Mercedes E-Class Estate - Best estate cars

The giant of the estate market is the Mercedes E-Class Estate, although the latest model isn't quite as big as its predecessor. It's down from 695 litres to 640 litres, while the back seats fold to make 1,820 litres of space. Again, down from 1,950 litres in the old car. 

But boot size isn’t everything, and it's the rest of the car that has appeal. It looks great, for starters, while it also has a huge towing capacity. All models get self-levelling rear suspension and a powered tailgate, too. 

The interior offers plenty of room for five, plus there are cubbyholes and cup-holders dotted around the cabin. Seven airbags and ESP ensure driver and passengers are well protected. Optional safety kit includes night vision and lane departure warning.

Of course, all this comes at a price: the E-Class is competitive with rivals like the BMW 5 Series Touring, but options soon increase the cost. To limit their bills, buyers are advised to go for one of the diesels or plug-in hybrid models to keep fuel consumption down.