Used estate cars for sale

Who are estate cars suitable for?

Estate cars are ideal for individuals and families who need extra space without sacrificing comfort or driving pleasure – because they’re lower than SUVs, they can offer a more engaging drive despite their impressive practicality credentials.

They’re great for those who regularly transport luggage, sports equipment or even the family dog. An estate is also suitable for outdoor enthusiasts, with the ability to accommodate camping gear, bikes and other luggage.

Parents of young children will also benefit from an estate over a hatchback because there’s a lot more room for the pram and all the bags that go along with family life.

What types of estate cars are there?

Estates come in a range of sizes, starting with compact versions based on hatchbacks. One of the best Ford estates is the Focus Estate because it’s barely any bigger than the regular hatchback but it has more luggage space.

Mid-size estates are usually more popular because they have more rear-seat space for passengers. BMW estates like the 3 Series Touring fit this description, but you can opt for less premium models like the Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer if you’re conscious about your budget.

Finally, there are large and premium estates that offer a slice of luxury along with that all-important practicality. Mercedes estates like the E-Class Estate are a great example.

Whichever size you go for, you can take your pick from a range of engines. Traditionally, diesel power has been favoured for its superior fuel economy, but petrols are increasingly popular for town drivers thanks to their lower purchase costs and reduced nitrogen oxide emissions compared with diesels.

Performance estates are great if you want to go under the radar – not many people would expect that your family wagon could keep up with hot hatches. Pick from warm estates, like the BMW M340i Touring, or all-out hot estates like the BMW M3 Touring.

Popular estate cars

Since the rise of SUVs and crossovers, fewer people have been buying estates because they’re not as ‘on-trend’, but that’s great news to the financially savvy among us who see this as an opportunity to grab a bargain.

The Volkswagen Golf is an extremely popular model, and it’s also available in estate form. It has around 230 litres more boot space, which is a big jump given its compact dimensions.

However, as used estate cars go, models like the Ford Focus, Vauxhall Astra and BMW 3 Series are heavy hitters.

Petrol, diesel or electric estate cars?

Choosing the right fuel type when buying a used estate car for sale depends entirely on the type of driving you’ll be doing.

Petrol power is great for drivers who mainly do short journeys or city driving. They’re smooth, quiet and increasingly efficient. Take the Volkswagen Passat, for example – it used to sell mainly as a diesel model, but the B9 model introduced in 2023, comes with a 1.5-litre petrol engine which balances performance and economy well.

Diesel estates are ideal for motorway drivers because this is where they’re at their most efficient. They’re also better for drivers who need to tow trailers because they have more pulling power (torque) to handle the extra weight.

More and more hybrid and plug-in hybrid estates are entering the market, many with all-electric ranges exceeding 70 miles, which can seriously reduce running costs for short trips.

If you have access to a home charging point, then an electric estate might appeal. You can find the right model for your needs, with real-world ranges of around 200-300 miles.

Initially, the market was pretty limited, with a budget-friendly MG5 and a high-performance Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo. Now, though, you can get mid-range electric estates like the BMW i5 Touring, Peugeot e-308 SW, Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer and more.

Estate cars vs. SUVs vs. saloons

When deciding between an estate car, SUV or saloon, understanding the benefits of each and how they relate to you is important.

Beginning with saloons. These are sleek, aerodynamic cars that generally have a good amount of interior space, but poor access to the boot through a narrower opening. Some saloon-like cars have wider hatchback-like boot openings, mind.

Estates take all that’s good about saloons and add a longer rear end and a wide boot opening for ease of access.

SUVs are essentially estates on stilts – you get the extra boot space as well as a higher driving position for a better view of the road ahead, but that can come at the cost of manoeuvrability.

If you like the idea of a high-riding estate, why not consider one of the various rugged models like a Volvo V90 Cross Country or Ford Focus Estate Active?