The best off-road estate cars

The first Audi Allroad (officially the allroad, but Audi loves to play around with capital letters) launched in the UK in July 2000. It followed the Volvo V70 XC (V70 Cross Country) as a new breed of SUV-inspired estate cars, built to climb mountains and ford streams.

Other manufacturers, such as Subaru, AMC and Toyota had dabbled in the muddy field of 4x4 estates, but Volvo and Audi took the concept to a wider audience. Dressed in Barbour jackets and Hunter wellies, we’ve created a list of our favourite off-road estate cars. Just add damp dog.

Starting prices stated at the end for models which are available on the market to buy new

Audi might have a heavy focus on SUVs and electrification, but the A6 Allroad is one of its most compelling models. You get the benefits of the standard A6 Avant – space, comfort, style and more tech than a Gadget Show prize giveaway – plus an extra helping of off-road ability.

The body is up to 45mm higher to deliver 139mm of ground clearance at standard height, although the ride height is lowered by 15mm at speeds above 74mph. There’s hill descent control for when you’re marching down again, plus extra body cladding for protection from gateposts, rocks and ramblers. From £56,585.

Volvo practically pioneered the off-road estate car when it launched the V70 XC, later known as the V70 Cross Country, in 1997. By the turn of the millennium, it accounted for 20 per cent of all V70 sales in Europe, and a full staggering 45 per cent in the United States. The current V90 Cross Country is the modern equivalent and a welcome tonic to Volvo’s burgeoning range of SUVs.

The ride height of the all-wheel-drive chassis is raised by an extra 65mm, the front track is widened by 20mm (the rear by 40mm) and the tyres are 42mm larger in diameter. The black plastic cladding and arch extensions remain, although customers can select body-coloured alternatives. Doesn’t that defeat the object of the cladding? From £41,645.

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class All-Terrain completes the ‘Holy Trinity’ of premium off-road estate cars. No manufacturer offers more SUVs than Mercedes-Benz, but the All-Terrain caters for the enlightened few who fancy the supreme comfort and van-like space of the E-Class Estate, but the rugged capabilities of an SUV.

Thanks to the Air Body Control suspension (15mm higher) and 20-inch alloy wheels, the All-Terrain sits 29mm higher than the regular E-Class hauler. The 3.0-litre V6 diesel gives it tremendous pulling power when it’s time to exit the point-to-point car park and return to the stables. This is a thoroughbred of the off-road estate car world. From £61,000.

VW axed the Passat Alltrack from its line-up in 2020, with the firm blaming poor sales for its demise. Which is a shame, because the Alltrack was one of the most convincing models in the Passat range, with sophisticated styling and plenty of kit as standard. It looks especially good in optional green metallic paint.

The 4Motion system provides an off-road mode for when the school run gets a little challenging, while the elevated ride height and body protection are straight out of the Audi Allroad school of off-road estate cars. As for used prices, 2018 examples are around £22,000.

Skoda has reintroduced the Scout specification for the current Octavia, but it’s exclusively for UK emergency services customers. It’s the only non-vRS Octavia to offer four-wheel drive, along with a rough-road package for dealing with dodgy terrain. The ground clearance of 161mm is 15mm higher than the standard Octavia.

If you’re feeling left out, you could buy the Scout version of the previous-generation Skoda Octavia. There’s 30mm of extra ride height, an off-road mode, plastic body armour and standard four-wheel drive. There are two diesel engines, the more powerful of which is shared with the Octavia vRS and VW Golf GTD. Time to retrain as a paramedic?

The Vauxhall Insignia Country Tourer was removed from sale in Britain after less than two years, with the company citing a lack of interest as the reason for its demise. Just 24 Country Tourers were sold in 2018, the car’s last full year on sale, comprising less than 1 per cent of total Insignia registrations.

It’s worth considering a used example. The all-wheel drive system is based on the same torque-vectoring GKN Twinster tech found in the Range Rover Evoque and Ford Focus RS, while the car sits 25mm higher than the standard Insignia Sports Tourer. It’s far better than the badge would suggest, and prices start from around £6000. The powerful bi-turbo diesel is a particular treat.

One could argue that the Subaru Forester is an off-road estate car, but we’re giving the nod to the Outback. In its current form, the combination of a 2.5-litre petrol engine and Lineartronic CVT transmission makes it a niche prospect for UK customers, especially in the era of electrified SUVs.

However, there’s a good reason why country folk swear by Subarus and remain fiercely loyal to the brand. The cars rarely go wrong, they’re backed by a five-year warranty, and all models come loaded with plenty of equipment as standard. Then there’s the strong image: parking a mud-covered Outback outside Waitrose is part of the appeal. Still want that ubiquitous SUV? From £33,995.

Exclusivity is guaranteed when you’re buying an off-road estate car. Seat axed the Leon X-Perience in early 2018, because just 16 examples were sold here in 2017. That followed sales of 120 in 2016. It cost between £28,000 and £32,000 at its launch in 2014, but used cars are available for around £10,000.

The recipe is familiar: ride height raised by 15mm and a 28mm improvement in ground clearance. The Haldex clutch sends drive entirely to the front wheels in regular use, with up to 50 per cent of it diverted to the rear axle when required. Power is sourced from one of a pair of 2.0-litre TDI engines.

We’ll say this quietly, because the Ford Focus Active Edition isn’t an off-road estate car. It’s got the raised ride height, in this case 30mm, and the black body armour, but it remains resolutely front-wheel drive. 

Besides, the Focus Active Edition comes with seven different driving modes, including the aptly named Slippery and Trail. Slippery tightens the reins of the stability control, cuts wheelspin and deadens throttle response, while Trail mode reduces ABS intervention to maintain momentum. The styling of an off-road estate car with the running costs of a front-wheel drive wagon – you can see the appeal. From £24,190.

As the name suggests, the Audi A4 Allroad is a slightly smaller take on the A6 Allroad formula. It comes with an added 34mm of ride height for dealing with approach and departure angles, plus extra body protection for when you get a little overconfident with the terrain.

It’s not the cheapest A4 Avant – prices range from £43,000 to £52,000 before options – but the cost is justified by the long list of equipment and strong resale values. It’s also more practical than an Audi Q5 and far more attractive to look at.

Remember when Volvo launched an S60 Cross Country? It seemed like an odd addition to the range, so we’re not surprised to see that there are reportedly 22 registered in the UK. The V60 Cross Country makes more sense – and there are more to choose from on the used car market.

It’s arguably the best-looking estate car you can buy, with the raised ride height and extra body cladding enhancing the styling of the standard V60 wagon. The extra 60mm of height, suspension tuned for comfort and standard all-wheel drive combine to make this winter-ready estate car a welcome alternative to an SUV. From £42,070.

We’re delighted that VW has launched an Alltrack version of the Golf 8 Estate, not least because it’s arguably the best-looking model in the range. You may have sensed that we’re fans of off-road estate cars.

It follows the same rugged path as the previous Golf Alltrack, with jacked-up suspension, 4Motion all-wheel drive, bespoke alloy wheel designs, silver roof rails and black plastic cladding. Power is sourced from a 2.0-litre TDI engine mated to a seven-speed DSG transmission. From £33,805.

Here’s an off-road estate car you can’t buy. Skoda added a Scout variant to its Superb range as part of a 2019 facelift, but it’s not available in the UK. A spokesperson told Autocar that a lack of demand didn’t justify the conversion to right-hand drive, so you’re left with the Scout variants of the Kodiaq and Karoq SUVs.

All isn’t lost, because an Outdoor version was available for a short period between 2013 and 2015. It cost around £30,000 when new, but used prices start at around £7500, so it’s ideal if you fancy some A6 Allroad space and comfort on a budget.

The Corolla Trek Touring Sports is more a rival to the Ford Focus Active than to the full-fat off-road estate cars on this list, but don’t be too quick to dismiss the Toyota. It might be front-wheel drive, but the petrol-electric hybrid powertrain delivers excellent fuel economy, while the 20mm increase in ride height is perfect for rutted tracks and light off-roading.

Standard equipment includes an electric tailgate, reversing camera, front and rear parking sensors and adaptive cruise control. US bike giant Trek helped with the rugged makeover, so it certainly looks the part. From £29,230.

The Peugeot 508 RXH hybrid estate arrived at the start of the electrification boom, with a promise of significant tax breaks for company car drivers. Its diesel-electric hybrid powertrain emitted a mere 107g/km of CO2, which at the time was significantly lower than rival estate cars.

Ride height raised by 50mm, wider tracks front and rear, underbody protection and all-wheel drive traction combine to make this a left-field choice in the off-road estate car segment. Great for rough tracks and wet weather. There are decent used examples out there from £8000.

The Audi Allroad arrived in the UK in July 2000, with power sourced from a 2.7-litre twin-turbocharged V6 petrol engine or a 2.5-litre V6 diesel. Ride height could be varied by up to 66mm thanks to the air spring struts.

It helped to transform the image of the venerable Audi A6, while demonstrating that an off-road wagon could be great to drive on the straight and narrow. It was so good Prince Charles had one for a while. Used examples are out there from around £3000.

Before Volvo ventured down the SUV green lane, the XC70 was the vehicle of choice for well-to-do rural mud-pluggers and dog owners. The V70 XC was renamed XC70 in 2003 to coincide with the arrival of the XC90.

As mentioned, this car was very successful in the US; Americans also buy tons of Subarus, so they know a thing or two about off-road wagons. Decent used XCs can be found from £4000.

The Toyota Tercel 4WD Estate first arrived in the UK in 1983, at a time when off-roading meant buying a boxy 4x4. It was designed for people who spent most of their time outdoors, like anglers, campers, farmers and vets. Selectable four-wheel drive for the rough stuff, but decent manners on the straight and narrow.

In a 1985 road test, we pitted the Tercel against the Alfa Romeo 133 Giardinetta, Dacia Duster, Daihatsu Fourtrak, Honda Civic Shuttle, Lada Niva and Subaru 4WD Estate. It’s an eclectic list of cars – a lot has changed since then! Only seven are left on UK roads, so you will have to be patient if you ever want to buy one.

Remember when the Outback was the more rugged version of the standard Subaru Legacy estate? It was the range flagship, costing more than the 2.5-litre estate, with increased ride height and extra body cladding to appeal to rural types.

Few cars were as adept at dealing with the British countryside and weather, with terminal rust the only thing that could stop an Outback in its tracks.

We’re going to sneak this one in at the end. It’s not a proper off-road estate car, but if you’re after the looks and an increased ride height, it could be just the ticket. It’s also excellent value for money, with prices starting from around £9000 for a 2018 or 2019 model.

Ground clearance is 50mm higher than the standard Logan MCV, while the body cladding gives it the appearance of a proper off-roader. There’s also a 573-litre boot, so you’ll never be short of space.