If station wagons had a union, they would have declared a state of emergency many times over. Once the kings of family road trips, they are now a rarity, almost an endangered species. First crushed by the minivan ambitions of the 80s, they were finally flattened by the SUV armies of the 90s and beyond. In 2024, according to Car and Driver, the share of station wagons sold in the United States was one single percentage point. One. Just one! So, because we think they're great, here are the 8+1 best luxury station wagons.
But beware, the European automotive knights are not laying down their swords yet. Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Volvo they insist on a long roof arch, which pleases all of us who value space for skis, dogs and a two-week midlife crisis. And finally – after many years of waiting – we also got sports wagons that are breathing down the neck of many a supercar. Although the offer is not as rich as a Swedish buffet, it is enough to find a wagon that will be loyal to you both in the snow and at 250 km / h. The writer of this article is also the owner of one of the below. Also because it is still … the best car shape.
The 8 Best Luxury Station Wagons
Introducing the elite eight – caravans that (still) make sense
1. Audi RS 6 Avant Performance – best overall
For decades, Audi has been proving that a station wagon is not just a school bus for kids with a toy in their hands. RS 6 Avant Performance is the pinnacle of their long-roof art: a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 (621 hp / 850 Nm), 0–100 km/h in 3.3 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). Price? Around €117,000 (126,600 $). Definitely a car to drive even when you have nowhere to go. This is one of those truly great luxury estate cars.
In production since: 2002
Drivetrain: Twin-turbo 4.0 V8
Power: 621 hp (850 Nm)
0–100 km/h: 3.3 seconds
Top speed: 250 km/h (155 mph)
Price: approx. €117,000 (126,600 $)
Mercedes-Benz E 450 4MATIC All-Terrain – the most versatile
It didn't Mercedes left the game to Audi. The E 450 All-Terrain is an elegant and slightly raised station wagon with four-wheel drive, which you can also drive on gravel roads without shame. Under the hood is a 3.0-liter turbo inline six-cylinder with 375 hp (500 Nm), which is enough to accelerate to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds. Price? Around €66,000 (71,600 $). It seems that Mercedes knows how to elegantly say with this model: "I'll have a little of everything, please."
In production since: 1993
Drivetrain: 3.0 turbo inline six-cylinder
Power: 375 hp (500 Nm)
0–100 km/h: 4.6 seconds
Top speed: 210 km/h (130 mph)
Price: approx. €66,000 (71,600 $)
BMW M5 Touring – a sports car for those with kids and suitcases
Thirty years of prayer paid off: M5 Touring is finally coming to the US (and hopefully to us too). Under its long-lasting hood roars a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 with 717 hp (1,000 Nm), which takes it to 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 305 km/h (190 mph). And the trunk measures 1.63 cubic meters (57.6 cu ft). Basically, this is a station wagon that says, "I can carry a washing machine, but I'd rather overtake you at the Nürburgring." It should not be missing from the list of the best luxury station wagons.
In production since: 1992 (in the US from 2025)
Drivetrain: Twin-turbo 4.4 V8
Power: 717 hp (1000 Nm)
0–100 km/h: 3.5 seconds
Top speed: 305 km/h (190 mph)
Price: approx. €113,000 (122,675 $)
Audi A6 Allroad – best for off-road adventures
For all those who swear by hikers but drive them in an Audi. A6 Allroad is a raised station wagon with Quattro all-wheel drive and a 3.0-liter turbo V6 engine (335 hp / 500 Nm). Up to a hundred in 5.4 seconds, a top speed of 210 km/h (130 mph), and a price of around €65,000 (70,500 $). It's not exactly an RS6, but it's not your everyday SUV either - something in between, with soul and muddy dreams.
In production since: 1999 (multiple generations)
Drivetrain: 3.0 V6 turbo / Eu other assemblies
Power: 335 hp (500 Nm)
0–100 km/h: 5.4 seconds
Top speed: 210 km/h (130 mph)
Price: approx. €65,000 (70,500 $)
Volvo V60 Cross Country – the best drive options
A Volvo is like that friend who isn't very loud, but always brings wine and knows how to reverse park. V60 offers a petrol (Cross Country) and a plug-in hybrid (Recharge) version. The latter combines a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and an electric motor for a total of 455 hp (710 Nm). Up to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds, 66 km of electric range and average consumption under 8 l/100 km. All this for only around €47,500 (51,495 $). Still interesting – and therefore on the list – of the best luxury station wagons.
In production since: 2010 (two generations)
Top drive: Turbo 2.0 + electric motor (Recharge)
Power: 455 hp (710 Nm)
0–100 km/h: 4.3 seconds
Top speed: 183 km/h (114 mph)
Price: approx. €47,500 (51,495 $)
Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo – the best electric option
Taycan Cross Turismo is the only electric wagon on the market and… well, Porsche. The Turbo S model has two electric motors that together produce a dizzying 938 hp (1050 Nm). The result? 0–100 km/h in 2.4 seconds. Not even Tesla wakes up that fast. The price is around €105,000 (112,000 $), but hey, when you're in this car, you don't have to prove to anyone that you're not an SUV person.
In production since: 2019 (two generations – new from 2024)
Drivetrain: Two electric motors
Power: 938 hp (1050 Nm)
0–100 km/h: 2.4 seconds
Top speed: 250 km/h (155 mph)
Price: approx. €105,000 (112,000 $)
Mercedes-AMG E 53 Hybrid Wagon 4MATIC+ – the most luxuriously seductive
E 53 AMG is the wagon you would be happy to invite to dinner – if it were human. Under the elegant AMG lines ticks a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with the help of an electric motor, which can produce a total of 604 hp (750 Nm) in the so-called Race Start mode. Up to a hundred in 3.8 seconds. Although you can drive it slowly, no one does that. The price has not yet been officially confirmed, but expect around € 88,000 (95,000 $). As I wrote – on the list of the best luxury wagons – the most luxuriously seductive.
In production since: 2005
Drivetrain: 3.0 V6 + electric motor
Power: 577–604 hp (750 Nm)
0–100 km/h: 3.8 seconds
Top speed: 280 km/h (174 mph)
Price: approx. €88,000 (95,000 $)
Volvo V90 Cross Country – the best alternative to all types of SUVs
For those who love space, comfort and Swedish rationality without the need for 20-inch wheels. The V90 Cross Country has 1.95 cubic meters of luggage space (69 cu ft) and a 2.0-liter engine with mild hybrid assistance (295 hp / 420 Nm). Up to 100 km/h in 6.1 seconds, quite decent. Price? Around €56,500 (60,995 $). An SUV without an ego trip.
In production since: 2016
Drivetrain: 2.0 turbo + mild hybrid
Power: 295 hp (420 Nm)
0–100 km/h: 6.1 seconds
Top speed: 180 km/h (112 mph)
Price: approx. €56,500 (60,995 $)
Subaru Outback – the most stubborn survivor
If station wagons were the order of the beasts in the automotive kingdom, the Subaru Outback would be the old wolf that has seen it all and is still standing strong. Not because it's the strongest or fastest - far from it - but because it's the most durable. It's designed for those who go on a weekend getaway with two dogs, three kids and two kayaks on the roof... and drive over gravel, mud and the occasional stream on the way home.
Under the hood is a 2.4-liter turbo boxer engine with 260 hp (375 Nm), and four-wheel drive is as natural for Subarus as “add another shoulder” on the menu. Acceleration to 100 km/h in 6.1 seconds is quite solid, while the luggage compartment can hold up to 2 cubic meters (75.7 cu ft) with the seats folded. And the best part? The price. For around €41,500 (44,000 $) you get a station wagon that is not afraid to get your fenders dirty.
In production since: 1994
Drivetrain: 2.4 turbo boxer four-cylinder
Power: 260 hp (375 Nm)
0–100 km/h: 6.1 seconds
Top speed: 209 km/h (130 mph)
Price: from approximately €45,500 (44,000 $)
Subaru Outback He's like that uncle from Canada who wears flannel, knows how to fix a chainsaw, and has a surprisingly soft heart. He may not be the prettiest, but when there's a storm, he's the one who'll get you home safely.
Conclusion? These are the 8 best luxury station wagons that are pure classics
If you think station wagons are a thing of the past, then this list is your time machine. And if you're one of those people who says, "Why buy a station wagon when you can have an SUV?", we recommend taking a quick test drive in one of the above - the best luxury station wagons. You may never look back - except in the rearview mirror, of course.
Do you still want European prices in real time? Comment below and we'll edit!
