It may not be the class-leader in terms of technology, style or load-capacity, but you can't really talk about estate cars without contemplating the good old Volvo estate car. The current V70 may not be so boxy, or favoured by antique dealers as classic Volvo estates of old, but it still has a certain coolness about it – and there's even a hot 304bhp T6 version. Britain's middle class loves them.

Stay with us, the Citroen Berlingo Multispace is a jolly clever car. It may not be so well-loved as the first generation model was, but there's too many storage spaces to list here. Suffice to say, you can easily carry two mountain bikes in the back once you've done some clever things with the seats. A top choice if you want the ultimate practical van with windows.

We won't prattle on about the sheer size of the Superb and we won't mention the statistic every motoring writer says (if you're wondering, it's that the Superb has more rear legroom than a Mercedes S-Class), but the Superb really is huge – it doesn't have the largest load space but it's really very large. Families love them because they are very well made and have a timeless elegance about them. No, you're not mad, we are talking about a Skoda.

Although it doesn't have quite the heritage of the Volvo V70 (though it's not far off), nobody does the posh estate car better. The E-Class estate is not just about image though. There's a wide range of engines (there's even an E 63 AMG version!) available and there's a multitude of interior combinations. The E-Class estate also has class-leading practicality thanks to a maximum load capacity of 1,950 litres. 

Need a car that can swallow up seven people in comfort? Here's the Seat Alhambra. Even though the MPV market is quite a crowded place, the Alhambra is one of our favourites.  It's very practical with the five rear seats having the capability of folding flat, and the Alhambra has a refined, unassuming look about it.