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Estate Car of the Year 2022: Skoda Octavia Estate

The Skoda Octavia Estate is the 2022 Auto Express Estate Car of the Year, with the BMW 3 Series Touring and MG 5 EV commended

It’s a good thing the Octavia has a big boot, because it needs all the space it can get to carry off its huge haul of trophies. That’s because for the third year in a row the spacious Skoda has secured our Estate Car of the Year award – and it’s not hard to see why.

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The Czech machine has impressive carrying capacity, with a well shaped load area that offers 640 litres of space. Handy levers in the boot allow you to drop the rear seats in seconds, liberating a healthy 1,700 litres. There are loads of clever storage solutions, too, such as heavy-duty hooks, load dividers and a 12-volt power supply. The optional ‘Virtual Pedal’ allows you to open the powered tailgate when your hands are full simply by waving a foot under the rear bumper, too.

Occupants are equally well catered for, with the Octavia delivering loads of head and legroom for those sitting in the back, while the cabin itself has a classy feel, thanks to its sharp design and top-notch materials. It also features the brand’s latest tech, including a slick infotainment set-up and advanced driver-assistance systems.

Yet the Skoda’s load-lugging credentials don’t come at the expense of driver satisfaction. As with the Octavia hatchback, the Estate combines wellweighted steering and deft handling with a cosseting ride and good refinement.

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There’s a wide range of punchy petrol and frugal diesels, while business users can save a bundle on company car tax with the plug-in hybrid. And for keen drivers there are the rapid and rewarding vRS models – available with petrol, diesel or PHEV power – plus the option of four-wheel drive to give all-weather peace of mind.

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Factor in Skoda’s famed value and reliability, and it’s easy to see why the Octavia is head and shoulders above its rivals in the space race.

Our choice

Skoda Octavia Estate 1.0 TSI SE Tech (£24,570)

The SE Tech model is our pick, and it’s great when paired with the 1.0-litre TSI petrol engine and a six-speed manual gearbox. Place a £2,500 deposit on a three-year PCP deal, and it’s £394 a month. A 10-inch screen with sat-nav and wireless CarPlay, plus 16-inch alloys are included.

Commended

BMW 3 Series Touring

An excellent all-rounder, the 3 Series Touring blends family-friendly space and versatility with a big dollop of driver appeal. Few estate cars are as fun to drive as the BMW, with sharp handling and a range of responsive engines, including a plug-in hybrid and the forthcoming, fire-breathing M3 Touring. It’s not cheap, but the BMW is beautifully built and crammed with cutting-edge kit, plus it serves up top-notch refinement.

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MG 5 EV

If you’re looking for a no-nonsense estate car that will keep the family finances firmly in the black, then the all-electric MG 5 takes some beating. Thanks to its 52.5kWh battery, it can travel up to 214 miles on a charge, according to MG, while the 578-litre boot means few EVs of this size or price can match it for practicality. It’s also relaxing to drive, comes with loads of standard kit and is priced from just £29,695.

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The 2022 New Car Awards are brought to you in association with Hankook tyres

New Car Awards 2022: the winners

New Car Awards 2022: introductionLuxury Car of the Year 2022: Range Rover
Car of the Year 2022: Nissan AriyaHot Hatch of the Year 2022: Hyundai i20 N
City Car of the Year 2022: Fiat 500Coupe of the Year 2022: BMW 2 Series Coupe
Supermini of the Year 2022: Renault ClioConvertible of the Year 2022: MINI Convertible
Family Car of the Year 2022: Dacia JoggerPerformance Car of the Year 2022: Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS
Estate Car of the Year 2022: Skoda Octavia EstateAffordable Electric Car of the Year 2022: MG ZS EV
Small Company Car of the Year 2022: Renault Megane E-Tech ElectricPremium Electric Car of the Year 2022: BMW i4
Mid-size Company Car of the Year 2022: Nissan AriyaAffordable Hybrid Car of the Year 2022: Toyota Yaris
Large Company Car of the Year 2022: BMW 5 SeriesPremium Hybrid Car of the Year 2022: Mercedes C 300 e
Small SUV of the Year 2022: Kia NiroPick-up of the Year 2022: Ford Ranger
Mid-size SUV of the Year 2022: Hyundai TucsonVan of the Year 2022: Fiat Ducato
Large SUV of the Year: Skoda KodiaqElectric Van of the Year 2022: Ford E-Transit
Small Premium SUV of the Year: Mercedes GLATechnology Award 2022: Mercedes-Vision EQXX
Mid-size Premium SUV of the Year: Lexus NXHall of Fame Inductees
Large Premium SUV of the Year: Land Rover DefenderPrevious winners

Special edition of Auto Express

Auto Express Issue 1,736

For the full experience, make sure you pick up a copy of our special 2022 New Car Awards collectors' edition of the Auto Express magazine, which is available in shops now.

You can buy individual issues of Auto Express or subscribe for even bigger discounts on the print magazine cover price. You can currently subscribe or download individual issues of our digital edition direct to your desktop, phone or tablet as well.

Stay right up to date with the latest from the world of cars in 2022 and beyond, follow Auto Express on social media...

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