Mercedes E-Class Estate (2016-present)

Mercedes E-Class Estate prices from £15,000   Finance from £225 per month

The Mercedes E-Class Estate has always been the least flashy amongst its premium rivals, but a recent update has done away with the awkward, boxy design and introduced much curvier, sleeker styling. It’s also packed with tech, making it one of the most accomplished and luxurious ways to transport the entire family.

With a lavish interior, enormous boot and more computing power than the Space Shuttle (probably), there’s barely a challenge that the E-Class Estate can’t handle.

That’s particularly true if you opt for the four-wheel drive All-Terrain version, which is raised higher off the ground so that it’s more capable on rugged dirt tracks and muddy fields.

For families who can afford the hefty price (the latest model sports a heady £40,550 RRP for the entry level E220d SE cars) it offers as much practicality as most will ever need without buying a bulky, tall sport utility vehicle (SUV). Even so, it’s not the most spacious car in its class. Anyone upgrading from the previous-generation E-Class Estate might be surprised to learn that the car’s boot, with the rear seats down, is 130 litres smaller than its predecessor, thanks to its curvier exterior.

The current car’s 1,820-litre load space, with seats folded, is still cavernous and you can fit a two-metre-long box along the flat floor, or an optional third row of rear-facing seats for mini passengers under 115cm tall. But the Skoda Superb provides 1,950l of space.

What you don’t get in the Skoda is the E-Class’ decadent dashboard, which combines glossy high-definition displays with high-quality leather, metal and wood materials. The latest Mercedes MBUX media system really is stunning.

Standard equipment includes sat-nav, reversing camera, leather seats, mood lighting and bright LED headlights, while Mercedes has deliberately done away with the more basic trim levels to ensure entry level cars come equipped with the widescreen 12.3 inch displays.

These are controlled with touch-sensitive buttons on the steering wheel or a rotary dial by the driver’s knee, they are simple to operate while keeping your yes on the road, once you’ve learned the menu system.

Also optional on all but the top-specification cars, is Mercedes’ air suspension, which delivers a pillowy ride, gliding over broken roads and minimising leaning in corners. Those opting for the All Terrain variants get this thrown in to the cost.

It’s limousine quality smooth, whether you’re carrying a car-full of passengers or just taking your rubbish to the tip. If you can’t stretch to this, then there’s nothing wrong with the standard suspension, which will iron out undulations in the road almost as well - with just the odd jolt to remind you that you’re driving on British roads.