Best Estate Cars of 2013

Kia Ceed Sportswagon

Best estate car less than £18,000

Like the Ceed hatchback, this Sportswagon model offers sharp looks and a comfortable ride for a very affordable price, but it also adds impressive boot space to those attributes.

The Sportswagon can swallow 528 litres of luggage when its rear seats are in place; that's 52 more than the rival Ford Focus Estate. What's more, there are some handy cubbies under the boot floor and the rear seats fold totally flat.

Put the seats back up and there's enough space in the back to keep most adults happy.

At first glance it may seem odd that we recommend the Sportswagon with Kia's 1.4-litre diesel engine when we prefer the Ceed hatchback with a 1.6. However, this is because the 1.4 is cleaner - and therefore better on fuel and tax - in the Sportswagon, whereas the 1.6 is the more efficient option in the hatch. Besides, you'll rarely notice any shortfall in performance.

The 1.4-litre diesel engine is available only in entry-level 1 trim, but this still gives you air-con, Bluetooth and six airbags.

Read the full Kia Ceed Sportswagon review