While the overall sales trend for estate cars is declining, Europe and the UK make up over two thirds of global estate car demand according to automotive data service Jato Dynamics. That means there’s still plenty of people out there who haven’t been bitten by the SUV bug.
And with good reason. While SUVs tend to be heavier, thirstier and not as good to drive as hatchback or saloon equivalents, the best estate cars demand little compromise in all three areas.
What’s more, for a small amount of extra weight and length you gain a much more useable boot, with a larger opening and more capacity along with cleverer storage solutions. And while you’ll have to pay a little bit more of an estate over the equivalent hatch or saloon, they can often be cheaper than a similar SUV too.
In this guide we run through the most popular estate cars according to RAC Drive readers. This varied list brings together affordable options, luxury load-luggers, hybrid and fully electric models.
Best Estate Cars 2025: the shortlist
Skoda Superb Estate
Price: from £37,325 Boot space: 690 litres
The Skoda Superb has become a bit of a people’s champion over two and a half decades, offering executive car levels of space and comfort for a much more palatable price. It’s at its best in uber-practical estate form, where it’s unbeaten for boot capacity by any load-lugger on sale.
What’s more, the Superb has masses of room for occupants too, while Skoda’s ‘Simply Clever’ touches add further storage and versatility. It’s good to drive, comes with a wide range of efficient and punchy engines and is well-equipped, with easy to operate technology. It’s pretty much the full package.
Volkswagen Passat
Price: from £39,950 Boot space: 690 litres
Getting déjà vu from looking at the Volkswagen Passat? You might not be alone, because it’s essentially a Skoda Superb Estate with a different front and rear end. That’s no bad thing of course, and while the Passat is a bit more expensive it counters that with a higher quality interior and a slightly more comfortable ride.
Beyond that, all the Skoda’s traits are present and correct. The Passat is exceptionally easy to live with, with strong efficiency across the board and an outstanding range from the plug-in hybrid option. There are more stylish options here, but when it comes to ticking all the boxes the VW is hard to ignore.
BMW 3 Series Touring
Price: from £43,930 Boot space: 500 litres
Who says estate cars can’t be fun to drive? BMW has long-served enthusiasts with families with its 3 Series Touring, and this latest version still cuts a dash in the face of newer rivals. It expertly blends comfort with keen handling and cruising ability, with a range of powerful yet efficient engines including the popular 330e plug-in hybrid.
The 3 Series Touring might not be the roomiest estate here, but it’ll still swallow up everything from family holiday clobber to your beloved pooch in its boot. The rear window can be popped open independently of the tailgate, too – handy for chucking items in in tight spaces.
Volvo V60
Price: from £41,940 Boot space: 529 litres
Volvo is as synonymous with estate cars as Ferrari is with head-turning supercars. Which is why fans were puzzled when the Swedish maker took its V60 and V90 estates off sale in 2023 – only for them to arrive back unchanged a year later due to a spike in customer demand.
We can see why: they might be getting on a bit (making used examples tempting) but the V60 in particular combines relative value with a stylish design, classy cabin, impressive comfort, tidy handling and strong fuel efficiency. These are a favourite with the police for a reason.
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Toyota Corolla Touring Sports
Price: from £32,145 Boot space: 581-596 litres
Solid, smooth-driving and efficient, the Toyota Corolla is already one of the best hybrid cars on sale, so it stands to reason that the Touring Sports version earns a place in our list of the best estate cars. It just so happens that this version of the Corolla also has a usefully large boot – bigger than some much more expensive estates in our list.
Even the entry-level 1.8-litre petrol hybrid provides a strong balance of ample performance and class-leading efficiency, while the 2.0-litre model borders on brisk. Both are incredibly easy to drive in our out of town, while the Corolla also has an excellent blend of ride comfort and handling, strong visibility and a comfortable driving position.
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Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate
Price: from £59,720 Boot space: 615 litres
Estate cars might seem like deeply rational, sensible options, but Mercedes-Benz has long injected a bit of luxury and style to the sector with the E-Class Estate. This latest iteration is more suave than ever, combining a sleek look with an extremely lavish and high-tech interior.
You can dazzle the family with all the funky ambient lighting and digital features, but the fundamentals remains: Exceptional comfort, loads of cabin space, a big boot and top-notch refinement. All the engine options are solid, but those with deeper pockets should check out the wonderful 367hp E450d diesel.
Dacia Jogger
Price: from £18,970 Boot space: 565 litres
The Dacia Jogger is a bit of an outlier in the estate car genre for two reasons. Firstly, it’s extremely cheap – significantly less than even a Volkswagen Polo, for example. Secondly, it’s a seven-seater unlike all other models in this list.
The Jogger is essentially a stretched Dacia Sandero, so don’t expect much in the way of luxury, but it is very spacious and you can even get adults in the third row of seats. The luggage capacity is only 212 litres with all seats in place, but you can easily fold the rearmost seats for a useful 565-litre boot. The Jogger is also easy to drive and well-equipped, but its safety rating lets it down.
Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer
Price: from £51,005 Boot space: 532 litres
If you’re after a VW Passat but considering the switch to electric, the Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer is well worth a look. It’s slightly longer, wider and taller than a Passat, with a sleeker and more eye-catching look – although the boot isn’t as generously proportioned. Still, there’s a huge amount to recommend it.
The ID.7 Tourer is very roomy for passengers, has a high quality interior with good technology, and it also drives well with a smooth ride and strong performance. Key to its appeal is its impressive range on a charge – up to 424 miles with the Pro S model, although cheaper versions go far too.
BMW 5 Series Touring
Price: from £54,535 Boot space: 570 litres
Unlike its smaller 3 Series sibling, the BMW 5 Series Touring is a bit of a behemoth: over 5m long and 1.9m wide. That gives it plenty of presence and space, although it isn’t quite as roomy as the best estate cars in this list. But there’s plenty of other reasons to recommend it.
The 5 Series has a great range of smooth and brisk engines, along with a frugal plug-in hybrid and even a fully electric option in the BMW i5 Touring. It also has first-class interior quality and impressive technology, a comfortable ride and clever technology – including an impressive safety rating.
SEAT Leon Estate
Price: from £26,535 Boot space: 620 litres
Affordable estate cars don’t tend to be desirable, and while the SEAT Leon won’t exactly bowl you over with excitement it’s a stylish-looking model – more so than the Volkswagen Golf on which it’s based.
The Leon is also surprisingly roomy, too, offering lots of space for occupants and one of the largest boots in this list. While it’s interior isn’t quite as plush as in a Golf, it’s still solid and a nice place to sit, while the Leon has a range of punchy and efficient engines and is good to drive overall. For the relatively low price it’s a very complete all-round family estate.
Best estate cars FAQs
What is the best estate car to buy?
Some of the best estate cars to buy include the Skoda Superb Estate, Volkswagen Passat, Dacia Jogger, BMW 3 Series Touring and Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate.
Which estate car has the biggest boot?
The Skoda Superb Estate has the biggest boot of any new estate car, with a capacity of 690 litres and a long, wide load bay. The capacity extends to a huge 1920 litres with the rear seats folded.
Are estate cars better than SUVs?
SUVs offer a desirable look and feel, a higher driving position making it easier to see out, and better access in and out. Estate cars lack the high roof to make accessing child car seats easy, but are generally nicer to drive thanks to better ride and handling, improved performance and greater fuel efficiency.
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