190 ps)View this car
BMW 5 Series
2.0 520d M Sport Touring (190 ps)
- 78,459 miles
- 2016 reg
- Automatic
- Diesel
- Read more about 2016 used Audi A4 Avant 2.0 TDI ultra SE (150 ps)View this car
Audi A4 Avant
2.0 TDI ultra SE (150 ps)
- 46,724 miles
- 2016 reg
- Manual
- Diesel
- Read more about 2016 used Mercedes-Benz CLA Class 2.1 CLA220d AMG Line Shooting Brake 7G-DCT (177 ps)View this car
Mercedes-Benz CLA Class
2.1 CLA220d AMG Line Shooting Brake 7G-DCT (177 ps)
- 83,182 miles
- 2016 reg
- Automatic
- Diesel
- Read more about 2019 used Mini Clubman 2.0 Cooper D Exclusive 6dr (150 ps)View this car
Mini Clubman
2.0 Cooper D Exclusive 6dr (150 ps)
- 65,431 miles
- 2019 reg
- Automatic
- Diesel
- Read more about 2019 used Ford Focus 1.0T EcoBoost ST-Line (125 ps)View this car
Ford Focus
1.0T EcoBoost ST-Line (125 ps)
- 24,504 miles
- 2019 reg
- Manual
- Petrol
- Read more about 2017 used Audi A4 Avant 1.4 TFSI Sport (150 ps)View this car
Audi A4 Avant
1.4 TFSI Sport (150 ps)
- 41,979 miles
- 2017 reg
- Manual
- Petrol
- Read more about 2020 used Toyota Corolla 1.8 VVT-h Icon Tech Touring Sports CVT (122 ps)View this car
Toyota Corolla
1.8 VVT-h Icon Tech Touring Sports CVT (122 ps)
- 73,614 miles
- 2020 reg
- Automatic
- Hybrid
- Read more about 2019 used Toyota Corolla 1.8 VVT-h Icon Touring Sports CVT (122 ps)View this car
Toyota Corolla
1.8 VVT-h Icon Touring Sports CVT (122 ps)
- 54,099 miles
- 2019 reg
- Automatic
- Hybrid
- Read more about 2018 used Mercedes-Benz C Class 2.0 C350e 6.4kWh Sport Plug-in G-Tronic+ (293 ps)View this car
Mercedes-Benz C Class
2.0 C350e 6.4kWh Sport Plug-in G-Tronic+ (293 ps)
- 61,303 miles
- 2018 reg
- Automatic
- Hybrid
- Read more about 2019 used Toyota Corolla 1.8 VVT-h Icon Touring Sports CVT (122 ps)View this car
Toyota Corolla
1.8 VVT-h Icon Touring Sports CVT (122 ps)
- 45,709 miles
- 2019 reg
- Automatic
- Hybrid
- Read more about 2020 used Ford Focus 1.0T EcoBoost Titanium (125 ps)View this car
Ford Focus
1.0T EcoBoost Titanium (125 ps)
- 15,777 miles
- 2020 reg
- Manual
- Petrol
- Read more about 2019 used Ford Focus 1.0T EcoBoost Active X (125 ps)View this car
Ford Focus
1.0T EcoBoost Active X (125 ps)
- 35,605 miles
- 2019 reg
- Automatic
- Petrol
- Read more about 2021 used Skoda Octavia 2.0 TDI SE (116 ps)View this car
Skoda Octavia
2.0 TDI SE (116 ps)
- 51,869 miles
- 2021 reg
- Manual
- Diesel
- Read more about 2018 used Mercedes-Benz C Class 2.0 C350e 6.4kWh Sport Plug-in G-Tronic+ (293 ps)View this car
Mercedes-Benz C Class
2.0 C350e 6.4kWh Sport Plug-in G-Tronic+ (293 ps)
- 62,578 miles
- 2018 reg
- Automatic
- Hybrid
- Read more about 2017 used Audi A4 Avant 2.0 TDI S line (150 ps)View this car
Audi A4 Avant
2.0 TDI S line (150 ps)
- 50,130 miles
- 2017 reg
- Manual
- Diesel
- Read more about 2019 used Skoda Octavia 1.5 TSI ACT SE Drive DSG (150 ps)View this car
Skoda Octavia
1.5 TSI ACT SE Drive DSG (150 ps)
- 20,071 miles
- 2019 reg
- Automatic
- Petrol
- Read more about 2020 used Volkswagen Passat 1.6 TDI SEL DSG (120 ps)View this car
Volkswagen Passat
1.6 TDI SEL DSG (120 ps)
- 57,749 miles
- 2020 reg
- Automatic
- Diesel
- Read more about 2016 used Mercedes-Benz C Class 2.1 C250d AMG Line (Premium Plus) 7G-Tronic+ (204 ps)View this car
Mercedes-Benz C Class
2.1 C250d AMG Line (Premium Plus) 7G-Tronic+ (204 ps)
- 73,000 miles
- 2016 reg
- Automatic
- Diesel
- Read more about 2021 used Skoda Octavia 1.5 TSI ACT SE L (150 ps)View this car
Skoda Octavia
1.5 TSI ACT SE L (150 ps)
- 50,441 miles
- 2021 reg
- Manual
- Petrol
- Read more about 2020 used Seat Leon 1.5 TSI EVO FR (150 ps)View this car
Seat Leon
1.5 TSI EVO FR (150 ps)
- 20,112 miles
- 2020 reg
- Manual
- Petrol
- Read more about 2020 used Skoda Superb 1.5 TSI ACT SE Technology DSG (150 ps)View this car
Skoda Superb
1.5 TSI ACT SE Technology DSG (150 ps)
- 58,865 miles
- 2020 reg
- Automatic
- Petrol
- Read more about 2020 used Volkswagen Golf 2.0 TDI Match Edition DSG (150 ps)View this car
Volkswagen Golf
2.0 TDI Match Edition DSG (150 ps)
- 32,920 miles
- 2020 reg
- Automatic
- Diesel
- Read more about 2020 used Volkswagen Passat 1.6 TDI SEL DSG (120 ps)View this car
Volkswagen Passat
1.6 TDI SEL DSG (120 ps)
- 47,371 miles
- 2020 reg
- Automatic
- Diesel
- Read more about 2020 used Ford Focus 2.0 EcoBlue Active X (150 ps)View this car
Ford Focus
2.0 EcoBlue Active X (150 ps)
- 42,088 miles
- 2020 reg
- Automatic
- Diesel
- Read more about 2017 used Audi A4 Avant 2.0 TDI ultra S line S Tronic (190 ps)View this car
Audi A4 Avant
2.0 TDI ultra S line S Tronic (190 ps)
- 58,498 miles
- 2017 reg
- Automatic
- Diesel
- Read more about 2021 used Seat Leon 1.5 eTSI MHEV FR DSG (150 ps)View this car
Seat Leon
1.5 eTSI MHEV FR DSG (150 ps)
- 34,726 miles
- 2021 reg
- Automatic
- Hybrid
- Read more about 2021 used Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TDI EVO SEL (150 ps)View this car
Volkswagen Passat
2.0 TDI EVO SEL (150 ps)
- 58,518 miles
- 2021 reg
- Manual
- Diesel
- Read more about 2020 used Skoda Superb 1.6 TDI SE Technology DSG (120 ps)View this car
Skoda Superb
1.6 TDI SE Technology DSG (120 ps)
- 42,793 miles
- 2020 reg
- Automatic
- Diesel
- Read more about 2021 used Skoda Octavia 1.5 TSI ACT SE L (150 ps)View this car
Skoda Octavia
1.5 TSI ACT SE L (150 ps)
- 33,224 miles
- 2021 reg
- Manual
- Petrol
- Read more about 2020 used Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TDI EVO SE Nav (150 ps)View this car
Volkswagen Passat
2.0 TDI EVO SE Nav (150 ps)
- 33,215 miles
- 2020 reg
- Manual
- Diesel
- Read more about 2021 used Toyota Corolla 1.8 VVT-h GPF Icon Tech Touring Sports CVT (122 ps)View this car
Toyota Corolla
1.8 VVT-h GPF Icon Tech Touring Sports CVT (122 ps)
- 29,673 miles
- 2021 reg
- Automatic
- Hybrid
- Read more about 2020 used Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TDI EVO SEL DSG (150 ps)View this car
Volkswagen Passat
2.0 TDI EVO SEL DSG (150 ps)
- 50,109 miles
- 2020 reg
- Automatic
- Diesel
- Read more about 2021 used Skoda Octavia 2.0 TDI SE L DSG (150 ps)View this car
Skoda Octavia
2.0 TDI SE L DSG (150 ps)
- 41,268 miles
- 2021 reg
- Automatic
- Diesel
- Read more about 2021 used Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TDI EVO SEL DSG (150 ps)View this car
Volkswagen Passat
2.0 TDI EVO SEL DSG (150 ps)
- 51,264 miles
- 2021 reg
- Automatic
- Diesel
- Read more about 2020 used Audi A4 Avant 2.0 TDI 35 Black Edition S Tronic (163 ps)View this car
Audi A4 Avant
2.0 TDI 35 Black Edition S Tronic (163 ps)
- 82,192 miles
- 2020 reg
- Automatic
- Diesel
Estate car buying guide
If you have a busy, active family life, if you’re a DIY enthusiast or if you just want a car you can fill with lots of stuff, an estate could be ideal for you. Estate cars are usually based on a hatchback or saloon model and give you a driving experience – and fuel economy – similar to the models they’re based on. Estate cars are often as (or more) practical than a similarly priced SUV but tend to give better mpg because they’re generally lighter and more aerodynamic.
What is an estate car?
The design of most estate cars starts as a hatchback or saloon, but estates have a longer roofline and a more-upright design at the back, to create a bigger boot. Almost all have a hatchback boot lid (that hinges above the back window) and most have a longer body that extends further behind the back wheels.
Is an estate car right for me?
An estate car is ideal if you want the flexibility to carry lots of stuff in your car but don’t necessarily want an SUV. Bulky pushchairs, flatpack furniture, heavy duty tip trips and family holiday luggage all fit much more easily into an estate than in a hatchback or saloon, or even in some SUVs for that matter. Estates with a higher, flatter roof can also be useful if you need to carry taller passengers because the shape creates more back-seat headroom. Alternatively, you may be one of the many people who just prefer the look of an estate compared with other types of car.
What sort of estate cars are available?
Estate cars are available in a range of sizes. The smallest, such as the Skoda Fabia, are based on small hatchbacks, while the biggest are based on executive cars such as the BMW 5 Series. The ever-increasing popularity of SUVs means there are fewer estate cars available to buy new, but there’s still a lot of choice when buying used, with at least one estate available from the majority of mainstream car brands.
What are some of the most popular estate cars?
Mini Clubman – it’s not the most practical of small estates, but the Clubman is stylish, feels great to drive and is surprisingly good value. Unusually, its boot lid is a pair of doors that open out from the centre, rather than a single top-hinged door.
Skoda Octavia – the Octavia has just about the biggest boot of any mid-size estate, with enough passenger space for five adults. It’s very comfortable on a long journey and most models have lots of features as standard.
BMW 3 Series Touring – if you really want to enjoy your driving, there are few better estates than this, and it doesn’t compromise on space or practicality. It’s available with a wide range of engines including ultra-efficient diesels and high-performance motors.
Mercedes-Benz E-Class – the E-Class Estate combines a luxurious interior with one of the biggest boots found in any estate car. Models with a diesel engine can give you excellent fuel economy.
Common questions about estate cars
The terms estate and station wagon are used to describe exactly the same type of car on different sides of the Atlantic Ocean. While station wagon is generally considered an American term, some estates sold in the UK are called station wagon or SW by their manufacturer.
Many car makers use ‘brand names’ for their estate models. Audi uses Avant, BMW uses Touring, Renault uses Sports Tourer. The names of some sporty-looking estates such as the Mercedes-Benz CLS include the words Shooting Brake.
In terms of physical size, the biggest estate car sold in the UK in recent years has been the Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo, which measures a touch over five metres long. If we’re talking about the estate car with the biggest boot, that honour goes to the Skoda Superb, which has 660 litres of boot space. Fold down its back seats and there’s a van-like 1,950 litres of space. Only a few big SUVs offer more room.
Before SUVs and MPVs became the cars of choice for many large families, it was possible to buy an estate car with seven seats. These cars typically had an extra pair of ‘occasional’ seats that folded out of the boot floor and faced the back window. There was a time when most large estates were available in seven-seater form; Mercedes-Benz and Volvo were the last manufacturers to offer such cars in the UK but they haven’t been sold new since about 2010.