Although the station wagon is a staple on European roads, with European sales constituting 72% of global station wagon sales in 2017, you may be surprised to know that several manufacturers still offer a variety of station wagons for sale in the US.
They’re the red-headed stepchildren of the US automotive market, yet few other vehicles offer their mix of practicality and fuel economy—and one may just be right for you. In the market for one? Here’s our quick guide to (most) of the station wagons you can buy new in the US.
AUDI: A4 ALLROAD, A6 ALLROAD, RS6 AVANT
Audi offers several flavors of station wagon: the A4 Allroad mid-size wagon, the A6 Allroad full-size wagon, and … drumroll … the mighty Audi RS6 Avant is finally coming to the United States!
The A4 Allroad and A6 Allroad represent your average, sensible everyday wagons; the perfect luxury companions. The RS6 Avant takes all that makes a regular A6 Avant great and cranks it up to 11 (or maybe more like 12 or 13) with 592 fire breathing ponies under the hood.
BUICK: REGAL TOURX
Although the Buick Regal sedan and Regal TourX wagon will be discontinued after 2020, GM is offering aggressive discounts on these outgoing models. With big rebates knocking thousands off MSRP, a Regal TourX is an excellent value proposition as of early 2020.
All-wheel drive is standard, with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing around 250 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Couple this with a quiet cabin, stylish exterior design, and plenty of cargo room, and you have a recipe for a great everyday wagon.
JAGUAR: XF SPORTBRAKE
The Jaguar XF Sportbrake serves as the sole British representative on our list. Based on the XF mid-size sedan, the Sportbrake is a wagon with sleek design, great driving dynamics, and impressive cargo capacity.
This Jag faces stiff competition from the likes of the Mercedes-Benz E450 wagon and Volvo V90. While all three go blow for blow in comparison tests, if you want a bonafide British station wagon, there’s no other option than this beautiful Jaaaag (as Jeremy Clarkson puts it).
MERCEDES: E450 4MATIC, E63S WAGON
Just as there exists a dichotomy between the Audi A6 Avant and RS6 Avant, the same can be said about one of Audi’s main compatriot rivals: Mercedes-Benz. The E450 4Matic (all-wheel drive) is the sensible everyday luxury wagon, while the E63S is its unhinged twin brother.
Although their exterior styling is quite similar, it’s under the hood where you’ll see the biggest difference. The E450 with its 362 horsepower is a quick wagon in its own right, but it’s the E63S that offers a whopping 603 horsepower—one of the most powerful wagons in the world.
PORSCHE: PANAMERA SPORT TURISMO
Introduced in 2017, the Panamera Sport Turismo models—encompassing six trims of varying power plants and commensurate prices—have been met by nearly universal praise from automotive journalists, including the base Panamera 4 Sport Turismo: yours for $98,000.
Opt for the top-trim Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo and you’ll get not just the most powerful wagon in the world (with a monstrous 677 hp and 626 lb-ft of torque), but the vehicle with possibly the least catchy name in automotive history.
VOLKSWAGEN: GOLF SPORTWAGEN, GOLF ALLTRACK
The venerable Golf hatchback has been in continuous production (through multiple generations of course) since 1974—nearly 50 years. What happens when Volkswagen takes one of the world’s most beloved hatchbacks and stretches it? The Golf SportWagen!
While perhaps not the most exciting wagons on our list, the SportWagen and its sibling, the Alltrack (a lifted SportWagen with different exterior trim panels and standard all-wheel drive), are two of the most practical options for those looking for an affordable yet capable wagon.
VOLVO V60, V60 CROSS COUNTRY, V90, V90 CROSS COUNTRY
Volvo has a rich history of making wagons with its 850 and V70 models being quirky classics among enthusiasts in part due to their boxy design. Volvo has continued this legacy into the present day in the 2020s, with the V60, V60 Cross Country, V90, and V90 Cross Country.
Not only do each of these wagons offer undeniably sleek looks both inside and out (thanks to modern Scandinavian design), you’ll also get spacious, comfortable cabins and all the latest safety features you would expect from a safety-oriented brand like Volvo.
AND THE FUTURE?
Depending on your definition of wagon, the Fiat 500L, Mini Clubman, and Subaru Outback are three more vehicles you may like to check out if you’re in the market for a wagon of your own. In addition, the BMW 3-Series F31 wagons are discontinued, yet still available with low miles.
While the fact remains that station wagons are unpopular in the US, many are still available new and for sale. We don’t know what the future holds, but if you’re an American currently looking to buy a shiny new wagon, you’ve got plenty of options to find the perfect ride!