Please tell me about your estate cars with 360 parking cameras

[DappledOliveGroves]

I've been trying to research our next car and getting nowhere fast.

We currently have a Nissan Qashqai. It has a brilliant 360 parking camera and it's utterly invaluable where we live (residents' parking, having to reverse daily into tight spaces).

I don't like the new Qashqai - don't like its new engine or the fact it's now only petrol/hybrid.

I'm looking for an estate. Whilst I'm not averse to another SUV, I'm aware that no doubt these will soon be taxed to buggery, so an estate would be good as we have a toddler and a lot of stuff.

Any car that we have MUST have a 360 camera. It's a non-negotiable. So far, the only options I've found that have them are BMW touring (with a specific parking package), and, I believe, Audi and Mercedes (again, though, I don't believe the 360 cameras come as standard). These are all more than I'd ideally like to pay.

We'd prefer a diesel, but can have petrol if needs must, as long as the engine is big enough and it can shift. Must be an automatic.

I've not yet managed to find any car website that allows you to filter to show cars with 360 cameras. Even if you type it as a keyword, it tends to show you a 360 "view" of the car in question.

So - if anyone has an estate with a 360 camera - please tell me about it.

You need more driving lessons if you can't park without the use of 360 parking sensors.

You don't need a massive car that you can't park with a toddler, you just need to streamline your stuff and pack the car better. If you want a big fancy car with all the bells and whistles (because you can't reverse) then own it.

Good lunch with your search op. Lessons/refresher would be cheaper than an optional extra on you new super car

I am perfectly capable of parking a car without the cameras. I've been driving for 25 years. However, I also live in an area with parking at an absolute premium and having had a reversing camera for the last 8 years and it's made my life so much easier.

I want a nice car. I've had my fair share of small cars, crap cars, and I am now at a stage in my life where I would like heated seats, a heated steering wheel and a 360 reversing camera. Ideally it'll have a self-closing boot too.

I’m with you OP, would never have a car without at least a reverse camera ever again!

Can’t help on the 360 camera though I’m afraid, good luck with the search!

I've recently changed my old Qashqai for a VW T-Roc, so not an estate but has massive boot space compared to the nissan. Didn't think I'd use the reversing camera but am now a big fan of it! Not sure what you mean by 360 camera - mine is only at the back but has sensors all over the place for front and side. Before the qashqai I had a huge saab estate and that was such a pain to park, always needing to find a massive space. Would highly recommend the VW.

The latest model of the Ford KuGa is brilliant. The Titanium version has lots of extras, is really comfortable, has a huge boot and is great to drive.

Sorry - to clarify - a 360 reversing camera is like the screenshot here. It uses cameras at rear and front of car, and underneath the wing mirrors, to put together an overhead view of the car when you're reversing. It's so much better than a standard reversing camera.

Skoda Superb is, well, Superb. The Octavia is also good if you prefer something that isn't quite so enormous.

I'm looking at the Skoda but can't filter by parking camera type. Do you know if either the Superb or Octavia have the 360 camera and if so, which trim has them as standard?

Volvo xc90 has them. The newer Volvos might have them across the range now so worth a look.

@DappledOliveGroves Skoda call the 360deg camera 'Area View' and it's part of the parking package which is an option on the SE L and standard on the L&K according to the brochure. Reversing camera is standard on both models. The plug in hybrid model (the iV) is absolutely brilliant - you won't be disappointed.

The alternative is to look at cars that can just park themselves - we had a MINI Clubman with no camera but the ability to park itself, and a Mercedes with 360 degree birds eye view camera that also parked itself. Used the auto park function frequently, but rarely used the camera on the Merc. My latest BMW (i5) has a standard rear view camera, but again parks itself, so I don't miss the 360 degree camera. Maybe try a few cars that self park and see if they work for you

Our current car can park itself, HOWEVER, it's super-cautious and also doesn't do a particularly good job. Honestly, where we live, spaces are SO tight, that the car won't auto-park if it doesn't have a huge margin of space around it. Also, it never lines up well with the kerb. So a 360 camera is still a must, unfortunately!

Volvo V60 (newer) also have them, maybe the V90 too. Be aware though that Volvo UK have discontinued all their estates, so you'd be looking at nearly new / used.

Volvo V60 - you may have to pay for higher spec but ours has all the criteria you describe

I had a Quashqai with parking cameras which were indeed very useful. I was wary when the next car didn't have them, but actually find the beeps on most cars now equally useful.

I think you're really restricting yourself if you're ruling petrol and hybrid engines.

Toyota CH-R has the reversing camera, heated seats and steering wheel and can have a self closing boot as an option. I think the most recent version has it anyway.

Unfortunately it’s a hybrid, so wouldn’t suit you from that point of view, but I certainly wouldn’t want a diesel again.

My 3 series BMW 335d touring has all this, even has cameras in the front bumper to you can see better a T junctions. Its automatic 3l diesel, with 310bhp and 4 wheel drive, 0-60 in under 5 seconds, its a beast. I think it depends which model you have, mines an M-sport shadow edition, a lot of the options are standard. I thought a heater steering wheel was a bit of a gimmick, but its one of my favourite things, its great.

You can get this on audi but as an expensive optional extra.

The front parking sensors don't even come as standard on some of the smaller audis, (A1,A3) although most have the rear.

For estate cars you are going up in size - A4 to A6, so there is more of a possibility you will get all sensors included if you buy S/H.

I think very few have the overhead camera you describe, but the reversing camera is relatively common on higher spec models and can be retrofitted.

Yes it is an outrage that such an expensive car does not include the full sensor pack at minimum. Although I do think the 360 cam you describe is a bit excessive.

What about the dacia duster. Cheaper than most of the cars mentioned and has a 360 camera (my mums and brothers both have it). It is an suv- but cheaper than most!!

I’m completely with you. I have this on my Qashqai and it’s a game changer!! I’m following this thread as I don’t want to go back to a world without a 360 camera when we change car next!

You know you can get after market 360 cameras fitted to any car? We have a local place that specialises in after market car accessories, I am sure there will be one near you too. It won't be the manufacturers brand but does it matter?
That leaves you to pick the car you like then get it fitted as soon as you buy it.

Could you look to see if there’s a local business that could fit a 360 camera to any car?
we def have an auto electrician company in our area that can ☺️

Sorry to hijack but how did you get the split screen here? I have the same car and only see the image on the left (the car from above) when I'm parking. The other view would really help me as I've not long passed my test.

It comes up automatically on mine. You can change the view, though, by pressing the "camera" button a number of times, so might be worth trying this?

Thanks for the comments re: retrofitting. It is an option, but would be a lot easier if I could just have it on the vehicle from the start (which would mean it's also under warranty).

Re: Dacia - my in-laws have one! They love it, but ideally I'm after an estate, rather than another SUV!