Family estate with decent rear seat space

[seiben]

Looking for a quick check on my logic here, as my V8 XC90 is getting a bit leggy and £700+ tax is getting old

Requirements:
- Auto
- Plenty of rear seat space. I have three kids in booster seats so width and leg-room (particularly for the middle child) are important as they grow
- Diesel or Petrol are both fine. It will have relatively infrequent use, but won't do any short journeys really so I'm hoping DPF issues won't be a problem
- Big boot
- Budget £6-8k, could be stretched perhaps
- Estate is preferred over SUV. I've had a Land Cruiser and a couple of XC90s and just don't need anything that tall anymore.

Currently I'm looking at the Skoda Superb, BMW 5-series tourer and E-class estate all around 2010-2015 vintage depending on age/mileage. Is there anything else I should consider? I'm currently leaning towards the Skoda as the more sensible purchase and all-round package.

[RizzoTheRat]

Superb gets my vote, but if you struggle to find one in budget maybe take a look at the Octavia as well, plenty of room for adults in the back and a 600 litre boot.

[Gin and Ultrasonic]

At your budget, you might get a newer Mondeo or Insignia than a Merc/BMW.

Volvo V70/XC70 might be worth looking at - some of the D5s seem to go on forever.

Is ULEZ a consideration for you?

[Shooter McGavin]

Skodillac will be along in a minute to confirm that the Superb is indeed superb for this .

His lad is a giant and fitted in the back comfortably before he went fully EV and bought an ID7!

[Buzz84]

The Skoda superb shares the chassis with Audi A6 Avant and Volkswagen Passat estate, so they are equally as roomy

[ilikejam]

I once went to a showroom (at least 10 years ago) to test drive an Octavia VRS and while I was waiting about I sat in the back of a Superb and I've never been in another car with so much room back there. If that's the main consideration then I can't see anything else beating it. Obviously all large estates will be roomy, but can't see anything beating a Superb for rear space

[SteBrown91]

Buzz84 said:

The Skoda superb shares the chassis with Audi A6 Avant and Volkswagen Passat estate, so they are equally as roomy

The Superb/Passat are a different platform to the A6.

My vote is for the Superb/Passat or if you want some style the VW Arteon, which utilises the stretched Superb platform, but likely need man maths on the budget.

[skeeterm5]

I recently bought a 530d F11 BMW as a tow car and I have to say it is turning out to the perfect “do it all” car. Lots of space in both the front and rear, a large boot even with seats up, comfortable and good performance.

Highly recommended.

[Dog Biscuit]

What about a 5 series GT?

Enormous boot and loads of rear room. In budget too

I ran one for 12 months and it was bang on

[Panamax]

Skoda is a good suggestion and there are loads of Merc estates around as well. Popular for good reason. C-class and E-class are virtually identical - just choose what size rear storage you want.

[Skodillac]

Shooter McGavin said:

Skodillac will be along in a minute to confirm that the Superb is indeed superb for this .

His lad is a giant and fitted in the back comfortably before he went fully EV and bought an ID7!

A Skoda Superb is indeed superb for this.

(It's an ID5, sadly, I can't stretch to an ID7 yet...)

[Buzz84]

SteBrown91 said:

Buzz84 said:

The Skoda superb shares the chassis with Audi A6 Avant and Volkswagen Passat estate, so they are equally as roomy

The Superb/Passat are a different platform to the A6.

Interesting, I had a A6 at the time I was also considering the Passat and Superb as I wanted a large boot and they all came back with pretty much the same capacities and dimensions. but yes MQB vs MLB now I have looked it up.

Either way still potentials for spacious load luggers.

[flickyspinny]

I ran a very leggy 2010 Superb estate for four years and approx 30k miles.
Rear legroom is bonkers.
In my opinion, Elegance Spec and 170bhp (as opposed to the 140bhp) is a must.
The only real headache mine gave was that it sagged badly at the back when fully laden. After a suspension refresh it still did it, so I stuck a pair of "helper" springs in it and that finally solved the problem. Apparently it's a fairly well known issue with them.

I can't remember the exact mileage of mine, but I think it must have been over 150k when I sold it. Apart from the air conn compressor going (£700?) and a temperature sensor in the cabin causing it to blow cold air (£10 part maybe?) it was pretty good.

The legroom in the back had the benefit of allowing kids to walk into the back of the car, which I would imagine would help with three of them.

If I were in the market again, I'd probably be taking a very close look at the highest spec Passat I could find, as rumour has it that they felt quite a bit nicer inside from a materials and NVH perspective. I had no complaints about my Skoda though.

Oh, and finally, check that your phone does connect via bluetooth - my car had an old bluetooth module in it so I couldn't use an iPhone handsfree without forking out (I can't remember - £150?) for a newer module from a newer car.

[ZX10R NIN]

E250d:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202604091...

220d:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202605072...

Insignia:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202605032...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202604081...

508:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202604081...

If you're happy to have a dual clutch (they all seem to have issues) gearbox then the Mondeo is a great option:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603281...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603261...
Kia Optima:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202604291...

[seiben]

Thanks - some good suggestions there!

I'd not considered the 5 GT - must have missed it in searches as it's not technically an estate I guess. Can't say I'm wild about the looks but the value is undeniable!

508 Is a good shout but looks too cramped in the back. Insignia is probably the sensible choice - no denying I can get a newer/lower mileage one of those than any of the German offerings. I've had a V70 estate in the past and don't remember the rear seats being all that roomy, but I'll have another look as it was lovely otherwise.

Good call on the Passat and the A6. For some reason I thought the Passat was smaller (Octavia sized) but looks like that's not the case.

ULEZ not really a consideration - on the off-chance I need to go within the M25 I usually take my small EV.

[biggbn]

seiben said:

Looking for a quick check on my logic here, as my V8 XC90 is getting a bit leggy and £700+ tax is getting old

Requirements:
- Auto
- Plenty of rear seat space. I have three kids in booster seats so width and leg-room (particularly for the middle child) are important as they grow
- Diesel or Petrol are both fine. It will have relatively infrequent use, but won't do any short journeys really so I'm hoping DPF issues won't be a problem
- Big boot
- Budget £6-8k, could be stretched perhaps
- Estate is preferred over SUV. I've had a Land Cruiser and a couple of XC90s and just don't need anything that tall anymore.

Currently I'm looking at the Skoda Superb, BMW 5-series tourer and E-class estate all around 2010-2015 vintage depending on age/mileage. Is there anything else I should consider? I'm currently leaning towards the Skoda as the more sensible purchase and all-round package.

How has the XC90 v8 been to use? Its the one version of that car I can really see me owning at some point. Must be a wonderful engine to sit behind on long journeys

[Tim Cognito]

I'm after the same and wish there were more jap offerings in this space. Subaru Legacy is about it isn't it?

[AddyT.]

Panamax said:

Skoda is a good suggestion and there are loads of Merc estates around as well. Popular for good reason. C-class and E-class are virtually identical - just choose what size rear storage you want.

Watch for the electrics in the E Class estates. Can't speak for the C Class however.

[OldGermanHeaps]

Audi allroad. The air suspension is lush for comfort.