Why an estate car?

If you are on the lookout for a vehicle that is spacious, practical and cost effective without losing out on style and quality performance, look no further than an estate car.  A perfect alternative to an SUV, an estate offers a distinctive set of characteristics that you won't find elsewhere.

But which size is the best for you? Whether you're an intrepid explorer, a growing family, a sporting enthusiast or a flat-pack fanatic, we've put together our favourite choices for compact, small, medium and large estate cars.

Best compact estate car

Although few truly compact estate cars remain on the market today, that isn't to say they've disappeared completely. If you're looking for a car that will still allow you to scoot into those hard-to-reach parking spaces, yet doesn't compromise on space, these may be the cars for you:

Seat Ibiza ST

Coming in at just 4.24m long, the Seat Ibiza ST estate exudes style and practicality. With a handy 430 litre boot space (which extends up to 1,164 litres with the rear seats folded away), you'll never be short on room.

Skoda Fabia Estate

The Skoda Fabia estate offers excellent value, without skrimping on design or performance. Thanks to its compact size, the Fabia estate is a doddle to drive and can park in those typically inaccessible spots you might expect for larger estates.

Mini Clubman Estate

With its instantly recognisable retro style, the Mini Clubman estate allows for the unique experience of driving a Mini, without compromising on functionality. The signature 'barn door' boot design adds a quirky touch and is useful if you have your hands full!

Discover the wide range of used estate cars for sale at Carbase. 

Best small estate car

With a little more wiggle room than a compact estate, smaller estates still provide a stylish and affordable ride without taking up too much space. Whether you're looking for extra space for your furry friend or need more room to stash your bikes for your family trip, a small estate car is the perfect choice for style and practicality.

Skoda Octavia Estate

A great all-rounder, the Skoda Octavia Estate offers a large amount of space, as well as an intuitive handle in the boot, allowing you to lower the rear seats with minimum fuss.

Renault Megane Sport Tourer Estate

Stylish inside and out, the Renault Megane Sport Tourer Estate is the pick for those who like something a little on the flashier side. It isn't all just looks though, with low running costs and a high safety rating, this model is perfect for image-conscious families.

Peugeot 308 SW Estate

If boot space is what you're looking for, look no further. With a whopping 1,775 litres with the rear seats folded, the Peugeot 308 SW estate can't be beat when it comes to smaller estate capacity!

• Peugeot 207 SW
• Dacia Logan MCV
• Ford Focus Estate

Find out more about Carbase's collection of small estate cars here.

Best medium estate car

Medium sized estate cars offer an upgrade to your interior space whilst maintaining the classic reliability of a traditional estate model. If you're on the hunt for a modestly sized machine which still packs a punch when it comes to looks and functionality, check out our picks for the best medium sized estate cars.

VW Golf Estate

How could we make a list of the best medium sized estate cars and not include the Golf? There's a reason the VW Golf is a figurehead of superb engineering, fuel efficiency and unparalleled quality, and its estate cousin is no exception.

Hyundai i30 Tourer

Another all-round exceptional car, the Hyundai i30 Tourer is known for its reliability and comfort, not forgetting the high safety record and the impressive range of technology included as standard.

SEAT Leon ST Estate

For what this model lacks in interior space, it makes up for on driving quality and style. With its strikingly good looks, superb handling and modern tech, the SEAT Leon ST estate may not be the most functional on this list in terms of boot space, but it's certainly a head turner.

Other medium estates to consider:

• Mercedes C-Class Estate
• BMW 3 Series Touring
• Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer

Discover more medium used estate cars at Carbase.

Best large estate car

If compact, small or medium estates don't have quite enough bang for your buck, we've selected some of the best large estate cars that will give you the best in performance, practicality and useability, without lacking in looks and style.

Mercedes-Benz E 220d SE

For those looking for something at the higher end of the market, the Mercedes-Benz E class simply oozes class and sophistication. With a sleek exterior and stunningly modern interior, it's no surprise this model made it into our list. Not to mention more practical features, such as a low rear lip, making it a doddle to load larger, heavier objects.

Volkswagen Passat Estate 2.0 TDI SE

Another model well known for not only it's amazing value for money, but also its timeless style and unparalleled functionality, the Volkswagen Passat Estate is a sturdy, reliable car with a classically stylish exterior and durable interior.

Skoda Superb 2.0 TDI 150 SE L

Arguably known as the top of the estate car league for design, interior space and practicality, the Skoda Superb 2.0 TDI is a popular choice for anyone looking for a spacious and reliable estate. With the rear seats folded, you can enjoy almost 2,000 litres of boot space! There's a reason these giants are used as Tour de France support vehicles. 

Other large estates to consider:

• Citroen Berlingo XL
• Audi A4 Avant
• Skoda Octavia Estate

Find out more