Top 10 Best Station Wagons: 2019

by Sam McEachern

Updated: May 9th, 2019 Published: April 4th, 2019

Station wagons aren’t as popular in North America as they once were.

In the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s, big comfy wagons were a staple of suburban life. The wagon has fallen out of favor over the years, though, first facing competition from minivans in the 1980s and 1990s and then becoming almost obsolete in North America once crossovers and SUVs rose to popularity in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Despite many buyers opting for a crossover or SUV over a wagon, North American consumers still have a decent amount of choice when it comes to wagons. In this post, we’re going to go count down the Top 10 Best Station Wagons on sale in North America today. Europe is much more blessed when it comes to wagon availability. We didn’t really have to cut any true station wagons from the list, as there are really only 10 station wagons on sale in the U.S. in Canada not counting model variations, but we will provide our opinion on each of these wagons as go along.

Top 10 Best Station Wagons: 2019

Jaguar XF Sportbrake

The Jaguar XF Sportbrake is one of the best-looking station wagons on the market, bar none. It somehow manages to be both sporty and grown-up looking, making it perfect for the 30 or 40-something who has matured but perhaps hasn’t yet succumbed to the idea of buying a crossover or SUV. It only has one powertrain offering, though, which is a 380-hp supercharged V6, so this is a bit of a unique product with limited appeal, if you ask us. It’s also quite expensive, with prices starting at $71,445. It’s not available in Canada, either.

ALSO SEE: Top 15 Best AWD Sports Cars

MINI Cooper Clubman

The MINI Cooper Clubman isn’t mini at all — it actually has 47.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded down, making it more convenient and practical than many crossovers. It also has barn door style outward-opening rear hatch doors that were specifically designed to make loading easier. A perfectly flat load floor also makes moving large square objects like a dresser quite straightforward. The base engine is a 134-hp 1.5-liter turbo, while the mid-tier Clubman S has a 189-hp 2.0-liter turbo. The range-topping Cooper Clubman JCW has a 228-hp version of the same 2.0-liter. A six-speed manual transmission comes standard, while an eight-speed automatic is available as an option. The base model starts at just under $25,000, and, like all MINIs, this one is fun to drive and has a lot of personality.

ALSO SEE: Top 10 Best AWD Coupes

Volvo V90/V90 Cross Country

The Volvo V90 and V90 Cross Country are two modern and classy-looking luxury wagons. These are two rather unique products, featuring a strange (yet buttery smooth) turbo and supercharged four-cylinder engine that makes a robust 316 hp. With a stylish, minimalist interior (would you expect anything else from Sweden?) and up to 54 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded down, the V90 succeeds at being both a solid luxury car and a practical family wagon. If the FWD V90 isn’t capable enough for you, the AWD V90 Cross Country will give you the crossover-shaming capability to go with those handsome looks and the luxurious cabin. The only downside here is the price — the V90 starts at $51,450 and the V90 Cross Country starts at $52,550.

ALSO SEE: 2019 Volvo V60 Review

Volvo V60

The V60 is essentially a smaller version of the V90. For that reason, it’s more efficient and more affordable, placing it higher in our ranking. It’s equally as stylish and nearly as practical, offering up 50.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded down. The base engine is a 247-hp 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder, while a turbo and supercharged 316 hp 2.0-liter turbo is offered as well. Volvo recently announced it would be building a V60 Polestar Engineered model, too, which has a 415-hp hybrid powertrain. Prices start a $38,900 for the base model.

ALSO SEE: Where is Volvo From and Where are Volvos Made?

Subaru Outback

We’ll accept any arguments that claim the Subaru Outback is a crossover and not a wagon. We’re including it in our list anyway, as it still has a wagon shape to it and the Outback started out its life as a wagon. It’s also a solid vehicle, offering up a base 2.5-liter boxer four-cylinder or optional 3.6-liter flat-six engine, standard symmetrical all-wheel drive and a ton of space for passengers and cargo. With genuinely usable off-road capability, good safety ratings, and smart interior packaging, it’s hard not to suggest the Outback to anyone in need of a capable, family-friendly vehicle that won’t break the bank. It won’t be thrilling you with its very modest performance (especially if you go for the wheezy four-cylinder), but it’s a great choice for anyone in need of a practical daily driver. Prices start at $26,345.

ALSO SEE: Subaru Outback vs Forester: Which Subaru Crossover Is Right for You?

Buick Regal TourX

The Buick Regal TourX probably isn’t a car you (or anyone) thinks about very often. It’s hard to blame you — there’s not much to get excited about here. It’s a reasonably priced, practical mid-size wagon with a moderately powerful 250-hp 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder and rather nondescript looks. That’s exactly what we like about the Regal TourX, though. With more cargo space and off-road capability than many crossovers, crisp 7.0- or available 8.0-inch interior touchscreens and a reasonable $29,995 starting price, there’s really not much to dislike here. The only downside, in our opinion, is that it’s not offered in Canada, a market that would likely appreciate this well-priced go-anywhere wagon quite a lot.

ALSO SEE: Buick Regal TourX Review

Panamera Sport Turismo

Expensive as the Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo may be (prices start at $110,200 for the base model and $155,500 for the Turbo), it does offer buyers a decent amount of choice, with a 2.9-liter V6 base engine, available plug-in hybrid powertrain, and a 542-hp twin-turbo V8. Its sporting aspirations are clear, though, with a somewhat cramped back seat and minimal headroom for rear seat passengers. There’s a good amount of cargo space, though (especially for a Porsche) with 52.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity with the rear seats folded down. If you wanted a wagon that’s built for drivers, this is a great option — the driving dynamics are incredible and the interior is ultra luxurious.

ALSO SEE: This is the Fanny Pack of Cars

Audi A4 Allroad

The Audi A4 Allroad is truly a do-it-all vehicle. With decently sporty on-road driving characteristics (thanks in part to its torquey 252-hp 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder) and passable off-road capability, there’s almost no regular driving scenario in which the A4 Allroad will be out of its element. It has a ton of room for your stuff, with 58.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded down, and high-tech interior features like Audi’s sharp MMI Infotainment system with the Virtual Cockpit dashboard display. This is an Audi, so Quattro all-wheel comes standard, of course. Prices start at $45,700.

ALSO SEE: Top 10 Best Cars for Teens – The Short List

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is another undeniably attractive wagon. It’s offered in two forms in the United States, the 362-hp 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 E540 and one of our personal favorite new cars, the 603-hp E63 AMG S. Its stylish exterior looks are joined by a high quality and high tech interior with typical Mercedes Benz touches like its dual-display widescreen infotainment system, turbine-style HVAC vents and customizable ambient lighting. We do wish it were more affordable, with the E450 starting at $64,200 and the E63 AMG starting at a shocking $108,850, but it’s hard to deny this wagon’s desirability. With driving dynamics, luxury, tech, and good looks, the E-Class wagon has it all.

ALSO SEE: Top 10 Best Diesel Cars You Can Buy in the US – The Short List

Volkswagen Golf SportWagen/AllTrack

You’re probably wondering why the regular old Golf SportWagen and AllTrack have out-ranked such excellent cars as the Panamera Sport Turismo and E-Class Wagon. We wanted this list to be relevant to your average consumer and we think the Golf in a wagon body style is one of the best new cars you can buy. With a perfectly powerful 170-hp turbo four, refined automatic transmission, and well-sorted suspension, the SportWagen actually does feel decently sporty at times. The AllTrack, meanwhile, offers a good amount of capability for those living in areas that get a lot of snow. Both versions of the wagon have a ton of cargo room, too, with 66.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats down.

In short, let your friends waste money on higher-riding, more expensive crossovers that handle worse and get poorer fuel economy and pick yourself up a Golf SportWagen, and if you need the capability, go for the AllTrack. SportWagen prices start at $21,895 and AllTrack prices start at $26,895.

#StationWagons

Sam McEachern

Sam McEachern holds a diploma in journalism from St. Clair College in Windsor, Ontario, and has been covering the automotive industry for over 5 years. He conducts reviews and writes AutoGuide's news content. He's a die-hard motorsports fan with a passion for performance cars of all sorts.

More by Sam McEachern

Top stories

Top 10 Best Station Wagons: 2019