The best compact estate cars on sale today
Though it’s easy to get swept up in the craze for SUVs, for many people a four-wheel-drive isn’t a great fit. However, if you’re after a car with a slightly smaller footprint but without a loss in practicality, what should you go for?
A compact estate car might be the answer. They’re practical, but not so big as to feel unwieldy out on the road. Let’s check out some of the best around.
Mini Clubman
Mini’s Clubman trades on its retro looks and has done for some time now. The most recent generation is by far the most grown-up yet, bringing refinement and class in equal measure. It’s available with a good range of engines, too, while - as you’d expect from a Mini - there are loads of personalisation options to play with.
It’s more on the compact side of things, but clever split opening rear doors give handy access to the boot.
Volkswagen Golf Estate
Volkswagen has recently expanded its Golf range with the introduction of a new estate model. Bringing a larger boot than the standard hatch, the estate is a great option for those who like the futuristic appeal of the regular car but want a little more space.
A range of clean petrol and diesel engines are available, while mild-hybrid technology helps to bring down emissions further.
SEAT Leon Estate
Much like Volkswagen’s Golf, Seat has added an estate version to its latest Leon. Essentially the same as its VW-badged stablemate, the Leon brings a slightly sharper look than its German cousin but has a similarly technology-focused cabin.
It’s a well-made car, too, with a variety of high-end materials which help to give it a distinctly more premium air than before.
Skoda Octavia Estate
Finalising the Volkswagen Group triple comes the Skoda Octavia Estate, a car which uses the same underpinnings as both the Seat Leon and Volkswagen Golf. The Octavia is available with an even wider range of powertrains, including a plug-in hybrid which brings rock-bottom running costs.
A range-topping vRS model brings a sportier theme, too, which is good for those who want a slightly more performance-orientated estate.
Ford Focus Estate
Few cars are as well known as the Ford Focus, with the Blue Oval’s hatchback being a well-regarded option for drivers up and down the country. The Estate version, meanwhile, brings more space than the hatchback without losing out on any of the driving sharpness.
There’s even a punchy ST version, utilising a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine for particularly brisk performance.
MG 5
Fancy an electric estate car? Well, for now, the only option is MG’s 5. It’s a worthy choice, in fairness, with a no-frills approach to motoring which will no doubt find favour with many drivers.
It’s got a range of over 200 miles, too, while its boot is large and spacious.
