Amid fears that the jet fuel shortage caused by the Iran war may result in cancelled flights and disruption to summer getaways, it’s no surprise that many Britons are considering a staycation this year.
When upgrading to a roomier car, many will be tempted by a fashionable sports utility vehicle (SUV). Yet the reality is that large estate cars usually provide the greatest luggage space and also tend to achieve better fuel economy than taller, heavier SUVs.
Below are our top choices in a variety of price brackets to suit all budgets.
How we chose them
Load space is, of course, the key metric. We looked for the largest load volumes and the squarest, most useful cargo bays in every price bracket.
But it’s no good having a capacious estate that you don’t enjoy, or one that’s going to be unreliable. So interior quality, driver involvement, ride comfort and reliability are also important considerations.
There’s also an estate car from a maker with a great reputation for reliability, but which we reckon is best avoided.
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£2,000
Kia Ceed Sports Wagon
An often unsung compact estate, the first-generation Ceed probably wouldn’t elicit a second glance from most buyers. But as a bargain-basement estate option it has lots to offer.
The boot is roomy, with 534 litres of luggage space – more than some cars from the class above. It’s well equipped, with cruise control and air-conditioning as standard even on mid-range models, with a choice of diesel and petrol engines (although the former is preferable, since the latter lacks low-down urge).
And with simple mechanicals and low-cost parts, the Ceed is dependable, as well as cheap to keep going.
Pros: Cheap to run, loads of room, usually surprisingly well equipped
Cons: Unexceptional to drive and to look at
We found: 2012 Ceed 2 1.6 CRDi, 100,000 miles, 12 months MOT, £1,995
£5,000
Ford Mondeo Estate
Not so long ago the Mondeo estate would have been the de facto choice for anyone requiring lots of space, affordability and a modicum of driving pleasure. Sadly the load-lugging version of Ford’s family favourite ended production in early 2022, but these fourth-generation examples still make great family haulers – roomy, with a wonderful ride and handling balance, great control weights, well-laid-out interiors and lots of equipment, especially in top-spec Ghia and Titanium form.
Diesel models offer creditable fuel economy in these cash-strapped times, although any Mk4 Mondeo with the fragile Powershift automatic gearbox is to be avoided.
Pros: Terrific to drive for such a large car, well-designed interior, space, comfort
Cons: Problematic automatic gearboxes, naturally-aspirated petrols can feel wheezy
We found: 2014 2.0 TDCI Titanium X Business, 97,000 miles, full service history, £4,995
£10,000
Seat Leon ST
Parsimonious diesel and petrol engines are a highlight, but its greatest asset is the combination of a large boot and loads of passenger space in a sharp-looking body. It’s also terrific value, undercutting the Mk7 Volkswagen Golf on which it’s based.
The ride is a touch on the firm side, although not uncomfortable, the trade-off being that the Leon is nimble on the road.
All in all, an excellent all-rounder that looks the part and doesn’t cost the earth.
Pros: Handsome, easy to use, fun to drive, excellent value, impressively roomy
Cons: Interior plastics not quite a match for a Golf
We found: 2019 Leon 1.0 TSI SE Dynamic 49,000 miles, full service history, £9,988
£15,000
Skoda Superb Estate
This has become the vehicle of choice for those who need a lot of space for a very reasonable price. At 660 litres, its boot is cavernous, while excellent leg room in the back means that kids can’t kick the front seats.
Unlike the Volkswagen Passat on which it’s based, early examples of the third-generation Superb are available with petrol engines as well as diesel, while plug-in hybrids also fall within this budget.
Whichever you choose, the Superb is very frugal for a car of its size, not to mention one of the most comfortable motorway cruisers.
Pros: Smooth ride, well laid-out interior, vast boot, rear seat space
Cons: Slightly stodgy handling, automatic gearboxes can be costly to fix
We found: 2019 Superb 1.5 TSI SE, 55,000 miles, full service history, £13,990
£20,000
Suzuki Swace
The Swace is a fairly cursory rebadge of the hybrid-powered Toyota Corolla Touring Sports. What that means is that you can own one of the most dependable estate cars for a bit of a discount.
It is all but identical to the Corolla – yet its poorer residuals mean it will cost less to buy, like-for-like, on the used market. And Suzuki provides a very similar service-activated warranty to Toyota’s, until the car is 10 years old. That makes the Swace a real bargain for savvy buyers.
Pros: Reliable, long warranty, spacious boot, comfortable, well equipped, good value
Cons: A bit dull to drive, dour interior
We found: 2024 Swace 1.8h Motion, 14,000 miles, full service history, £18,999
£30,000
BMW 5-Series Touring
The inherent desirability of BMW’s largest estate has always stemmed from its combination of sharp driving manners, a huge boot and a premium feel inside.
This previous-generation model is no different. For £30,000, you can buy one of the face-lifted models (from 2020), which have mild hybrid engines that achieve impressive real-world economy.
What’s more, BMW’s position in reliability surveys has been climbing steadily in recent years, meaning a 5-Series should be pretty dependable. And it even looks great. What’s not to like?
Pros: Upmarket interior, great to drive, plush equipment levels, classy image
Cons: M Sport models can be firm over rougher surfaces
We found: 2022 520d MHT M Sport, 31,000 miles, full service history, £29,995
£50,000
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate
The E-Class has been the ultimate luxury family hauler for years and this latest model does nothing to dispel that reputation.
The 615-litre boot might no longer be the largest, but it’s more than enough to fit all your holiday accoutrements and on your way to the seaside you’ll cruise in isolated serenity thanks to the super-smooth suspension and top-notch sound deadening.
Diesel mild hybrid models are some of the best modern cars in terms of real-world fuel economy, too, while the huge tank means you’ll only rarely need to worry about stopping to fill up. It’s a class act all round.
Pros: Lavish interior, remarkable fuel economy, polished ride quality, large boot
Cons: Pricey to buy, some chintzy styling details
We found: 2025 E220dh AMG Line Premium, 5,000 miles, £45,799
And one to avoid...
Subaru Outback
The Outback’s go-anywhere ability makes it appealing, but the combination of not particularly efficient engines and four-wheel drive makes it a rather thirsty choice.
It isn’t as roomy inside as you might think, either. It’s great if you live in the sticks and regularly get snow in the winter, but otherwise it’s hard to recommend.