Best estate cars for 2026: spacious models with big boots tested

Much like MPVs, estate cars aren't necessarily the default choice for large families these days, because of the increased popularity and availability of SUVs. But with a lower profile and normally much lower kerb weight, they can often be more efficient and enjoyable to drive.

Most estate cars are also immensely practical, with almost all models offering capacious boots. These are capable of swallowing everything from holiday luggage to kids' bikes and larger purchases from the local garden centre.  

Estate cars need more than a big boot to be a Best Buy, though – our tests cover everything from reliability and comfort, to fuel-efficiency and safety. If a model doesn't stack up in those key areas, we won't recommend it. You'll find our top recommendations for the best new and used estate cars in the tables below.

Browse all our lab tested new and used estate car reviews

Best estate cars

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Our latest estate car reviews

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Should you buy an estate car, SUV or MPV?

Estate cars used to be the default choice for families and for anyone needing to carry a lot of luggage, but MPVs and particularly SUVs have captured the attention of many buyers in recent years.

The best MPVs (people carriers) usually offer much greater seating flexibility, along with more headroom and – in some cases – the option of seven seats. If you're after something with room for seven, have a look at our guide to the best seven-seater cars.

High-riding large SUVs and 4x4s, as well as small SUVs and crossovers, claim to offer much of the practicality of estate cars, although our tests highlight models that come up short inside, despite taking up lots of room on the road and being hard to park. However, SUVs have a higher, more commanding driving position, and some – depending on the model – will also have better off-road ability. Full-sized four-wheel-drive cars are often more expensive to buy and run, though.

Estate cars tend to have the upper hand is on the road, as they're often little different to drive than their hatchback or saloon counterparts. They can also be easier to park thanks to better all-round visibility. 

Are there hybrid and electric estate cars?

There are plenty of full hybrid and plug-in hybrid estates, but electric estates are less common. This is largely due to estates being less popular than other types of car; with electric SUVs being significantly more in demand. 

Hybrid and plug-in hybrid estates have the same perks as hybrids of other body styles; generally improved fuel economy and, for PHEVs, low-cost electric motoring for shorter journeys in town.

For the pros and cons of hybrids and electric cars, see our guides to the best hybrid cars and whether you should buy an EV.

Are estates good for towing?

As with any other type of car, it depends on the specific model you're looking at.

Diesel estates tend to have the highest towing capacity, while EVs tend to have the lowest. Towing capacity varies from engine to engine or even year to year on some cars, so if you're looking to tow, do your research on exactly what weight your car of choice can tow.

We test cars more thoroughly than anybody else

Every car we review is subjected to more than 300 individual tests in a lab, on a test track, and on real roads – and we really clock up the miles, driving around 500 miles in every car we test.

Testing in controlled lab conditions means the results we collect are directly comparable between different cars, helping us to determine exactly which models are better, and why, and helping you find the perfect car for your needs.

And so you know which cars are likely to prove reliable for years to come, we also gather feedback from thousands of UK car owners through the Which? Car Survey, using it to generate detailed reliability ratings for the cars we test.

Read more about how we test cars.