The performance estate remains one of our favourite types of car. Sure there are some brilliant fast saloons and lovely fast SUVs around, but you can't beat the mix of practicality, speed and style that comes with a proper hot estate. In 2021 the options remain strong, so here are our choices.
Updated 7th January 2021
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For all its domination of the super saloon market it’s curious BMW has never successfully translated that expertise into fast estates, beyond the E60-era M5 Touring. For all its cult following it was a sales disaster, leaving the über-estate market as a two-horse race between Audi and Mercedes-AMG. Though seemingly similar to the RS6 Avant – they’re both four-wheel-drive and V8 powered – the E63 S channels AMG’s hooligan spirit in a way that leaves the Audi looking a little straight-laced. For starters there’s no better-sounding modern turbo V8 than AMG’s. Against the new RS6 the E63 also looks relatively stealth and understated too, yet can go full rear-driven, tyre-smoking lunatic if you dare to engage its self-explanatory ‘Drift Mode’ setting.
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A run-out special for the outgoing Seat Leon Cupra estate, the R shares much with the Golf R Estate but, like other fast Leons, has a more outgoing spirit. For this limited run of just 150 examples, Seat also offered a £500 upgrade from 300 horsepower to 350 horsepower, courtesy of a chip-based engine upgrade from respected tuning brand Abt. This, plus a distinctive garnish of copper coloured wheels and trim, carbon-fibre cabin embellishments, uprated Brembo brakes and generous standard spec were attractive enough, the Abt package slicing four tenths off the 0-62mph time to just 4.5 seconds while the dedicated suspension set-up and 4Drive all-wheel-drive system mean it’s there to be enjoyed whatever the weather. Fast, stylish and stealthy, it’s rare but worth seeking out.
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Since the Porsche-engineered RS2 Audi has dominated the fast estate car market with a succession of powerful, four-wheel-drive Avants. The latest RS6 Avant follows the established formula of huge power from a turbocharged V8 – 600hp and 800Nm (590lb ft) no less – wrapped in bodywork broadly similar to regular A6 Avants but in fact featuring bespoke panels on nearly every surface. This understated muscularity has been an RS6 trademark for years now and, given the performance and six-figure price tag, offers a very different experience from its more extrovert SUV brothers. Packed with luxury and tech, the RS6 is also a sophisticated and comfortable cruiser, with supercar performance and king of the Autobahn presence a twitch of your foot away. Mighty.
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OK, so we’ll all acknowledge the RS6 as king of fast estate cars. But it’s now a six-figure machine showcasing the best of Audi’s tech, performance and luxury and operating as a practical alternative to performance SUVs and junior supercars like the Porsche 911 Turbo. Good news – there’s still an RS Avant you can enjoy as a practical, everyday family workhorse but one with enough performance to entertain when you’re on your own. Updated last year with fresh looks and new toys, the RS4’s 444hp twin-turbo V6 engine is more than fast enough for most tastes and it dials back some of the latest RS6’s blinginess for a more understated appearance. It’s still got the attitude, subtly wider arches and aggressive stance. But its more usable size, performance and price make it arguably all the RS Avant you really need.
600hp Audis and AMGs are all very well but the fast estates have always appealed to those needing a practical family car but not ready to totally give up on driving for fun. Enter the estate version of the stellar Ford Focus ST, one of our favourite modern hot hatches in its standard form and, arguably, even more appealing as an estate. Where previous STs were merely warm this new one has had a proper boost, with 280hp from a turbocharged 2.3-litre engine and a clever locking ‘differential’ to help the front wheels put it to the road effectively. This is sophisticated and expensive tech but, combined with Ford Performance’s chassis expertise, means it handles as well as it goes.
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Fast but affordable, previous Octavia vRS estates have always delivered on practicality, performance and price. The outgoing one was a firm favourite in its various forms and the new one may have had its moment in the spotlight stolen from it after its Geneva debut fell victim to Covid cancellation but looks set to follow in its tracks. This is a very of-the-moment car too, combining a punchy 150hp turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor for a combined 245hp. This arguably gives you the best of both worlds, with up to 37 miles of pure electric power for the school run but a decisive performance kick when you hit the open road. All this with tons of luggage space, Škoda’s traditionally understated quality and unpretentious practicality.
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Volvo’s modular platform and engine approach means you can get the T8 Twin Engine hybrid powertrain in the sleek-looking V90 too, and in that car it makes for a fast, stylish, luxurious and understated package. And a tax and fuel efficient one too, thanks to its plug-in hybrid status. If that appeals but you want it in a sportier package the smaller V60 uses the same hybrid powertrain and comes with handling garnish courtesy of Polestar, fancy, Swedish-made Öhlins dampers included. The stats are impressive too – a combined 405hp and 670Nm (494lb ft) of torque are good for 0-62mph in 4.6 seconds but, by official numbers, it does 104.6mpg, 48g/km and can travel for 27.3 miles on electric power alone. A fast and practical car as appealing to discerning aesthetes as it is BIK-savvy bean counters.
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Is it stretching things a little to call the GTC4Lusso an estate car? Possibly, but it’s likely as close to one as Ferrari will ever build and more appealing than the idea of an SUV with a prancing horse badge on it. An evolution of the defiantly eccentric (but rather wonderful) FF, the GTC4Lusso is still available with a 690hp, naturally aspirated V12 and Ferrari’s quirky ‘4RM’ all-wheel-drive system while gaining extra tech like four-wheel steering. Unusually there’s also a more affordable, rear-wheel drive Lusso T available too with a torquier (if less charismatic) turbocharged V8 should the V12 just seem a bit much. In both forms it’s a genuine four-seater, or you can fold the rear seats and use it to transport your fancy Italian-built road bike to create the ultimate lifestyle vehicle for well-funded MAMILs.
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