Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi ZetecPrice £22,240Target Price £19,428Average economy 47.9mpgCO2 156g/kmLike the Mondeo hatchback, the estate is great to drive, having a supple ride and refined handling.
Carrying capacity isn't compromised, either – there's oceans of leg- and shoulder-room for passengers front and back and the boot is huge and easy to load.
If you need to more space, you can drop the split-folding rear seats to boost total capacity to 1685 litres.
BMW 520d Touring SE Price £29,440Target Price £26,802Economy 53.3mpgCO2 140g/kmFor an executive-class estate it has to be the
5 Series.
BMW’s trademark handling and refinement, combined with generous load space, guarantee class and capability. The 5's individualistic styling also means you’ll stand out from the crowd.
You may be tempted by the 2.5-litre diesel, but the 2.0–litre is substantially cheaper to buy and continues to be lighter on your pocket - adding much better fuel economy to cheaper road tax and better resale values.
Hyundai i30 Estate 1.6 CRDi ComfortPrice £13,995Target Price £13,077Economy 57.6mpgCO2 155g/kmThe i30 is a compact estate that'll ensure more of your hard-earned remains in your pocket.
The boot is a decent size and easy to load, and underfloor storage is a welcome bonus. The 1.6-litre diesel version is a no-brainer, thanks to its impressive fuel economy - yet it doesn’t cost substantially more than the petrol alternative.
Good equipment levels also increase value for money – climate control, all-round electric windows, an MP3 connection and stability control come as standard.