Skip advert
Advertisement

Best buy £25k-£32k

Multiple award winner adds yet another trophy to its bulging cabinet

Skoda Superb Estate

Eight hopefuls fought it out in this category, but nothing could knock the Skoda Superb off its perch. It’s still the number one – so our reigning Estate Car of the Year has added another trophy to its cabinet.

Hooked up to a five-berth Bailey Orion 450-5 caravan, the Skoda put in an impressive performance. The cavernous 633-litre boot swallows loads of holiday luggage, and passengers won’t be complaining, either, as the generous rear legroom takes the edge off long journeys.

Advertisement - Article continues below

From behind the wheel, the Superb is just as easy to live with, thanks to its supportive seats, high-quality dashboard and well thought-out design. Even when the car is hitched up, the refined 168bhp 2.0-litre diesel engine has enough performance, and keeping up with the motorway traffic won’t be a problem.

Precise and well weighted steering makes the Skoda easy and rewarding to drive, even with a caravan in tow. The chassis strikes a fine balance between comfort, handling and high-speed towing ability. There’s lots of equipment on the top-spec Elegance, too, with xenon lights, touchscreen sat-nav with voice control, leather trim, heated seats and Bluetooth.

Our test car was fitted with the optional DSG twin-clutch transmission. It adds £1,310 to the price, but we think this is money well spent for the simplicity and smoothness it brings to the driving experience. Yet more affordable, lower-spec Superbs make just as much sense.

£25k-£32k finalists

1. Skoda Superb Estate Elegance 2.0 TDI (170) DSG

2. Volkswagen Amarok Highline 2.0 BiTDI (163) 4MOTION

3. Volkswagen Passat Estate Sport BlueMotion Technology 2.0 TDI (170)

4. Volkswagen Sharan SE 2.0 TDI (170)

5. Mazda CX-7 2.2D 5dr Sport Tech

6. Nissan X-Trail 2.0 dCi Tekna 

7. Peugeot 508 SW Allure HDi 163

8. Vauxhall Antara SE 2.2 CDTI AWD (184)

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £19,690Avg. savings £4,685 off RRP*Used from £16,811
Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

RRP £24,625Avg. savings £2,763 off RRP*Used from £11,895
MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £26,995Avg. savings £7,361 off RRP*Used from £11,990
Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £14,480Avg. savings £1,864 off RRP*Used from £6,700
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Ford Escort Mexico gets new lease of life with MST Sports
MST Ford Escort - front 3/4

Ford Escort Mexico gets new lease of life with MST Sports

While not officially Fords, the MST Mk1 and Mk2 Sports should drive as sharply as they look
News
7 Jul 2025
Car Deal of the Day: Skoda Octavia vRS is the consummate all-rounder and only £255 a month!
Skoda Octavia vRS - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: Skoda Octavia vRS is the consummate all-rounder and only £255 a month!

A three-time Auto Express Family Car of the Year winner, paired with Golf GTI power, is our Deal of the Day for 6 July
News
6 Jul 2025
New Volvo XC60 2025 facelift review: big-selling SUV gets a new lease of life
Volvo XC60 facelift - front tracking

New Volvo XC60 2025 facelift review: big-selling SUV gets a new lease of life

This refreshed Swedish SUV focuses on familiar areas of strength to take on BMW and Audi
Road tests
4 Jul 2025