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
Esta historia es de la edición April 26, 2023 de Auto Express.
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Esta historia es de la edición April 26, 2023 de Auto Express.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Panorama highlights faults plaguing smart motorways
THE UK's smart motorway network is plagued with technological faults that are not fixed for days at a time, leaving drivers at risk, according to the latest edition of the BBC's Panorama programme.
Final tests for Range Rover EV
Land Rover reveals images of electric Range Rover
BYD will spread its wings by selling new Seagull in Europe
BYD will bring its value Seagull supermini to Europe and the UK, Auto Express can reveal, after the Chinese brand's executive VP, Stella Li, confirmed the plan in Beijing.
Mega MG model blitz
THE MG3 hatchback kicks off a big year for MG, with at least four other new models arriving in the next 12 months.
BUYER'S GUIDE: Toyota RAV4 Mk5
FROM £17,000 Spacious five-seat SUV also offers loads of standard kit and unburstable reliability
Tesla fires up 460bhp Model 3 Performance
TESLA has just revealed its new Ragship Model 3 Performance - a quicker, more powerful version of the brand's all-electric executive saloon car - and has put it straight on sale in the UK, with prices from £59,990.
ASPIRING LEADERS
The new Volkswagen Tiguan takes on the Hyundai Tucson for compact family-SUV honours
HIGH ROLLERS
As Rolls-Royce hits 120 years old, meet the car makers that have tried to take it on - not always successfully
Jeep Wrangler
FIRST DRIVE Revised SUV icon gets enhanced interior tech
Mercedes-AMG CLE 53
FIRST DRIVE Performance version of sleek new coupé is put through its paces