motability-cars-with-the-biggest-boots

Estate

Citroën is probably most famous for its quirky design, and the latest cars from the brand live up to this tradition, featuring paintwork-protecting ‘Airbumps’ and eschewing the sporty looks favoured by most rivals.

Indeed, Citroën tends to keep away from sportiness altogether and instead tries to put comfort first.

Value (but not cheapness) is also key to the appeal of most Citroëns. And the company’s range includes everything from small hatchbacks (such as the C1 and C3) to big, family-friendly seven-seaters (the Spacetourer and Grand C4 Spacetourer).

The C3 Aircross SUV is another of its popular models, while a larger C5 Aircross is planned.

CITROEN

BERLINGO

Whether that’s for equipment such as wheelchairs or mobility scooters, everyday items such as pushchairs and golf clubs, or just for a visit to the local supermarket, practical space is highly sought after.

Nowadays, such space comes in plenty of packages; you could go for a stylish SUV with a raised ride height and easy-to-access boot, or a load-lugging MPV with acres of room if you don’t need to use all seven seats. There are even some compelling options among the original leaders of boot space: estate cars.

Whatever your needs, having a big boot and plenty of space is often an important consideration when buying a new car. 

All manufacturers measure&nbsp;boot sizes in litres, but their figures include&nbsp;nooks and crannies of the boot space that are, in reality, tricky to make use of. At What Car?, our <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/how-we-test-cars/n17596">independent test team</a> uses carry-on suitcases to realistically assess each car’s load-lugging abilities. Where our own findings&nbsp;are available, we’ve taken them&nbsp;into account for our favourites below.&nbsp;

For Motability users, there’s plenty of choice available through the <a href="https://www.motability.co.uk/">Motability Scheme</a> to help make life as easy as possible. You can find out more about the Motability Scheme by reading What Car?’s <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/what-is-motability/n1116">full guide</a> or heading to the Scheme's website. Here are our favourite&nbsp;cars that have&nbsp;plenty of practical boot space.

What Car? suitcase test

<h4><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/5008/estate/review/n17369">Peugeot 5008&nbsp;</a></h4>

Boot capacity: 10 suitcases

Our <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/awards/category/large-suv">Large SUV of the Year</a> 2020, the Peugeot 5008, offers an incredible amount of space per pound. Its boot is very well designed, with a large, square shape, a low lip and&nbsp;no intrusions from the wheel arches or any other odd shapes to eat into the space.

SUVs

As a result, it easily swallowed 10 suitcases. Extra perks include a self-opening electric tailgate that is optional on most models and standard from GT Line Premium trim up. A What Car?&nbsp;award winner, we also commend the 5008 for its frugal engines and classy interior. For more information on the Peugeot 5008, read our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/5008/estate/review/n17369">full review</a>.&nbsp;

Peugeot 5008 (cont.)

Boot capacity: 9 suitcases

As Citroën’s largest and most spacious SUV, the Citroën C5 Aircross has enough room with the rear seats up to rival the huge <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/berlingo/estate/review/n17319">Berlingo</a> above. In our&nbsp;tests, we managed to fit nine carry-on suitcases into the tall, square boot, which also has a large, flat load area.

Citroën C5 Aircross

There’s a height adjustable boot floor that can be raised to remove the load lip, and an electric tailgate with hands-free opening –&nbsp;simply wave your foot under the rear bumper to open it – is optional on Flair trim and standard on range-topping Flair Plus. The C5 Aircross has a comfortable ride and its engines are surprisingly frugal engines in spite of its size. For more information on the C5 Aircross, read our full review <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/c5-aircross/hatchback/review/n18246">here</a>.&nbsp;

Citroën C5 Aircross (cont.)

Boot capacity: 9 suitcases

The five-seat version of the Honda CR-V is another large SUV that can carry nine of What Car?’s suitcases. An adjustable boot floor is included as standard, which not only helps remove the load lip to the boot entrance, but takes away the step created by the rear bench if folded, too.

Honda CR-V 

That makes it easier to lift and slide heavier items into the boot. But it’s worth noting the seven-seat version doesn’t quite have the same level of practicality. Although the CR-V is a little wallowy on tight corners, the added grip of&nbsp;four-wheel-drive models gives an extra bit of confidence in more slippery conditions. Read our <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/honda/cr-v/estate/review/n44">full review</a> to read more about the CR-V’s performance on the road.&nbsp;

Honda CR-V  (cont.)

Boot capacity: 8 suitcases

The Mazda CX-5 has less space on paper than the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/c5-aircross/hatchback/review/n18246">Citroën C5 Aircross</a> or the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/5008/estate/review/n17369">Peugeot 5008</a>, but it still manages to fit eight of our carry-on suitcases in the boot. It’s even wide enough to take a set of golf clubs.

Mazda CX-5

Folding the rear seats creates a huge, flat load area with no annoying steps and&nbsp;no load lip at the boot entrance. On top of that, it's well priced, very well equipped, and classy inside. Stick with the 2.0 petrol in entry-level SE-L trim for the best value for money. You can read our full review of the CX-5 <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mazda/cx-5/estate/review/n19">here</a>.&nbsp;

Mazda CX-5 (cont.)

Boot capacity: 8 suitcases

On paper, the Vauxhall Grandland X might not have the biggest boot in the large SUV class, but the space is tall and practical without any awkward intrusions; we were able to fit eight carry-on suitcases into it. Other&nbsp;than the entry-level trim, all versions come with a ski hatch in the middle rear seat and a height-adjustable boot floor.

Vauxhall Grandland X

When the floor is at its highest setting, it removes the step created by folding the rear bench. Higher trims also get a hands-free tailgate as standard. The Grandland X is also available as plug-in hybrid, which is particularly punchy but doesn’t have the best handling due to the weight of its electric batteries. For more about how the Grandland X performs, click our full review <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/grandland-x/hatchback/review/n115">here</a>.

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/berlingo/estate/review/n17319">Citroën Berlingo</a>

The Citroën Berlingo is the current What Car? <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/awards/category/mpv">MPV of the Year</a>, available in both five and seven-seat guises. We haven’t done our suitcase test in the Berlingo, but on paper, the five-seater has 3000 litres of space with the rear seats folded, and its boot opening is, in essence, the entire rear side of the car, so the aperture is the same width as the boot floor and there’s no obtrusive lip at the entrance.

MPVs

The only drawback is that its tailgate is so big you need plenty of space behind the car to open it. Elsewhere, the interior feels more upmarket than other MPV rivals, such as the<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/combo-life/mpv/review/n17869"> Vauxhall Combo Life</a>. You can read more about both sizes of the Berlingo <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/berlingo/estate/review/n17319">here</a>.&nbsp;

Citroën Berlingo (cont.)

Another finalist in our MPV award category, the Ford Galaxy is impressive as a large, practical people-carrier that drives and handles like a much smaller car. On paper its boot isn’t as big as the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/citroen/berlingo/estate/review/n17319">Berlingo</a>’s, but again, it has a large, wide opening and a high roofline that allows plenty of luggage to be stacked.

Ford Galaxy

Official figures say there’s 300 litres of space even with the third row of seats in place, and each seat of the middle bench folds independently for plenty of storage configurations. To drive, it’s well balanced and doesn’t lean about too much when taking on winding&nbsp;roads. For our full verdict, read our Galaxy review <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/galaxy/mpv/review/n142">here</a>.&nbsp;

Ford Galaxy (cont.)

The Ford S-Max is another practical seven-seat MPV that offers plenty of storage configurations, even if it is slightly smaller than its <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/galaxy/mpv/review/n142">Galaxy</a> sibling. With all seven seats in use, there’s still enough space for a couple of bags, while with the two rearmost seats folded away, you get a huge boot that’s long enough to take a pushchair lengthways.

Ford S-Max

The boot opening is also low enough to make loading heavy items less of an effort, plus there’s no boot lip, so you can slide your luggage straight in. A powered tailgate is also available. On the road, the S-Max is comfortable to drive and handles well despite its large size. Click <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/s-max/mpv/review/n81">here</a> to read more about the S-Max in our full review.&nbsp;

Ford S-Max (cont.)

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/octavia/hatchback/review/n39">Skoda Octavia</a>

Boot capacity: 11 suitcases

Skoda&nbsp;has developed a reputation for practicality,&nbsp;and the Skoda Octavia hatchback has enough space for an amazing 11 suitcases in the boot, even though it’s only a family-sized car like the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/golf/hatchback/review/n17371">Volkswagen Golf.</a>

Estates

The only downside is that there is quite a significant load lip to negotiate when lifting heavy items in and out of the boot – the hatchback here (unlike the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/octavia/estate/review/n40">Octavia Estate</a>) doesn’t get the option of an adjustable boot floor to mitigate this. An electric tailgate, meanwhile,&nbsp;is available as an option. Read more about the capacious Octavia <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/octavia/hatchback/review/n39">here</a>.&nbsp;

Skoda Octavia estate

Boot capacity: 11 suitcases

The Skoda Superb Estate is truly impressive, as proven&nbsp;by its winning our What Car? <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/awards/category/estate">Estate Car of the Year</a> award five years in a row. Its&nbsp;long, wide&nbsp;and square boot can swallow&nbsp;11 suitcases, but it’s worth noting that the plug-in hybrid has a reduced boot size (blame the batteries that live underneath the floor).

Skoda Superb Estate 

A hands-free tailgate is only available on the top trim, and you have to pay extra for a variable-height boot floor to even&nbsp;out the step in the load bay when the rear seats are folded down,&nbsp;but this isn't&nbsp;an expensive option and is well worth adding. Meanwhile, the Superb’s plush interior, comfortable ride and frugal engines make it a fantastic car for covering big distances in. Click <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/superb/estate/review/n17344">here</a> to read our full Superb Estate verdict.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/class/motability">To read all of What Car?'s Motability guides click here</a>

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="https://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a>

Skoda Superb Estate (cont.)

Motability Cars with the biggest boots

Motability

Large boots are often a priority when looking for a new car. Here are some of the biggest boots you can buy through the Motability Scheme

Motability Cars with the biggest boots        

Alfa Romeo now has one of its strongest-ever model line-ups, after years of living off past glories.

The BMW 3 Series-rivalling Giulia executive saloon is one of the best cars in its class to drive and has performed very well in the annual What Car? Reliability Survey, while the closely related Stelvio competes in the booming SUV class.

Smaller and larger SUVs are planned, as is a two-door coupé version of the Giulia that will take on the Audi A5, BMW 4 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupé.

It’s all a long way from the days when Alfa Romeo just had a couple of dated hatchbacks (the Mito and Giulietta) and the niche 4C sports car in its range.

ALFA ROMEO

Yes, Aston Martin is the preferred manufacturer of a certain (not so) secret agent, but its latest cars offer a lot more than the chance to indulge your Bond fantasies.

The DB11 grand tourer, for example, won its price point at the What Car? Car of the Year Awards, thanks to its beautifully crafted interior and the fact that it’s both fun in the corners and a convincing long-distance cruiser. Meanwhile, the latest Vantage is Aston Martin’s best sports car to date.

The modern Aston Martin isn’t afraid to move with the times, either, with a luxury SUV part of its future model plans.

ASTON MARTIN

Audi is a brand that sets the standard for interior quality, and this, combined with its vast and ever-growing model line-up, has helped it become one of the ‘big three’ German prestige car makers, along with BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

The A3 hatchback, A4 executive saloon and Q7 SUV have all won their classes at the What Car? Car of the Year Awards in recent years, while the TT coupé is the most decorated car in the history of the ceremony.

At least some of Audi's success over the past 30 years can be attributed to the growth in sales of vehicles with four-wheel drive; the company arguably led the way in bringing 4x4 technology into the mainstream, with its Quattro coupé in the early 1980s.

Today, most Audis are available with at least the option of four-wheel drive, while the list of SUVs from the brand includes the Q2, Q3, Q5 and Q7.

AUDI

Munich-based BMW is most famous for its sports saloons, in particular the 3 Series and 5 Series. However, it actually builds almost every type of car imaginable: everything from two-seat convertibles to seven-seat MPVs.

The cheapest model in the BMW range is the 1 Series hatchback, which is a rival to the Audi A3, Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Volkswagen Golf. Meanwhile, at the other extreme is the i8 plug-in hybrid sports car, which costs more than £100,000.

BMW was also quick to capitalise on the rise of the SUV and now has six in its range: the X1, X2, X3, X4, X5 and X6.

All of this makes it one of the big three German prestige brands, along with Audi and Mercedes-Benz.

BMW ALPINA

The sportiest Seats have long used the&nbsp;Cupra name, but it's now been turned into a standalone sub-brand, in much the same way as Fiat's sportiest models are badged as Abarths.

There's just one car in the line-up at the moment: the Cupra Ateca SUV. However, Cupra versions of the Ibiza and Leon hatchbacks are also planned, as is a bespoke model which –&nbsp;initially, at least –&nbsp;won't be offered in regular Seat from.

Don't think that the first Cupra is just an Ateca with a bit more power and a sporty bodykit, either. Its&nbsp;engine, gearbox and four-wheel drive system are actually very similar to what you'll find in Volkswagen's flagship Golf R hot hatch, and the car can hit 62mph in just 5.4sec.

CUPRA

If you want a new car but would rather not spend much, Dacia is a great place to start your search.

This budget brand builds Britain’s cheapest new cars, the Sandero hatchback. And don’t think cheap automatically means corners have been cut, because the Sandero has been commended at the annual What Car? Car of the Year awards on numerous occasions.

Other Dacia models include the&nbsp;higher-riding Sandero Stepway, seven-seat Jogger, and rugged Duster SUV. And while these cost slightly more than the Sandero, they’re still priced aggressively enough that they’re really only competing directly with used cars.

Dacia manages this by borrowing mechanicals and technology from its owner, Renault, to minimise development costs.

DACIA

Ford builds some of the most popular cars in the UK, including the Fiesta and Focus hatchbacks.

This success is partly down to longevity and the fact that there’s a Ford dealer around every corner. However, it’s also because Fords tend to offer good value and be among the best cars in their respective classes to drive.

The company’s huge range also helps; it offers everything from the small – but surprisingly practical – Ka+ to the large and lavishly equipped Edge SUV.

Meanwhile, other highlights of the range include the S-Max and Galaxy people carriers, the Mondeo executive car and the Ranger pick-up.

FORD

GENESIS

Honda is a company that doesn’t like to follow the crowd. So, while it competes in most of the traditional sectors of the car market, in each case it does something a little bit different.

The Jazz, for example, might look like just another rival to Britain’s best-selling car, the Ford Fiesta, but it’s actually much more practical than its rivals, with a flexible boot and Tardis-like interior.

The bigger Civic is also a practical choice, but it’s mainly distinguished by having eye-catching, love-it-or-hate-it styling, despite competing in a sector of the market that’s usually more conservative than a blue rosette.

And while it may not seem so radical now, Honda’s large SUV, the CR-V, was one of the first to forego any pretence of being an off-roader and instead focus on on-road driving dynamics.

HONDA

Hyundai has transformed itself from a maker of oddball hatchbacks that sold in small numbers in the UK, to a major rival to the likes of Ford, Vauxhall and Volkswagen.

The Korean firm’s Ioniq Hybrid is particularly impressive, having beaten the trend-setting Toyota Prius when we tested the cars back to back.

Meanwhile, at the extremes of the Hyundai range you find the tiny i10 city car – a four-time What Car? award winner – and the stylish yet family-friendly Santa Fe SUV.

As a bonus, all of these cars come with the reassurance of a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, whereas most of Hyundai’s rivals offer only three years and 60,000 miles of cover.

HYUNDAI

Jaguars are consistently among the best-handling cars of their kind, with the firm’s model range encompassing the XE, XF and XJ saloons, the F-Type sports cars and multiple SUVs.

Jaguar was actually relatively late to launch its first SUV, the F-Pace, but it quickly followed it up with the smaller E-Pace and the all-electric I-Pace.

That SUV range will keep growing, too, with larger and more luxurious SUVs planned to take on the Porsche Cayenne and the Range Rover from sister brand Land Rover.

JAGUAR

Buyers seeking value for money should have Kia towards the top of their shopping list.

Although once a niche brand in the UK, today Kia outsells many more established brands, helped by its market-leading seven-year warranty and a strong reputation for reliability; in fact, Kia regularly finishes towards the top of our reliability surveys.

There are plenty of models to choose from, too, ranging from the small Picanto city car to the Ceed family hatchback and the Sorento large SUV. The Picanto was the first Kia to win its class at the What Car? Car of the Year awards.

Lamborghinis have been adorning bedroom posters since the mid-1960s. Not bad for a company whose origins lie in making tractors.

Today, Lamborghini is part of the Volkswagen Group, and as well as bolstering its core sports car portfolio, it has branched out to launch the Urus – a luxurious SUV that’s a rival to the similarly rapid Bentley Bentayga W12 and Porsche Cayenne Turbo.

LAMBORGHINI

Land Rover is synonymous with SUVs, and especially with the Defender – the rugged runabout that has seen service in war zones across the world, but also as part of the Queen’s personal garage.

If off-road prowess is one of Land Rover’s core values, though, the other is luxury. Indeed, the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and Range Rover Velar are among the best luxury SUVs you can buy.

The Discovery, meanwhile, is a practical rival for the Audi Q7 and BMW X5, while the stylish Evoque (which is available as a three-door convertible as well as a traditional SUV) goes head to head with Audi’s Q3 and BMW’s X1.

In the coming years, we’ll see a new road-biased ‘Road Rover’ as well as an all-new Defender.

LAND ROVER

In the same way that Infiniti acts as Nissan’s premium arm, Lexus has a similar tie-in with Toyota. And since most of Toyota’s models are offered as hybrids, it’s no surprise to see the same from Lexus, although there are some traditional petrol engines, too.

The brand focuses heavily on SUVs – namely the NX and RX – but also has the CT hatchback, ES executive saloon and LS luxury car among its portfolio. More small and large SUVs are expected in the future.

Like Toyota, Lexus has built a very strong reputation for reliability and regularly finishes very close to the top of our annual Reliability Survey.

LEXUS

Fancy something small, lightweight and fast? Then Lotus possibly has the right car for you. In fact ‘simplify then add lightness’ was the mantra of company founder Colin Chapman as far back as 1952.

These days, Lotus sells four models, with the core of the range being the Elise. Then there’s the more hardcore 3-Eleven, the sporty Exige and the Evora – which is pitched as a rival to the Porsche Cayman.

Big changes are afoot, though, because Lotus plans to build its own SUV in the near future, with the hope of broadening the brand’s appeal to families. The planned car will use Volvo underpinnings and will tackle rivals such as the Porsche Macan and Maserati Levante.

LOTUS

Do you look at the models of Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz and find them all a bit too… common? Well then, Maserati might be up your street.

This Italian car maker has one SUV in its line-up – the Porsche Cayenne-rivalling Levante – but also the Ghibli and Quattroporte saloons, GranTurismo coupé and GranCabrio drop-top.

Despite its long history, Maserati has been through several periods of inactivity but is now in better health thanks to being part of the large Fiat Chrysler Automobiles group.

In the future, we’re expecting to see Maserati grow its SUV range with new models to sit above and below the Levante, as well as a new range-topping sports car.

MASERATI

Mazda can be summed up in a single word: bold. Not only do its cars generally look like nothing else on the market, but it’s also invested heavily in innovative engine technology.

So, while many car makers have moved to smaller turbocharged engines, Mazda instead offers larger motors that are still efficient. For example, the entry-level petrol option in the Mazda 3 is a 2.0-litre unit –&nbsp;far larger than what you’ll find in most rivals – but it remains very clean.

Highlights of Mazda’s line-up include the MX-5 sports car, which has won our Convertible of the Year Award multiple times, and the CX-5 large SUV, which was named as our inaugural best car for dog owners.

MAZDA

Mercedes’ line-up is vast – ranging from the A-Class family hatchback through to staple saloons such as the C-Class and E-Class, and onwards towards multiple SUVs, luxury saloons and even sports cars. Coupés and convertibles are thrown into the mix as well.

As one of the ‘big three’ German brands, Mercedes most often finds itself competing with Audi and BMW but more recently has found itself fending off Jaguar and Volvo, too.

Mercedes models are known for comfort. One example of this is the E-Class, because while the Audi A6 has a plusher interior and the BMW 5 Series handles better, the E-Class is probably the most comfortable for a long motorway journey.

MERCEDES-BENZ

MG has a long heritage in the UK, and while these days it is owned by Chinese firm SAIC, it is slowly but surely beefing up its model range.

Kicking things off is the MG 3, a rival for affordable hatchbacks such as the Dacia Sandero and Skoda Fabia. Then there’s the ZS small SUV, which faces off against the likes of the Renault Captur and Seat Arona. And at the top of the range is the GS, which goes up against Dacia’s Duster and the Ssangyong Tivoli.

While any future MG products are likely to be introduced in China before coming to the UK, design work is still undertaken in the UK. MG’s design studio is based at Longbridge, where the brand made its name with models such as the MGB GT.

MG MOTOR UK

Peugeot has its strongest model line-up for some years, with some of its cars now rated by our testers as being among the very best available.

Highlights focus around the firm’s newest SUVs, the 3008 and 5008. The 5008 was named Large SUV of the Year at the 2018 What Car? Awards, thanks to its appealing blend of space, interior quality and low running costs.

That bodes well for future launches, too, because many of the learnings from these cars will be passed on as new versions of existing cars are launched – something that could take many years, because the Peugeot range is so big, ranging from an entry-level supermini with the 108 to an executive saloon with the 508, up into the SUV range and also vans.

Buyers should evaluate some of the lower-rated cars in the range more carefully, though. Some are now quite old, and are subsequently left behind in terms of quality when compared with the opposition, making them below-average buys, in our estimation.

PEUGEOT

Porsche is best known as the quintessential sports car maker, but its line-up is increasingly diverse, interesting and successful, from its SUV family to the Panamera hatchback and shooting brake and, in time, a planned family of electric vehicles.

Whatever your choice, What Car?’s testers rate the cars highly; Porsche has an unusually high percentage of five and four-star cars.

Without exception, its sports cars are class leaders or among the class leaders, standing out for combining driving thrills with surprising luxury and comfort. Likewise, its SUVs are among the sharpest handling, as well as offering high levels of practicality and quality. Meanwhile, the Panamera is a true rival to the very best large executive saloons.

Porsche also sees itself as an electric car pioneer and has already enjoyed sales success with its plug-in hybrid range. Its first all-electric sports car is imminent, signalling the firm’s intent to stay relevant for many years to come.

PORSCHE

Hatchbacks, SUVs, hybrids, electric cars: Renault makes them all, in a variety of shapes and sizes, meaning&nbsp;it has a line-up designed to tempt pretty much everyone.

From the roadside, the standout feature of all its cars is design, with them instantly recognisable as members of the Renault family, without being so similar that they fall&nbsp;into the Russian doll trap. However, in terms of ability they're a mixed bag,&nbsp;ranging&nbsp;from very good to no better than average.

Models that fall into the former camp include the Clio small hatchback and Megane E-Tech electric car, while the smaller Zoe electric car is also impressive in most respects; it's just a pity Renault omits key safety kit.

On the other hand, the Captur, Arkana and Austral SUVs are all outclassed by several rivals.

Renault has some exciting new models planned, including a new Scenic (this time it will be an electric SUV instead of a conventionally powered MPV) and two cars that reimagine classic Renaults: the 4 and 5.

RENAULT

Today, the resurgent Seat brand is selling better cars than at any time in its history.

In large part, that’s because it is one of the brands owned by the VW Group. Underneath, all of the cars it sells are strongly related to similar models sold by Volkswagen itself, or the likes of Skoda and even Audi. If you are buying a Leon, for example, the hardware will be similar to that of the Golf, Octavia and A3.

But while Seat makes the most of this tie-up to offer everything from city, small and family cars, including estates, through to a full range of SUVs, it also adds in its own slice of character, both with its distinctive styling approach and because its engineers generally tune the cars to deliver sportier handling.

While all of its cars are decent, it is the SUVs that stand out. The Arona and Ateca are among the class leaders and have enjoyed triumphs at the What Car? Awards.

SEAT

One of the greatest success stories in the car world of recent decades is Skoda’s rise to become a hugely credible mainstream maker of good-value, good-sense cars.

Central to that success has been its place within the VW Group, alongside the Volkswagen brand itself, plus the likes of Seat and Audi. That has given it access to exactly the same underpinnings for its cars as the other brands, and it has complemented this by adding its own developments, from the way the cars drive and ride through to the features they have and the pricing.

The result is a range that extends from a city car to a large executive saloon, with family and large seven-seat SUVs too. There’s a wide variety of petrol and diesel engines, all of which are competitive for the class.

As a result, Skoda has a range of cars that is almost entirely class-leading or among the class leaders, and it has enjoyed long-time success at the What Car? Awards as a result.

SKODA

Owned by Mercedes-Benz and with a reputation for making small, clever cars, Smart offers a striking, upmarket alternative to more conventional rivals.

It currently has a two-car line-up, the smaller of the two being the distinctive Fortwo, which, as its name suggests, is an ultra-short two-seater that uses an unusual rear-engined configuration to deliver the sort of turning circle that even London taxis can only dream of. It's a doddle to park in small spaces, too.

Smart's 'family car' is the Forfour, which is little more than a stretched version of the Fortwo, with a second row of seats and a larger boot. It's more of a natural rival for cars like the Hyundai i10 or Kia Picanto.

On paper, both cars come at a considerable price premium when compared with rivals, something it says is justified by its badge appeal and the technology in the cars.&nbsp;However, sales have been slow and there are often keen Target Price deals to be found.

SMART

Ssangyong has made giant strides in recent years, after it was taken over by a new owner and given a injection of investment to help its bid to become a credible car maker.

The result so far is a range of cars dominated by SUVs (as well as a single pick-up), most of which are below the class average standard but all of which have merits, including the amount of space and practicality they offer for the money.

The highlight in the range is currently the Korando, a Nissan Qashqai rival that offers all the space of that car but for a price closer to the much smaller Nissan Juke’s. It is very roomy and has decent engines, but it’s let down a bit by interior quality, high running costs and poor resale values.

SSANGYONG

Once best known for its flame-spitting, rally-bred Imprezas, Subaru’s focus now is on cars that will appeal to a far wider audience, and especially one that values go-anywhere ability and no-nonsense values above all others.

The result is a mixed bag of offerings, none of which rise beyond being average in their class but most of which have facets that make them stand out from their rivals. Core to its range are the Forester and Outback SUVs, while the Levorg is a more conventional estate.

At other extremes, there’s also the BRZ, an entertaining coupé that is let down by its price and resale values, and of course the Impreza, which comes in a variety of forms, including a hot model.

SUBARU

Suzuki is well known as a motorcycle manufacturer, but the car brand has been enjoying decent success in recent years, thanks to a line-up of neat, well-equipped and keenly priced models.

Its expertise focuses on smaller cars, although its high-riding SUV range is also hugely credible, especially the Ignis and Vitara, which are both rated highly by What Car?’s testers and which have enjoyed success at the What Car? Awards as a result.

Well priced, decent to drive and full of useful tech, Suzuki’s cars also generally stand out for delivering good fuel economy. The Ignis, Celerio and Baleno have all stood head and shoulders above the competition during our True MPG testing.

SUZUKI

Toyota is a company undergoing a quiet revolution, as it works hard to replace its sensible but somewhat bland reputation with one for being a bit more daring, in areas such as the styling of its cars and its enthusiastic leadership of cutting-edge technology, such as hybrid systems.

That process seems to be working for buyers, with the hugely popular and striking-looking C-HR SUV in particular attracting a great deal of interest. The latest version of the hybrid Prius is also rated highly by What Car?; it’s the first Prius to go on sale that our testers have felt can truly compete all round with existing petrol or diesel rivals.

However, it’s worth noting that this period of transition is also a work in progress, and that many of the firm’s cars are still rated as being no more than average among class rivals by our testers.

TOYOTA

Vauxhall has an incredibly diverse range of cars on sale, a few of which stand out above the class average. Add in the fact that it still offers some of the largest Target Price discounts in the market (something it is trying, without huge success, to cut back on), and there are very good reasons to consider buying one of its better models.

However, you need to choose carefully, because it is also a brand in transition. It has a newish parent company – the same one that owns Citroën, DS and Peugeot. And while Vauxhall’s newer models tend to be competitive, some of the others feel dated; a quick check of our star ratings will reveal which is which.

Still, given the recent success of sister brands Citroën and especially Peugeot, each new launch should make its range more appealing to buyers.

VAUXHALL

The VW Group famously spends more money on research and development than any rival – and as a result, perhaps it should be no surprise that our testers rate its cars so consistently highly.

The fact that many of those cars use the same underpinnings also helps, because it means that if they get it right once, they have the foundations to keep on getting it right.

However, the Volkswagen brand faces plenty of tough competition, often from within, because the rapidly rising Seat and Skoda brands that are also part of the group have access to the same technology.

VOLKSWAGEN

Volvo is now a true rival to the likes of Audi, BMW, Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz, offering an alternative take on premium executive cars to a rapidly growing fanbase.

After a string of strong launches – notably with the Mk2 XC90 and XC60 SUVs – it struck gold in early 2018 when it launched its smallest SUV, the XC40. When our testers compared the car with its rivals, they concluded that it was the best launch of the previous 12 months, earning it our coveted overall Car of the Year Award.

The good news is that, like many car makers, Volvo now uses the same structure underneath most of its cars – so if they get it right on one model, it usually bodes well for the rest. That’s the case here, with Volvo’s subsequent saloon and estate launches complementing the SUVs and making for a generally extremely appealing line-up.

VOLVO

C5 X

How do you make an <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-mpvs-and-people-carriers-2022/n17001">MPV</a> cool? Well, this Citroën e-Berlingo might just have answered that – by going electric.

In years to come, there will no doubt be many other multi-purpose 'volts-wagon' electric cars, but the e-Berlingo is one of a select few at the moment.

There's also the almost identical&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/rifter/estate/review/n23858">Peugeot e-Rifter</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/combo-life/mpv/review/n23859">Vauxhall Combo Life Electric</a>. All are effectively <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-electric-vans-2022/n21136">electric vans</a> with extra seats and windows so they're more suited to family life than work duties.

Now, you might think the only reason you’ll buy an e-Berlingo over an e-Rifter or Combo Life Electric&nbsp;is that there's a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/citroen">Citroën</a>&nbsp;dealership closer to you than any other brand's. However, there are a number of differences between the three models, and we'll explain them in this review.

Traditionally, we preferred the Berlingo out of the three similar models choices because it offers the best value for money. If you go by base price, the e-Berlingo is indeed the least expensive of these&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-electric-cars-2021/n17000">electric cars</a> to buy.

Currently (not a pun, but it can be...), the e-Berlingo can be had in two body styles. There's a shorter one with five seats labelled 'M' and a longer one with seven seats called the 'XL' .&nbsp;

Yes, you’ve read that correctly: you can have an all-electric seven-seater without having to fork out for a pricey <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/eqb/estate/review/n24403">Mercedes EQB</a> or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-x/hatchback/review/n161">Tesla Model X</a>. The e-Berlingo’s simple sliding rear doors work perfectly well in tight car parks (arguably better than the Model X's overly complicated gullwing doors, in fact).

Read on to find out whether the electric conversion has made the Citroën e-Berlingo even easier to live with than the original Berlingo, and how it compares with other electric van-based <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-mpvs-and-people-carriers-2022/n17001">MPVs</a> you might be considering. We'll cover all aspects of the car, from its performance and range to the quality of the interior and the running costs.

Remember, when you do decide to buy a new vehicle of any make and model, we can help you cut the cost by thousands if you search for the best price using our free&nbsp;What Car? <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals">New Car Deals</a> service. It has a good selection of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/citroen/berlingo/estate/deals">Citroën Berlingo deals</a>.

Electric van-based MPV is peaceful to drive and tough to beat for practicality, but lacks equipment in entry-level form

Citroën e-Berlingo

Need to load up several people and all of their luggage for a big road trip? A van-based MPV could be the answer to your prayers. Although these vehicles are heavily based on commercial vehicles, most will include higher quality materials than their working siblings, and creature comforts designed to keep everyone comfy. Most are spacious, too, with a boot large enough to accommodate multiple large suitcases – even if every seat is also filled.

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