Best Station Wagons | 2026 New Wagon Car Models Ratings | CarBuzz

Station wagons may not be as popular as they once were, but they are still available in the US and some still sell well. These vehicles are built on sedan frames with extended length for additional interior space; they handle a bit better than SUVs which use pickup truck frames, but don’t offer quite as much practicality or an assertive seating position for the driver. This is one of the reasons that wagon models have fallen behind in sales in the USA.

Nonetheless, a few automaker brands have remained faithful to the body style, and here we list our rankings of the best new station wagons of 2026.

Vehicles are assigned a BuzzScore in relation to their direct segment competitors, and as such, vehicles in this list, while similarly scored, do not necessarily compete directly against one another. Find out more about how the BuzzScore ratings work here. These lists are continuously updated with the latest BuzzScores and vehicles as they become available.

1 BMW M5 Touring

The BMW M5 Touring has quickly become a benchmark for fast wagons. Its latest iteration uses a hugely powerful V8 hybrid setup with 717 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque, and that massive performance doesn't come at the expense of any space in the back, with 17.7 cubic feet of space available. That doesn't include the space above the cargo cover, which also increases capacity, especially when you fold the seats down for 57.6 cubic feet.

While the headline issue at launch was the weight of this car - its easily the heaviest and largest station wagon on this list - we loved driving it due to the way the engineers have masked its portliness with clever suspension and remarkable precision on the road. As such, it's currently the best wagon in our rankings.

"As we played around with the car on local South Carolina roads, it became clear that the M5 Touring can get its rear end loose, even without putting the car in its rear-drive setting. Even on imperfect back roads, the M5's Adaptive M suspension system straddles a fine line between enthusiastic handling and executive comfort. It's firmer than the Audi RS6 Avant, but far more compliant than the Mercedes-AMG E63 Wagon, which is exactly what we want from a sporty wagon."

- Jared Rosenholtz, Editor-at-Large, CarBuzz

2 Mercedes-Benz E-Class All-Terrain

Most people say they buy SUVs because they ride higher than the traditional wagon and it gives them more confidence when tackling trails. Some automakers like offering the best of both worlds, and this is one of those cars, the best wagon for space and rugged ability: the Mercedes-Benz E-Class All-Terrain, which mixes the gorgeous two-box wagon shape with some underbody reinforcements.

It's powered by an inline-six engine with 375 horsepower, features all-wheel-drive (of course) and has distinctive luxury features to make it the best one-car solution. Heated seats, keyless entry, ambient lighting and even biometric authentication come as standard, although many options are extra-cost. Want only one car in your garage? This top wagon is a great choice.

3 Volvo V60 Cross Country

With how difficult the winters get in Sweden, Voklvo knows how to make a great station wagon that can tackle harsh conditions. The V60 Cross Country can do everything you want, whenever you want. We love its rugged looks, premium interior materials and especially the cargo space that the wagon shape allows.

It still has the modern minimalism that we expect from Volvo, but inside it's loaded with features. As standard, there's a panoramic roof, Google built-in, and automatic wipers, which are useful for such a rugged wagon. You can also spec in a Harmon/Kardon sound system, four-zone climate control and a special crystal gear selector. This is all powered by an efficient mild hybrid powertrain which won't run out of breath when you max out the 60.5 cubic feet of space available.

"It's a lovely way to get around during the week, whether that means school runs or commuting, and for getting away at the weekend and going on adventures - whether that's some light camping or exploring antique stores. It's comfortable and roomy, has great cargo space for its footprint, looks good on the road, and is injected with Volvo's passion for safety."

- Ian Wright, Senior Road Tester, CarBuzz

4 Audi A6 allroad

The most expensive of our three gas-powered rugged wagons is the Audi A6 allroad; the price of this station wagon starts at just over $73,000. For that, you find Audi's legendary quattro system, a 335-hp V6 engine, and 30 cubic feet of space with the seats up. That increases to a massive 69.5 cubes with the second-row folded.

Adaptive air suspension offers refined characteristics on the road and on the trail, while selectable driving modes make sure you get the best performance with the allroad. While it's expensive, it's probably the most capable off the beaten path thanks to the air suspension and has a similar number of features once you spec the Mercedes to the same level.

5 Audi RS6 Avant

Need to get places, fast? The RS6 Avant is the allroad's faster sibling. A twin-turbo V8 sits under the hood and gives the driver 621 horsepower to play with. That's also the same engine that's found in the Lamborghini Urus, although in a much better looking car to our eyes. To propel it to 60 mph in just over three seconds, it features a quattro system that's tailored towards performance, and air suspension that works in the opposite way to the allroad by making everything firmer.

If you're not hooning around the track, the RS6 is a comfortable cruiser, with features like a Bang & Olufsen sound system and head-up display, although you'll have to account for only 16 combined mpg gas mileage.

6 Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo

The shape of electric car batteries makes it quite difficult for them to fit into wagons, but the Taycan Cross Turismo stays sleek. With four variants to choose from, starting at 429 horsepower and ending with a ludicrous 938 horsepower, the Taycan isn't cheap by any standards, but it does beat many ther wagons on this 'best station wagons list' for driving performance.

Porsche has also included plastic elements around the car to make it seem more rugged, but those wanting a sleeker design will have to go for the Sport Turismo, which ditches the plastic. Porsche also wants to make this electric weapon simple to live with, and that's why it has an 18-minute charge time from 10-80%. Oh, there's even a gravel mode if you want to have fun when the road ends.

​​​​​​Characteristics Of Wagons

So what is it that made wagon car sales drop, and what do they still have to offer to new shoppers? New station wagons are not the same as the classic ones that once populated the cross-country roads of the US, but they still have many of the qualities that saw them sell so well. With the latest updates in technology, modern station wagons have overcome many of their shortcomings. But, for better or worse, these are the things you should expect:

• Design: Naturally, it is their body style that defines the best wagons. They are essentially elongated sedans, with a longer roof and a more practical hatch-like opening for the trunk.
• Practicality: The dimensions of wagons lend themselves to large rear compartments. This gives rear passengers loads of room, but the primary advantage wagons have over sedans is their impressive cargo capacity. However, even the best wagon cars can’t compete with the top-rated crossover SUVs on the market right now.
• Comfort: Wagons are ideal family cars for more than just their impressive cabin space. They are also extremely comfort-oriented, with suspensions specifically designed to soak up bumps and deal with difficult pavement conditions. Since many of the brands sticking with the wagon style are premium names, you can also usually expect a fair number of luxury and convenience features.

What To Consider When Buying New Station Wagons

While there aren’t a lot of wagon car models to choose from, you still have to look at each closely in comparison to other popular styles like sedans or crossovers. They definitely have their strengths, but also weaknesses that saw the style fall in popularity in recent years. Some cool station wagons also exist with exceptional performance. Consider the pros and cons carefully before picking a wagon over other types of cars:

Pros

• Versatile and practical for passengers and their things
• Easy loading of items into the back
• Fun and engaging handling
• Unique styling for people that want something more daring than a sedan

Cons

• Rearward visibility can be hindered, thanks to stretched rear-end - especially when fully loaded at the back
• Divisive looks are not always appreciated
• More expensive than popular compacts with worse fuel economy

Sources: Volvo, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Porsche