Best large estate for big mileage

[colinEDI]

Hi all. First post here after a long time reading so hoping I don't commit any errors of etiquette.

I've been driving Ford Rangers as company cars for years now. Mainly, if I'm honest, because of the tax benefits. Mine is coming to the end of its lease within the next few months and our company has recently changed its policy anyway. So I will be obliged to take an allowance.

Within the next few months I will have to buy a large estate. I'm an industrial engineer so tend to carry a few boxes of tools and parts. It MUST be a diesel (petrols and hybrids are not allowed on our sites). I do around 30 to 40 thousand miles a year so it should be comfortable, be an automatic, have good statistical reliability and hopefully over 50mpg on the motorway, where it will spend 95% of its life. And be Euro6 compliant.

Because the mileage will rapidly tank the value I'm trying to keep my expenditure to around £13,000 or less. So far my shortlist is:

1. Peugeot 508SW 2.0 blueHDI (2016 onwards)
2. Vauxhall Insignia 2.0 TurboD estate (2017 onwards) - probably the top candidate
3. VW Passat 2.0 TDI estate
4. Skoda Superb 2.0 TDI estate (appreciate this is same as above)
5. Ford Mondeo 2.0 estate (probably not though, due to wet belt)
6. Old style Insignia estate.

I can do most maintenance myself within reason - for context, my other cars are vintage Jags, so I'm not scared.

Any comments on my shortlist, or additions? Would appreciate any and all input.

Thanks!

[Haltamer]

Hmm, Mazda 6 Estate might be a contender to add to the list?

[LimmerickLad]

Superb 100% for me.

[kambites]

Maybe add the Honda Accord, too? Not sure what diesels were available.

Of the ones you list, I think the Superb will give you most for least.

[Skodillac]

LimmerickLad said:

Superb 100% for me.

Absolutely this, best boot space and shape in the class.

Volvo V70/XC70?

[vikingaero]

I have a 4 year old Passat Estate Auto diesel. Got nearly 77mpg once. No trouble with high 50's or low 60's. £30 VED last year. In the throes of getting a delivery mileage one because of 7-800+ range.

[MajorMantra]

I just bought a 2016 Volvo XC70 D5 for 9k and I'm delighted with it. Huge boot, well thought-out details (e.g. eyelets for tie-down straps), and a pleasant place to sit for long drives.

If you don't need the ground clearance, a V70 offers similar with better fuel economy.

[Haltamer]

Civic tourer is a thought too, but they're a bit older now - Mega MPG with the 1.6 (70, 80+), but not quite as much power as the other options.

They benefit from 90deg opening rear doors and magic (fold up) rear seats too, so if you need to get heavy / tall objects in, you can just plop them on the floor in the back and still keep a clear boot for other things.

The 1.6 Tourer would likely have a lower TCO too - Not just fuel, but in terms of cheap brakes, tyres, parts and servicing simplicity.

I would say, don't discount a larger hatchback:- I would rate my Civic 10G on par with, or better than my Jaguar XF Estate in terms of loadspace for the majority of things - Whilst the litre measurements are a bit under, the increased boot depth, flexibility of the loadspace (Roll up boot cover) etc. mean that it's much easier to get the Civic loaded to the gunwales as you're not having things fall out as you try to close / open the boot.

[Mr E]

E-class wagon is a very nice place to be. A variety of diesels to pick from.

[sagarich]

I have a MY17 2.0tdi superb estate. The boot is huge and will easily do 52-54 mpg on a run.

[jamesbilluk]

Volvo V90? Although the mileage is on the higher side, I've seen ones for sale with more than still look great inside.

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/16677468

Edited by jamesbilluk on Friday 15th November 18:47

[E31Shrew]

jamesbilluk said:

Volvo V90?

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/16677468

Agreed. V90 or possibly a V60

[colinEDI]

I've read that cost of repairs of the V90 can be high, and reliability can be hit or miss. Would love to hear if anyone reading this has one.

Hadn't considered the Mazda 6 either - thanks for that.

Would really love an E-class estate but probably could only afford a very high mileage one. How is their longevity?

[IJWS15]

Another vote for the Superb, had 2 which, until lockdown, did 24k a year. Some water pump issues under warranty but nothing else.

Nice comfy place to do lots of miles.

If buying a wear or so old they will be different to a Passat of the same age, and bigger.

[ZX10R NIN]

colinEDI said:

Hi all. First post here after a long time reading so hoping I don't commit any errors of etiquette.

I've been driving Ford Rangers as company cars for years now. Mainly, if I'm honest, because of the tax benefits. Mine is coming to the end of its lease within the next few months and our company has recently changed its policy anyway. So I will be obliged to take an allowance.

Within the next few months I will have to buy a large estate. I'm an industrial engineer so tend to carry a few boxes of tools and parts. It MUST be a diesel (petrols and hybrids are not allowed on our sites). I do around 30 to 40 thousand miles a year so it should be comfortable, be an automatic, have good statistical reliability and hopefully over 50mpg on the motorway, where it will spend 95% of its life. And be Euro6 compliant.

Because the mileage will rapidly tank the value I'm trying to keep my expenditure to around £13,000 or less. So far my shortlist is:

1. Peugeot 508SW 2.0 blueHDI (2016 onwards)
2. Vauxhall Insignia 2.0 TurboD estate (2017 onwards) - probably the top candidate
3. VW Passat 2.0 TDI estate
4. Skoda Superb 2.0 TDI estate (appreciate this is same as above)
5. Ford Mondeo 2.0 estate (probably not though, due to wet belt)
6. Old style Insignia estate.

I can do most maintenance myself within reason - for context, my other cars are vintage Jags, so I'm not scared.

Any comments on my shortlist, or additions? Would appreciate any and all input.

Thanks!

For me there are three picks.

Mondeo the best drive/ride imo but they're hard to find with good spec & sensible miles.

Vignale:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410084...

Titanium:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410034...

People will say the gearbox is a weak point but in truth it's no better or no worse than any other duaal clutch gearbox found in any other car,

I ran mine for just over 80k with no (it was mapped for 75k of those) issues.

Last of line Insignia in either SRI VX Line Nav/Elite spec, they have a conventional auto android auto & are a very good place to be.

Elite:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410315...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408313...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409164...

SRI VX Line Nav:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410105...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410295...

SRI Nav:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411076...

The 508 fits in between the two above, personally I'd go to a car supermarket & try them for (they don't need to be estates) size to see which suits you best.

2.0d GT Line:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407011...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407292...

Previous gen GT:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202410295...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202409164...

[flatso]

S212 gen E-klass Benz, post Facelift (2013-2016) are built to a VERY high standard, has a lot of classic Benz values, one of the last proper MB cars. Wide range of engines and options.
CLS shooting break is also a good alternative as it has the same underpinings.

[stevemcs]

As a superb owner out of that list I would pick the Mondeo. I am 6 months in and still haven’t found a comfortable position.

[ALawson]

flatso said:

S212 gen E-klass Benz, post Facelift (2013-2016) are built to a VERY high standard, has a lot of classic Benz values, one of the last proper MB cars. Wide range of engines and options.
CLS shooting break is also a good alternative as it has the same underpinings.

I have just bought at 2016 E220 and pick it up next week. Loads of cars available at your budget, I paid a bit more for a 62k mile Premium Plus. First change of car in 12 years.

17 year old Accord Tourer has finally been replaced after 135k miles ( now on 200k) the 2.2 Cdti was nothing if not reliable, comfortable and reasonably economical with a massive boot. Not many around with low mileage either last or penultimate shape which had the big boot.

[IJWS15]

Another vote for the Superb, had 2 which, until lockdown, did 24k a year. Some water pump issues under warranty but nothing else.

Nice comfy place to do lots of miles.

If buying a wear or so old they will be different to a Passat of the same age, and bigger.

[popegregory]

I took an E61 520d from 60k to 210k very pleasant miles. Appreciate you wouldn’t want one of those but assume the 5 would only have improved over time with the F11 and whatever the current one is