Top Gear's top five estate cars

BMW 5-Series Touring

Our choice: 520d SE
Price: £34,565
Specs: 187bhp, 295lb ft, 0-62mph 8.1secs, 142mph top speed, 61.4mpg, CO2 122g/km

The 5-Series Touring comes with opening rear tailgate glass, the usefulness of which should not be underestimated. Good to drive, and possessing many other features that make it very fine indeed.

Read Top Gear's full verdict on the BMW 5-Series

Mercedes E-Class Estate

Our choice: E220 Bluetec AMG Line
Price: £38,555
Specs: 175bhp, 295lb ft, 0-62mph 8.8secs, 136mph top speed, 56.5mpg, CO2 129g/km

Nothing swallows quite so much gear and clobber as an E-Class wagon, and then manages the trick of looking so coolly aloof at the same time. A class act. Little regard for your possessions? Get the tyre-shredding 577bhp E63 AMG S.

Read Top Gear's full verdict on the Mercedes E-Class

Mercedes C-Class Estate

Our choice: C250 Bluetec Sport
Price: £35,630
Specs: 201bhp, 369lb ft, 0-62mph 6.9secs, 150mph top speed, 62.8mpg, CO2 118g/km

The latest C-Class is Merc's sleekest compact wagon yet - a shooting brake for the mainstream. The 250 Bluetec engine delivers an impressive blend of pace and economy, while its interior is the best yet in a C.

Read Top Gear's full verdict on the Mercedes C-Class

Jaguar XF Sportbrake

Our choice: 3.0D 240 R-Sport
Price: £40,665
Specs: 237bhp, 369lb ft, 0-62mph 7.1secs, 149mph top speed, 46.3mpg, CO2 163g/km

Estates are not style statements, unless the estate in question is this one. All the XF driving goodness, plus a big boot and drop-dead bodywork. Pats on the back to all concerned - especially whoever commissioned the 542bhp XFR-S Sportbrake...

Read Top Gear's full verdict on the Jaguar XF

Skoda Superb Estate

Our choice: 2.0 TDI CR 170 SE
Price: £24,340
Specs: 168bhp, 258lb ft, 0-62mph 8.9secs, 136mph top speed, 60.1mpg, CO2 122g/km

This may be the outgoing Superb Estate, but it's still good enough to mix it with the posh brands when it comes to our favourite wagons. Utterly enormous, excellent value and highly recommendable. The new one has big boots (well, a big boot) to fill.

Read Top Gear's full verdict on the Skoda Superb