After an estate car I think because I can't fit a pram dog and kid in my vrs fabia. Want a good drive, performance and economy. As well as the obvious space. I know the octy vrs will get top votes but what else is there that comes recommended?

What sort of budget did you have in mind? I had a similar problem when I had my Seat Toledo, happy with the car but no good for the new dog and I looked around extensively but few companies seem to make sporty estates, plenty seem to offer sporty hatches and seem to assume if you want an estate then you're boring and happy with a more standard car. The slightly bigger cars (A4, BMW 3-series etc.) seem to offer some decent sport estates but I couldn't find much in the Octavia's class which is the main reason I bought my Octavia.

John

Ford Mondeo - in ST TDCI trim (since you appear to like your dervs), or 2.2 Titanium X trim - same engine, different toys/styling. I prefer the look of the ST over the T-X!

A4's have a small boot, surprisingly small inside for the size of the car! A6 3.0 TDi would be decent though.

Dependant on budget an E46 3-series touring (may have the same issues as the A4, so perhaps try a E39/E60 5-series touring) - x25d/x30d

Volvo v70 d5?

A few more.......

Mazda 6 (2.2-180bhp) Sport.

Passat 170 Sport .

E Class E270CDI

Various members of the family have had motors above and been happy with them

Lookin around the 8 k mark

The Mazda 6 2.2 that a diesel?

+1 on the V70, but I'm biassed. I came from a mk1 Octavia estate to this. It's boot is huge compared to the Octavia, has a dog guard inbuilt, and has a bit if performance too. Economy might be the only thing it doesn't quite cover.

I have drove a top spec d5 which I would highly recommend though.

The Mazda 6 2.2 that a diesel?

Yeah, one of the more powerful ones in its class although was pricey when I looked at it but could be cheaper now.

John

Oh, Mazda 6! Forgot about that, I really like the look of them!

Volvo V70 Estate

Mondeo ST or Titanium-X

Honda Accord 2.4 petrol or 2.0 diesel. Nicely spec'd ones are about.

Saab 93 or 95, very cheap but parts may be hard to find :/

BMW 3series

Many more...

Not the flashiest looking one, but you could get an Avensis 2.2D, 150hp, loads and loads of room, go on forever too

The Mazda 6 2.2 that a diesel?

Bags of fun to drive and performance similar to the Octy VRS. It doesnt feel as big as the Mondy or Volvo but boot bigger than the Octy (1751(octy1655).with seats down.

You do see them for around the 8k mark(diesel) albeit 70+k on the clock.If you go for the right spec(sport luxury) they have goodies galore especailly with the Bose sound system! Good Luck!

I'd have an A6 avant with the 2.7 or 3.0 derv.

Drove a 2.7tdi saloon and it was smooth as butter.

The rear of a 3 series or A4 is actually smaller than an octavia.

When i was looking at replacing my Octavia vRS i was quite supprised, and ended up looking at 5 series, A6, Passat, and Mondeo.

I really wanted to find a decent Mondeo STI diesel, but decent ones are very rare, so i ended up getting an A6.

The rear of a 3 series or A4 is actually smaller than an octavia.

And with the seats down, smaller than a Fabia estate! I love my 3 series estate dearly but it's never gonna win any awards for roominess.

If you need bags of room then the Superb is top of the list. If you care about how the car drives, then a 5 series should be second top.

Well I would say try the Octavia without the variable boot floor.

I have an early V70 T5 and to be honest I can get more in my Octavia hatchback than I can in the volvo.

The volvo has a nice flat load area but I think it has a low roof. Saying that I can fitt a double matress in it.

But on the other hand I have had 6 fott doors in the Octavia just with the rear seats folded.

Quite an open question really.

If non Octavia, I'd second the Mazda6. The Superb Combi too, if we're allowed to recommend another Skoda in the range

In Audi/BMW terms, as mentioned above - to match the Octy estate size, you'll need to run a 5-Series or A6.

I moved from a MK1 Octavia to a new V50 2.0D. The boot, back seat space and storage is small and cubby holes are few. I would say this is one to avoid.

At the time I looked at the Avensis. Comfy, big and reliable but boring.

A petrol Avensis makes a good used buy. You have to do a lot of miles to recoup the saving on fuel. Servicing, purchase and of course the cost of petrol is cheaper v's derv.

A good X type Jag is well within Budget but maybe small.

Edited 25 January, 201214 yr by loskie

Superb then Avensis would be the first 2 on my list.

Avensis simply isn't in the same league as most stuff mentioned here. Simply a motorised box on wheels. Uninspiring and dreary to drive.

I didn't really rate the interior either. Was a brand new rental estate I did 500 miles in last year. Not something I'd like to repeat in an Avensis.

I watched Top Gear USA today for first time. Reviewed a Cadillac CTS-V Wagon with 500bhp, that was faster in a straight line drag race than a Ferrari California. It was pretty quick round their track as well. Only $60,000.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Lookin around the 8 k mark

As you said the Octavia is really the benchmark.

Size/value/quality the best.

I found the Mazda 6 had a lowish ceiling in the back for us over 6 footers so we eliminated that.

I like the DSGs and nobody else produced a decent auto box going back 3,4,5 years, Volvo poor, Japanese cars poor or non-existent.

Not sure you would get a new model Superb estate for £8K in 170 hp diesel, too new. Mk 1 is aweful handling.

You are going eound the loop that many of do and we keep ending up at the Octavia, Mk2, high trim ie VRS, L&K, Elegence.

The Golf is the car all other mid sized cars are measured against and the Octavia is the best value variant.

A couple of others for consideration

x-type estate

astra estate

407sw

I would consider another 407SW sport/x-line but only with the 2.2d engine . Decent sized boot/very will equipped/comfort & drive is 110% better than the octavia (imo)

Zafria VXR sounds interesting....