Driver Verdicts Practicality rated

Spacious & versatile: Skoda Superb Estate

Best 5 cars for practicality

Skoda Superb Estate (2010-)

Driver rating 99.0%

You say: I love the size of the car - it's spacious inside and very versatile. 'Superb' in every sense of the word.

We say: The Superb Estate majors on practicality and space - a 475-litre boot capacity with seats up, or 810 with them down, puts this car firmly among the most capacious estates around.

Mercedes-Benz E-class Estate (2010-)

Driver rating 98.1%

You say: It's the ultimate family estate car with all the comfort, safety, security, practicality, space and reliability you need to transport your loved ones around in. And it's a real pleasure to drive.

We say: Lots of boot space (515 litres, or 930 litres with seats folded) and ample room for front passengers make the E-class estate a giant among estate cars.

Toyota Yaris Verso (2000-2005)

Driver rating 98.1%

You say: Probably the most practical car I've ever owned - it can carry five adults in comfort or, with the back seats folded down, bicycles upright with wheels on or three fridges!

We say: That massive 920-litre boot is amazing, and it's easy to access, too, with a huge tailgate and low load height.

Citroën Berlingo Multispace (1998-2008)

Driver rating 97.7

You say: I love the practicality of this car - it's like the Tardis.

We say: This is what happens when you make a car out of a van: 2,800 litres of luggage space, and that doesn't include the overhead lockers, underfloor storage and roof rails.

Skoda Superb (2008-)

Driver rating 97.5

You say: I love the Twindoor dual boot lid the best. I use it as a saloon 90% of the time, but still have the flexibility of a hatchback when I need it.

We say: The rear passengers will feel like they’re in a limo, such is the space on offer, while there's lots of storage space in the cabin, too.

Built for two: Mini convertible

Worst 5 cars for practicality

Mini Convertible (2009-)

Driver rating 54.4%

You say: I find the miniscule depth to the boot frustrating. I can't get supermarket bags to go in the boot unless they are tipped on their side and even then I'd only get two bags in at the most.

We say: A measly boot capacity of 130 litres isn't a surprise. Fold the rear seats and space more than doubles, but it's hardly easy to load it up.

Mazda MX-5 (1998-2005)

Driver rating 53.2%

You say: Go ahead and enjoy it but remember it's a car meant for fun, not practicality!

We say: The boot isn’t very big at only 135 litres, but at least the Roadster Coupe version doesn’t lose any of that space to its folding hard-top.

Mini (2001-2007)

Driver rating 52.2%

You say: The lack of practicality is frustrating - there is little boot space and it's not easy to get in and out of!

We say: Even for a small car, the Mini has very cramped accommodation for rear passengers, and a titchy boot (150 litres). However, there’s plenty of space up front, where two passengers will be very comfortable.

Suzuki Alto (2009-) / Nissan Pixo (2009-)

Driver rating 50.7%

You say: The boot is pathetically small - the tailgate could be wider and the boot deeper for larger items.

We say: For such a small car, front seat space is impressive indeed. However, you pay for this in other areas: rear passengers will really feel the pinch and the 130-litre boot is tiny, even by city car standards.

Mini Convertible (2004-2008)

Driver rating 45.9%

You say: Fun car to drive and own but not very practical, especially when more than two people are in it.

We say: Treat the Mini Convertible as a two-seater fun car and you should have no problems. Pity your rear passengers though - the rear seats are not only tiny but back-breaking.