For many years, it was America’s household hauler of selection. Now, is the station wagon useless within the U.S.? Volvo, a model that has championed the longroof for nearly its complete existence, is now out of the sport. And that may’t be signal for the cargo-friendly automotive.
73 Years of Swedish Wagons
Volvo’s first wagon was referred to as the Duett, and it launched in 1953. It was meant for use as a supply van by day and a household automotive on the weekend, and it grew to become such a Swedish icon that it acquired its personal stamp.
The automaker’s ultimate wagon within the U.S. is the V60 Cross Nation. It’s a lifted wagon, very similar to the unique Subaru Outback, however it’s nonetheless clearly a wagon. Volvo has bought 3,630 of them as of the top of November 2025, however that determine is an aberration. Usually, the annual determine is lower than half that, which was low sufficient to get it the axe.
Station Wagons Had been the Official Household Automobiles for Generations
As soon as, Oldsmobiles cruised the vistas, Fords took their Squires to the nation, and Plymouth’s Suburban would put Chevy’s advertising and IP staff in a fury. Almost each model had wagons in virtually each measurement, from subcompact to plane provider.
Right this moment, the station wagon isn’t fairly useless, however Volvo’s transfer places an finish to … properly, not reasonably priced wagons, they’re already lengthy useless. Nevertheless it was the final wagon with an MSRP close to the present record-high common new-car value.
Now Wagons Are Excessive-Finish Efficiency Machines
They’re not budget-friendly household runabouts anymore. The remaining station wagons are status vehicles for patrons who wish to fly below the radar.
Mercedes-Benz presents its E-Class because the Cross Nation-like E 450 All-Terrain, which is lifted and plastic-clad, for a extra rugged look. It additionally presents the AMG E 53 wagon, a plug-in hybrid that makes an astonishing 577 horsepower from its engine and motor mixed.
That AMG efficiency mannequin isn’t alone. BMW and Audi each make uberwagons, with BMW providing the 717-horsepower M5 Touring and Audi a 621-horsepower RS6 Avant. Each are six-figure machines, and each are promoting above expectations. At the least Audi nonetheless presents its personal All-Terrain equal, the A6 Allroad.
Crossover SUVs Have Seized the Market
For some time, lifted wagons had been holding the phase alive. Volvo’s Cross Nation, Audi’s Allroad, Merc’s All-Terrain, Volkswagen’s Golf Alltrack. They provided SUV-like confidence and options akin to AWD and extra floor clearance, however they had been shorter in top, often lighter, and provided higher gas economic system.
After all, the most important vendor of these was the Subaru Outback, however even that mannequin has strayed away from the traditional wagon over time. The most recent era shattered the phantasm fully — it’s now a crossover SUV.
What Killed the Station Wagon?
What killed them? It is dependent upon who you ask, however it’s advanced. Sellers and automakers made extra money from dearer crossovers and SUVs, pushing them away from advertising wagons. Patrons began to need the rugged go-anywhere feel and look of these fashions, too.
Behind all of that was one thing referred to as CAFE. Company Common Gasoline Economic system Requirements, the fleet gas economic system guidelines automakers have to fulfill as a part of emissions legal guidelines. CAFE doesn’t deal with each automobile the identical; bigger autos have decrease gas economic system necessities, and even the thriftiest gentle vehicles can use extra gas than passenger vehicles.
Crossovers, due to their floor clearance, had been gentle vehicles. Wagons had been passenger vehicles. That they had related sizes and carried the identical quantity inside, however a wagon wanted higher gas effectivity to fulfill CAFE requirements.
Even Volvo’s personal Cross Nation, with its additional floor clearance, was a neater goal than the usual V60. Automakers might strive more durable on their wagons, or they might simply construct SUVs.
Is the Final Reasonably priced Wagon a Toyota Crossover?
In case you’re nonetheless looking for the station wagon expertise, there would possibly nonetheless be one automobile that delivers it. Or no less than it’s the brand new automobile that comes closest with out breaking the financial institution.
It comes from Toyota, the final automaker to supply a full line of vehicles and vehicles within the U.S. The Toyota Crown Signia is a brand new however ignored automobile that has virtually the identical footprint because the Highlander crossover, however is decrease, sleeker, and lighter.
Toyota received’t use the “W” phrase, however it doesn’t name this mannequin an SUV in its advertising both. It does meet the “gentle truck” SUV definition, although, so the federal government does get a say.
Wagon’s Aren’t Lifeless, However They’re Onerous to Afford
Is the station wagon useless in America? No, however it’s actually in palliative care, if not on life assist. There are just a few choices left after Volvo’s V60 CC departs, however not many.
Farewell to the wagon, we’ll miss you. Even when we don’t miss the rear-facing third seat.
