If you need an estate car, but you’re considering going electric, your choices of zero emission models are fairly limited. The batteries needed to shift all that extra room bring with them increased weight, offsetting the point of having them there. That’s where the best hybrid estates come into play. They combine conventional engines with electric power to become some of the best hybrid cars on the market now.
Hybrid vehicles provide the best of both worlds – reducing range anxiety that electric vehicles can induce on longer journeys, but also increasing fuel economy, where the benefits of electric, such as quieter travel, can be enjoyed in specific environments. This improves your green credentials as a driver too, whether you choose to buy outright or lease one.
Below, we’ve put together a list of our favourite hybrid estate car choices. They offer better practicality and efficiency than their hybrid SUV counterparts, and that’s why we like them so much. You can scroll down to read what the picks of the crop are.
Top 10 best hybrid estates for 2024:
Big, comfortable Citroen marries new-age design with old-school sensibilities
There are two petrols and a plug-in hybrid to choose from. The latter offers 225hp and a sub 8.0 second 0-62mph time, with an electric range of close to 30 miles in real-world testing. The battery for the hybrid setup eats into boot space a bit, but the opening is at least wide and the lip low.
To find out more, read our full Citroen C5 X review
Pros
- Really comfortable
- Good to drive
- Big boot
Cons
- PHEV does affect boot size
- Unconventional looks won't be to everyone's tastes
Roomy estate with a sprinkling of Spanish flair
It’s one that’ll tickle drivers and tech-heads alike. Though the lack of dash buttons might put some off, you do get used to it. Best of all, it shares most of its tech and engineering with other Volkswagen Group cars, but just at a more affordable price point.
To find out more, read our full SEAT Leon Estate review
Pros
- Desirable
- Lots of tech
- Clever engines
Cons
- A bit bland
- Rear seats don't fold completely flat
Upmarket interior and quality ride
This makes the SW the pick of the 308 range. It’s just as sharp to drive, the interior is just as plush – it’s just that the boot is enormous. There are two plug-in hybrids on offer. We recommend the less powerful version as it’s usefully cheaper and more economical than the faster one.
To find out more, read our full Peugeot 308 SW review
Pros
- High-quality interior
- Clever infotainment
- Spacious interior
Cons
- Love or hate seating position
- Suspension a touch too hard
Enormous family estate for the same price as a posh hatchback
You’ll be looking at a plug-in hybrid model. It uses a 1.4-litre petrol engine with a battery and electric motor. It really suits zipping around silently on the electric motor and is really economical too, assuming you remember to plug in.
To find out more, read our full Skoda Superb Estate review
Pros
- Superb value for money
- Cavernous boot
- Very comfortable
Cons
- A bit bland
- Rear seats don't fold completely flat
A reliable and hugely practical self-charging hybrid
The larger 2.0-litre petrol engine option has a marginally bigger battery and more powerful electric motor which makes for a car that is more comfortable on the motorway.
While ‘Sports’ may be in the name, a sports car this is not. It’s much more of a subtle and quiet cruiser. After all, this hybrid estate has a battery pack large enough to allow you to drive short distances on electric power alone (emphasis on the ‘short’; the electric motor isn’t there to do the heavy lifting).
To find out more, read our full Toyota Corolla Touring Sports review
Read our full Suzuki Swace review
Pros
- Massive warranty
- Reliability
- Very comfortable
Cons
- You'll be mistaken for an Uber
- Only available as a regular hybrid
Gadget-laden family ferry is a top pick
The hybrid engine on offer here is the same plug-in system as the Superb above. The difference here is that it’s powering a smaller and lighter car. This means it goes further on electric power and is more economical too.
To find out more, read our Skoda Octavia Estate review
Pros
- Cheap to run
- Hugely practical
- Ergonomic interior
Cons
- Some cheap-feeling materials
- Fair bit of road noise on motorway
One of the best estate cars ever
If comfort is what you value in a big executive estate car, the 5 Series Touring has possibly the best ride and balance of any car in its class while also efficient and commodious. However, the boot isn’t as large as others in the market.
Up to 37 miles of electric range is the take home figure of this car, but the sub 6.0 second 0-62mph time will raise a few eyebrows, too.
To find out more, read our full BMW 5-Series Touring review
Pros
- Great to drive
- Intuitive infotainment
- High-quality interior
Cons
- Not the most practical estate
- A little less refined than saloon
Trumps rivals for comfort and space
Luxury is the operative word when it comes to the E-Class Estate. With quality interior materials and a soft ride, it invites occupants to relax and enjoy each journey, even with a full set of family luggage behind them plus change.
Space is abundant as is the technology on offer. Comfort is a priority, right down to damping against any outside noise in the cabin. The fact that there are both petrol and diesel hybrid choices will delight drivers who cover longer distances regularly, too.
To find out more, read our full Mercedes E-Class Estate review
Pros
- Wow factor cabin
- Spacious interior and boot
- Very comfortable
Cons
- Expensive
- Not as fun to drive as a BMW
Estate/SUV from the makers of Britain's cheapest car
The only reason it doesn’t come higher is the hybrid powertrain. It’s economical – with at least 50mpg on the cards – but the transition between petrol and electric is not subtle, quiet or even dignified.
To find out more, read our full Dacia Jogger review
Pros
- Brilliant value for money
- Seven seats
- Lovely and soft ride quality
Cons
- Hybrid powertrain is noisy
- Low Euro NCAP safety score
What is a hybrid estate car?
There’s a choice of hybrids; mild hybrid, self-charging and plug-in hybrid (PHEV). What you opt for will depend on your lifestyle and your residential set up.
Mild hybrids offer more fuel economy than standard engines, but aren’t that dissimilar from what you’re currently driving. Self-charging hybrids offer improved fuel economy and some pure electric running.
PHEVs require you to plug-in, but can offer as many as 60 miles in pure electric mode. This means you can do the majority of your journeys using electricity and will only need to rely on fuel on longer journeys, offering not only excellent fuel economy but huge fuel savings.
Keith Adams is the Editor of Parkers. During his career he has been the editor of Classic Car Weekly, Modern Classics and Honest John Classics, as well as writing for CAR magazine, Practical Classics, Octane, Autocar and The Independent among others. Keith lives in rural Lancashire and buying and selling cars and reading.
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