Used estate cars

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

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.