Skip advert
Advertisement

Group 5: Compact family estates

Get a load of five of the most practical carriers on the market. One of these luggage-swallowing big hitters could go all the way!

Group 5: Compact family estates

Entrants
WINNER: Volkswagen Golf Estate (£17,200-£23,580)
BEST SPACE: S
koda Octavia Estate (£14,350-£23,455)
BEST STYLING: Renault Mégane Sport Tourer (£15,255-£23,065)
Peugeot 308 SW (£17,045-£23,395)
Ford Focus Estate (£18,841-£24,716)

Not all sporting contests are glamorous, but that doesn’t make them any less competitive. Take this group. Compact family estates don’t sell anywhere near as well as their hatchback stablemates, and they’re not as fashionable as MPVs or SUVs. Yet the leading models are as desirable and good to drive as they are spacious.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Competition is cut-throat, with only one car going though to the next round – and first to fall is the Ford Focus. While it’s great to drive, it’s expensive and has to make do with the smallest boot in this group.

Joining it for an early bath is the 308 SW. With an optional third row of seats, it’s the only car that can carry seven people. Plus, all five rear chairs can be folded or removed – but this flexibility isn’t enough to win. Some lacklustre cabin materials, dubious styling and a less than engaging driving experience halt the SW’s progress.

Beneath the smart-looking body of the Renault Mégane Sport Tourer is a generous boot, plus there’s a strong range of engines. Yet it can’t match our top two, which battle for a place in the quarter final. The Skoda Octavia has a huge boot, is excellent value and scores on quality, too. Adding another string to its bow is the four-wheel drive and raised suspension of the Scout model in our pictures.

If only the VW Group’s latest common-rail 2.0-litre TDI diesel hadn’t been left on the bench. This unit isn’t available in the Octavia yet, and it costs the Skoda victory.

This means the VW Golf Estate goes through. It blends the hatch’s classy image, dynamic polish and modern engines with a 505-litre boot – and will take some beating.

Skip advert
Advertisement
In This Review

New & used car deals

Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £16,160Avg. savings £2,674 off RRP*Used from £9,200
Toyota Yaris Cross

Toyota Yaris Cross

RRP £26,495Avg. savings £1,672 off RRP*Used from £16,100
Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £19,690Avg. savings £4,794 off RRP*Used from £6,320
MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £26,995Avg. savings £7,541 off RRP*Used from £12,599
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Renault 5 Monte Carlo Edition pays homage to the Clio Williams
Renault 5 Monte Carlo Edition - front

Renault 5 Monte Carlo Edition pays homage to the Clio Williams

The Renault 5 Monte Carlo Edition has been created by Dutch company Re-volve and is limited to just 25 units
News
16 Jul 2025
New Xiaomi YU7 2025 review: a world-beating new EV to worry the establishment
Xiaomi YU7 - front cornering

New Xiaomi YU7 2025 review: a world-beating new EV to worry the establishment

BMW or Mercedes would do anything to keep the new Xiaomi YU7 from sale in the UK and Europe, and this is why
Road tests
14 Jul 2025
Range Rover's secret mid-size EV: Inside its £500m factory
Halewood factory - Phil with Range Rover outside

Range Rover's secret mid-size EV: Inside its £500m factory

We take an exclusive look inside JLR’s revamped Liverpool site as the brand gears up for EV production
Features
18 Jul 2025