Wagons That Won Our Hearts
Before crossovers ruled the road, station wagons were the kings of cargo and comfort. They hauled groceries, camping gear, and entire generations with ease. Today, they’re back with advanced features and remain as attractive as ever. So, let's look at 10 old school station wagons that paved the way for today's new generation.
Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA on Wikimedia
1. 1994 Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon
In its final years, this full-size cruiser had a Corvette-derived 5.7-liter LT1 V8, delivering 260 horsepower. A rear-facing third-row seat and woodgrain siding gave it a suburban swagger. Despite its size, it handled highway cruising with surprising smoothness.
2. 1986 Volvo 740 Turbo Wagon
Engineered for endurance, the 740 Turbo packed a turbocharged 2.3-liter inline-four, making 160 horsepower. Its boxy shape concealed a cavernous cargo area and signature Swedish safety. Volvo even offered a manual transmission option, which was rare for wagons at the time.
3. 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300TE 4MATIC
Luxury met utility in the 300TE 4MATIC, a wagon with all-wheel drive and timeless Mercedes build quality. The vehicle featured a 3.0-liter inline-six paired with a four-speed automatic. Self-leveling rear suspension, anti-lock brakes, and traction control came standard, rare for early-'90s wagons.
4. 1970 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser
Famed for its raised roof and skylight windows, the Vista Cruiser offered panoramic visibility and distinctive style. It came standard with a 350-cubic-inch V8, though 455 V8s were optional later on. Its third-row seat faced rearward, a novelty at the time.
5. 1966 Ford Country Squire
This behemoth featured faux wood paneling and three rows of seating, epitomizing the American family car. Its Magic Doorgate tailgate opened two ways, a revolutionary feature. At nearly 18 feet long, it rivaled some limousines in length.
6. 1995 Audi S6 Avant
Audi’s high-performance wagon came armed with a turbocharged 2.2-liter inline-five, pushing out 227 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. Standard Quattro's all-wheel drive made it a confident performer in all weather. Only about 300 were imported to the U.S. that year.
7. 1984 AMC Eagle Wagon
Blending 4WD utility with wagon practicality, the Eagle pioneered the crossover concept years before the term existed. The AMC’s raised ride height and Jeep-derived drivetrain made it capable of going off-road. It was one of the first American cars to combine AWD with a unibody design.
Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA on Wikimedia
8. 1973 Pontiac Safari Grand
This full-size GM wagon offered up to 455 cubic inches of V8 power and seated up to nine passengers. The clamshell tailgate design allowed the rear glass to disappear into the roof and the tailgate into the floor. A built-in cargo net system came standard in later years.
1973 Pontiac Grand Safari Drive-By by Adam Lucacel
9. 1987 Subaru GL Wagon (4WD)
Subaru’s boxy GL 4WD Wagon won fans with its selectable four-wheel drive and indestructible nature. Fuel economy reached 28 mpg on the highway—exceptional for a 4WD at the time. The GL Wagon helped cement Subaru’s reputation for rugged reliability.
order_242 from Chile on Wikimedia
10. 1969 Opel Kadett Caravan
Imported by GM under the Opel nameplate, the Kadett Caravan was compact, efficient, and surprisingly spacious for its size. Lightweight and simple, it appealed to economy-minded families. Its popularity in Europe led to nearly 3 million Kadetts sold globally by 1973.
1969 Opel Kadett B Caravan Luxus - Motorworld Classics Bodensee 2022 by Automobile Classics
That was then—now it’s time to check out the new generation of wagons we can’t get enough of.
1. 2024 Audi RS6 Avant
A 621-horsepower twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 powers this superwagon, delivering 627 lb-ft of torque. Audi's R26 Avant rockets from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.3 seconds while offering 30 cubic feet of cargo space. Plus, standard Quattro all-wheel drive ensures brutal grip.
2024 Audi RS6 Avant Performance Unleashed! by YOUCAR
2. 2023 Volvo V60 Recharge T8 Polestar Engineered
This plug-in hybrid wagon blends performance and sustainability. It has a combined 455 horsepower and 523 lb-ft of torque. The car can travel up to 41 miles on electricity alone and comes standard with Ohlins suspension and Brembo brakes.
MORE POWER & RANGE! - 2023 Volvo V60 Polestar Engineered by The Novak Report
3. 2025 Mercedes-AMG E 63 S Wagon
No SUV in Mercedes’ lineup matches this wagon’s incredible blend of cargo space and insane performance. First, its handcrafted 4.0-liter V8 delivers an impressive 603 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque. Then, launch control helps it hit 60 mph in 3.4 seconds.
The ALL-NEW 2025 Mercedes E63 AMG S - STUNNING Sedan Experience by CarsForUs
4. 2024 Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo
Porsche’s electric wagon offers up to 750 horsepower in the Turbo S trim and still holds 15.7 cubic feet of rear cargo. It is quick and capable with dual motors and adaptive air suspension. Charging is handled by an 800-volt architecture that can refill the battery to 80% in about 23 minutes.
5. 2023 Subaru Outback Wilderness
Featuring ground clearance of 9.5 inches and all-terrain tires, this is Subaru’s most off-road-ready wagon yet. Dual-function X-Mode enhances traction on snow, dirt, and mud, while a turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four delivers 260 horsepower. A full-size spare and reinforced roof rails support overlanding adventures.
6. 2023 BMW M3 Touring (Europe-Only)
The 2023 BMW M3 Touring remains a Europe-only model despite heavy U.S. interest. It features standard xDrive all-wheel drive and an 8-speed automatic transmission. This high-performance wagon can rocket from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds.
2023 BMW M3 Touring walkaround review by CarExpert
7. 2025 Volkswagen Golf R Variant
Available only in Europe, the Golf R Variant combines hatchback agility with wagon practicality. While its 2.0-liter turbocharged engine produces 333 horsepower in the latest edition, standard 4MOTION all-wheel drive includes torque vectoring. The rear cargo volume reaches 57.7 cubic feet, rivaling many compact SUVs.
2025 Volkswagen Golf R Variant by New Cars Preview
8. 2025 Audi A6 Allroad
Audi’s latest A6 Allroad combines luxury with off-road capability, featuring a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine that delivers 335 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. Its adaptive air suspension adjusts ride height by up to 1.2 inches for varied terrains.
9. 2024 Peugeot 508 SW PSE
This plug-in hybrid wagon offers 355 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque from a combination of a turbo-four and two electric motors. All-wheel drive and adaptive suspension deliver sports-sedan handling. Available in Europe, it’s the most powerful production Peugeot ever made.
2024 Peugeot 508 SW PSE: Wir fahren das Facelift! - Review, Fahrbericht, Test by BlackForestDrive
10. 2024 Genesis G70 Shooting Brake
Styled specifically for Europe, this elegant wagon pairs a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with rear- or all-wheel drive. The vehicle features the same premium cabin materials as the G70 sedan. Moreover, its cargo area expands to 54.3 cubic feet.
