The five best luxury estate cars to lease

If space and indulgence are topping your priority list when it comes to buying your next car, you can’t go wrong with a top luxury estate car. And in fact, a luxury estate can offer so much more than that too.

There’s no denying that an estate car is a family vehicle, designed to lug children, luggage, sports equipment, shopping and everything else that comes with a busy life. However, while space, practicality and running costs should all be a consideration, so should the driving experience.

Driving a luxury vehicle simply affords you more comfort than a standard car. Its every facet has been designed to make your life easier, safer, and let’s just say it – better.

And the best part about driving a luxury estate car? It’s more affordable than you might think.

Audi A6 Avant

The Audi A6 Avant is a large, luxurious estate that combines practicality with panache. More high tech than ever before, it’s a class leader.

This sharper-looking Audi is a lot of estate car. And it may have a sleeker look than ever, but glossy isn’t overcompensation for practicality. This is, in fact, the most practical load carrier that Audi has ever made. 

With a boot that can hold 565 litres (1680 litres with the seats down) of the inevitable amount of luggage that comes with a family car, this luxury estate is the largest in Audi’s range. It’s not all boot space though, as the cabin has also gained more passenger space too.

This charismatic Avant boasts everything a good estate car should have – an electric tailgate, automatic luggage cover, rail system with four moveable lashing points and a luggage net.

Entry-level Sports trim includes a generous dose of tech and equipment, such as 18-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats and a keyless ignition system. 

If you upgrade to the S-line, it’s a much sportier look with tinted rear windows and 19-inch alloy wheels. While the range-topping Vorsprung trim has a panoramic glass roof fitted as standard.

It’s a supremely quiet car too with a smooth 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine in 50 TDI models and a coasting function to save fuel and reduced CO2 emissions.

Jaguar XF Sportbrake

Leaner and yet even bigger than its predecessor, the Jaguar XF is premium inside and out. 

Largely acknowledged as one of the cleanest pieces of styling in its class, it’s one of the most refined and efficient estate cars out there.

The rear glasshouse is artfully integrated into the car’s existing chassis hard points to flood the interior with light. And there’s a genuinely sleek roofline that arches over the rear quarter-lights that helps blends sleek styling with engaging driving dynamics in one neat, luxurious package.

It’s a great practical estate, too. With a 1,700-litre load space, the Sportbrake can tow up to two tonnes. There’s also underfloor stowage too.

It’s the little touches that make this estate great. Cabin air ionisation gives you and your family clean air, while gesture control lets you operate its panoramic sun blind with a smooth motion or open the boot while your arms are full. 

There’s also the option of an activation key that allows you to drive the car without the standard key when you’re out and about.

Mercedes Benz C-Class

Setting the standard for premium estate cars, the Mercedes Benz -Class combines staggering amounts of space with the ultimate luxurious experience.

And while it’s a superior, refined model, it’s also the packhorse of estate cars, with a large load area and plenty of space. 

The C-Class comes with a boot equipped to hold 490 litres, or 1,510 litres with the seats down. There’s also ample legroom for passengers to enjoy their ride in comfort.

Sitting alongside stunning design, there’s a plethora of technology with Burmester surround sound, a virtual cockpit and wireless charging available on some models.

Speaking of which, there are 10 trim levels to choose from in the C-Class, from the entry-level Sport right up to the AMG C 63 S Premium Plus. 

This gives you a myriad of options, from sportier apparel and design customisation to tech upgrades and a stronger engine that can cover 0-62mph in just 4.2 seconds. So, whatever you want from your estate, the C-Class has it. 

And it’s probably no surprise that the C-Class is the best-selling model in Mercedes’ UK range.

BMW 5 Series Touring

Plush estates make great family cars and the BMW range is always a safe bet.

Matching the technology and handling of its saloon counterpart, the estate is sleek and improved with the capability to carry a big load on board. Now with mild-hybrid tech, the range is even more fuel-efficient too.

You can also choose between four and six-cylinder variations of 2.0-litre and 3.0-litre petrol and diesel engines. All models are also equipped with an electric tailgate.

Boot capacity is 570 litres expanding to 1,700 litres with the rear seats folded down in a 40/20/40 split.

The Touring is lavish, replete with enough tech to entertain on your journey, a 10-inch touchscreen and 20GB of memory for you to store your own entertainment. 

Glossy black centre console details give way to a digital display for the instrument binnacle. And there’s an option to upgrade to a 12-inch screen, too.

For drivers who want a spacious vehicle with a refined and well-balanced drive, the 5 Series is well worth consideration.

Lexus NX

The Lexus NX is the luxury estate that has broken the mould, relying on hybrid power with impressive fuel economy.

NX, according to Lexus, stands for Nimble Crossover; seemingly fitting for an estate packed with such spirited refinement.

The NX looks agile and lithe, sleeker and smaller with an interior bathed in leather. All models feature a 10.3-inch screen with digital radio, CD player, USB, Bluetooth and sat-nav. 

The cabin is spacious with reclining rear seats for ultimate passenger experience and even the entry-level versions are packed with features such as dual-zone climate control, electronically folding door mirrors, heated seats and 18-inch alloys.

The boot is capable enough too, making loading bulky items easy. The seats fold over in a 60/40 split opening it up for even more space.

Safety is pretty high on Lexus’ priority list too. There’s a whole host of safety aids from adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist to lane departure warning and a pre-collision warning system.

All in all, it’s a distinctive car that stands out from the herd. But its real rebellion lies under the bonnet. 

Its 2.5-litre petrol engine mated with an electric motor and battery pack giving you plenty of bite off the line as well as some pretty incredible fuel economy in return.