Top 10 best estate cars 2024

Open gallery Close News 15 mins read 27 March 2024 Follow @illyaverpraet Estate cars truly are the underrated catch-all machines of the 21st century. Think how hard it would be to imagine a world where SUVs didn't exist and the estate car was king. It would certainly seem logical; estates meld the versatility of SUVs with the dynamic sharpness of their saloon equivalents. The only bad news comes in the fact that they satisfy the cliché of being 'all the car you'll ever need'. But their ownership benefits don't stop there - they're also hugely diverse. Not only are there a multitude of options when it comes to size, but the elasticity of these machines means the list you're about to see encroaches everything from sleek shooting brakes to simplistic, breezeblock options that match volume with a competitive price. Related articles The options of cosseting comfort, fuel-sipping efficiency or supercar-chasing performance and handling are also present, because there's a model to suit every taste and budget. Some even manage to make a fine fist of combining all these traits. Without further ado, then, here is our pick of the best estate cars on the market today. 1. BMW 5 Series Touring Pros: Stylish cabin, strong power reserves, slick infotainment Cons: Brittle ride comfort, lacks BMW's stand-out handling While there is a new edition of the 5 Series Touring on sale now, we're yet to test it. But the last generation car is still a machine that covers all bases, and remains hard to beat.  Elegantly styled, engaging to drive, just about large enough for most needs and packed with enough neat features to suggest the brand has thought hard about how it will be used, the multi-talented German wins this space race. If you want one, you’ll have to be quick about it. The new 5 Series saloon is out, and although the estate hasn’t been revealed yet, it’s sure not to be far off. And if the saloon is anything to go by, the new 5 Series Touring will be bigger and more unwieldy, and fussier to use. At 560 litres, boot capacity on this generation of 5 Series Touring is about average (it shrinks to 430 litres in the plug-in hybrids), but the load area is well shaped and the brand’s trademark opening rear glass makes it easier to load smaller items in a tight spot. Fold the handy 40/20/40-split rear bench and there’s up to 1700 litres to play with. What’s more, air suspension is standard for the rear axle, helping deliver both self-levelling for heavy loads and, combined with optional adaptive dampers, enhanced comfort. Yet BMW’s ‘ultimate driving machine’ shtick doesn’t come unstuck in the estate transformation, the 5 Series hiding its bulk and mass well with meaty steering, impressive agility and the option of expressive handling if you’re in the mood. The engine line-up has been pared back in recent years, with just four-cylinder diesel and petrol options, plus the lusty six-cylinder 540i. Latest Reviews Volkswagen ID 7 View all car reviews Read our review Car reviewPeugeot 508 SWAn estate body takes the edge off the 508’s style, yet doesn’t address all of the car’s practicality limitationsRead our review Back to top There’s also a 530e plug-in hybrid for business users looking for a tax break. And while there’s no M5 option, semi-official tuning arm Alpina does offer a subtle yet superheated conversion in the form of the Alpina B5 Touring, provided you’ve enough cash to fill a 5 Series Touring's boot. Read our BMW 5 Series review Save money with new 5 Series deals from What Car? 2. Dacia Jogger Pros: Class-leading value for money, useable third row of seats, frugal engines Cons: Lacks some safety systems, passenger space isn’t as generous for adults  Is it an estate? Is it an MPV? Is it an SUV? It does have seven seats and a mildly raised ride height, but we reckon it’s an estate - and a really good one too. Given the rampant rise in the cost of living that we’ve experienced in the past few years, the Jogger is particularly welcome. It offers all the space and utility you need, including a genuinely usable third row of seats, for significantly less money than most standard hatchbacks. And it’s not as if Jogger drivers have to give up a lot of creature comforts. Yes, the plastics are hard and there is no expensive-feeling leather on the seats, but Dacia has grown very adept at brightening up its interiors with a strip of fabric here, and a bit of faux knurled aluminium there, without breaking the bank. Go for one of the still very reasonably priced higher trims and you get heated seats, cruise control and navigation, as well as an infotainment system that works more logically than a lot of fancier systems. The 1.0-litre engine is no powerhouse, but thanks to the snappy six-speed manual, it gets out of its own way well enough. If you must have an automatic transmissio