Family, dog, bike, building work — every lifestyle needs a different boot. A practical, unbiased comparison of body styles.
The make and engine are usually the first things people think about. Yet the body shape has the biggest impact on everyday satisfaction — how much you can load in, how easy it is to get in and out, and how the car behaves on the road.
Estate: the king of practicality
A low loading edge, a huge boot, and the driving feel of a regular car. The Octavia Combi or Superb Combi will swallow a pushchair, bikes and a week's shopping without a fuss. If you carry a lot, and often, an estate is hard to beat.
SUV: good visibility and easy access
A higher seating position is appreciated by families with children and older drivers alike — you step straight in rather than down into the seat. That comfort comes at the cost of slightly higher fuel consumption. 4×4 drive is handy for the mountains, but usually unnecessary in town.
Hatchback: made for the city
A shorter body means easy parking and a lower price. For an individual or a couple, a hatchback such as the Fabia or Golf makes an ideal first or second family car.
Saloon and liftback: elegance with a large boot
A saloon looks smart and representative, but has a smaller boot opening. A liftback (such as the Octavia) combines the elegance of a saloon with a practical hatch-style boot lid — often the best compromise.
Try it out for yourself
The best test? Come and sit in a few different body types one after another — with a pushchair, with bags, with the kids. We have dozens of cars of every shape in stock, and we're happy to show them to you side by side.
