Reviewers from motoring publication Auto Express have chosen which vehicle deserves the title of best estate car in the UK, praising the winner for its spacious boot and smart interior
The best estate car in the UK has been announced (stiock)(Image: CHUNYIP WONG via Getty Images)
Most motoring magazines host their own yearly awards, crowning their top picks across a range of categories. These prestigious events cover everything from best hybrid and best SUV, to best electric car and the coveted overall car of the year.
One of the most hotly contested categories remains best estate car. An estate car shares its basic shape with a traditional three-box saloon, but instead of a flat rear deck, it features an extended hatchback at the back.
This year, Auto Express handed the best estate car crown to a vehicle rather fittingly named the Skoda Superb.
The Czech car was lauded by reviewers for its cabin, which the journalists argued surpasses that of its sibling, the German Volkswagen Passat. They also praised its selection of engines and its impressive 2.2-tonne towing capacity.
On top of that, the publication was won over by the car’s enormous boot and clever interior touches, including its Smart Dials. Ultimately, the reviewers concluded that their pick would be the 1.5-litre SE Technology variant.
They concluded: “While the Superb Estate faced competition from the all-new Audi A5 Avant this year, the Skoda’s vast, well appointed interior made sure that our Estate car of the Year trophy was going to go home in the Superb Estate’s generous 690-litre load area.
“We’d go for the entry-level 1.5-litre petrol in SE Technology trim because it’s powerful enough for most needs, and has mild-hybrid tech to boost its efficiency. This trim level comes with plenty of kit, yet the price stays below the £40,000 luxury car tax threshold.”
Hot on the heels of the Skoda came the Audi A5 Avant in second place, which was lauded as a “premium alternative” to BMW‘s 3 Series Touring while boasting a broader selection of engines.
Toyota‘s Corolla Touring Sports was also flagged up as a highly capable contender in this class. As the Skoda Superb sweeps the board in the best estate car category at the Auto Express awards, fresh data suggests this victory could carry even greater significance as UK households look to cut back to a single vehicle.
A survey of 2,000 adults revealed that those who dropped from two cars to one saved approximately £1,500 by freeing up their driveway, with 57 per cent stating they were financially better off for having made the switch.
Commenting on the findings, Paul Gilshan, CEO of temporary car insurance provider Tempcover, said their research demonstrated that scaling back from two cars to one was proving a sound move for drivers.
He said: “Our research shows that for households that have downsized, one car works well. People are better off financially, it fits how they’re working and living now, and they’re more intentional about when they use it – and it’s better for the environment.
“In many ways, these households are already practising a form of car sharing – coordinating access, prioritising who needs it most, making it work around everyone’s schedule. The car is more of a shared resource rather than a personal fixture, and that mindset is only going to grow.”
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