Top Gear’s guide to: Estates

Some of the best-looking versions of popular cars are estates. And they have practicality to burn

What you need to know

Volume

Check the shape of the boot if you want to carry something specific – litreage is only a rough guide

Driving

Modern estates don’t drive much differently to saloons unless fully loaded

Engines

If you regularly carry full loads, go diesel. If it’s big loads or towing, go big diesel. It’ll help

Need an SUV?

Some estates offer 4x4 and a slightly raised ride. Do you really need a full-size SUV? Really?

Check deck

Some load bays are completely flat – others have seat-shaped humps which restrict load

Estate pace

Audio RS6 Avant, Merc E63 AMG Est, - supercar pace with plentiful practicality. Woo!

9/10

Mercedes-Benz

E-Class Estate

£37,010 – £91,830

One of the most practical, sensible and desirable large estates.

9/10

BMW

3 Series Touring

£27,875 – £45,065

Being based on the best junior exec is a good start: this car is a belter.

9/10

Audi

RS6

£80,175 – £87,090

It’s the most amusing car that Audi makes – including the R8 – for sheer wilful silliness.

9/10

Volvo

V90

£36,250 – £49,700

A properly desirable Volvo wagon - finally a decent alternative to the Germans.

9/10

Skoda

Superb Estate

£21,145 – £37,270

Skoda’s kept all of what we loved about the old Superb (size, space, value) and added updated interior tech and a genuinely stylish body. Verging on genius

8/10

Skoda

Octavia Estate

£18,200 – £30,180

Well thought out, versatile and thoroughly decent family estate. Difficult to criticise on any level.

8/10

Volkswagen

Golf Estate

£18,925 – £35,145

It's taken Volkswagen a surprising amount of time to get here, but finally we have a Golf Estate that's up with the best.

8/10

Subaru

Outback

£32,440 – £34,440

A likeable Swiss Army knife. A bit bland but will shrug off anything thrown at it.

8/10

Hyundai

i40 Tourer

£21,390 – £29,370

Another convincing effort from Hyundai and a tempting alternative to the more obvious Mondeo.

8/10

Mercedes-Benz

CLS Shooting Brake

£49,230 – £87,420

If ever there was an estate to get the masses out of their X6s, this is it.

8/10

Mercedes-Benz

C-Class Estate

£30,020 – £71,665

Merc shrinks the S-Class and turns it into an Estate. Yes, it's that good.

8/10

BMW

5 Series Touring

£37,820 – £52,715

The new 5 Series is as good to drive as the BMW image, and yet it's as refined and plush as a Mercedes E-Class.

8/10

Mercedes-Benz

V-Class

£44,290 – £56,640

A few niggles aside, this V-Class feels luxurious and worth the outlay. A fine, MPV/business-express.

8/10

Land Rover

Range Rover Velar

£44,575 – £84,195

The Velar majors on style but it's still a useful car. It's roomy enough for a family, not so big it's awkward in cities, and capable of unusual off-road feats.