Estate mega-test

Estates come in all shapes and sizes – but the Skoda Superb is the best of this bunch. Its wide-ranging talents had us looking for weaknesses, and we struggled to find any. Not many cars do what they set out to do quite so effectively; the Estate is even better than the five-door. The Mondeo takes second. While it’s as good to drive as it’s always been, it can’t match the Skoda for interior quality or space. The Volvo isn’t cheap, but it’s supremely comfortable and practical. Don’t be put off by its 1.6-litre engine, as it delivers good economy and surprising pace. Fourth goes to the Honda. It handles well and looks fantastic, yet it’s simply not practical enough. That leaves the Subaru bringing up the rear. Its practical boot and four-wheel drive provide genuine appeal, although it has to rank as an alternative choice.

1. Skoda Superb
As an estate car, the Superb is without equal here. Not only does it fit the bill as a practical holdall, it’s also great to drive, economical and well equipped. The classy cabin and Skoda’s brilliant reputation for aftersales service are the icing on the cake.

2. Ford Mondeo
The Mondeo is a familiar face in the family car class, yet it shouldn’t be ignored. With competitive prices, a decent diesel and practical cabin, it does exactly what you expect. Rivals offer more prestige, but the Ford’s sharp dynamics and neat styling take some beating.

3. Volvo V70
Volvo knows a thing or two about building estate cars, and the V70 puts that experience to good use. Only the Skoda beats it for boot space with the rear seats in place, and it’s full of useful details. It’s pricey in this company, though – even entry-level ES models cost £24,235.

4. Honda Accord
We're big fans of the Accord. It looks great, and it backs up its racy styling from behind the wheel by being good to drive, too. It takes fourth place on account of its small boot – it’s a rival for family hatchbacks rather than being a proper estate.

5. Subaru Legacy
Even though it brings up the rear in this test, the Legacy Sports Tourer is far from disgraced. It’s a capable estate that provides the added appeal of four-wheel drive. It’s let down by a high price and the fact it looks dated inside and out.