How Do You Choose The Best Electric Estate Car Or Hybrid Estate Car?

• by Kris Cook
• April 28, 2021
• 13 min read

Practical is a word you could use to describe an estate car; after all, they rival SUVs in terms of the best people carriers. Estate cars are ideal for transporting everything from family members to flat-pack furniture without the stress. Now buyers have new options, with electric estate cars creating all sorts of noise in the EV market.

There are two main types of sustainable estate car you need to know about. You have all-electric estate cars and hybrid electric estate cars. Both look similar to one another from a visual standpoint alone, but how they convert electric energy to run is another question entirely.

Choosing the best electric estate car or hybrid estate car can be a lengthy process. So how do you choose the best electric estate car or hybrid estate car? Expanding your knowledge of the topic is the answer. Fast-track your decision by reading on below.

Hybrid Cars Vs. Electric Cars

Let’s make things clear, we have no horse in this race, meaning we don’t pick favourites; all we’re giving you are the facts. How you choose between a hybrid electric estate car or an all-electric estate car depends entirely on you.

It’s best to know the difference between electric estate cars and hybrid estate cars before we provide examples. Most buyers can’t tell you the main differences between the two, which is crazy given how different they are from a power aspect alone.

Hybrid cars

Both use electric energy, that much is true, but hybrid vehicles still rely on standard gasoline to run. You see, hybrid estate cars come with two different powertrains to get the wheels spinning. The electric motor can take drivers anywhere up to 40 miles per charge. Once depleted, the standard motor will kick in, taking you to your destination.

Hybrids bridge the gap between the present and the future. Buying a hybrid estate car is like getting a taste of EV without making a full transition to electric.

Think of the electric engine as more of a boost than the primary source of power. How do I charge a hybrid estate car? Hybrids generate electricity as you drive and whenever you break using conversion systems. Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) do exist, requiring owners to visit charging stations every so often.

Every major automaker will offer hybrids to consumers as they tend to provide more security when out on the road. With hybrid electric cars, you won’t need to visit a gas station as often, thanks to two different power sources.

Hybrids summarised

• Hybrids switch between electric and standard gas sources to generate power.
• Electric energy is generated as the car moves and breaks, whereas PHEVs require traditional charging methods.
• There are a lot more hybrid cars out right now over all-electric versions.
• Hybrids are a lot more fuel efficient, requiring less trips to gas stations.

Electric cars

And then you have all-electric cars, which shouldn’t require a lot of thought to get to grips with. Electric transport vehicles of this kind require a charge at all times. Know that charge times vary from car to car depending on the model you choose.

All-electric cars emit zero emissions as they use nothing but electricity to run. You might have already noticed, but electric estate cars have no exhaust/tailpipe as they don’t need them.

Finding a charging station can prove difficult, especially if you’re running low on power. Every electric battery you see will vary in terms of kWh. Electric cars with higher battery power will take longer to charge, but you’ll get more mileage out of it per charge as a result.

Cities worldwide are adding more electric charge stations by the day, but rural areas, like in the country, don’t offer as many public spots for a top-up. On the other hand, those that travel short distances should have no issues with charging their vehicle at home and have enough power to drive home after.

Understand that your options of finding an all-electric estate car are limited but will get better in time. The technology behind electric vehicles is only getting better, but hasn’t yet reached its full potential. In other words, you’ll have more all-electric estate car options soon.

Electrics summarised

• You’ll save a hell of a lot of money in gas by owning an electric estate car.
• All-electric cars produce no carbon emissions, which is why most have no tail pipe.
• Most electric cars require not a lot of maintenance, you just need to ensure it’s charged ahead of time.

The Best Hybrid and Electric Estate Cars

Top performance and a spacious interior are hallmarks of the electric estate car. Financially speaking, they’re also a lot cheaper than luxe electric vehicles and some electric SUVs. Moreover, there are quite a few second-hand electric estate cars populating countless used car sites. Check out our guide on second-hand electric cars for more.

MG 5 EV

Type: Electric
Range: 214 Miles
Release Year: 2020

Known as the first all-electric estate car out in Europe, the MG 5 EV has a lot of power to give. Drivers can travel up to 214 miles on a single charge, which is, actually, better than most electric SUVs! You can fit around 5 passengers in the MG 5 EV, with plenty of room for luggage.

The 115 kWh electric motor can reach speeds of up to 60mph in as little as 7 seconds. Additionally, the rapid charge mode can charge the battery by 80% in around 50 minutes, as long as you visit a 50kw charging point.

Going on holiday or is it a staycation? Either way, the MG 5 EV has you covered with plenty of room for storage (578L with the seats up, 1,456L with them down).

E4TP Says

The MG 5 EV is an all-electric estate car with a lot of functionality; this should be more than enough to poach interest from potential buyers. A major highlight is the rapid charging mode, cutting down charge times by a significant amount.

Volvo V90 Recharge

Type: Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV)
Range: 38 Miles (electric range)
Release Year: 2020

“Crafted for comfort. Built for adventure,” say hello to the Volvo V90 Recharge, a plug-in hybrid estate car with features to get excited about. In pure electric mode, drivers can travel 38 miles on a single charge.

Google Maps is fully integrating into the car, complete with hands-free voice commands enabled by Google Assistant. Moreover, the V90 can provide traffic updates as you drive, making sure you’re never late for meetings or family gatherings.

The Volvo V60 Recharge is another excellent option if you’re looking for the best hybrid estate cars, only we found the size difference to be quite noticeable compared to its V90 counterpart.

E4TP Says

If you’re conscious of space, then choose the V90 Recharge. It has a lot of space and is quite powerful given its size. The car can hit speeds of up to 112 mph; again, it’s a powerful ride.

Volkswagen Passat Estate GTE

Type: Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV)
Range: 34 Miles (electric range)
Release Year: 2019

German carmaker Volkswagen has crafted the finest family transporter on our list of the best hybrid and electric estate cars. Introducing the Volkswagen Passat Estate GTE.

The GTE s one of the more powerful models from the Passat line-up, allowing drivers to switch between driving modes as they see fit manually. Reviews for this hybrid estate car highlight how much torque there is at low revs, the callsign of most electric cars.

Look inside the Passat Estate GTE, and you’ll find plenty of room for you, passengers and luggage. You get 580L of space with the seats up and 650L with the seats down. In other words, loading large items shouldn’t be an issue. Hear that hoarders?

Smartphone mirroring and built-in sat-nav are great additions to one of the best hybrid electric cars we’ve found on the market right now. What do you think?

An updated version of the electric Passat is set to launch in 2023, so it might be worth buying a used version of this hybrid electric estate car for now.

E4TP Says

The Volkswagen Passat Estate GTE is a great addition to the Passat family, giving drivers plenty of space both in and around the interior.

Ford Mondeo Estate Hybrid

Type: Hybrid
Release Year: 2019

The history of the Ford Mondeo is unprecedented, kept alive through constant evolution; the Ford Mondeo Estate Hybrid is a sustainable iteration with a lot of potential. It comes with a 403L boot capacity, which might not be as impressive as the V90, but is still spacious.

The Ford Mondeo Estate Hybrid here is an affordable ride with a lot of functionality. This electric hybrid estate car comes with a 1.4 kWh lithium-ion battery that works in parallel alongside a 2-litre engine. Drivers can power this electric car up to 85 mph.

E4TP Says

Consider this a prime pick for buyers who don’t want to shell out a ridiculous amount of money on a hybrid estate car. It might lack in certain areas compared to other electric cars shown here, but it’s still worthy of your consideration.

Kia Ceed Sportswagon Estate

Type: Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV)
Range: 37 Miles (electric range)
Release Year: 2020

In the market for one of those durable plug-in hybrid estate cars? Kia has you covered. This estate car can cover 37 miles of electric driving on a single charge with a claimed fuel consumption of 188 mpg.

Buyers get all the best benefits from the same powertrain used in the Kia Niro, only with plug-in functionality. Transmission-wise, this plug-in hybrid estate comes with front-wheel drive and is a six-speed automatic type ride.

One of the only downsides to the Kia Ceed Sportwagon Estate is the boot space. You see, the batteries inside have reduced the space to just 427L, which is unfortunate. However, the pros outweigh the cons, in this case, giving you a reliable option for work commutes and trips with loved ones.

E4TP Says

PHEVs like this are very fun to drive, but Kia has taken it up another level with their choice of powertrain used. Buying this plug-in electric hybrid comes with Kia’s 7-year warranty, too, covering your behind if anything should go wrong.

Mercedes E 300 de

Type: Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV)
Range: 32 Miles (electric range)

Fuel economy is important; not one person would disagree with that, which is where the Mercedes E 300 de truly shines. This is one of those plug-in hybrid estate cars that runs off diesel, not petrol, alongside a battery.

The boot in the Mercedes E 300 de could seat an elephant, or close enough, boasting a whopping 660L. It’s a monster of a hybrid with a long list of features.

Drivers can cover around 32 miles on electricity alone before needing to switch. Emissions from the engine do meet current regulations, meaning you aren’t required to pay additional emission charges.

Most drivers tend to save the electric battery for urban city travel, switching to diesel when out of town. Seamless changes make driving the Mercedes E 300 de a total breeze.

E4TP Says

The Mercedes E 300 de is on the expensive side compared to other vehicles shown, but it’s worth every penny. Hybrid estate cars like the E 300 de guarantee satisfaction.

Porsche Panamera 4 e-hybrid

Type: Hybrid
Range: 32 Miles (electric range)
Release Year: 2017

Care more about performance? Check out the Porsche Panamera 4 e-hybrid. That’s right; you can get behind the wheel of the Panamera 4 e-hybrid and go from 0 to 62mph in around 4.6 seconds; not bad for one of those hybrid estate cars, but what did you expect from Porsche?

This electric car has the need for speed, in addition to the need for storage with a large 520L boot. The extra weight means the e-hybrid isn’t as responsive as other models made by Porsche, which was always to be expected.

How much is the Panamera 4 e-hybrid? You can buy new models from Porsche’s site from £83,720 (including VAT). Used versions are a lot cheaper but vary in quality in terms of battery integrity; it is a performance-optimised ride, after all.

E4TP Says

Expensive? Yes. Worth it? 100%. Porsche has come through with a speedy alternative to the hybrid estate cars you might be familiar with.

So… which is the best electric estate car?

As you can see above, buyers have a lot of options when it comes to hybrid estate cars. The Volvo V90 Recharge, a plug-in hybrid, alone can out-power a lot of the competition in the electric car market. It could compete against the infamous Audi e-tron SUV.

It’s unfortunate, but the number of all-electric estate cars is limited at the moment, with the MG 5 EV estate sitting in a lane of its own. One thing the MG 5 EV estate has over hybrid estate cars is the fact that it’s 100% carbon neutral, whereas hybrid estates aren’t. It’s a notable blemish on the record of hybrids.

Buyers will need to decide what is more important to them, range or emission output, when choosing which electric estate car is for them. If you have access to charging stations, go with the MG 5 EV; its rapid charge mode and large boot space make it a force to be reckoned with.

Our electric estate choice: MF 5 EV Estate
Our hybrid estate choice: Porsche Panamera 4 e-hybrid

In Short: How Do You Choose The Best Electric Estate Car Or Hybrid Estate Car?

Hopefully, you’ve learned a thing or two here, enough to make a decision on your lonesome, at least. Electric SUVs might take most of the attention away from electric estate cars. Still, you can’t deny their appeal, especially if you’re the family-orientated type or just need some extra room.

So how do you choose the best electric estate car or hybrid estate car? The answer is simple: you look at your own wants and needs; only then will the right vehicle present itself. We’re still raving about the MG 5 EV estate, but maybe you have your eyes on another electric vehicle we’ve covered?

Electric Estate Car FAQs

Have a burning question surrounding electric estate cars/hybrid estate cars? No problem, in this final section, we’ll be breaking down your frequently asked questions.

What is a plug-in hybrid car?

Plug-in hybrids are a type of electric vehicle that requires constant charges via an external power source. Like standard hybrid cars, plug-in hybrids have an internal combustion engine and a battery source.

What is the best electric car for families?

Plug-in electric hybrids like the Volkswagen Passat Estate GTE and the Volvo V90 Recharge show excellent versatility and power fit for families of all sizes. Prices will vary, but your budget should dictate which you choose at the end of the day.

Which is better, electric estate cars or electric SUVs?

We tend to lean more towards electric SUVs, as do a lot of buyers. The range is a lot better in these types of vehicles, with no loss in passenger capacity for the most part. Boot space tends to be roughly the same in both. For example, the Audi e-tron SUV comes with a generous 660L boot, and the Volkswagen Passat Estate GTE has a 650L boot.

Kris Cook

Hey, I’m Kris, a Junior Content Strategist at E4TP. At the moment I live in the world of EVs, keeping up on current trends in the space, and delivering quality content. I’m a creative type both inside and outside of work, in that I write poetry in my spare time, design independent zines, and paint. When I’m not knee deep in any of that, I collect vinyl (my collection has around 150 LPs in it), and enjoy spending time with pals outdoors, mostly on a bike — or in another country.

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