NOT so long ago, driving a large family saloon or hatch was the measure of a driver who'd made their mark. Models such as the Vauxhall Insignia (and its earlier ancestors, the Vectra and Cavalier) or Ford Mondeo (and earlier Sierras and Cortinas) competed for approving looks in company car parks up and down the land.
Their drivers lobbied fleet managers hard for signs of success - indeed, that set of alloy wheels, spoiler or the right badge on the boot was worth more than a pay rise to many people. It all seems dreadfully unsophisticated looking backwards, because nowadays aspiring employees insist on German executive models, and the school run can apparently only be managed in a high-riding SUV.
"While it may be down, it's not quite all over for mainstream visions of the traditional family car"
But while it may be down, it's not quite all over for mainstream versions of the traditional family car, and these two diesel estate contenders can ably demonstrate it's not only Uber drivers who appreciate space and efficiency. They're not both 'survivors' though, because the Insignia was discontinued by Vauxhall in 2022.
FROM £19,400 2.0 TDI SE Tech 2020, 35,000 miles
Skoda Superb
Czech model's strengths outweigh its higher price tag when buying used
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة April 26, 2023 من Auto Express.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة April 26, 2023 من Auto Express.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
PEUGEOT E-2008 GT
Our Peugeot EV and classic BMW may be the perfect two-car garage
SHOW 'N' TELL
Our 2024 Performance Car of the Year, Hyundai's Ioniq 5 N EV, takes on the revamped Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio
F1 EXHIBITION IS GO GO GO
Former F1 World Champion Damon Hill shows us around a celebration of the greatest sport on Earth
BYD Dolphin Active
Lower power means a more affordable price, but the new entry-level Dolphin is left wanting in other areas
Mercedes-AMG CLE Coupé
FIRST DRIVE We get behind the wheel of new CLE that aims to offer both comfort and a scincillating driving experience
Volkswagen Golf GTI
Ergonomic improvements are a welcome enhancement to VW's iconic hot hatch, but there's still no manual version
Toyota Prius
FIRST UK DRIVE Toyota's hybrid pioneer finally returns to these shores in fifth-generation guise and exclusively as a plug-in hybrid
INSURANCE SCAMS AND HOW TO AVOID THEM
INSURANCE FRAUD BUREAU EXPERT GIVES US THE LOWDOWN ON THE LATEST SWINDLES
Honda's updated HR-V sports sharp new look
Brand's best-selling model in Europe has also received some interior revisions and extra safety kit
Audi sets £70k start price for new A6 EV
ORDER books for the new Audi A6 e-tron are open now, with prices from just under £70,000 and deliveries starting next February.