Let’s talk about every station wagon you can buy in 2023. Despite the popularity of SUVs, particularly compact crossovers, station wagons are experiencing something of a renaissance right now, which is weird. On the one hand, I get it: a good station wagon has a functional, surprisingly stylish design and is small enough to deliver outstanding handling and performance. But on the other hand: I can’t help but picture the station wagons I grew up with in the 1980s and 1990s and wonder why anyone would ever want to return to something like that. The answer is simple: modern wagons are nothing like the ones I remember being packed into.
The last thing I ever expected was phrases like “Porsche station wagon” or “luxurious Mercedes-Benz wagon,” but here we are. As I said, these are a far cry from the Ford LTDs, Chevy Impalas, and Volvo 760s that I grew up with—though you will still find Volvo wagons. Their modern incarnations are beautifully designed and have drawn clear inspiration from subcompact crossovers and hatchbacks, taking on shapes and luxury that I would have killed for as a kid. Let’s look at what is out there, and you will see what I’m talking about (presented in alphabetical order for your reading pleasure).
The Audi A4 allroad, A6 allroad, and RS 6 Avant
If you are interested in a luxurious station wagon with fantastic performance and a gorgeous design, then Audi comes out swinging with three different models for you to choose from. We start with the A4 allroad (unlike the A4 Sedan, which is not a wagon), a sleek and stunning offering that immediately redefines what you might expect in this vehicle. And yet, without a doubt, this is a station wagon with a fantastic array of features inside and out.
The A4 allroad has a powerful engine that delivers 261 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, letting it go from 0 to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds, with legendary Quattro all-wheel drive (AWD) for incredible traction and road grip. If you go with the A6 allroad, you get a 335 hp engine that can go from 0 to 60 in just 5.1 seconds with quattro AWD. Both models feature 12.3-inch HD virtual cockpit driver displays, gorgeous MMI touch response Infotainment screens, and available B&O Advanced sound systems to take your drive even further. The RS 6 Avant performance wagon is on another level entirely with a 621-hp twin-turbo engine that delivers 627 lb-ft of torque, letting it get up to 60 mph in only 3.3 seconds, with gorgeous displays and incredible features inside.
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class All-Terrain Wagon and AMG E-Class Wagon
Mercedes-Benz is certainly no slouch regarding luxury and sophistication, plus bold performance, which is beautifully evident when you check out their station wagon options. The E-Class model, the E-450 All-Terrain Wagon, offers up to 64 cu. Ft. of total cargo space. With a rear-facing third row of seats for a unique driving and passenger experience that offers flexibility. In terms of performance, this model is powered by a 362-hp I-6 with a 4MATIC system that offers fantastic torque output and power.
Going with the Mercedes-AMG E-Class Wagon boosts your power and performance for a driving experience that is entirely on another level. Featuring a handcrafted 603-hp V8 engine, this is one of the most powerful wagons on the road, and it features 4MATIC+ designed to handle its 627 lb-ft of torque along with a Speedshift nine-speed automatic with swift and smooth gear changes. Going from 0 to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds while offering amazing interior features like dual 12.3-inch reconfigurable screens and 64-color LED ambient lighting; this is a stunning example of a modern wagon.
The MINI Clubman
If you are interested in a small station wagon, then you have come to the right place because the MINI Clubman could be perfect for you. There is no denying the unique looks of this model, fitting right into the rest of the MINI lineup with a body shape that is as elegant as it is practical. Split-rear doors make loading and unloading the Clubman easy, while an available ALL4 AWD system ensures excellent performance and a fantastic time behind the wheel. A dual-pane panoramic moonroof gives you a great view from the inside, while the Multitone Roof aesthetic colors are truly stunning from the outside. Add excellent technology and a gorgeous interior that you will love to get in each day, and you will have something remarkable.
The Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo and Taycan Cross Turismo
Now we come to my new favorite phrase: Porsche station wagons—that would drive my father (a Porsche purist) crazy. You have got a couple of gorgeous options if you want a Porsche station wagon, and you are ready to pony up six figures for one. The Panamera 4 Sport Turismo is a gorgeous station wagon that elegantly combines the classic form of a wagon with an unmistakable Porsche design. You will find a 325-hp engine in this beauty, letting it go from 0 to 60 mph in 5.0 seconds, though you can choose a Turbo S Sport Turismo with a 620-hp engine that allows it to reach 60 mph in just 2.9 seconds.
If you are interested in an all-electric high-performance station wagon (another phrase I never would have expected), Porsche has you covered with a Taycan 4 Sport Turismo or Cross Turismo. Numerous models are available here, like a standard Taycan 4 Cross Turismo with a 469-hp motor system or a Turbo S Cross Turismo with 750 hp that can go from 0 to 60 in 2.7 seconds. The GTS Sport Turismo looks equally stunning with a 590-hp setup and a lower, sporty suspension, making it incredibly fun to drive.
The Volvo V60 and V90
Finally, we have Volvo, who has been making station wagons for as long as I have been aware of the cars I have been in. Once again, we have two different options for you to choose from, making it easy to get whatever you are looking for. To start, the Volvo V60 Cross Country has a mild hybrid engine designed to give you outstanding performance and excellent control. You get just over 22 cu. Ft. of cargo space to take advantage of and gorgeous interior details to enjoy. There is also a V60 Recharge, a plug-in hybrid version of the V60 that gives you plenty of room inside, elegant details throughout, and about 40 miles of all-electric range.
If you are looking for something larger, then the V90 Cross Country is the perfect choice, thanks to nearly 70 cu. Ft. of total cargo space inside to enjoy. With this one, you get greater towing capacity, perfect if you want to pull a small boat behind your wagon, along with the same gorgeous details and innovative technology inside. You will find AWD, impressive ground clearance, and an available 4-C Adaptive Air Suspension system with the V90, giving you an excellent driving experience in various conditions.
These Wagons Ain’t Draggin’!
As you can see, we have come a long way with the kinds of station wagons available these days compared to what many of us grew up with 30 years ago. Modern wagons range dramatically in terms of price and performance, creating options for pretty much any driver interested in something with plenty of cargo space inside without choosing a crossover or hatchback. Finding the right one with everything you have been looking for comes down to knowing what you want and then sorting through the options available. No matter what you need, there is a wagon ready to satisfy, and the kind of performance that Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and Audi offer is unlike anything my parents could have imagined when I was a kid. Now you just have to choose the one that’s right for you.
