Which small estate car?

[BlueJ]

Out of my knowledge zone here as we are looking for a new car for the wife. As far as I'm aware no one makes small estate cars any more and it's all small SUVs (e.g Kona, Karoq etc.)?

What current (new or new-ish) alternatives are there for a small estate or small load carrier? Criteria are:

- Small! By her own admission my wife hates driving and is not confident, easy parking is a must.
- Auto: see above.
- Able to take a tow bar, not for pulling big weight but for a bike rack.
- Roomy boot / rear: we like to pack up gear for self catering holidays.
- Budget up to around £30K, but it's not essential to spend it all!

Thanks for any help / ideas!

[RizzoTheRat]

I hadn't realised Skoda had stopped doing the Fabia as an estate, which is a shame. The hatch back does have a pretty decent sized boot though.

Mini Clubman is the only other one I can think of smaller than the focus/astra/golf/octavia size.

[Gad-Westy]

Was going to mention Mini clubman too. Small estate cars were always bit niche so I guess it’s not a huge surprise that there are so few left. Bit of a shame though.

[BlueJ]

Thanks Rizzo

I've taken a quick look and there are very recent Fabia estates. They all seem to be 1.0 / 95 bhp though, not sure I fancy travelling in that (I also drive the car) on a long holiday trip!

Clubman is a good shout, although we had a few warranty issues with a F56 3 door Cooper back in 2014 so are a bit reluctant to go back to the brand.

[BlueJ]

Gad-Westy said:

Was going to mention Mini clubman too. Small estate cars were always bit niche so I guess it’s not a huge surprise that there are so few left. Bit of a shame though.

It is a shame - the world is obsessed with SUVs now!

Since posting I've thought of the Corolla touring / estate (CVT not an issue) and VW Caddy as a left field choice. Any thoughts from the PH community?

[CivicDuties]

The Honda Civic Tourer would have been the answer to this, but I fear they're all too old for you now. A victim of the manufacturers' rush to SUVs because there's more margin in them. Posts like yours show there is still a demand for small estate cars.

As said above, the Corolla is a good shout. And the Vauxhall Astra, and the Peugeot 308 SW. I think maybe the 308 might offer the most "exciting" driving option of these. Renault Megane too, maybe?

Dare I suggest the MG5 EV?

Edited by CivicDuties on Wednesday 12th June 09:10

[RizzoTheRat]

BlueJ said:

Thanks Rizzo

I've taken a quick look and there are very recent Fabia estates. They all seem to be 1.0 / 95 bhp though, not sure I fancy travelling in that (I also drive the car) on a long holiday trip!

Clubman is a good shout, although we had a few warranty issues with a F56 3 door Cooper back in 2014 so are a bit reluctant to go back to the brand.

I think Skoda Scala was available as an estate until recently too so there might be other engine options around in them, and again the hatchback has a decent sized boot if you don't need the height.

[RedWhiteMonkey]

A high spec Skoda Scala with the 1.5L DSG engine and a tow bar is around 28K, probably cheaper if you shop around. If you're happy with a lower spec and smaller engine they are 22-23K.

[MisanoPayments]

Thought I'd add that I had use of a Scala loan car a couple of weeks ago when my Kodiaq was in for a service and MOT. It was a nice drive and, surprisingly, only the 1.0T 95PS version. If you can get the 1.5T in them I'd think it worth you looking at.

[blue_haddock]

RizzoTheRat said:

I hadn't realised Skoda had stopped doing the Fabia as an estate, which is a shame. The hatch back does have a pretty decent sized boot though.

Mini Clubman is the only other one I can think of smaller than the focus/astra/golf/octavia size.

The Skoda Scala is about hte same size as the fabia estate was.

[andy43]

If actually buying I’d be Corolla too. Ten year warranty if you keep it serviced, and I think they look ace, even if drunks will be flagging you down after dark.

[Pica-Pica]

The škoda Scala is a very decent to sit in. We have a Fabia, and has been very reliable. I would strongly suggest the Scala. Also, unlike many cars now, it can take a full size spare wheel.

Although not an estate, the other alternative is a Honda Jazz. Plenty of room, decent hybrid system.

[blue_haddock]

andy43 said:

If actually buying I’d be Corolla too. Ten year warranty if you keep it serviced, and I think they look ace, even if drunks will be flagging you down after dark.

The alternative to the Corolla is the suzuki swace which is basically a badge engineered corolla with a bit of a discount.

[CivicDuties]

SEAT/Cupra Leon estate is pretty small too.

And I had no idea they came in varieties with over 300PS...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405119...

Edited by CivicDuties on Wednesday 12th June 10:01

[Browter]

CivicDuties said:

SEAT/Cupra Leon estate is pretty small too.

And I had no idea they came in varieties with over 300PS...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202405119...

Edited by CivicDuties on Wednesday 12th June 10:01

Or the Golf R estate

[E63eeeeee...]

BlueJ said:

Gad-Westy said:

Was going to mention Mini clubman too. Small estate cars were always bit niche so I guess it’s not a huge surprise that there are so few left. Bit of a shame though.

It is a shame - the world is obsessed with SUVs now!

Since posting I've thought of the Corolla touring / estate (CVT not an issue) and VW Caddy as a left field choice. Any thoughts from the PH community?

I had the Corolla estate as a hire car a few weeks back. It was perfectly OK, but it's not a small car and it doesn't feel like one to drive - it's 4650mm long and seems to have extremely protruding wing mirrors. Bear in mind too that I drove to the airport in an E-Class estate so that's my comparison.

[ninjag]

Some friends of ours have a Corolla Estate hybrid I was impressed by how much space there was for what looked like a fairly compact car on the outside. The interior felt decent quality as well and they were getting 60+mpg local driving.

[BlueJ]

Thanks all, some interesting suggestions here that I hadn't thought of - I've never even heard of the Scala!

Golf R / top end Leon not likely - I have a CTR, we don't need another 'racy' car.

And to CivicDuties - no you may not suggest the MG EV5! EVs not in the running.

[vikingaero]

There isn't really a small estate car left with the transition to SUVs.

The smallest generally available seems to be the Golf/Focus/Astra sized cars.

[BlueJ]

Pica-Pica said:

The škoda Scala is a very decent to sit in. We have a Fabia, and has been very reliable. I would strongly suggest the Scala. Also, unlike many cars now, it can take a full size spare wheel.

Although not an estate, the other alternative is a Honda Jazz. Plenty of room, decent hybrid system.

Thanks Pica - the wife has a '21 plate Jazz now (the new model). Great car, although not type approved for a tow bar to be fitted as I understand it. I believe the recently facelifted version will take a tow bar, so changing to the newer model is a consideration.