As the number of really good electric cars has increased, so too has the number of different types of electric vehicle (EV). A few years ago you’d have found hardly any electric estate cars available – now the best electric estates offer a choice to suit every budget. Here at Parkers we’ve driven and evaluated every one of the current crop and have intel you can trust on the forthcoming models.
To make this page even more useful we’ve also rounded up the best plug-in hybrid estate cars in case you aren’t quite ready to commit to a 100% electric vehicle. Like all the best PHEVs, these combine chunky electric-only driving distances with an internal combustion engine that means you won’t be forced to wait for ages to recharge when taking longer trips. After all, the UK charging network isn’t quite perfect yet.
Read on and you’ll find our expert guidance on what makes one electric estate better than another, things to consider before buying or leasing, and learn which car we consider the best choice for most people. But whether you want the cheapest option, the fastest, or the best compromise between petrol and electric we’re here to help.
Check out how we test cars to understand more about the way we’ve reached these conclusions.
The best electric estate cars on sale now
In our testing, this is the best electric estate car for most people
It’s based on the same EV technology as the Peugeot e-308 SW (and a lot of other electric cars built by the Stellantis family of companies) but costs slightly less while giving you a more conventional interior design, which we’ve found more people are comfortable with. The Peugeot has a slightly bigger boot, but the electric Astra estate still offers 516 litres of room (1,553 litres with the rear seats folded), and its 256-mile official WLTP combined driving range is a couple of miles greater than the e-308’s. Both will be impacted by how much you’re carrying and how you drive, though.
To find out more, read our full Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Electric review
Pros
- EV technology is used in lots of other cars, is well proven and can be very efficient
- It’s a practical design that also comes with lots of standard equipment
- The infotainment system is easy to use (which isn’t always the case these days)
Cons
- Going for the EV gives you a smaller boot than the equivalent petrol model
- Peugeot e-308 SW is a little bigger, MG 5 EV estate is a lot cheaper
| Starting price | £39,995 |
| Best leasing deal (per month) | £201.80 |
| Maximum combined driving range (WLTP) | 256 miles per charge |
| Insurance group | 26 |
| Boot space | 516-1,553 litres |
| Performance | 156hp, 9.2sec 0-62mph |
The best electric estate car to travel long distances
The four-wheel drive M60 is fast and incredibly capable, especially with optional chassis tech, yet it's the rear-wheel drive 40 that's our recommendation. It's a good chunk cheaper, goes farther on a single charge and still accelerates briskly enough.
At 570-litres, its boot is about the same size as the Astra and e-308, yet you get a longer load area and a far higher quality interior. If you're after posh pooch transport with an eye on the environment/company car tax bills, it's a fantastic choice.
To find out more, read our full BMW i5 Touring review
Pros
- Range of 340 miles-plus from eDrive40 model
- Spacious for four adults, and all their stuff fits in the boot
- Will make a long day on the road a pleasurable experience
Cons
- Options can really ramp up the purchase price
- Its sheer size can make town driving tricky
| Starting price | £69,945 |
| Best leasing deal (per month) | £665.87 |
| Maximum combined driving range (WLTP) | 339 miles per charge |
| Insurance group | 43-50 |
| Boot space | 570-1,700 |
| Performance | 340-442hp, 6.1-3.9sec 0-62mph |
The best electric estate car if you want heaps of style on a more affordable budget
Its efficiency is pretty good, too. Using the exact same drivetrain components as the Astra Sport Tourer Electric, we’ve found the e-308 capable of as much as 5mpk around town and 4mpk in regular driving – as long as you’re not going too fast on the motorway. The official driving range is 254 miles per charge overall, and we’ve managed to get quite close to this. However, the i-Cockpit interior design with its tiny steering wheel and high-set wheels means many drivers will have to compromise on their preferred driving position, which is why it just misses out on being our top-ranking electric estate car.
To find out more, read our full Peugeot e-308 SW review
Pros
- Same efficient EV technology as the Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Electric
- Despite the more glamorous looks, the Peugeot also has a bigger boot
- Rather nice to drive – it’s undemanding but also pretty good in the corners
Cons
- The i-Cockpit interior design looks smart but can be uncomfortable for some drivers
- Performance is a little underwhelming for a car that costs over £40,000
| Starting price | £40,050 |
| Best leasing deal (per month) | £414.40 |
| Maximum combined driving range (WLTP) | 254 miles per charge |
| Insurance group | 24-25 |
| Boot space | 548-1,574 litres |
| Performance | 156hp, 9.9sec 0-62mph |
The best electric estate car for performance and prestige
However. What you do get is some very comfortable air suspension – which can be boosted further with a super-clever Active Ride system that turns the Taycan into a wild blend of luxury and high performance. Even the entry-level rear-wheel drive model does 0-62mph in 4.8 seconds; the range-topping four-wheel drive Turbo S has 952hp now, exactly halving that 0-62 time. The steering is sensationally good, comfort is outstanding, charging is fast, and if you don’t drive flat to the floor everywhere, it’s also very efficient; add the optional Performance Plus Battery to that basic version and the official range is 405 miles. We’ve found it’s easily possibly to halve that if you’re in a hurry, though…
To find out more, read our full Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo review
Pros
- Recently updated Taycan estate is now even faster and more efficient
- Very good to drive, and capable of recharging very fast
- First-class comfort thanks to impressive quality, huge range of options and clever suspension
Cons
- More of a shooting brake than a conventional estate car, so load space isn’t brilliant
- For the money it costs you might expect more standard equipment
| Starting price | £96,800 |
| Best leasing deal (per month) | 1,246.92 |
| Maximum combined driving range (WLTP) | 381 miles per charge |
| Insurance group | 50 |
| Boot space | 446+84-1,212 litres |
| Performance | 435-952hp 4.7-2.4sec 0-62mph |
Best plug-in hybrid estate car if you love driving
Since there’s a battery under rear floor big enough for 34 miles of electric-only driving (our testing suggests it will be more like 20-25 miles in the real world) you do lose a bit of boot space – luggage capacity falling to 410-1,420 litres compared with 500-1,510 for the conventional petrol and diesel models. That’s pretty small versus everything else on this list, but you do get an opening rear windscreen for easy loading in tight spaces, and a boost mode that’s great for overtaking. A four-wheel drive variant adds extra traction if you don't like rear-wheel drive.
To find our more, read our full BMW 330e review
Pros
- Both sporty and comfortable to drive with plenty of performance
- Very well put together with a powerful yet easy to use infotainment system
- Strong image and low company car tax make it a top choice for business drivers
Cons
- The boot is rather small so check it will fit all your necessary stuff
- Limited electric driving range by the latest PHEV standards
| Starting price | £48,785 |
| Best leasing deal (per month) | £556.11 |
| Max electric-only driving range (WLTP) | 34 miles |
| Insurance group | 33-36 |
| Boot space | 410-1,420 litres |
| Performance | 292hp, 5.9sec 0-62mph |
The best plug-in hybrid estate cars on sale now
Ideal for those interested in going zero emissions for shorter journeys but worried about the impact on longer ones, these are our favourite plug-in hybrid estate models. With a useful electric-only driving mode and a modern, efficient petrol or diesel engine as well, these will take the stress out of longer trips while still allowing you to reduce your emissions.
Need to know more about this technology? Then check out our guide to plug-in hybrid tech.
The best plug-in estate car for style and luxury
What’s particularly interesting about the PHEV, however, is that Mercedes offers a 313hp E300de diesel version as well as a 313hp E300e petrol model – with the diesel particularly well-suited to long-distance drivers, as it offers outstanding fuel economy even when the lithium-ion drive battery is depleted. With the battery full, up to 68 miles of electric-only driving is claimed possible, which means 50+ in the real world without difficulty. Shame it puts such a dent in the E-Class’s boot capacity, reducing it from a vast 615-1,830 litres to 460-1,675 litres. Still, the comfortable and relaxing driving experience makes eating those miles a dream.
To find out more, read our full Mercedes E-Class Estate review
Pros
- Sophisticated styling combined with lots of passenger space
- Available with diesel as well as petrol PHEV power, lengthy EV range
- Very high-tech and impressive inside
Cons
- The plug-in’s boot is considerably smaller the standard E-Class Estate
- The steering feels very light and you never stop thinking about the car’s size when driving
| Starting price | £66,860 |
| Best leasing deal (per month) | n/a |
| Max electric-only driving range (WLTP) | 68 miles |
| Insurance group | 50 |
| Boot space | 460-1,675 litres |
| Performance | 313hp, 6.5-6.6sec 0-62mph |
The best plug-in hybrid estate if you like comfort and SUV-influence styling
With 225hp this is more than quick enough. But the real strength of this particular power unit and this particular car is refinement – it’s smooth and quiet, and very relaxing. Claimed electric only range from the modest 12.4kWh battery pack is 39 miles, and we’ve been able to get around 30 miles out of it in real-world testing. The boot is in capacity, which isn’t bad for a PHEV, while the off-road look to this distinctive estate car also helps it stand out.
To find out more, read our full Citroen C5 X review
Pros
- Very refined and comfortable driving experience
- Reasonable 30-mile electric-only driving range in our testing
- Good turn of speed when you need it
Cons
- Not a good choice for keen drivers – the soft suspension blunts agility
- It’s not that roomy in the back seats for passengers
| Starting price | £39,300 |
| Best leasing deal (per month) | £541.65 |
| Max electric-only driving range (WLTP) | 39 miles |
| Insurance group | 30-31 |
| Boot space | 485-1,580 litres |
| Performance | 225hp, 10.4sec 0-62mph |
The best plug-in hybrid if you want an alternative take on modern luxury
That interior has a general high-quality air, with some lovely details – though as with the e-308 SW not everyone will get on with the i-Cockpit layout responsible for that small wheel and the high-set instrument cluster. It’s also disappointing how little rear seat room there is. But the exterior is stylish and the boot is a generous 530-1,780 litres – the same as the non-hybrid version. Electric range is claimed to be as much as 42.3 miles, but given it encourages a quick driving style perhaps it’s no surprise we’re more often seen around 25 miles per charge in our testing…
To find out more, read our full Peugeot 508 SW review
Pros
- Sleek looks inside and out with a real air of quality and a big boot
- Capable of very impressive performance – both in terms of speed and hybrid driving
- Sharp steering, agile and handling and well controlled responses
Cons
- It’s not very refined – especially compared with its Citroen cousin
- Rear seat space is limited, and not everyone will like the i-Cockpit layout
| Starting price | £43,790 |
| Best leasing deal (per month) | £635.03 |
| Max electric-only driving range (WLTP) | 42 miles |
| Insurance group | 33-41 |
| Boot space | 530-1,780 litres |
| Performance | 225-355hp, 7.9-5.2sec 0-62mph |
Should you choose plug-in hybrid or fully electric for your next estate car?
Combining a conventional combustion engine with a small battery pack allows plug-in hybrids to mix between fully electric running – usually best at lower speeds around town, but increasingly possible for longer distances and higher speeds as well – and using the petrol or diesel engine when more performance is needed. Or when the battery is empty. This certainly makes them a good choice if you want maximum flexibility, and peace of mind.
Refueling is just like a conventional car. So no need to worry about getting stuck at a charger for hours – or worse, arriving at a planned stop to find every charge-point occupied, or out of order. This makes them a wise choice for those who regularly drive longer distances, too.
Battery electric vehicle (BEV) estates have no conventional engine at all, relying instead upon an electric motor or two, mated to a larger battery pack. Typically, BEVs have a smaller overall driving range than PHEVs, but a much longer pure-electric one. This means much lower emissions (zero in motion, but perhaps some from the electricity grid, depending on where the juice is sourced), and being electric-only means they can prove far cheaper to run. Electric car tax is historically less, but even if this changes as planned in 2025, electricity tariffs aimed at electric car owners can make a big difference compared with petrol and diesel costs.
If you are able to charge at home, the convenience of always arriving at a ‘full’ car every time you want to use it quickly becomes very comforting – and many buyers appreciate never having to visit a petrol station again. Plus servicing costs are often cheaper due to the reduced number of moving parts. However, they do take longer to recharge than a typical splash and dash at a forecourt.
CJ Hubbard leads Bauer’s Digital Automotive Hub, writing and reviewing for Parkers and CAR. His Bauer career started as Associate Editor of CAR magazine in 2014, but he’s been a professional motoring journalist since 2006, and written for titles including Which?, the Sunday Times, Auto Express and Pistonheads.
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