While SUVs might be becoming more popular, station wagons are still one of the best vehicles money can buy.
They are spacious, comfortable, practical, and can sometimes look exceptional.
However, they are a dying breed, and this list contains some of the very best station wagons we wish we could bring back. Their practicality, safety, and looks all contribute to this. Sadly, the rise of SUVs makes any comeback unlikely.
Volvo’s Range Of Station Wagons
In the summer of 2023, Volvo announced that it would discontinue its run of station wagons and move towards the SUV and EV markets. That ended a long run for some of the best wagons in automotive history.
The uprising of SUVs meant Volvo went where the sales lay, a terrifying sign of where the automotive industry is heading. This run of legendary station wagons started with the gorgeous Volvo 145 and has led to recent vehicles such as the Volvo V90. It feels wrong that the Volvo station wagon will no longer be available.
Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon
While Cadillac was already producing the CTS-V in the late 2000s, rumors soon began to swirl that the company was looking to make a sporty station wagon version of the sedan and coupe.
It was in 2010 that Cadillac finally took the covers off the car, and to the delight of consumers, they decided to put it into production. Under the hood was a supercharged V8 with 446 hp, the same as you would find in the CTS-V sedan and coupe. Performance was mighty with a 0-60 mph time of just 4.0 seconds, and the CTS-V Sports Wagon was one of the best performance wagons of the 2010s.
Mercedes-Benz S124
Mercedes is another manufacturer that was once famous for producing exceptional station wagons. The S124, derived from the W124 sedan, was one of the best, with a 3.0-liter straight-six engine under the hood.
The S124 quickly established a reputation for being reliable, comfortable, and luxurious. Mercedes put a lot of work into the quality of the S124, over-engineering it to some degree to ensure the highest quality standard. Something occasionally lost with modern Mercedes products. Mercedes would produce the S124 and W124 from 1984 to 1995.
2003 Audi Allroad 4.2 V8
While the Allroad remains a part of the Audi range, the first V8 version from 2003 is still the peak of the wagon. Audi claimed the V8 was an “advanced new petrol engine” at its launch with five valves per cylinder, a weight reduction over the V8 from the S6, and an “unmistakeable V8 engine note.”
The Allroad V8 had the performance to back up these claims. Its power was 300 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque, allowing for a 0-62 mph time of just 7.2 seconds and a top speed of 149 mph. Even over 20 years after its introduction, the 2003 Allroad V8 still looks the part, and it is undoubtedly much more fun to drive than any modern SUV.
Volvo 850 T5-R / 850R
We’ve mentioned Volvo’s wagons, so let’s narrow it down. One of the best is the 850 T5-R and 850R. The crowning glory for this range was when Volvo teamed up with Tom Walkinshaw Racing to field the station wagon in the British Touring Car Championship. Against a sea of sedans and coupes, the Volvo 850 more than held its own.
The fun didn’t stop in the production version, either. Under the hood of the 850 T-5R was a 2.3-liter turbocharged five-cylinder engine, producing 237 hp, while the 850R produced just a smidge less at 225 hp. As far as Volvos go, the 850 series remains a classic.
Chrysler 300C Hemi Wagon
It might be large, somewhat ugly, and painful sometimes. However, the Chrysler 300C Hemi Wagon still holds a special place in many people’s hearts because it is a bonkers Hemi V8-powered family car that adds Chrysler’s luxury to the equation.
Under the hood, a giant 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine produces 363 hp and 394 lb-ft of torque. Those are some pretty big numbers in a station wagon, and they could lead to some wild sideways moments coming out of the corners. It isn’t the best station wagon on this list, but it’s undoubtedly one of the most terrifying.
Buick Roadmaster
They might not be to everyone’s taste, but the Buick Roadmaster is a station wagon that deserves far more recognition. The station wagon Roadmaster first appeared in 1991 and still retained a mighty V8 under the hood.
Initially, power came from the 5.0-liter L03 V8, but in its second year of production, Buick upgraded the engine to the 5.7-liter L05 V8. Yet Buick took things up another gear in 1994 by adding the LT1 small block V8 into the mix. This opened up many tuning and performance possibilities, including aftermarket parts for Corvettes and Camaros. The Roadmaster is a reminder of how fun practical driving can sometimes be.
Citroën DS Break
It has been some time since Citroën produced a station wagon. But in the immediate aftermath of World War II, Citroën offered its DS as a station wagon in the form of the Break and Break comfort. Citroën would also produce the DS as a six-seater, Familiale as an eight-seater, and the panel wagon Commerciale.
While they are now vintage, the Citroën wagons were very innovative for a time. Key to this was the hydropneumatic suspension, which automatically leveled the car in corners no matter how much weight was on each corner. These post-war Citroëns also provided some of the sleekest and best-looking designs of any car in the world, sorely lacking from the current Citroën range.
Alfa Romeo 159 3.2 V6
Alfa Romeo might have a questionable reliability record, but when they get it right, they get it very right. The 159 3.2 V6 is not only a gorgeous car, but it has the performance to match its looks. The 3.2-liter V6 produces 256 hp, which is plenty for an Alfa Romeo that has practicality in mind.
Alfa enhanced the V6 with direct injection and continuously variable valve timing on all four cams and the 32 valves. Plus, even though it is a V6, it produces a roar you would expect from a V8 engine, and the bonus of all-wheel drive makes the 159 V6 an absolute joy to drive. Alfa Romeos may have their issues, but the 159 3.2 is one of those occasions where they got things spot on.
Nissan Stagea Autech 260RS
We will forgive you if you have never heard of the Nissan Stagea Autech. The best way to think about this wild station wagon is that it is a Nissan R33 GT-R in wagon clothing. Nissan based it on the R33, which includes the same four-wheel drive system and fundamental mechanicals.
Japanese tuning company Autech would acquire the Stagea and tune it to produce more power and dramatically enhance the wagon. Under the hood sits a familiar 2.6-liter RB26DETT engine, producing 276 hp. At least officially, as many believe, the actual power figure is much higher. The Autech came with a new body kit, Autech badging, and a few modifications to the interior.
Saab 9-5 SportCombi
The Saab 9-5 SportCombi stretches the truth of discontinued slightly, as it never entered production. The wagon appeared just before Saab went under, and it was a fresh, classy take on the station wagon.
Saab launched the SportCombi wagon at the 2011 Geneva Auto Show, and expectations for the new model were high. Saab dealers globally reported massive interest in the car, and press reviews from the automotive world were already very positive. Sadly, the company went bankrupt before it could produce the wagon. This is a massive shame, as the 9-5 SportCombi order books had filled up fast.
