Best used estate car for camping
Take a look at our top picks for the best used estate car for camping so you're prepped for your next adventure
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There aren’t many things as dreamy as a nice weekend away camping, and the proper car for the job can really make a difference.
A spacious estate car is ideal for a trip in the wilderness, as these usually offer ample amounts of space for all of your essentials.
If you’re a keen camper and want the car to match, a roomy estate is a great choice.
Here are some of the best used estate cars for camping.
Features to look for in a camping estate car
If you’re looking for an estate car to go camping in, there are a few features you can look for that will make things easier.
Estate cars made from durable materials that are easy to clean are the way forward. Look for interiors that can stand up to rough usage, and we’d suggest avoiding light-coloured fabrics in case of muddy shoes.
All-wheel drive options or estate cars with some off-roading capabilities are also ideal. These will keep you steady on testing terrain – perfect for tackling campsites.
A large boot is also ideal for most campers, especially if you can fold down the rear seats and get even more space.
Towing capacity might also be important to some campers, as you’ll need to make sure your car can legally and safely tow any trailers or caravans you intend to use.
Towing large loads can impact fuel economy, so choosing an efficient estate from the get-go can help. Plug-in hybrid or electric cars will still have their mile range affected by a large load and might not get as many miles per charge, but they're ideal for dodging fuel costs.
Best estate car for camping
Skoda Octavia Estate
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The Skoda Octavia Estate is a true favourite on the estate market, and it’s a great companion for a trip into the wild.
The ruggedly handsome styling won’t look out of place on a campsite, and the interior is plush but well-built enough that it can take some heavy usage.
You’ll get a 640-litre boot to fill up with your essentials, and the latest models get some clever touches like a hidden ice scraper in the fuel flap.
There are some brilliant engines on offer too, like the plug-in hybrid Octavia iV model that offers up to 34 miles of electric-only motoring, so would be ideal for saving fuel on longer road trips.
Read our Skoda Octavia review
Volvo V60 Cross Country
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The Volvo V60 Cross Country is a sleeker estate option that still offers all the features you’d want as an avid camper.
The 4x4 drive is perfect for getting dirty while keeping a firm grip, and there’s an Off-Road driving mode that adds features like Hill Descent Control.
You’ll get a 519-litre boot at the rear that’s larger than models like the Audi A4 Avant and can be extended to 1,431 litres with the rear seats folded.
The Volvo V60 Cross Country is capable of towing up to 2000kg with the B3 and B4 mild-hybrid front-wheel-drive models, so it’s great if you want to take an extra load on your travels too.
Read our Volvo V60 review
Ford Focus Estate
 "Ford Focus ST estate")
The Ford Focus Estate is a spacious upgrade to the classic Focus model. It still has the simplistic design of the hatchback model but is lengthened to make extra room throughout.
In fact, you’ll enjoy a 575-litre boot that can extend to 1,620 litres if you drop the rear seats. This makes it a great loader if you’re travelling alone, but the standard boot space is still ideal if you fill all five seats.
It’s a pretty cheap car for road trips too, offering up to 45mpg from the 1.5-litre diesel model or up to 54.3mpg from the 1.0-litre mild-hybrid petrol.
Plus, there are plenty of impressive deals to be had on used Ford models.
Read our Ford Focus review
BMW 5 Series Touring
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Camping doesn’t have to mean you’re roughing it, as the BMW 5 Series Touring is a luxury estate that’s still practical for exploring the outdoors.
The already spacious 560-litre boot can extend to 1,700 litres with the rear seats folded, and the five-seater cabin is roomy with a premium look.
Choose a used BMW 530e plug-in hybrid model and enjoy up to 188mpg from the rear-wheel drive model.
The interior might be luxurious but it’s hardwearing too, so it will be easy to wipe away any mud left behind from your adventures.
Read our BMW 5 Series review
Volkswagen Passat Alltrack
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The Volkswagen Passat Alltrack is a rugged estate option that still manages to be quiet and comfortable. It’s an ideal used VW if you’re an avid camper who needs space, but don’t want that to be your whole personality.
There’s a massive 639-litre boot at the rear that you can extend to 1,769 litres if you drop the back seats. The cabin itself is comfortable and spacious too, and hardwearing materials throughout make this easy to clean after a dirty weekend outdoors.
The Volkswagen Passat Alltrack comes with additional off-roading tech that includes features like plastic cladding to the wheel arches and a higher ride.
There’s also the impressive four-wheel-drive 4MOTION system that lets your car decide when four-wheel is most needed.
Read our Volkswagen Passat Estate review
Audi A4 Allroad
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For another premium option, a used Audi A4 Avant Allroad is ideal for fans of luxurious cars who still like to get close to nature.
This is a functional estate car that gets some SUV styling, so feels on-trend without feeling as if you’re following the crowd.
It doesn’t have the largest boot on offer so might be better suited to couples or even the solo camper, but 495 litres is nothing to sniff at.
The best model for keeping fuel costs low is the 2.0-litre diesel setup. This one can manage up to 57.6mpg but doesn’t quite have the spicy feel that the larger 3.0-litre V6 setups offer – it's up to you to choose what you’ll enjoy more on your road trip.
Read our Audi A4 Allroad review
Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Estate
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A used Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer is a comfortable estate option with plenty of space for all your camping essentials.
You can pick from a variety of engines, including an efficient plug-in hybrid that’ll be perfect for saving some fuel on longer road trips. There’s also an all-electric version, and a couple of 1.2-litre petrol offerings if you like having options.
Boot size will differ depending on the model you choose. The non-electric offerings provide up to 608 litres of boot space, compared to the 548-litre boot that the plug-in hybrid offers. You can fold the seats down to extend the boot space, for up to 1636 litres and 1574 litres respectively.
Read our Vauxhall Astra review
Mercedes C-Class Estate
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If you want to add some luxury to your camping experience, a used Mercedes C-Class Estate can help you out. It’s a plush and premium model that’s also spacious and hard-wearing, so you’ll be comfortable but won't need to worry if you muddy it up.
Fuel economy is impressive, especially if you choose a plug-in hybrid engine, so it’s ideal for road trips. Mercedes claims you can achieve up to 74.3mpg in the C300 BlueTech Hybrid, but real-world driving might see this drop slightly.
The whole car is brilliantly spacious, and the 490-litre boot can extend to 1,510 litres with the seats folded down.
Read our Mercedes C-Class review
Mini Clubman
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If you love the classic Mini but need a bit of extra space, a used Mini Clubman is the one for you. It’s a more exciting and stylised option than your typical estate car but is still wildly practical.
The barn-style doors to the boot are great for easy loading of your camping gear, and you can fit 360 litres in the rear with the seats upright. It’s also easy to fold the seats and increase that space to 1,250 litres when needed.
There are plenty of other storage spots around the car as well, including large door bins, a centre console storage area, and a roomy glovebox.
Towing capacity for the Clubman is up to 1,300kg which is enough for a good-sized caravan or trailer.
Read our Mini Clubman review
Tips for camping in your estate
Use lists to keep track of what you’re packing – there's nothing worse than arriving at your campsite and realising you’ve forgotten something. As you pack the boot of your estate car, use a checklist to make sure everything is covered.
Use dry bags to keep things fresh – even when it’s dry out, use specific dry bags to stop your gear and car from getting wet. This will help keep your estate car fresh while you travel.
Plan your route ahead of time – this is especially important if you’re travelling with an electric car that will need recharging. Finding service stations ahead of time will save any mishaps.
Invest in a boot organiser – this will help you keep all of your essentials neat and in order. Boot organisers can be picked up cheaply and can be found to fit the exact measurements of certain car boots.
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