Station wagons are among the most adaptable and practical vehicles ever made. Offering ample space and comfort, they’ve lost some of their appeal to SUVs in recent years, even though they still have key advantages, like a smaller footprint without sacrificing cargo space.

Yet, some station wagons have stood out over the years, defying expectations and offering something truly unique. This collection highlights some of the weirdest and most unconventional wagons ever made. While they might have been odd, it doesn’t mean they didn’t have their charm.

Volvo Amazon

The Volvo Amazon, produced from 1956 to 1970, might sound like it was named after the famous online retailer, but it was, in fact, a classy wagon with over 70,000 units produced. Interestingly, the Amazon was not just a stylish family car—it was also adopted by British police forces as the first foreign-market police vehicle. Among its quirky features was a two-piece tailgate, and its rear license plate could be folded upward for visibility even with the tailgate lowered.

Peugeot 405

The Peugeot 405 station wagon is now one of the rarest models on the road, especially in the United States, where just 1,000 units were sold in a single model year. With styling from the renowned Pininfarina, the 405 was agile and practical. While it was a hit in Europe, Peugeot struggled to captivate the American market, and the wagon remains a rare find today.

Cadillac CTS-V

The Cadillac CTS-V wagon was more than just a family car—it was a muscle car disguised as a station wagon. Equipped with a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine, it produced 556 horsepower, propelling the wagon to a top speed of 179 mph and a 0-60 time of 4 seconds. Few wagons can match its power, and even fewer dared to blend such performance with practicality.

Daewoo Nubira

The Daewoo Nubira station wagon, launched in 1998, was a forgotten contender in the U.S. market, designed to rival the likes of Hyundai and Mitsubishi. Despite its modest 129 horsepower and affordable price tag, the Nubira struggled to make an impact. The company’s eventual exit from the U.S. market in 2002 sealed its fate, making it one of the more obscure wagons from the era.

Renault Medallion

The Renault Medallion was a short-lived offering in the U.S. market, part of an alliance between AMC and Renault in the 1980s. With its underpinnings based on the Renault 21, the Medallion wagon offered a spacious, practical ride but was a commercial failure. Despite its relative comfort, only a few hundred Medallions ever made it to U.S. buyers.

Dodge Magnum SRT8

The Dodge Magnum SRT8 was a muscle car that didn’t play by the rules. With a massive 6.1-liter Hemi V8 engine producing 425 horsepower, it was as powerful as it was versatile. Despite its muscle-car performance, the Magnum SRT8 also offered the practicality of a wagon, making it a rare blend of power and utility.

Mercury Tracer

The Mercury Tracer, which ran from 1997 to 1999, was a short-lived station wagon in the Mercury lineup before the brand’s eventual demise in 2011. Despite its sleek new design and improved structure, it was ultimately underpowered and built on aging architecture, a combination that led to its downfall just as station wagons were losing popularity.

Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser

The Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser was one of GM’s most unconventional wagons, built on the B-body platform shared with the Caprice and Buick Roadmaster. Produced for only two model years, it came with hefty V8 engines and offered plenty of room for passengers and cargo. Yet, its high fuel consumption and limited appeal meant it never became a big hit.

Volkswagen Quantum

Before the Passat wagon became popular, Volkswagen offered the lesser-known Quantum. With clean lines, plenty of cargo space, and a surprisingly compact size, the Quantum was a practical option. It also came with an all-wheel-drive system and a 2.0-liter inline-five engine, though it remains rare on North American roads today.

Mitsubishi Diamante

The Mitsubishi Diamante wagon, introduced in 1993, was a family-friendly contender with a 3.0-liter V6 engine and 175 horsepower. Despite its practical design and solid performance, the wagon version never resonated with consumers as much as the sedan, and it remains a rare sight today.