Which estate car or SUV should I buy for under £20,000?
Which sporty (200+ bhp) estate car or SUV should I buy with large boot and a £15,000-£20,000 budget? I currently have a 45-50-mile daily commute and holiday a lot in the UK. Ideally, I would like a petrol but wonder if diesel is more suited. I have considered the BMW 5 series and X3, Skoda Superb saloon/estate or a Volkswagen Golf R estate. What would you recommend - any of these or something else?
Asked on 27 January 2022 by Nic

There's nothing wrong with any of those cars.
Sportiest of the lot is the Volkswagen Golf R estate – it'll keep most supercars honest on a twisting road. And it's a Golf, so it feels nicely built and is very well designed. It's even reasonably frugal given its power and four-wheel drive:
www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/volkswagen/golf-r-20.../
The BMW 5 Series is the other model I'd recommend. It's not got the outright pace of the Golf R but it's got nicer steering and is better balanced, it's a great all rounder. Your budget will get a 520d version of the current estate or a 530d of the old model – the 520d is surprisingly punchy and gets great fuel economy, but the 530d has effortless power and is frugal for its size and performance.
www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/bmw/5-series-touring.../
www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/bmw/5-series-touring.../
Sportiest of the lot is the Volkswagen Golf R estate – it'll keep most supercars honest on a twisting road. And it's a Golf, so it feels nicely built and is very well designed. It's even reasonably frugal given its power and four-wheel drive:
www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/volkswagen/golf-r-20.../
The BMW 5 Series is the other model I'd recommend. It's not got the outright pace of the Golf R but it's got nicer steering and is better balanced, it's a great all rounder. Your budget will get a 520d version of the current estate or a 530d of the old model – the 520d is surprisingly punchy and gets great fuel economy, but the 530d has effortless power and is frugal for its size and performance.
www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/bmw/5-series-touring.../
www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/bmw/5-series-touring.../
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