The rear legroom is about the same, at least I couldn't find any difference and as far as I know seat mount points are identical but I think it must have something to do with the way suspension (or maybe tunnel for haldex) is mounted in Estate, because unrelated to the false boot floor option, the hatchback boot seems to be deeper and usable boot length (in the "ikea flatpack"/"B&Q timber" terms) measured from the back of the seat to the internal panel of a boot lip is longer on hatchback.Does Skoda have pdf of the new range on their website? They always publish all external and internal dimensions in there.Edit: here you are, from the pdf:

Very interesting and thanks for posting these dimensions. It really does seem to me that the main difference between the hatch and the estate is simply the overall body shape as boot size is pretty much identical. How is the price difference justified and how can I justify an estate now over the new hatch? Interesting. If anyone knows any other significant differences then please share because this could be a deal breaker or maker for many people considering a new vrs.

Don't forget that luggage capacity is worked out from the window line and down therefore the estate is only going to offer advantages if you go above the window line, where the hatch is more limited.

After a number of years with a regular hatchback, I would struggle with the boot opening of a sedan. The advantages are mainly in the opening of the boot for an estate, which allows you to get bulky items in much easier -> bikes, large suitcases and the like (your new fridge :p).

Edited 23 July, 201312 yr by TudorM

I think the model shown is an Elegance and the estate has the variable boot floor as standard. That's why the boot length dimension is taken at different heights.

 

Don't think the vRS estate has the variable floor as standard.

I think the model shown is an Elegance and the estate has the variable boot floor as standard. That's why the boot length dimension is taken at different heights.

 

Don't think the vRS estate has the variable floor as standard.

That was my first thought tbh - the variable boot floor is higher hence the measurement is taken higher up the seat back hence less depth! For the VRS or a direct hatch to estate comparison the measurements supplied above are irrelevant then.

Stop creating conspiracy theories guys. Why would they be comparing sizes of two different trims in their own literature? Just to give false impression that the estate is smaller inside? It's the same in Superb range btw.

It's either tunnel/fuel tank placement on the platform that rises base of the floor slightly (rear wheel arches are shallower and sit lower on Estate as well) or the closing mechanism/internal trims of the actual gate are thicker somehow. Maybe we shouldn't even pay attention on how this is presented graphically, maybe it's those rounded structural supports next to wheel arches in boot of an estate are slightly wider/thicker which moves the mounts for back of the seat by an inch.