Electric Estates Beyond SUVs: The Field Auto Express Tested

The estate car has lost ground to SUVs, but Auto Express says the electric estate segment now spans affordable Vauxhall wagons up to prestige Porsche and Audi models. The publication tested and ranked a field covering range, charging speed, cabin space, boot volume and driving character.

The overall recommendation is the Audi A6 Avant e-tron. It pairs a 384-mile WLTP range in standard form, rising to 472 miles in Performance guise, with 270kW rapid charging and a 502-litre boot. Auto Express calls it the top all-rounder, though rear-seat space is limited compared with the BMW i5 Touring.

At the value end, the Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Electric stands out because Vauxhall now prices hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric versions at parity, and charges no extra for the estate body. Its 276-mile range and 516-litre boot are modest, however. The related Peugeot E-308 SW costs a few thousand pounds more for a more premium interior but has a slightly smaller 505-litre boot.

Between those extremes sit the Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer, with the largest cargo capacity here at 1,948 litres with the rear seats folded; the BMW i5 Touring, a familiar and practical first EV with a 570-litre boot but a less competitive 365-mile range; the Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake, offering up to 469 miles and 320kW charging; and the Toyota bZ4x Touring, which combines a 669-litre boot with a lower price than the VW. The Porsche Taycan Sport Turismo remains the driver's choice, though its 446-litre boot is the smallest listed.

Where the A6 e-tron, ID.7 Tourer, i5 Touring and Value Estates Differ

Purpose-built EV platforms versus converted combustion cars

The list separates electric estates built on dedicated electric underpinnings from combustion cars converted to battery power. The Audi uses the PPE platform shared with the Q6 e-tron and Porsche Macan Electric, while the VW ID.7 uses an EV-specific architecture that enables a flat interior floor. By contrast, the BMW i5 Touring is described as little more than a 5 Series Touring with the engine, gearbox and fuel tank swapped for motors and a battery. That helps explain differences in cabin packaging and boot space, even when outright practicality is still strong.

Range and charging speed now define the premium leaders

The Audi A6 Avant e-tron and Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake sit close to 470 miles on official WLTP figures and offer 270kW and 320kW charging respectively. Auto Express notes real-world range is hard to replicate, but testing suggests roughly 400 miles is achievable in the Mercedes. The BMW i5 Touring's 365-mile figure looks underwhelming against those rivals, which may matter more to long-distance drivers than its superior boot space and refinement.

Value is shifting at the lower end of the market

Vauxhall's price parity across Astra powertrains, with no estate premium, puts the electric Sports Tourer about £20,000 below the VW ID.7 Tourer. The trade-off is a shorter range and reduced boot capacity compared with petrol and hybrid versions. Peugeot asks a few thousand pounds more for a higher-quality cabin, while Toyota competes on space and price with the bZ4x Touring, though its instrument panel layout divides opinion. The pattern is clear: lower prices are being bought with compromises in range, boot volume or interior usability.

Matching an Electric Estate to Your Priorities Before Buying

  • If maximum cargo space is the deciding factor, the VW ID.7 Tourer offers 1,948 litres with the rear seats folded, while the Toyota bZ4x Touring provides 669 litres behind the rear seats and is cheaper than the VW.
  • Frequent long-distance drivers should compare the Audi A6 Avant e-tron, with up to 472 miles of WLTP range and 270kW charging, against the Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake, with up to 469 miles and 320kW charging.
  • Budget-focused buyers should price-check the Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Electric and Peugeot E-308 SW. Both bring modest range and smaller boots than their petrol equivalents, and the Peugeot's i-Cockpit layout should be test-driven before purchase.
  • If driving enjoyment matters more than outright practicality, the Porsche Taycan Sport Turismo is the most rewarding choice, but its 446-litre boot is the smallest in this field.