Greenest estates

We list the five cleanest estates in their class and recommend three which we think you should consider.

Estates: What Car? Recommends
1 Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi Estate
Armed with a practical load bay, ample passenger space, good looks and superb economy, the Focus estate is a clear winner in this class. It drives as well as the hatch, too. The only downsides are a firm low-speed ride and the potential for heavy depreciation.

2 Peugeot 207 SW 1.6 HDi
It's got an odd look and it's a bit pricey, but there's no getting away from the fact that the 207 SW is a desirable car, blending great amounts of space with a classy cabin. It drives well, and that all-important economy - over 60mpg - is the icing on the cake.

3 BMW 520d
This car doesn't make the top-five greenest estates based on emissions, but it's so good we can't ignore it. It emits 140g/km of CO2 and has average fuel consumption of 53.3mpg, both of which are impressive for a car that's so big. It drives superbly, too, maintaining the qualities of the saloon despite having room to hold all the family and their holiday luggage.

Greenest estates
1 Volvo V50 1.6D DRIVe    104g/km   VED Band B   72.4mpg
2 Skoda Fabia 1.4 TDI PD 80 Greenline   109g/km    VED Band B   68.9mpg
= Mini Cooper Clubman 1.6D   109g/km   VED Band B   68.9mpg
4 Skoda Octavia 1.6 TDI CR Greenline    114g/km   VED Band C   64.2mpg
5 Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi 90 ECOnetic   115g/km   VED Band C    65.6mpg