ESTATE cars are one of the most popular options for your burgeoning family, and are a great alternative to a sometimes clunky SUV.
These motors can fit a large group and all of life's luggage in a sleek and driveable body, combining the capacity of an SUV with the sharpness of a saloon.
The cliché of being “all the car you'll ever need” holds ever true for estates, especially in recent years, as the range available for consumers has become increasingly diverse.
However, if you don't want to break the bank, you may find yourself struggling to find the perfect motor.
Thankfully, experts at Autocar have listed the seven best-value options for estates, including a versatile hatchback and a seven-seater that's perfect for family days out.
A major standout on the list was the , which received an overall rating of 4.5 stars out of five.
Praised for its excellent fuel economy and capable handling, the Corolla helps combine the traditional strengths of an estate with powerful handling.
Its perfect experience comes thanks to its use of Next Generation Architecture, and it retails for around just £32,000 new.
Second-hand versions from around five years ago sell for better than half of that price.
Road tester Illya Verpraet said: “The Corolla isn’t the hottest, most exciting or trendiest thing around, but there’s something very pleasingly fit for purpose about it.”
However, despite its nice ride and functionality, experts did warn that its interior lets it down, especially its “poor” infotainment system.
The model comes standard as a these days, although you do have the choice of either a 1.8L or 2.0L engine.
While the 1.8 is likely best on congested local roads, you may opt for the 2.0 if you have lots of long motorway drives planned for you and your family.
Speaking of carrying a large group, Autocar also recommended the larger seven-seater as part of its best estates list.
Also scoring 4.5 stars, the big motor was praised for its incredible value for , extra space, and fuel efficiency.
Costing just under £18,000 new, for the basic version, the motor is a fantastic option if you want to buy a cheap, spacious car.
Add a little bit more onto the price and you could even nab yourself heated seats, cruise control, and an in-built sat-nav.
While it has a fairly bare-bones interior as standard, the motor still provides .
Its 1.0L petrol engine may be no powerhouse but it will be able to propel itself just fine along most roads, thanks to its snappy six-speed manual gearbox.
You can also get your hands on an even better fuel-economy version of the vehicle if you opt for the Jogger Hybrid, which also comes with automatic transmission.
Road test editor Matt Saunders said: “The Jogger is a product unlike any rival.
“An MPV/estate/crossover/SUV that’s both affordable and versatile enough to insert itself into myriad buying conversations and ownership scenarios.”
Filling up the rest of Autocar's list were myriads of other estates which combine sleek exteriors with comfortable and spacious interiors.
The car magazine highly recommended the , rating it five stars out of five, saying it was an excellent mix of petrol, and hybrid powertrains.
While not overly comfortable or sporty, it manages to combine the two, giving drivers comfortable steering and storage.
You can grab one new for around £37,000, while second-hand versions, registered in 2020, typically sell for less than £18,000.
Also coming in on the list was the , which retails for just under £44,000 new.
Praised for its excellent driving dynamics and “world-class” blend of performance and fuel economy, the motor is a perfect option for families looking for a bit more class and comfort than the more budget choices.
The was also recommended, being rated 4.5 stars for its sleek looks and practicality.
Costing around £45,000 new, these reliable Swedish motors are powerful and provide great comfort.
However, it should be noted that these only come as a plug-in hybrid these days.
Finishing off the list were the and , which cost £28,000 and £30,000 to buy new respectively.
While the Ford was praised for its agile and playful chassis, the Citroen was recommended for those looking for economical powertrains and a well-built interior.
In terms of criticism, the has quite limited engine options, while the has an occasionally jerky automatic gearbox, experts mention.
