Sylvie Willis
Estate cars are a popular choice for those seeking a practical family car with a large boot and good fuel economy. While diesel power has traditionally been the top pick for the budget-conscious estate car driver, petrol engines and hybrids are becoming increasingly popular. When it comes to fuel efficiency, the Peugeot 308 SW (2024) is the most fuel-efficient and cheapest to run. The SEAT Leon ST Estate 1.6 TDI 110 DSG also returns almost 64mpg on the road. The BMW 5 Series Touring is another impressive option, with the 520d version being the most fuel-efficient, while the Skoda Octavia Estate is a popular choice thanks to its efficiency and practicality. For those looking for a premium car, the Mercedes C-Class Estate is a good option, with a massive battery that can cover 68 miles on electric power alone, contributing to its 404mpg economy figure.
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What You'll Learn
- The Skoda Octavia Estate is a popular choice for its efficiency and practicality
- The BMW 5 Series Touring is a good blend of comfort, class, space and performance
- The Mercedes C-Class Estate is a plug-in hybrid with a 68-mile electric range
- Volvo's V60 T6 plug-in hybrid offers a 54-mile electric range and a 353mpg economy
- The Peugeot 308 SW (2024) is the most fuel-efficient and cheapest to run
The Skoda Octavia Estate is a popular choice for its efficiency and practicality
The Skoda Octavia Estate is a popular choice for those seeking efficiency and practicality. The car's efficiency is evident in its impressive fuel economy, with official figures suggesting it won't break the bank to run for a large family car. The entry-level 1.5-litre TSI petrol engine can achieve up to 52.3 mpg, while the automatic e-TEC version with mild-hybrid technology improves this to 55.4 mpg. The diesel options, both 116hp and 150hp TDI, can achieve well over 60 mpg, and the mild-hybrid versions are catching up, with the 150hp TSI e-Tec achieving 50 mpg in mixed driving conditions.
The Skoda Octavia Estate's efficiency extends beyond just fuel economy. The car's servicing charges are reasonable, and it offers flexible servicing intervals of once a year or every 20,000 miles, with sensors available to judge when servicing is needed for those who make frequent short trips. Additionally, the car has low CO2 emissions, minimising the first-year VED bill when purchasing a new car.
In terms of practicality, the Skoda Octavia Estate offers a good amount of space, with a 490-litre boot, although some may find this disappointing for an estate car. The car also has a comfortable ride and excellent practicality, contributing to its popularity. The plug-in hybrid system is a plus, providing a 34-mile electric range and contributing to its 273 mpg claimed economy. The TSI iV plug-in hybrid variant can achieve over 100 mpg on the WLTP cycle and around 46 mpg when running solely on its petrol engine. Expect around 60 mpg when using a combination of petrol and battery power, with an EV range of 35-40 miles.
The Skoda brand is known for its reliability and customer satisfaction, backed by numerous industry surveys. While there have been some software and infotainment system issues with the fourth-generation Octavia, these are expected to be resolved with the facelift. Overall, the Skoda Octavia Estate is a well-rounded choice for those seeking efficiency and practicality in an estate car.
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The BMW 5 Series Touring is a good blend of comfort, class, space and performance
The BMW 5 Series Touring is a great choice when looking for an estate car with good fuel economy. It offers a blend of comfort, class, space and performance.
Firstly, the 5 Series Touring is a comfortable car. The cabin is spacious, with plenty of room for both front and rear passengers. The rear seats have ample legroom and headroom for adults, and the seats can be folded in a 40:20:40 configuration. The suspension and chassis also contribute to a comfortable ride, with the rear self-levelling air suspension improving the ride quality and increasing the load limit to 750kg. The steering is precise, and the car handles smoothly, making it a pleasure to drive.
In terms of class, the 5 Series Touring certainly delivers. The exterior is striking, with a stretched roof leading to an integral spoiler, and the interior is refined and plush, comparable to a Mercedes E-Class. The cabin is well-appointed, with clever design features such as a bubble in the roof to accommodate the panoramic roof without compromising headroom.
Space is another strength of the 5 Series Touring. The boot capacity stands at 570 litres with the rear seats in place and 1,700 litres with the seats folded flat, which is a slight improvement over the previous model. The boot also has a useful feature that allows you to open the rear window without raising the bootlid, making it convenient for loading light items.
Finally, the 5 Series Touring offers strong performance. The range includes powerful engines, such as the six-cylinder 540i with M5-rivalling performance, and the plug-in hybrid 530e, which offers a combined 288bhp and an all-electric range of up to 35 miles. The car is also remarkably cost-effective, with excellent fuel economy for a vehicle of its size and performance.
In conclusion, the BMW 5 Series Touring is an excellent choice for those seeking a blend of comfort, class, space and performance in an estate car with good fuel economy.
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The Mercedes C-Class Estate is a plug-in hybrid with a 68-mile electric range
The Mercedes C-Class Estate is a popular choice for those seeking a fuel-efficient vehicle with a spacious interior. As a plug-in hybrid, it offers impressive fuel economy, with a claimed electric range of up to 68 miles on electric power alone. This contributes to its overall efficiency, with a combined rating of 404 miles per gallon (mpg).
The C-Class Estate's large 360-litre boot and practical interior make it an excellent option for families or those requiring ample storage space. The car's efficient 200hp engine, paired with a 30hp electric motor, delivers a smooth and responsive driving experience.
Compared to its predecessor, the new C-Class Estate offers increased space and improved technology, borrowing design elements and features from the current-gen S-Class. The electrified combustion engines further enhance its efficiency and performance.
While the plug-in hybrid system provides exceptional fuel economy, it's important to note that, as with most hybrids, the boot capacity is reduced due to the packaging of the large hybrid battery. The C-Class Estate's boot space shrinks to 300 litres, which may be a consideration for those requiring extensive storage.
In terms of pricing, the Mercedes C-Class Estate is positioned similarly to its competitors, such as the BMW 3 Series Touring and Audi A4 Avant. It offers a range of engine options, including a 1.5-litre petrol and two 2.0-litre diesel engines, providing rear-wheel drive and the option of 4Matic all-wheel drive in other parts of the world.
Overall, the Mercedes C-Class Estate is a well-rounded choice for those seeking a fuel-efficient estate car with a balance of performance, technology, and practicality.
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Volvo's V60 T6 plug-in hybrid offers a 54-mile electric range and a 353mpg economy
When it comes to fuel economy, estate cars are a reliable choice. Their sleek, aerodynamic design makes them more fuel-efficient than SUVs. Most of the economical estate cars are plug-in hybrids, which can also be driven purely on electric power, making them ideal for urban areas.
One of the best options for fuel economy in an estate car is the Volvo V60 T6 plug-in hybrid. This car offers an impressive 54-mile electric range on a full charge, which contributes to its overall claimed economy figure of 353mpg. This means that the Volvo V60 T6 can provide a highly efficient and cost-effective driving experience, especially when utilised in electric mode.
The Volvo V60 T6 is part of the V60 range, which includes the V60 Cross Country and the Polestar Engineered models. The V60 T6 stands out for its exceptional fuel efficiency, but it also offers a range of other appealing features. The V60 T6 has a powerful 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, paired with an electric motor, resulting in a combined output of 253 horsepower. This provides a smooth and responsive driving experience, with excellent performance and acceleration.
In addition to its fuel efficiency and performance, the Volvo V60 T6 offers a spacious and practical interior. Unlike many other plug-in hybrids, the V60 T6 does not compromise boot space to accommodate the extra batteries. It provides a generous 529 litres of boot capacity, making it highly competitive within the estate car segment. The V60 T6 also delivers a comfortable and refined driving experience, with supple suspension and a well-designed cabin, showcasing Volvo's attention to detail and emphasis on comfort.
The Volvo V60 T6 plug-in hybrid is an excellent choice for those seeking a fuel-efficient estate car. With its impressive electric range, powerful performance, spacious interior, and refined driving dynamics, the V60 T6 offers a well-rounded package that caters to the needs of modern drivers. It is a testament to Volvo's commitment to sustainability and innovation, providing an eco-friendly option without compromising on performance or style.
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The Peugeot 308 SW (2024) is the most fuel-efficient and cheapest to run
The Peugeot 308 comes in mild-hybrid petrol, diesel, and plug-in hybrid options, as well as a fully electric version, the E-308. The 2024 mild-hybrid version of the 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine boosts economy to up to 62.6mpg. The diesel offers even better fuel economy, with official WLTP figures of between 54.1–65.4mpg. The plug-in hybrid models can save you a lot of money on fuel, but it's challenging to achieve the manufacturer's figures in the real world. Peugeot quotes figures of 428mpg for the plug-in, but this is unlikely to be the case in reality.
The Peugeot 308 SW (2016) is the most fuel-efficient and cheapest to run of all Peugeot models. While the 2024 Peugeot 308 is fuel-efficient, especially the diesel variant, running costs will depend on fuel prices and your type of usage. The hybrid system has a setting that uses the petrol engine to charge the battery, which consumes more fuel. The pure-electric version of the 308, which will provide a maximum range of 250 miles, will be available in 2023 and is likely to be cheaper to fuel.
Other fuel-efficient estate cars include the SEAT Leon ST Estate, which returns almost 64mpg, the Honda Civic Tourer 1.6 i-DTEC, which returns 62mpg, and the Toyota Corolla Touring Sports, which has a claimed economy figure of 61mpg. The Skoda Octavia Estate is a popular choice due to its efficiency, and the plug-in hybrid version has a claimed economy of 273mpg. The Skoda Superb iV has a claimed economy of 245mpg and a 30-mile electric range. The Citroen C5 X is a unique combination of an estate and hatchback, with a 1.2-litre PureTech petrol engine and a 31-mile EV-only range. The Volvo V60 T6 plug-in hybrid offers a 54-mile electric range and a claimed economy figure of 353mpg. The Mercedes E-Class Estate plug-in hybrid gets a diesel engine and has a claimed economy of 202mpg, and the BMW 5 Series Touring 530e has a claimed economy figure of 177mpg. The Mercedes C-Class Estate is a popular choice for long-distance driving, with a combined 404mpg rating and a 68-mile electric range.
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Frequently asked questions
Here is a list of some of the best fuel economy estate cars:
- The Skoda Octavia Estate (MY2015) 1.6 TDI 110PS GreenLine
- The SEAT Leon ST Estate 1.6 TDI 110 DSG
- The Honda Civic Tourer 1.6 i-DTEC
- The Mercedes C-Class Estate
- The Volvo V60 T6 plug-in hybrid
- The Skoda Superb iV
- The Citroën C5 X
- The BMW 5 Series Touring
The official WLTP economy figures quoted by manufacturers don’t always reflect the real-world fuel economy of an estate car. Diesel power has traditionally been the top pick for the budget-conscious estate car driver. However, some of the most economical estate cars are fitted with petrol engines or are hybrids. The lower and sleeker an estate car is, the better fuel economy it will generally have compared to an SUV.
The Peugeot 308 SW (2024) is the most fuel-efficient and cheapest to run estate car.
