Used Car of the Year Awards 2022: Estate cars

With demand for used cars on the rise, you’ll want to know which are the best buys. That’s where our annual Used Car Awards come in. These are our favourite estate cars...

Used Estate Car of the Year

Skoda Octavia Estate

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Price from £6000

Its looks might not set your heart on fire, but the previous-generation Octavia Estate is one of the best all-round cars you can buy in the real world. You see, it takes all that we like about the Octavia hatchback, including its relaxed ride, and adds an even more practical boot. Seldom will you encounter a car that offers such space and versatility –
it can easily handle all the paraphernalia associated with young families – and such easy-going refinement.

Skoda Octavia Estate vs Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer

The Octavia Estate is decently cheap to run, too, with a strong reliability record. Early ones can now be had for as little as £6000, but we’d seek out a later, 2017 example of our favourite 1.4 TSI 150 model in well-equipped SE trim for around £10,000. Spend a little more and you can even get one of the facelifted post- 2018 versions, which benefit from updated front and rear styling and some upgraded infotainment technology.

Such affordability gives it the edge over the BMW 5 Series Touring and Volkswagen Passat Estate here, while direct rivals such as the Volkswagen Golf Estate and Seat Leon ST can’t match it for space.

One we found 2017 Skoda Octavia Estate 1.4 TSI 150 SE, 36,000 miles Price £10,000

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Also consider...

Volkswagen Passat Estate (2015-present)

Price from £9000

Sporting an interior that’s classier than the Octavia’s, the Passat is another terrific estate car that’s great value used, and it’s that affordability that helps it to see off rivals such as the Audi A4 Avant and the Seat Leon ST. It’s good to drive, comfortable, practical and reliable, too. We’d shop for the punchy and economical 2.0 TDI 150 diesel version in well-equipped SE trim.

One we found 2018 Volkswagen Passat Estate 2.0 TDI 150 SE, 29,000 miles Price £15,000

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BMW 5 Series Touring (2017-present)

Price from £18,000

Need a capacious estate car like the Octavia but want something with the opulence of a luxury car? Then this is the one for you. The 5 Series Touring is much better to drive than rivals such as the Skoda Superb Estate and Mercedes E-Class, too. Add in impressive fuel economy from our favourite 520d version and prices from just £18,000 and you’ve got a great proposition.

One we found 2019 BMW 520d Touring M Sport, 38,000 miles Price £22,500